Help choosing .40 or .45GAP - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

aerowinged · 11-21-2005, 02:40 AM

Hey all,
Well, im getting rid of my SA 1911 and looking to get a 5" XD. I've got a XD 4" 9mm and love it, and the fact is, i just shoot a lot better with my XD than the 1911. Im going to GunSite in December, and want something comparable to my 1911 to go with. I know the .45 GAP is relatively new, but i was hoping some people out there have some hands on experience. Also, just the fact that it is so new makes me wonder if i should maybe wait for 2nd generation models to come out ?
Please any and all comments and opinions would be great.
Im looking to train with this for tactical and self defense purposes.

Thanks Everyone

crofrog · 11-21-2005, 07:23 AM

I think in the class and in real life you would be better servered by a higher capacity weapon. Not to mention the ammo cost of .45GAP

Chris

Dustin98SS · 11-21-2005, 08:18 AM

The 45 GAP ammo is hard to find and is super expensive!!!

Ok, now that, thats out of the way I have a .40 and a .45 GAP. I am just in love shooting the GAP for some reason. I find it very accurate and I order my ammo off cheaper than dirt.com. If you can afford 12 to 13 bucks a box then go for it. I had second thoughts about the GAP after I bought it. Although, that went away the first time I shot it. I love shooting my .40 also and the ammo is a little cheaper. So it basically boils down to, Does any of your local shops carry the GAP ammo? Or do you mind ordering ammo off the internet? Its no big deal to me.

**R Dub** · 11-21-2005, 09:56 AM

I have both calibers and models. The recoil difference is negligible between calibers when using PD type loads. The ammo price difference between the calbers is not significant enough to effect a purchase decision.
If you reload your ACP ammo you can use the same equipment for the GAP only having to make some adjustment for the length difference in the cartridge and use small pistol primers. Several companies offer the brass and the price is comparable to the ACP brass.
The capacity difference shouldn't be a factor in most any personal defense situation. Ten rounds is enough to bless five bad guys with two each. So unless you're a gang banger or subscribe to the "spray and pray" method of shooting, ten rounds should get you to safety.
So, IMO, the difference comes down to personal choice for a personal defense caliber. I carry a 8+1 capacity .45 caliber pistol because I subscribe in the "more wind blows through a bigger hole" train of thought. Most important is shot placement.
Happy shooting!

aerowinged · 11-21-2005, 11:11 AM

Thanks,
Well, um where i live, .45 GAP isnt abundant on the shelves, however one of my local gun shops does have it to order and for a Federal 1000 round case it is only $250; which is the same price as comparable .45 ACP Federal 1000 round case. So i was kinda under the impression that ammo wasnt much more expensive, just a little harder to find. And i dont mind ordering in bulk, i actually prefer it cause i save a bit in the long run.
I am a firm believer that the Heavier the bullet, the more penetration, and when put in the right place, the better the chance to stop your target.

R Dub said that the recoil of .45 GAP was about the same as .40, does anyone else agree ? I have not shot a .40 myself, but it would be much easier to find and rent than the GAP. Also, might the capasity of the gap increase to say 11 in the future? Is there even room for that ?

Im not a very big guy, so i want to make sure i can really control what i have. Though the ACP never seemed too much for me, it just never felt right in my hands.

Also, are their different version of the GAP Tactical. Ive seen some reviews where they mention a Tactical LE while others just mention Tactical. Is there a difference ?

Thanks Everyone

blefferd · 11-21-2005, 11:29 AM

If you have deep pockets get the GAP otherwise I would go with the .40S&W. Alot cheaper to shoot wider ammo selection and a well placed 40 round will kill just as fast as a well placed .45!

i shoot the GAP round and love it but i wish the rounds where cheaper! compare 20$ for 50 rounds of Remington 45GAP to 20$ for 100 rounds of .40S&W at wal mart! you can find some cheap GAP ammo on the net but unless you buy in bulk its not really worth it

Dustin98SS · 11-21-2005, 12:32 PM

As for the recoil, My 4 inch GAP and the 4 inch .40 are pretty close. My personal opinion, the GAP has a tad more but I'm sure if you shot the ACP round you can control the GAP round easily. IIRC, people have said the GAP round recoil is close to the +p ACP round. Can anyone confirm that? If you buy ammo in bulk or over the net I wouldnt hesitate to get it. I'm very happy with it.

Cheaper than dirt has Winchester White Box ammo for 13.50 a box (50) There may not be as many kinds of ammo out for the GAP like there is for the 9mm or .40, but I bet every kind of GAP round out will put someone down.

Edit to add: Tactical and Tactical LE are the same.

blefferd · 11-21-2005, 02:54 PM

Dustin it depends on how heavy a bullet you shoot, the 230g GAP rounds are slower and have less energy because the bullet takes up more space in the case. but the lighter grain bullets are around the same as a .45+P there was a discussion about it on here or the ammo can i beleve

backstay · 11-21-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blefferd

i shoot the GAP round and love it but i wish the rounds where cheaper! compare 20$ for 50 rounds of Remington 45GAP to 20$ for 100 rounds of .40S&W at wal mart!

I wouldn't pay $20 a box for my GAP rounds! Even at Gander Mountan they were under $15

blefferd · 11-21-2005, 07:27 PM

lol i dont care paying 20 bones for a box of rounds either but its that or wait 2 weeks for my ammo to come in

11-21-2005, 02:40 AM	#1
aerowinged XDTalk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 60	Help choosing .40 or .45GAP Hey all, Well, im getting rid of my SA 1911 and looking to get a 5" XD. I've got a XD 4" 9mm and love it, and the fact is, i just shoot a lot better with my XD than the 1911. Im going to GunSite in December, and want something comparable to my 1911 to go with. I know the .45 GAP is relatively new, but i was hoping some people out there have some hands on experience. Also, just the fact that it is so new makes me wonder if i should maybe wait for 2nd generation models to come out ? Please any and all comments and opinions would be great. Im looking to train with this for tactical and self defense purposes. Thanks Everyone

11-21-2005, 07:23 AM	#2
crofrog XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: maryland Posts: 81	I think in the class and in real life you would be better servered by a higher capacity weapon. Not to mention the ammo cost of .45GAP Chris __________________ WWMD? Find out at http://www.getoffthex.com/

11-21-2005, 08:18 AM	#3
Dustin98SS XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 69	The 45 GAP ammo is hard to find and is super expensive!!! Ok, now that, thats out of the way I have a .40 and a .45 GAP. I am just in love shooting the GAP for some reason. I find it very accurate and I order my ammo off cheaper than dirt.com. If you can afford 12 to 13 bucks a box then go for it. I had second thoughts about the GAP after I bought it. Although, that went away the first time I shot it. I love shooting my .40 also and the ammo is a little cheaper. So it basically boils down to, Does any of your local shops carry the GAP ammo? Or do you mind ordering ammo off the internet? Its no big deal to me. __________________ Springfield XD .45 GAP Service Bitone Springfield XD .40 Sub w/ OD frame and XML Paratrooper SKS Norinco SKS

11-21-2005, 09:56 AM	#4
R Dub XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Last Frontier Posts: 3,698 Blog Entries: 1	I have both calibers and models. The recoil difference is negligible between calibers when using PD type loads. The ammo price difference between the calbers is not significant enough to effect a purchase decision. If you reload your ACP ammo you can use the same equipment for the GAP only having to make some adjustment for the length difference in the cartridge and use small pistol primers. Several companies offer the brass and the price is comparable to the ACP brass. The capacity difference shouldn't be a factor in most any personal defense situation. Ten rounds is enough to bless five bad guys with two each. So unless you're a gang banger or subscribe to the "spray and pray" method of shooting, ten rounds should get you to safety. So, IMO, the difference comes down to personal choice for a personal defense caliber. I carry a 8+1 capacity .45 caliber pistol because I subscribe in the "more wind blows through a bigger hole" train of thought. Most important is shot placement. Happy shooting! __________________ Need XD Accessories? Support the XDTalk Sponsors. They support us! Need some competition? IDPA / USPSA

11-21-2005, 11:29 AM	#6
blefferd XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 1,618	If you have deep pockets get the GAP otherwise I would go with the .40S&W. Alot cheaper to shoot wider ammo selection and a well placed 40 round will kill just as fast as a well placed .45! i shoot the GAP round and love it but i wish the rounds where cheaper! compare 20$ for 50 rounds of Remington 45GAP to 20$ for 100 rounds of .40S&W at wal mart! you can find some cheap GAP ammo on the net but unless you buy in bulk its not really worth it __________________ ____________________________ NEF 20 Guage Parder Model (single shot) S&W 642 .38

11-21-2005, 11:11 AM	#5
aerowinged XDTalk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 60	Thanks, Well, um where i live, .45 GAP isnt abundant on the shelves, however one of my local gun shops does have it to order and for a Federal 1000 round case it is only $250; which is the same price as comparable .45 ACP Federal 1000 round case. So i was kinda under the impression that ammo wasnt much more expensive, just a little harder to find. And i dont mind ordering in bulk, i actually prefer it cause i save a bit in the long run. I am a firm believer that the Heavier the bullet, the more penetration, and when put in the right place, the better the chance to stop your target. R Dub said that the recoil of .45 GAP was about the same as .40, does anyone else agree ? I have not shot a .40 myself, but it would be much easier to find and rent than the GAP. Also, might the capasity of the gap increase to say 11 in the future? Is there even room for that ? Im not a very big guy, so i want to make sure i can really control what i have. Though the ACP never seemed too much for me, it just never felt right in my hands. Also, are their different version of the GAP Tactical. Ive seen some reviews where they mention a Tactical LE while others just mention Tactical. Is there a difference ? Thanks Everyone

11-21-2005, 12:32 PM	#7
Dustin98SS XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 69	As for the recoil, My 4 inch GAP and the 4 inch .40 are pretty close. My personal opinion, the GAP has a tad more but I'm sure if you shot the ACP round you can control the GAP round easily. IIRC, people have said the GAP round recoil is close to the +p ACP round. Can anyone confirm that? If you buy ammo in bulk or over the net I wouldnt hesitate to get it. I'm very happy with it. Cheaper than dirt has Winchester White Box ammo for 13.50 a box (50) There may not be as many kinds of ammo out for the GAP like there is for the 9mm or .40, but I bet every kind of GAP round out will put someone down. Edit to add: Tactical and Tactical LE are the same. __________________ Springfield XD .45 GAP Service Bitone Springfield XD .40 Sub w/ OD frame and XML Paratrooper SKS Norinco SKS

11-21-2005, 02:54 PM	#8
blefferd XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 1,618	Dustin it depends on how heavy a bullet you shoot, the 230g GAP rounds are slower and have less energy because the bullet takes up more space in the case. but the lighter grain bullets are around the same as a .45+P there was a discussion about it on here or the ammo can i beleve __________________ ____________________________ NEF 20 Guage Parder Model (single shot) S&W 642 .38

11-21-2005, 07:27 PM	#10
blefferd XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 1,618	lol i dont care paying 20 bones for a box of rounds either but its that or wait 2 weeks for my ammo to come in __________________ ____________________________ NEF 20 Guage Parder Model (single shot) S&W 642 .38

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