45 Gap

Apparently it is supposed to be VERY similar to .45ACP ballisticly. AFAIK it's based on the .45ACP only is has a shorter case and a Smaller primer pocket. I guess the Idea was that by shortening the case you could have a smaller grip -> making the pistol more comfortable to fire. I say they should start by changing the grip angle. Somehow I doubt this load will go anywhere.

I've never fired it but what I've read is that the recoil is reduced because of lighter projectiles but they compensate for it with a higher muzzle velocity.
 
Almost identical, the only drawback is finding ammo... (much easier to locate .45acp) - If this isn't a problem for you, then go for it :)
 
This diagram shows the two cartridges...

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/gap-v-auto.html

I think the layman's description of the difference is that it is just a shorter casing, and that the load has been tweeked around to make the balistics "similar" to the .45 ACP (although there is obviously less room in there, so it has its limits). I had no idea, but those technical drawings show that there are actually a number of other small differences. The GAP is actually a tiny bit skinnier casing, and primer pocket, although the bullet is the same width.

This article from Wikipedia is quite informative. It also has that great picture of different cartridges. I just don't understand why they didn't put a picture of a .45 ACP in there? :confused:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_GAP

Between these three pics you can pretty much see everything common:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:CartridgeComparison.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:9mm_7,62mm_357sig_10mm_45SW_45GAP_50AE_002.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Comparitive_handgun_rounds.jpg

Man, those .50 AE's are INSANE!!

In the one pic you can see that the .45 ACP is taller than the .40S&W, and in the other the .45 GAP is shorter than the .40S&W, so the difference is pretty signifigant.

Maybe somebody has a side-by-side shot of the .45 GAP and .45 ACP.
 
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I picked up the G37 a few months ago, I had read how they had matched the performance of .45 ACP and I thought that was pretty cool. I figured getting some ammo would be a little harder but it was a lot harder then I thought! I just got a 1000rds last week so hopefully I can get to the range next week to break it in.
Apparently Winchester Canada (the are just a distributor but answer the phone like that) have never imported it and said they had to get permits before they could. They told me they did apply for the permits so maybe some good came out of it. I then talked to someone at North Sylva,

North Sylva Co
19 Ingram Dr
North York ON, M6M 2L7
Phone: 416-242-4867
Fax: 416-000-0000

and they were able to refer me to a dealer that dealt with them in my area and he said "no problem" and placed the order for a 1000 of American Eagle.
 
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G37 said:
Almost identical, the only drawback is finding ammo... (much easier to locate .45acp) - If this isn't a problem for you, then go for it :)

I don't have a pistol in .45 GAP.... yet... but I picked up a set of NIB Lee carbide dies in .45 GAP at a local gun show last weekend :eek: ... and I have a 'source' for once fired .45 GAP brass :cool: ...

So I guess I'd be in business... pending load development... ;) :D
 
you can't push gap to +p levels and match 45 acp +p or +p+, you can match any 45 standard load, the advantage is the smaller platform that fits more hands.....
 
Cocked&Locked said:
you can match any 45 standard load, the advantage is the smaller platform that fits more hands.....

The same, but different.... Ingenious solution to non-existent problem... yada, yada... etc... lol... :p
 
Here's a question.... Glock has three firearms in .45 GAP, the 37 (full size), 38 (compact) and 39 (sub-compact), but what other .45 GAP guns are being produced?

I have heard something about XD models in .45 GAP, are there any others?
 
I've had a G37 for three years now and love it. I've tested many reloads and many factory loads, and all exceed .45ACP ballistics and almost match the +P .45ACP loads. I think its a great cartridge. There are factory loads from 185gr. to 230grs. so there are equivilents to all .45ACP loads out there. Sure they are a bit harder to find, but the platform fits the hand way better than the ACP, all the ballistics are there, I frankly see no downside. All the newsaywers to this cartridge I find are the ones that have never fired a round in it.

I own not a single .45ACP and see no need with a .45GAP in my stable. Fits my hand like a glove. The G21 is too chunky, the G21SF isn't much better, the G37 is the perfect .45. I love having a trio of Glocks (G17, G22 and G37) with all the exact grip sizes and shapes. Reloading the GAP is easy and components are easy to find, plus I don't have to switch to large primers EVER! Whats not to like about this cartridge? I am a big guy, well over six feet tall and 235lbs, but I just hate the way the ergonomics of the G21 and G21SF feel in my hand. I refuse to own a 1911, I expect my firearms to work. Glock all the way for me.

Since I bought my G37, its seen more rounds than my 9mm and .40S&W combined, thats how much I've come to love it, and I was somewhat of a skeptic going into my GAP project.

G37, the perfect Glock!
 
.45 Gap

gushulak said:

Gush - Thanks for the link... you'll note my post was suffixed with the :p [razz] smilie... meaning I meant my post 'sarcastically'.... I'm far from Gap-ophobic, especially since I have purchased a set of dies for the ctg myself...

But I do get your point... ;)

BTW... while I love my 1911's [see my sig line :cool: ] I have been shooting the same G22 .40 cal since 1995... and she's seen thousands of rounds... fits my hand perfectly.... so getting a G37 or something in .45 GAP [eventually] would be a no brainer.... :rockOn:

2007-03-09_152030_z45GAP2.jpg
 
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I saw a set of (I think RCBS) dies that were
.45 cal and the sticker on the case said this;

".45 Auto/GAP carb."

Since the cases are the same Diameter, I would assume
you can use the same dies for either. . . or can you ?
 
I use RCBS dies for all my GAP reloading, they are marked "3-DIECARB TC SET .45ACP/AR/GAP", part number 18915.

They have loaded a few thousand rounds of .45GAP without problems. Yes the same dies can load either .45ACP or the GAP, just turn them down a bit more for the shorter GAP cases.
 
i don't understand the point for such a thing.

similar balistics, same size bullet, slightly shallower grip, ON SOME guns.

seems absurd to me..

but..whatev, guns are good, so enjoy.

I just find it wierd
 
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