.45 GAP
Encyclopedia : 4 : 45 : 45G : .45 GAP
The .45 GAP pistol cartridge was designed by the firearms manufacturer GLOCK to provide a cartridge that would equal the power of the .45 ACP but was shorter to fit in a more compact handgun. GAP is an acronym for "GLOCK Automatic Pistol", and the .45 GAP is GLOCK's first commercially introduced cartridge.
Development
The concept for a shorter .45 ACP round is not new; there have been wildcats, such as the .45 Kurz (German for 'short') in the past, but the .45 GAP had the backing of a major firearms manufacturer, which greatly increased its chances for success.The .45 GAP is based on the .45 ACP pistol cartridge, but is shorter--the same overall length as a 9 mm Luger or .40 S&W and uses a small-pistol primer like the 9mm Luger instead of a large-pistol primer like the .45 ACP. The .45 GAP operates at a higher pressure than the .45 ACP (the same as .45 ACP +P) to make up for the smaller chamber volume. The .45 GAP produces ballistics at least equal to the standard .45 ACP loadings but in a significantly shorter cartridge. It was first believed that the traditional .45 ACP loading of a 230-grain bullet at 830 ft/s would not be possible in the .45 GAP, but careful gunpowder selection on the part of ammunition manufacturers has realized that standard. The reduced case capacity of the .45 GAP means that the large 230 bullet will only match the standard pressure .45 ACP load. .45 ACP +P loads will exceed the performance, and the .45 GAP is not practical with the heavier 260 grain bullets sometimes found in .45 ACP.
The .45 GAP cartridge was designed by GLOCK to be used in the medium frame sized GLOCK 37 pistol. From a performance point of view it is ideal for police use. The lighter .45 caliber bullets produce less recoil than the often criticized .45 ACP 230 grain (14.9 g) loadings, but they still retain many of the terminal ballistics advantages of the larger, heavier (compared to smaller caliber bullets) .45 caliber bullets. Since nearly all semi-automatic pistols store cartridges in the grip, the smaller overall length allows a smaller grip diameter which means that even a double-column pistol can have a grip that is easily handled by most adults.
The .45 GAP would also have a market advantage in countries like Mexico, where civilian possession of ammunition and firearms in government chamberings is illegal. As no government has adopted the .45 GAP, it would be legal to own in a country with these restrictions.
The .45 GAP is likely to be a highly successful cartridge, since its design makes adapting existing 9 mm and .40 S&W, and .45 ACP firearms relatively simple. While the shorter overall length limits the versatility compared to the .45 ACP, the .45 GAP retains enough attractive features to give it a promising future in the police and self defense markets.
Initial market response to the .45 GAP cartridge
Gun Tests Magazine, which is widely respected for its unbiased evaluations of firearms and related equipment, ran an article in the February 2005 issue comparing 5 commercial loadings of .45 GAP ammunition when fired through the GLOCK 37 polymer framed pistol (the only two pistols chambering the .45 GAP at the time of the test were both similar in size and weight, and had polymer frames). All of the brands failed to meet the desired 2 inch (51 mm) accuracy at 50 feet (15 m); the groups ranged from 2.3 to 3.5 inches (64 to 89 mm). 4 of the 5 loads generated velocities on par with the .45 ACP +P, and these loads were considered uncontrollable by the testers, as the recoil generated was extreme for the weight of the pistols chambering the round. The one remaining load, firing a 185 grain (12 g) bullet at an average velocity of about 950 ft/s (290 m/s), was considered to be at the upper limit of controllability. They theorize that the potency of the .45 GAP is an attempt to avoid derogatory comparisons between the .45 ACP and the .45 GAP, as was experienced when the .40 S&W was introduced as a reduced power replacement for the 10 mm Auto. If the Gun Tests testers are representative of the market, then reduced power .45 GAP should begin appearing to address the issues of heavy recoil in the light pistols.Reloading note
It is not recommended that a handloader try to make .45 GAP brass casings by trimming .45 ACP ones due to the fact that the .45 GAP has thicker brass than the .45 ACP. Also, the headstamp of the trimmed brass would be incorrect and could cause a hazardous situation.Muzzle velocity:
- 12.9 g (200 gr) full metal jacket: 290 m/s (950 ft/s)
- 12.0 g (185 gr) hollow point: 310 m/s (1020 ft/s)
See also
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