The .45 GAP Experience

[Quiet]

If I remember SA Had an XD model for a year or two and also Smith and Wesson (not sure about Smith). I think the .45 GAP WAS INTRODUCED IN 2003. It never really caught on so Springfield and Smith dropped it from their line. Now, only Glock makes a pistol chambered in 45 GAP.

HS Produkt still makes it. Springfield Armory chooses not to import it to the USA.

Some countries have gun laws that prohibits the civilian ownership of handguns in calibers that are used by or have ever been used by their Gov/Mil/LE.
This prohibits the ownership of .45ACP handguns and allows the ownership of .45GAP handguns.
So, there is some interest in other countries.
Which is why HS Produkt still makes the HS-2000 in .45GAP and why Sellier & Bellot started making/continues to make .45GAP ammo.

[Jpzum]

Thanks for the review. It's nice to have someone explain the round so concisely. I'd always been curious, but the scarcity made me just ignore it altogether.
I probably still will, but at least I know something about it if I ever want to play Devils advocate to some caliber groupie who says "it sucks". Being scarcely available and not popular don't make guns/ammo inherently sucky. They are probably good reasons why the 37 and the GAP aren't suitable for most shooters and never turn up in the "what's a good first pistol" threads. Although, come to think of it, it would be funny to throw that out there.
The Glock 37 is the best pistol for beginners. Ha.

[bsg]

thanks for the review.

[glockprotected]

I bought a Glock 38 for the reason that if I am a Glock fanboy, I should own a 45 GAP and the price was right!!
I have S/M hand grip. So when I tried it. I was actually liking the feel of the 45 GAP and grip of the receiver. I was just as accurate shooting the 45 GAP as I was shooting a 45 ACP. Like I said, the grip was better though with the 45 GAP. BTW, I own a G21 2nd gen.
I always get people telling me it will never last and thats a waste of a purchase.
I use it as my CCW carry pistol and bought a OD G37. Full size is even better!!
I am trying to find a OD G39 just to try it out.
I was able to find 1000 rds for $380 shipped to my house. I am saving my brass to try reloading soon.
Like others have said, if you like it then don't worry about what others say.

[cstarr3]

Thanks all, for your replies.

[Sikvenum93]

Its good that you like it but tbh there isn't much point. .45 gap is like. 357 sig in that they were created to address problems too specific and not applicable to the general population. Modern 45 handguns are not that much bigger than 9s. If capacity is needed, .40/9mm +p is a good compromise.
Bottom line though, it doesnt matter if a gun/round is popular or not. If it works for you then use it.

[Tok36]

Thank your for the wright up OP. Interesting stuff, now i know more about 45 GAP.

[MrOrange]

The purpose of the GAP is clearly stated: a .45 caliber round that duplicates .45 ACP ballistics that can be shot out of a 9mm frame design.

Sort of; the hype was that the gun would be 9 mm sized. Manufacturers quickly discovered that most of the gun had to be .45 ACP sized, in order to handle the stresses of the GAP round. So you end up with something that is for all practical purposes the same size as a .45 ACP/10 mm envelope, with a slightly smaller grip, which admittedly is a nice benefit for some. If they could've kept the whole package 9mm sized, it would've been a nice evolution.

Does anybody else remember when the SA EMP first came out, the only chambering that got any mention was the .45 GAP? That would've been nice.
(As it turns out, I got me an XDs, so all's well that ends well, I spoze.)

[12voltguy]

I agree, the caliber tree huggers can fight for days but will never understand shot placement. Yes tree huggers, double 00 buck shot is useless when you miss!

these was a cool post maybe last 1-2 years on here.
cop had 45ACP, got in a shootout after a car chase,& hit the guy like 7 times & he was still coming. I think vital area hits too
long gun in trunk, pinned down couldn't get it to.
Anyway he lived, got guy I think in face, went to 9mm
carries 145rds in big mags now
wish I could gind it fast enough to post a link

[Bake]

these was a cool post maybe last 1-2 years on here.
cop had 45ACP, got in a shootout after a car chase,& hit the guy like 7 times & he was still coming. I think vital area hits too
long gun in trunk, pinned down couldn't get it to.
Anyway he lived, got guy I think in face, went to 9mm
carries 145rds in big mags now
wish I could gind it fast enough to post a link

Link:

http://www.policeone.com/police-heroes/articles/6199620-Why-one-cop-carries-145-rounds-of-ammo-on-the-job/

[12voltguy]

Link:

http://www.policeone.com/police-hero...mo-on-the-job/

thx
I'll save link, maybe even remember where I save it for next time.
Going to read it again & see if I remembered correctly
I got 145 correct, odd to remember an odd ##
I must be alien

[PyroFox79]

The problem with introducing a new caliber (at least how i see it) is that many gun owners are so set in their ways on what they like they wont try any thing new. Thats why you have innovative calibers like 10mm, .45 GAP. and .357Sig that have great balistics and are cool calibers but because they are not "mainstream" they only are bought by a small group of people. It is what it is.

And compulsory 45 GAP was the answer to a question no one asked

[JohnCCW]

The GAP serves a purpose. Not everyone needs one. Haters will hate.

Buying ammo online is the solution to supply problems. Always keep a reasonable amount handy if it's your main weapon. This is what I do for 10mm.

Having a low popularity/non-military cartridge can be an advantage during a heavy ammo shortage, like we have seen in the recent past. I had no problem buying 270Win and 10mm at those times.

[Sutcliffe]

I love the concept

A very niche cartridge though. It will probably die out in a few more years. I would like to see a truly compact frame snub nose revolver designed around that case.

[cstarr3]

The problem with introducing a new caliber (at least how i see it) is that many gun owners are so set in their ways on what they like they wont try any thing new. Thats why you have innovative calibers like 10mm, .45 GAP. and .357Sig that have great balistics and are cool calibers but because they are not "mainstream" they only are bought by a small group of people. It is what it is.

And compulsory 45 GAP was the answer to a question no one asked

Thank you for the reply.

It is certainly the nature of the gun community to resist change. A gun, whether for hunting or defense, has the basic purpose of keeping you alive. When life is on the line, it is not really the moment to be playing around with new experiments. For this reason, the gun community will always resist change. They want something proven. And this is something that will never change.

That being said, I think you are right: innovative calibers can wait in the dark for a long time before they ever see the light day, if they ever see it at all. I remember reading about 10mm years ago on some guy's website, and about how it was basically a reloader's caliber, and that you were unlikely to see them on even well-stocked gun store shelves in the future. He warned that if you had a 10mm, you should get into reloading, or sell your gun. But the 10mm is still with us. Like the .45 GAP, though, it is certainly not for everybody.

Again, thanks for reading and replying.