.45ACP Service or .45GAP Service for CCW? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

spyderman2k4 · 08-11-2006, 12:59 PM

Hey everyone,

Soon I should be getting an XD, but I'm still a little unsure of exactly what to get. It'll be used for concealed carry. I'd prefer most to go with .45ACP, but I'm not totally sold yet. While I like that better, the grip just looks and feels so big, and considering I want it for CC, grip size is important. I'm not real tiny (5'11, 190 lbs) so that would help. So far the only XD's I've gotten a chance to handle was the .45 ACP Tactical, and the .40 Service. I plan to go with the service either way. The size of the .40 was much more appealing, but I don't know if that had to do more with grip size or barrel size... or both. Because of this, I lean a little toward the GAP, as I'm not too interested in .40 (If I were to go .40, I'd probably just get the SC and not worry about concealability).

I like the stopping power of .45ACP, and it's a less expensive, proven cartridge. As far as holding it, I didn't feel a problem (I have big hands), so I'm sure I can shoot it ok. I'm just not completely sure as far as carrying it. Any opinions on this matter would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance...

Zeke Menuar · 08-11-2006, 01:29 PM

I think the GAP round is going the way of hoop skirts and covered wagons. If Springfield comes out with a XD45 Compact, the GAP will be done.
Stick to proven, rounds like 9mm, 40 or 45ACP.

I have a XD45 Service. It takes up just a bit more space than my old CCW gun, a LW Commander. Great for OWB carry. Never tried IWB.

This is my opinion. You opinion may vary.

ZM

**DanTheEldest** · 08-11-2006, 01:33 PM

Personally, I'd go with the 45 ACP Service model (and I did

). The ballistics on the GAP are nice, but it was primarily designed for use in Europe where political restrictions on what they consider "military" type calibers prevented widespread civilian use of the ACP. Well, that and the fact that old Gaston wanted a round with his name on it, but that's beside the point. The ACP ammunition is easy to get, cheap to reload, and at something like a hundred years old, a known quantity.

As for the sizes of the respective guns, the Service models are virtually identical in size regardless of caliber. It does have a fairly filled-out grip, but one of the major elements of good concealed carry is the style and location of your holster rather than the dimensions of the pistol. I haven't been able to drum up the cash for my CCW permit yet, but when I get it, I plan to carry my ACP service, and I'm not much bigger than you. I've even heard of people CCW'ing their Tacticals without too much trouble.

Buy the ACP--you won't be sorry, and then find a good holster.

spyderman2k4 · 08-11-2006, 02:05 PM

Thanks for the opinions. I'd been leaning toward acp.. thanks for pushin me over the edge lol.

Novadesigns · 08-11-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderman2k4

Thanks for the opinions. I'd been leaning toward acp.. thanks for pushin me over the edge lol.

Good choice

**DanTheEldest** · 08-11-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderman2k4

Thanks for the opinions. I'd been leaning toward acp.. thanks for pushin me over the edge lol.

Just think--you buy the Service model now and carry it until SA decides to come out with a subbie .45, then you leave the service at home and carry the subcompact which uses the same ammo. It's a win-win.

spyderman2k4 · 08-11-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanTheEldest

Just think--you buy the Service model now and carry it until SA decides to come out with a subbie .45, then you leave the service at home and carry the subcompact which uses the same ammo. It's a win-win.

Ah yes, indeed it is! To be honest though, I'd rather that they make the .45 have a 4 inch barrel, with a compact grip... probably won't happen, but who knows!

**akr** · 08-11-2006, 05:22 PM

NO NO NO! I LOVE my service model grip, and I may want to get ALL the different service models. I like a butt I can hold onto.

spyderman2k4 · 08-11-2006, 10:12 PM

You don't have trouble concealing it at all?

Chayak · 08-11-2006, 10:23 PM

The 45ACP by far. The XD45 is easy enough to conceal in cooler weather. I use the XD40SC for CCW on warmer days.

08-11-2006, 12:59 PM	#1
spyderman2k4 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 711	.45ACP Service or .45GAP Service for CCW? Hey everyone, Soon I should be getting an XD, but I'm still a little unsure of exactly what to get. It'll be used for concealed carry. I'd prefer most to go with .45ACP, but I'm not totally sold yet. While I like that better, the grip just looks and feels so big, and considering I want it for CC, grip size is important. I'm not real tiny (5'11, 190 lbs) so that would help. So far the only XD's I've gotten a chance to handle was the .45 ACP Tactical, and the .40 Service. I plan to go with the service either way. The size of the .40 was much more appealing, but I don't know if that had to do more with grip size or barrel size... or both. Because of this, I lean a little toward the GAP, as I'm not too interested in .40 (If I were to go .40, I'd probably just get the SC and not worry about concealability). I like the stopping power of .45ACP, and it's a less expensive, proven cartridge. As far as holding it, I didn't feel a problem (I have big hands), so I'm sure I can shoot it ok. I'm just not completely sure as far as carrying it. Any opinions on this matter would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance...

08-11-2006, 01:33 PM	#3
DanTheEldest XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,367	Personally, I'd go with the 45 ACP Service model (and I did ). The ballistics on the GAP are nice, but it was primarily designed for use in Europe where political restrictions on what they consider "military" type calibers prevented widespread civilian use of the ACP. Well, that and the fact that old Gaston wanted a round with his name on it, but that's beside the point. The ACP ammunition is easy to get, cheap to reload, and at something like a hundred years old, a known quantity. As for the sizes of the respective guns, the Service models are virtually identical in size regardless of caliber. It does have a fairly filled-out grip, but one of the major elements of good concealed carry is the style and location of your holster rather than the dimensions of the pistol. I haven't been able to drum up the cash for my CCW permit yet, but when I get it, I plan to carry my ACP service, and I'm not much bigger than you. I've even heard of people CCW'ing their Tacticals without too much trouble. Buy the ACP--you won't be sorry, and then find a good holster. __________________ To make mass murder palatable to the public, one must first strip the victims of their inherent humanity. First were the native Americans ("savages"), then the black slaves (only "partly human"), then the Jews and gypsies in Hitler's Europe ("parasites on society"), and now America's unborn (also "not fully human"). Save the Americans--end abortion now. Insights and documentation on our nation's Christian heritage: www.WallBuilders.com Last edited by DanTheEldest; 08-11-2006 at 01:59 PM.

08-11-2006, 10:23 PM	#10
Chayak XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: TX Posts: 112	The 45ACP by far. The XD45 is easy enough to conceal in cooler weather. I use the XD40SC for CCW on warmer days. __________________ "Nobody loves peace more than a soldier does, because he´s the one who suffers in flesh and bone the horrors of war" "A Soldier pays for land by the inch with blood that a diplomat will give away by the mile without breaking a sweat."

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08-11-2006, 01:29 PM	#2
Zeke Menuar XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oregon Monsoon Central Posts: 272	I think the GAP round is going the way of hoop skirts and covered wagons. If Springfield comes out with a XD45 Compact, the GAP will be done. Stick to proven, rounds like 9mm, 40 or 45ACP. I have a XD45 Service. It takes up just a bit more space than my old CCW gun, a LW Commander. Great for OWB carry. Never tried IWB. This is my opinion. You opinion may vary. ZM

08-11-2006, 02:05 PM	#4
spyderman2k4 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 711	Thanks for the opinions. I'd been leaning toward acp.. thanks for pushin me over the edge lol.

08-11-2006, 05:22 PM	#8
akr XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,298	NO NO NO! I LOVE my service model grip, and I may want to get ALL the different service models. I like a butt I can hold onto.

08-11-2006, 10:12 PM	#9
spyderman2k4 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 711	You don't have trouble concealing it at all?