School me on the Glock 38 (45 GAP)

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Oro

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So I have been doing some homework via Glock's site, Wikipedia, other places on this gun. I'm still confused. I searched the forum and there hasn't been a thread on this gun in 18 months.

I understand it's the "Compact" frame, aka sized as the 19, 23, etc (had a 23 in the past, understand). I understand the 45 GAP is a simply a shorter round designed to replicate the .45 performance.

Questions:

1) Does Glock not make a 19/23 sized gun in straight out .45acp?
2) If so, what's the use of the GAP? Does it have reliability issues because of the longer .45acp in the standard Glock frame?
3) Do Glocks in .45acp have issues, or do they have different frames to accommodate the round and thus make them a odd birds?
4) Glocks numbering system is, if it could be possible, perhaps MORE confusing that S&W's. I actually understand theirs.

Additionally, I ask this because someone offered a like-new 38, in OD green (is that a factory option or mean it was sprayed? I haven't asked yet) as trade/partial trade. I'm interested, but just want to understand fully what I'm getting into. So also, if you have opinions on what this would be worth should I want to sell it because I don't like it, I'd like to hear that, too. Supposed to be low round, mint, OD green.
 
OD green is a factory option.

My advise, stay away from it. The 45 GAP was designed to put 45 ACP power in a smaller package, thus a smaller grip frame. With the Glock SF (21+30 models) the need has dimished. The XD with it's smaller grip frame has helped this along. As far as I am concerned, the 45 GAP round is all but dead. Ammo is expensive, hard to find, and getting worse. Unless there is a conversion kit available to use different ammo in it, that gun is toxic.

A Glock will hold it's value, but it will not be worth a Glock chambered in a standard caliber is worth. As far as a dollar value, I have no idea.

From what I understand, some competitors really like this round. I do not remember the reasoning, but competition uses (and the fact it is chambered in alot of guns) will keep it from fully dying.

These are my opinions on that caliber and gun, take them as you choose.
 
1) Does Glock not make a 19/23 sized gun in straight out .45acp?

No, the grip frame is too short to house the longer .45 acp round.

2) If so, what's the use of the GAP? Does it have reliability issues because of the longer .45acp in the standard Glock frame?

The GAP allows use of a .45 acp level cartridge in essentially the same size platform as the 9mm/.40 guns. This matters to some people. I predicted the popularity of the GAP round would depend on the sunset of the AWB and 10 rd mags. If you could only have 10 rds in a specific size, would you want those 10 rds to be 9mm, .40 or .45 caliber? Many would choose .45, even tho that meant a G-37 instead of the 8-shot G-38

3) Do Glocks in .45acp have issues, or do they have different frames to accommodate the round and thus make them a odd birds?

Glocks chambered in .45 acp have been around for quite some time. Any problems have long ago been worked out. The only "odd bird" would be the bulky-for-the-capacity G-36, holding only 6+1. I'd rather carry the G-30

4) Glocks numbering system is, if it could be possible, perhaps MORE confusing that S&W's. I actually understand theirs.

If you're talking about fully understanding their semi-auto model designations, then you're the first! S&W actually had to come out with a "Decoding wheel" where you'd align this or that feature and eventually determine what the model number for it was. For example, what's a 5943? 1026? 5903SSV? 4556? 910? 4567??

These model numbers aren't hard for those that did try to keep up with them, but most folks gave up and used the decoding wheel.
 
1) Does Glock not make a 19/23 sized gun in straight out .45acp?
2) If so, what's the use of the GAP? Does it have reliability issues because of the longer .45acp in the standard Glock frame?
3) Do Glocks in .45acp have issues, or do they have different frames to accommodate the round and thus make them a odd birds?
4) Glocks numbering system is, if it could be possible, perhaps MORE confusing that S&W's. I actually understand theirs.
Click to expand...

1. No, the comparable .45ACP gun would be the G30
2. It is a fit issue, the G19/23 frame fits more people...plus Gaston Glock wanted a cartridge bearing his name.
3. The .45ACP is too long to fit in the G19/23 butt frame which is sized for the 9x19mm cartridge. Glocks come in to frame size families, regular and large. the larger size is to fit cartridges like the 10mm and the .45ACP...G20/G21/G29/G30/G36
4. The numbering system used by Glock originated with the patent of his design. The G17 was Glocks 17th patent. The follow-on pistols are numbered sequentially to how they were introduced...they have no relationship to caliber or frame size.

I can't think of a single use for the .45 GAP that can't be addressed by other calibers. the relationship of the .45 GAP to the .45ACP is the same as the .40 to the 10mm Mag. Other than to a collector, the only niche that I see it filling is an end user who wants a Glock platform in a .45 caliber, but who isn't comfortable with the larger frame.

I see that David E and I were typing at the same time :D
 
glock is the only manufacturer still making a GAP chambered pistol. ammo is expensive and hard to come by. GAP cannot achieve 45acp +p velocities.....there really isn't a plus to purchasing this caliber.
 
Sooo lemme get this straight... Glock makes a 38 but it's really a 45... and they make a 22 but it's really a 40... and a 32 that's really a .357??


:confused:

:D
 
I'm a huge Glock fan, but I can't think of a situation where I would recommend one chambered in GAP to anybody

On paper, it looks kinda nice. Full size .45ACP power in a smaller package. Neat. So, why no love?

1. The capacity sucks. 6/8/10 rounds. That's not enough rounds in a gun of those 3 sizes. Why would I want 8 rounds of .45 when I could have 15 rounds of 9mm or 12 rounds of .40/.357 SIG in the same exact size package?

2. It's not a common caliber. You don't go to Wal Mart, your local gun store, etc and find a good chunk of this ammo for sale. When you do, it's not doing you in favors in price, either

3. Typically with other .45s (SIG P220, 1911 for example) you are getting something in return for the lack of firepower. A P220/1911 will make an excellent target/competition/etc gun because of the extra weight, sight radius, etc that comes along with it. With a GAP Glock, you still have a fat gun with a "combat trigger" in it

I may love Glocks, but I'm not blinded by the koolaid
 
The .45 GAP in a Glock 38 combines a grip like the 19/23 with a wide slide similar to that of the G30.

1) Does Glock not make a 19/23 sized gun in straight out .45acp?
Click to expand...
The G30 and G36 are roughly the same height and length as the 19/23. The G30, however, is much thicker, with a fat grip and wide slide; the G36 is slimmer and flatter but with "only" a six-round magazine.

2) If so, what's the use of the GAP? Does it have reliability issues because of the longer .45acp in the standard Glock frame?
Click to expand...
The .45 ACP Glock grip frames are longer (from front to rear), as will be evident if you hold a non-SF G21 or 30. Glock wanted to put a cartridge with the power of the .45 ACP into a slimmer frame, to fill a perceived gap (pardon the pun:p) in the market.

3) Do Glocks in .45acp have issues, or do they have different frames to accommodate the round and thus make them a odd birds?
Click to expand...
No widespread reliability issues, although a G30 I had was a bit "fussy" until I got everything sorted out. If anything, the G21 and 30, at least, are overbuilt for the .45 ACP, having counterparts in 10mm Auto which is a more powerful cartridge (in its full power form).

4) Glocks numbering system is, if it could be possible, perhaps MORE confusing that S&W's. I actually understand theirs.
Click to expand...
Starting with the Glock 17 (so named because it was Mr. Glock's 17th patent), each model is sequentially numbered in the order it was introduced. But there is nothing in this numbering system to denote caliber or other features. Perhaps this is where your confusion stems from.

Personally, I would pass based on the ammo price/availability issue, as well as the thick slides which may make them less comfortable to carry concealed IWB. And - also personally - I detest OD green. :barf:
 
I had a G30 - Liked the 10 round capacity in a "bulky" but rather smallish package. Full power 45ACP, but sold it because wife did not like the grip (we shoot together).

Wife considered the 45 GAP models and the SF, but I wanted a STI Trojan which I can't buy in CA and Dan Wesson PM7 which has limited run of 200/year. :cuss:

I ended up with a M&P 45 - 10 round capacity of full power 45ACP and wife likes the grip.

Now we are both happy.
 
4) Glocks numbering system is, if it could be possible, perhaps MORE confusing that S&W's. I actually understand theirs.
Click to expand...
Glock models.
(C/O.D./RTF2/GEN4 options available on select models.)


17 Fullsize 9x19mm

17L 6" 9x19mm

18 Select fire 17

19 Compact 9x19mm

20 Fullsize 10mmAUTO (Short Frame option avaliable.)

21 Fullsize .45ACP (Short Frame/M1913 rail/ambidextrous mag catch (Discontinued.) option avaliable.)

22 Fullsize .40S&W

23 Compact .40S&W

24 6" .40S&W

25 Compact .380ACP

26 Sub-compact 9x19mm

27 Sub-compact .40S&W

28 Sub-compact .380ACP

29 Sub-compact 10mmAUTO (Short Frame option avaliable.)

30 Sub-compact .45ACP (Short Frame option avaliable.)

31 Fullsize .357SIG

32 compact .357SIG

33 Sub-compact .357SIG

34 Tactical/Practical long slide 9x19mm

35 Tactical/Practical long slide .40S&W

36 Sub-compact Slimline .45ACP

37 Fullsize .45GAP

38 Compact .45GAP

39 Sub-compact .45GAP
 
heres the deal with the 45 gap it is very desired by people who know what it is its a 45 acp with a cartridge the length of a 9mm and has the same projectile as the 45 acp and same loads but in a slim frame slimmer than any other 45 from glock its the same frame as the 40's and 9's but shoots 45s it comes stock with a extended slide lock and is a very manageable round less recoil than a acp
 
I guess somebody at my state police likes 'em - our guys are issued 37's, 10 round mags.

Out of total bias, I would've suggested Beretta Storms in .40 - available 17 round mags.
 
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