Why is the SA-XD .45 GAP

[arshooterxd]

9 rounds instead of the 10 rounds of .45 ACP in the .45 Compact version?

Is the grip shorter in the .45 GAP than the Compact ACP version?

[chrisxd45t]

I think it is because the .45 acp line of pistols has a larger frame, and mainly by that I mean a thicker grip handle. The GAP is built on the same frame as the 9mm, .40, and 357 SIG.

[arshooterxd]

I really want a 45ACP (compact) but there's a 45GAP in Bi-Tone (which I really want bad) so I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons. I already know the pros and cons about the rounds themselves (many threads in many different forums on that) so I want to know the differences in the pistols themselves.

[chrisxd45t]

The .45GAP round is more expensive, harder to find, is not an improvement (ballistically speaking) over .45ACP, and there are less options available for defensive rounds. Not to mention it is unpopular among consumers and manufacturers when compaired to other cartridges.

Like I said, the GAP is built on the small frame XD in order to fill the void left by not having a model in .45ACP; i.e. small frame, larger cartridge = lower capacity.
The .45ACP XD, which was introduced after the small frame XD's, is the same pistol only built on a larger scale to accommodate the bigger round.
In my opinion there shouldn't be much of a choice between the two. If you have to wait awhile for one in .45 ACP, do it, it will be worth the wait in order to have a better (subjective, I know), more common cartridge.

[arshooterxd]

Does anyone know WHEN and IF the .45acp will be available in COMPACT BI-TONE FINISH??

[XDAndMe]

No clue on the bi-tone finish, but if you're set on having one right now, you can have it refinished at any number of places that offer that service.

Here's one: http://www.robarguns.com/np3.htm

Here's what it looks like: Got my XD45 NP3'd - very nice

[Bill in San Jose]

Originally Posted by arshooterxd

Does anyone know WHEN and IF the .45acp will be available in COMPACT BI-TONE FINISH??

Email to sales@springfieldarmory.com and ask them when they will be shipping them. I wanted a black/OD .40 subcompact and contacted them in April, they told me the next production run was in September. So I bought a 45acp compact instead. SA customer service is excellent, they respond quickly.

[Frenchy]

They are selling the GAP at attractive prices right now, but it doesn't change the fact the cartridge is the answer to a never-asked question!
My opinion, of course.

[okxd45]

I've had the GAP, and now I have the ACP compact. The GAP was a fine pistol and a good cartridge. It started out fairly reasonable($14 a box) but was up to about$18-$19 when I sod the gun. It was sheer joy when I went down to the ol' Wally World and picked up some ACP for $10.96! Definitely wait on the ACP, the compact (although slightly thicker) conceals better and the GAP cartridge is just to rare and expensive. My .02 anyway.

[rogerxd45]

well if you live in a country that has a ban on military cartridges and cant get the acp then i would get the gap but i dont think any of the pros of the smaller frame on the gap out weigh the cons. im not sure if they make a bi-tone service model but if they do springer precision can chop the grip for you or of course you can get it hard chromed so i would say get the 45 acp compact and get it hard chromed or duracoated or something along those lines i wouldnt sacrifice and get a different cartridge just because you like the color
think of it like this you want a red car but they dont have a red one but they have a red one in that doesnt take gas it takes a different fuel with no benifits over gas but costs twice as much and thats when you can find it since its pretty rare
granted they may work the same and achive the same result one you can only use when you can find the expensive fuel and one you can get cheap fuel for where ever you want