.45 GAP...anyone???

[jwhite75]

OK so most people agree that the .45 GAP was an exercise in Gaston's ego to get his name on a cartridge and/or an answer to the question nobody was asking. However, of the few people I have talked with that have shot this cartridge, they say it is very accurate and pleasant to shoot. They say it makes as much sense to them as .357 SIG does. It doesnt seem to have a very....at least vocal following, on here. Anybody have an opinion?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Tangle]

I think a couple of police departments have adopted it. Ballistically, it's everything a .45ACP is (I know, I know - hersey) and maybe a bit more.

Glock got a .45 in a 9mm frame; I think that's significant. If the GAP had been around first, i.e. before the .45ACP, I wonder if anyone would have thought it makes sense to put the same ballistics and caliber in a longer case?

[SnubMan]

I think a couple of police departments have adopted it. Ballistically, it's everything a .45ACP is (I know, I know - hersey) and maybe a bit more.

Glock got a .45 in a 9mm frame; I think that's significant. If the GAP had been around first, i.e. before the .45ACP, I wonder if anyone would have thought it makes sense to put the same ballistics and caliber in a longer case?

I'm not 100% sure about this BUT I had read that the 45GAP in its hottest loading only matches 45ACP ballistics at standard pressure. Once you get into the +p range (which is able to utilize the extra space of the ACP brass that the GAP obviously lacks because it’s a shorter casing) the 45ACP yields better ballistics.

[Tangle]

That may be the case - i.e. that it only applies to standard pressure .45 ACP.

[nn]

If that 1911 .45 gap had made the market I would have a .45 Gap

[fotomaker57]

I had a Glock 37, which is in 45 GAP and loved it. The only reason I got rid of it is the cost of ammo and lack of availability. I had to mail order all my supply of it. If I ran out running to wally world was not an option. If it wasn't for that than I would still have it.
Mike

[SIXTO]

I had a Glock 37, which is in 45 GAP and loved it. The only reason I got rid of it is the cost of ammo and lack of availability. I had to mail order all my supply of it. If I ran out running to wally world was not an option. If it wasn't for that than I would still have it.
Mike

And thats the big problem with it. I think the GAP is a solution looking for a problem.

[Pete Zaria]

The .45 GAP has almost identical ballistics to the .45 ACP.
Here's an example. I'll post the fastest "safe" 230gr FMJ load for both cartridges as listed on ReloadAmmo.com:

.45 GAP:
230gr FMJ @ 850fps over 5.8gr WSF powder, overall length no more than 1.070 in. 369ft/lb muzzle energy.

.45 ACP (non +P):
230gr FMJ @ 850 fps over 6.1gr Unique powder, OAL no more than 1.260 in. 369ft/lb muzzle energy. (identical to the GAP load)

.45 ACP (+P):
230gr FMJ @ 927fps over 8.7gr No 5. powder, OAL no more than 1.260 in. 438ft/lb muzzle energy.

Now, in all fairness, .45 GAP was designed to match normal-pressure .45 ACP loads, so comparing .45 GAP to .45 ACP +P might not be a perfectly fair comparison. However, .45 ACP is more versatile because of the wider range of bullet velocities available.

This page has a good comparison between .45 ACP and .45 GAP:
.45GAP (.45 GAP): Comparison with .45 ACP +P Ammo

Now let's look at ammo prices.
Surprisingly, the price of FMJ ammo seems to be about the same ($350 for 1,000 rounds on Ammoman.com), although hollowpoints are definitely cheaper for the ACP than the GAP.
However, the real difference, I think, is in ammo availability. Although during "peaceful times" .45 GAP is stocked at most sporting goods stores, in any kind of civil unrest I think you'd have a much easier time finding .45 ACP than .45 GAP.

So to review...

.45 ACP is more versatile, more powerful, more widely available, about the same price for practice ammo, and a little cheaper for defensive ammo.

.45 GAP is smaller and allows for a smaller-framed pistol, but has less power and versatility, could be harder to find during rough times, and can be more expensive.

Not much of a contest in my mind. However, that's just my two cents and I'm always open to contrasting opinions.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

[rachilders]

I think a couple of police departments have adopted it. Ballistically, it's everything a .45ACP is (I know, I know - hersey) and maybe a bit more.

Glock got a .45 in a 9mm frame; I think that's significant. If the GAP had been around first, i.e. before the .45 ACP, I wonder if anyone would have thought it makes sense to put the same ballistics and caliber in a longer case?

I think you hit the nail on the head as far as why this round was ever developed... to put the power of a 45 cartridge into a 9mm sized pistol. Until VERY recently, if you wanted to carry a pistol chambered in .45, you had to settle for a bigger, heavier gun over a similar one chambered in 9mm/40 S&W. What the 45 GAP did was give manufacturers the ability to use the same frame for all their "big" calibers and gave shooters the ability to use a larger round in a smaller, lighter pistol. The problem is we are creatures of habit, we've gotten use to the 45 ACP (it has been around for 100 years now) and the GAP doesn't offer any significant change over the ACP rd. There are also so many guns chambered for the 45 ACP that unless there is some dramatic change, most people will simply say why change when the current round works.

Personally, I think the GAP is a fine round and will perform as well as the ACP all things being equal. The advantage the 45 GAP has over the 45 ACP - and the reason I can see the round sticking around - is the ability to use the GAP in smaller pistols than possible with the 45 ACP. While I doubt it will ever replace the 45 ACP, I think it will find it's nitch like the 10mm did after the 40 S&W came along, especially among people wanting smaller, lighter pistols for concealed carry that still have the full stopping power of a 45.

[bmcgilvray]

I particularly don' t care for small pistols or Glock so won't be making use of the .45 GAP. Most folks aren't like me so it probably has a place in the overall scheme of things.

[john452]

The NYSP switched to the GAP about a year ago, they have had several shootings that I know of, most if not all were 1 shot stops with 200 grain Gold Dot standard pressure cartridge. I believe several other SP agencies have or are going to switch. The data base is small, but at least it looks interesting....John

[Napa Nick]

My EDC is a G38 in .45 GAP and I love it. The G38 is as accurate as my 1911's, and I shoot it almost as fast. The recoil of the 230 's is mild, the 185 and 200's can have a bit more snap but very controllable.

I purchased a GAP gun because I live in California which has a 10 round maximum mag capacity law. The thought of buying a 15 round gun and putting nurtured 10 round mags in it makes me sick. I went with the G38 rather than the G37 because I shot it better.

The +p argument in regards to the comparison to ACP is mute in my book, as I never use +p loadings in my ACP guns. If I want a faster bullet, I step down in bullet weight, +p 230's are hard on guns.

My only complaint about the GAP round is local off the shelf availability.

I love my GAP.

[BikerRN]

The NYSP switched to the GAP about a year ago, they have had several shootings that I know of, most if not all were 1 shot stops with 200 grain Gold Dot standard pressure cartridge. I believe several other SP agencies have or are going to switch. The data base is small, but at least it looks interesting....John

I'm more of a fan of 357 SIG for Highway Patrol Agencies due to it's barrier penetration capabilities.

As far as a 45 sized bullet, I'll stick with the old ACP due to it's availability and the variety of ammo available.

Biker

[retsupt99]

.45 ACP vs .45 GAP?

.45 GAP...
I looked...not impressed...not much of a space saver...not as easy to find...more expensive.

.45 ACP...
All my carry pistols...expensive enough...already have thousands of rounds...plenty effective...easy to find.

When I travel, I can grab 2-3 pistols and a couple boxes of the same .45 ACP ammo......works for me.

Stay armed...don't want too many calibers to stock, and I like my good 'ole .45's...stay safe!

[Derrin33]

I like 357 Sig. Never shot 45GAP. The only thing that turns me off is real basic. Price... Sure all ammo is going up, but those two can get pretty pricey.