zookrider
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OK ballistics experts, how does the .45 GAP measure up against the .45 ACP. Has anybody done any comparative testing? Stopping power? Accuracy? etc.
.45 GAP vs .45 ACP
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nico
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do a search for more information as this topic generates disputes without fail. The facts are:
1. GAP has comparable velocities (with the same bullets) to ACP, so it performs comparably
2. GAP is loaded at ACP +P pressures (which means ACP +P will outperform GAP)
3. GAP can utilize 9mm doublestack sized frames
4. GAP factory ammo is more expensive than ACP, but it can be reloaded pretty easily, which eliminates the cost difference iirc.
other than that, it's all about personal opinion. My opinion is GAP is useful if you really want a compact gun chambered in .45. In a full sized gun, I see no advantage of GAP over ACP.
1. GAP has comparable velocities (with the same bullets) to ACP, so it performs comparably
2. GAP is loaded at ACP +P pressures (which means ACP +P will outperform GAP)
3. GAP can utilize 9mm doublestack sized frames
4. GAP factory ammo is more expensive than ACP, but it can be reloaded pretty easily, which eliminates the cost difference iirc.
other than that, it's all about personal opinion. My opinion is GAP is useful if you really want a compact gun chambered in .45. In a full sized gun, I see no advantage of GAP over ACP.
Shootcraps
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It's not as good. 
only1asterisk
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There shouldn't be any difference in terminal effect; you're pushing the same bullets at the same velocity. You’ll pay a price for being an early adopter. Ammo cost are prohibitive.
David
David
As has been said, the .45 GAP has the same velocities for a given bullet weight as a .45 ACP. This does not include +p .45 ACP loadings, just standard pressure.
The bullet diameters and the bullets themselves are the same as those used by .45 ACP cartridges.
Because the cartridge length is shorter, the .45 GAP has less space for additional poweder. The increases in pressure would be bad.
So, given the same bullets and velocities, terminal effect would be the same.
The bullet diameters and the bullets themselves are the same as those used by .45 ACP cartridges.
Because the cartridge length is shorter, the .45 GAP has less space for additional poweder. The increases in pressure would be bad.
So, given the same bullets and velocities, terminal effect would be the same.
Brad Johnson
Member
I like the GAP because it allows .45 ACP performance in a frame that fits my hand. I have extremely big hands but short, stubby fingers. With a few exceptions, .45 ACP sized frames force me to rotate my grip slightly in order for to get my finger on the trigger. On the other hand, most 9mm and 40. size frames are just right (the Springfield XD fits like it was custom molded for my hand). Being able to get these smaller frames and still have .45 ACP comparable ballistics is definitely a plus for me!
Brad
Brad
TimboKhan
Member
You know, I won't just disparage this cartridge outright, as I know some, like Brad Johnson, have real, honest, practical reasons for liking it. However, for me, this cartridge just seems like a solution looking for a problem. I have read the reports in the magazines, and I have looked at some of the data on it. The end result is that I just cannot see any practical reason for me to give this cartridge a second thought. It doesn't suck, but it doesn't do anything for me.
Timbo
Timbo
nico
Member
^^That's pretty much the way I see it. .45GAP doesn't really appeal to me, but I can see how it would suit the needs of other people. I think it's a lot more useful than .357sig though ::ducks:: , and there's a good number of people who like that cartridge.
Double Maduro
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Brad Johnson,
Give the Taurus pt145 millenium pro a look.
10+1 in .45 and it fit my big hands like it was made for them.
DM
Give the Taurus pt145 millenium pro a look.
10+1 in .45 and it fit my big hands like it was made for them.
DM
Brad Johnson
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The PT145 is one of the "few exceptions" I was talking about.
Brad
Burt Blade
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Acrimony
Constantly
Provoked
Generates
Acrimony
Perpetually
That sums it up nicely.
Constantly
Provoked
Generates
Acrimony
Perpetually
That sums it up nicely.
USPCompact45
Member
One of the best benefits of the 45 gap is that it is probably the best choice when it comes to subcompacts packing a punch i.e. glock 39. Hopefully springfield will make a xd-45 subcompact. As a result, I think the 45 gap will stay. It really benefits the subcompact market which is quite significant for ccw.
Sure there are subcompacts in 45 acp but they seem to have more problems (smaller 1911s). Maybe the exceptions are the sw cs45 and the taurus pt145 but I'm not fans of them.
Otherwise, if you're going full size, I prefer the 45acp.
Sure there are subcompacts in 45 acp but they seem to have more problems (smaller 1911s). Maybe the exceptions are the sw cs45 and the taurus pt145 but I'm not fans of them.
Otherwise, if you're going full size, I prefer the 45acp.
TimboKhan
Member
Don't qoute me on this, but I swear I just read an article saying that Springfield is doing just that. I tried looking around my room for that magazine, and I can't find it, so it may just be a faulty memory issue.
USPCompact45
Member
I hope they are making the xd-45 subcompact. I know they're making a micro 1911 in GAP but not sure about the xd. Oh well, maybe we'll find out later.
geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
It seems to me that given that the diameters of the .45acp and .45gap are the same, the .45gap doesn't lend itself to double stack design anymore than the .45acp does. As for the shallower (well, I can't say less wide, can I?) grips, well, that's a matter of personal ergonomics.
BluesBear
member
.45 GAP vs .45 ACP ?
Ask this queston again in 99 years.
There will still be ammo companies loading .45acp.
Ask this queston again in 99 years.
There will still be ammo companies loading .45acp.
TwoGun
Member
My understanding was that Glock devised the GAP round because they wanted to decrease the grip size of thier full sized .45. However there is a hollow area behind the magazine well, more or less where the mainspring housing would be on a 1911. Robar in AZ has been doing a modification on them for some time now where they do away with the wasted space and reduce the size of the grip, so to me, that justification was so much bunk.
Yes the Gap meets, and sometimes exceeds the .45ACP, so long as you go with bullets 200 grains or below. Try compairing them with 230 grain bullets, if you can get one in a GAP, and see how they perform.
Springfield does indeed make a little 1911 in .45GAP. But you cannot use bullets over 200 grains or the overall bullet length won't allow you load them into the magazine.
In my humble opinion, the GAP is solution looking for a proplem. But if you have the problem and the GAP fits, the bill, they by all means go for it.
Yes the Gap meets, and sometimes exceeds the .45ACP, so long as you go with bullets 200 grains or below. Try compairing them with 230 grain bullets, if you can get one in a GAP, and see how they perform.
Springfield does indeed make a little 1911 in .45GAP. But you cannot use bullets over 200 grains or the overall bullet length won't allow you load them into the magazine.
In my humble opinion, the GAP is solution looking for a proplem. But if you have the problem and the GAP fits, the bill, they by all means go for it.
Initial reports said the GAP wouldn't be able to duplicate .45ACP with 230gr bullets--then Winchester came out with a 230gr GAP load that did... So it is now completely accurate to say that the GAP duplicates standard pressure .45ACP performance.
Pointblank
Member
There's more to the GAP argument than just grip size. The brass is reinforced to reduce the chance of a kaboom in the Glock chamber which is not fully supported. Glock 21s and 30s have been known to deconstruct in a hurry.
Jeff Cooper says he likes the 45 GAP in the latest Guns and Ammo
Says he won't buy one as he has enough 45 ACP guns but thinks it is a good idea.
Thus, a stake is thrust into the heart of the 45 ACP purists as the old wise man and theological center of the 1911 movement does the Martin Luther to the Church of the ACP!
Says he won't buy one as he has enough 45 ACP guns but thinks it is a good idea.
Thus, a stake is thrust into the heart of the 45 ACP purists as the old wise man and theological center of the 1911 movement does the Martin Luther to the Church of the ACP!
BluesBear
member
Don't forget that Col. Cooper was also one of the driving forces behind the first 10mm cartridge. But it still didn't replace the .45acp in his life.
C. H. Luke
Member
hat Gapola thing was designed for only one reason, to make Gaston & Bobby mucho Money from the LE markets. It may duplicate some or all of the ACP std. loads but now that data is appearing in new manuals check the differences in pressures required.
Only experience have with the GAP other than shooting one once when only two mfg. had ammo for it, is finding cases mixed in with "good" .45 brass. Reload 'em as Dummy's and hand them out at local Matches. Always great for a quick & good laugh!
The last couple of GSSF Matches have shot , their side-match was now not really a side-match as you could only shoot it if you used their sample.....you guessed it, GAPGlock!
Glock shoulda spent their time and money developing a decent trigger/fire control group, IMO!
Only experience have with the GAP other than shooting one once when only two mfg. had ammo for it, is finding cases mixed in with "good" .45 brass. Reload 'em as Dummy's and hand them out at local Matches. Always great for a quick & good laugh!
The last couple of GSSF Matches have shot , their side-match was now not really a side-match as you could only shoot it if you used their sample.....you guessed it, GAPGlock!
Glock shoulda spent their time and money developing a decent trigger/fire control group, IMO!
That was heavily publicized up front--why would one need to check the reloading manuals to find that out?
Unless you mean you're putting your name on the box, you meant to write: 'dummies'.
Good way to train people not to shoot other people's reloads I guess...
TwoGun
Member
True, Glock chambers are not fully supported, neither are numeours other .45 chambers. You don't really have a problem with them using standard pressure .45 loads.
Okay so Winchester came out with a .45GAP with a 230 Gr. round. It still won't fit into the Springfield pistol and I suspect that nobody will create a 230 Gr GAP in +P.
I'm not saying that the GAP is a bad round, its fine round as it emulates the old .45ACP. For the vast bulk of us though, you simply don't gain anything over the older round. If you have small hands or work in a law enforcement department that doesn't allow anything but the Glock then it could very easily be the best choice. I personally don't have those restrictions on me, so like Jeff Cooper, I won't be buying one anytime soon.
Okay so Winchester came out with a .45GAP with a 230 Gr. round. It still won't fit into the Springfield pistol and I suspect that nobody will create a 230 Gr GAP in +P.
I'm not saying that the GAP is a bad round, its fine round as it emulates the old .45ACP. For the vast bulk of us though, you simply don't gain anything over the older round. If you have small hands or work in a law enforcement department that doesn't allow anything but the Glock then it could very easily be the best choice. I personally don't have those restrictions on me, so like Jeff Cooper, I won't be buying one anytime soon.
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