[crushert]

I'm rather new to the gun world (about 3 1/2 years), but I'm curious as to why there seems to be so much animosity for the 45 GAP cartridge. From what I've read, the ballistics are identical to the ACP and the GAP round allows the cartridge to be chambered in guns that would have to be completely redesigned for the ACP round.

I love historical firearms and my next pistol will be a Springfield 1911 GI or MilSpec model, but why are so many upset that guns like the XD are chambered for the GAP instead of the ACP round (besides the obvious long-time ACP shooters who probably have a rather healthy stockpile of reloading supplies for the ACP)?

 

[BigBob68]

What is a 45 GAP? Just kidding. I am not upset about the XD or others being chambered in 45 GAP, I just feel like it is a solution to a nonexistant problem. I will not buy anything in a 45GAP because I do not have a use for it and it will probably be more expensive ammo for awhile until it reaches a wider acceptance. I think to each their own. If you like the 45 GAP then great. I'll stick with the 45ACP.

 

[DigMe]

I think it's because many people think that the .45 GAP is supposed to have better ballistic performance than the .45ACP but that was not the intention at all. The intention was just to have identical/similar specs in a small cartridge, which would allow for smaller guns.

From the raves I've been hearing from multiple sources about Springfield's new subcompact 1911 in .45 GAP it sounds like that goal is being met. American Rifleman said that the grip feels completely different and they meant it in a good way.

brad cook

 

[DigMe]

, I just feel like it is a solution to a nonexistant problem. .

That is one tired cliche that has little relevance to the topic. Why must there be a problem? No one claimed there were any problems as far as I know.

brad cook

 

[mullanman]

I don't think there is any animosity regarding this debate. There are those that like and will always like the ACP round.

The GAP does not equal the 45ACP round.....

When comparing 185 gr bullets, yes the two are similar.

The GAP is comparable to standard 45ACP rounds with bullet weights less than 200 fr. It does not equal or better 45 ACP +P rounds.

With the 230 gr bullet, the GAP must use a very fast burning powder as case volume is greatly reduced. You do not have these restriction with the ACP case.

The GAP i think is here to stay. There are those who want a .45 but can't fit their hand to the frame of a 1911 or Glock 36.

 

[fliptopwillie]

If I understand correctly, the .45 GAP round matches the ballistics of a .45 ACP round loaded to standard specs. However, the GAP round is pretty much maxed out right there where as the ACP has plenty of room for more get up and go.

 

[BigBob68]

Well said Mullanman

The GAP i think is here to stay. There are those who want a .45 but can't fit their hand to the frame of a 1911 or Glock 36.

 

[HighVelocity]

I find the 45 GAP interesting, especially the new SA 1911. But, the price of ammo is keeping me from experimenting with it. When the ammo price falls inline with 45acp I might try it.

 

[Jeff_1]

Anyone seen any case presure data on the 45gap? Thats more of what i would be worried about.

Some GAP loads are similar to some 45ACP loads but I wouldnt say they were identicle. The only advantage the Gap has IMO is the fact that it can be fit on other platforms, Other then that the ACP is a more versitile round.

 

[mullanman]

GAP loads are creating pressures of 45ACP+P loads. So they are pretty much maxed out.

Normal 45 loads are about 17K CUP

+p Loads are in the neighborhood of 20K CUP

 

[Snake-eater 1]

According to a recent article I read, SAAMI spec for the .45 GAP is
25,000 psi.

 

[ForGreatJustice]

Psch. Y'know, they .45 ACP is a solution to a non-existent problem. The only advantage it has over the .45 Colt is the ability to be fit on a different platform. And SURE, .45 ACP is "supposed" to match the ballistics of the .45 Colt, but where the .45 ACP maxes out, the .45 Colt has plenty of room for more get up and go.

:snerk:

 

[DougXD]

ForGreatJustice says it right, in my mind..........basically, to each his own.

 

[BigBob68]

Same can be said about alot of different kinds of ammo. Most recent .17 and .204 which are both seeing great success. I do not think that there will ever be an end to "new" calibers and changes to existing ones.

 

[LUV2SHOOT]

The .45 GAP was basically designed to do the same thing the .40 S&W does (although the .40 was a cut down 10mm). Put close to .45 power in a 9mm sized round. The .45 GAP practice ammo I've seen runs $12.00-$14.00 per box of 50. The .40 $8.00-$10.00 per box of 50. The 180 gr. .40 is close to the .45 standard pressure 185 gr. .45 in performance. Or you can go lighter and hotter. Personally for me it's just this weeks newest and greatest, even though it's not. Again not a bad round just doesn't do anything that much better than what's out there.

 

[Verm]

It gives those with smaller hands the ability to now carry a .45 in a frame that they can comfortably carry and shoot. In that respect, it will do great and be around for a long time.

 

[einheit 13]

I have in my hand a book, writen by AE Hartink, that details a most interesting compact pistol and concept. The pistol is the ADP-45, which is manufactured by Truvelo in South Africa. The interesting thing about this pistol, which stands for Advanced Design Pistol-45, is that it is designed around the ADP-40, a compact 40S&W-framed pistol. What is so interesting is that, first, the pistol came out well before 2002. Even more interesting, though, is that it is chambered for the .45 ADP cartridge, which is 2mm shorter than the .45ACP. Granted, this is a bit longer than the GAP round, but it is a .45 caliber round designed to fit within the .40 sized frame, especially in a compact. As the GAP was introduced in 2003, this is more than a year after the South African .45ADP. Now, I shall not say the Glock stole the GAP, but it is now a clear fact that Glock did not invent the concept of shortening the .45ACP to fit in the 9mm/40 sized frame. Truvelo's compact was out more than a year before Glock's full size and more than two years before Glock's compact.

At best, Glock is playing "me, too" while bragging "me first," at worst, they have stolen the concept. I would tend to go for the first to be charitable. In any case, the .45GAP is not the first (and not even counting the .45HB). Already there exists a .40 frame chambering a .45 (and by more than a year before GAP ever came out). Perfection, anybody?

borrowed from another forum in a discussion of the same thing. Thanks Dave.....

 

[slam]

The case on the 45 GAP is built stronger than that of the 45 ACP, which lends itself better for reloading. I think glocks main reason for introing the GAP cartridge to avoid the Kaboom problems it has had with the .40 S&W on the glock non-fully supported barrels. Instead of making their barrells fully supported, they just build a stronger cased bullet.

 

[repeet]

I'm rather new to the gun world (about 3 1/2 years), but I'm curious as to why there seems to be so much animosity for the 45 GAP cartridge.

Think of it this way. Yours best, and most trusted friend of many decades, and many harrowing adventures, has just been replaced by a "new", "younger", "better" guy.

I think that there is a large dose of "how dare they" in the mix.

As far as case pressures go. The .40sw runs about 35,000 psi, and my 357Sig just under 40,000 psi. Certianly the XD, and most other modern pistols, can handle a little up loading in the 45GAP.

 

[Arnisandyz]

I'm rather new to the gun world (about 3 1/2 years), but I'm curious as to why there seems to be so much animosity for the 45 GAP cartridge.

Think of it this way. Yours best, and most trusted friend of many decades, and many harrowing adventures, has just been replaced by a "new", "younger", "better" guy.

I think that there is a large dose of "how dare they" in the mix.

I see what your are saying, but nobody is forcing the GAP on them. Taking away theier beloved ACPs and making them use GAP. People tend to get defensive when things are compared directly to something they love. if you read the advertising or headlines in Gun rags "GAP beats ACP!!!" etc...this is to sell magazines. The prospective GAP buyer reads it for reseach and the ACP fans read it to see "what BS these gun rags write"