Posted: 4/22/2004 4:46:05 AM EDT
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For my first post on the new (and speedy) site... Cover flyer on my NRA magazine showed Springfield's new XD in 45GAP. Looking forward to this coming out and reviews. I know there seems to be two sides to the GAP debate. Some who like it, and some who do not. My question is there any advanced knowledge of the "hidden" benefits to the XD chambered in 45GAP. By hidden I mean similar to the XD40 being able to convert to another caliber with a simple barrel change. One benefit I can think of off hand is that I would suspect that any 45ACP suppresser would work. Personally, I like this round. -LS |
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Supposedly the .45GAP has slightly better ballistics with a smaller case. I've read two things about why they came out with the new round but it's second hand and I can't say for sure which, if either, are correct. First, the smaller casings allow for smaller grip sizes for people with smaller hands. Second, and perhaps less reliable, I heard that they came out with the GAP so that civilians in some countries that ban military caliber firearms can have a .45. Personally, I feel it just puts another flavor in the candy store. Another way to get you out of some money. But who knows, it might be the next big thing. But I doubt it. |
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There was a shooting magazine in the grocery store that flat out had a headline saying 'How the .45 GAP beats the .45 ACP'. I'll believe it when I see it (didn't really read the article). Don't misconstrue that as me saying I don't like the .45 GAP, though. I've never even seen a firearm in the caliber, so I can't really judge. 'Another flavor in the candy store' sounds about right to me. 
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the benefits to US shooters? Not many. Slightly smaller grip front to back. Better performance out of shorter barrels (longer barrels about even). As stated, most benefit is to foreign shooters who might not be able to own military caliber handguns. Cons are many. Could be the next dodo bird cartridge. ammo will be hella expensive unless it takes off. Most likely will be a niche caliber at least in the us. If glock tires of producing the .45 GAP pistols, or wants to screw with springfield, they could just drop the whole line of .45 GAP - either completely or just in the US. |
The 45GAP is a shorter and slightly redesinged casing 45. It was developed by GLOCK. I think that the folks at IM Metals went to the 45GAP for the XD for several reasons. Many countries prohibit civilian ownership of military calibers over 9mm. they could build a 45GAP on the same basic frame quickly while a redesign for the 45acp would have taken longer. and IMHO, SA did not want to lose 45acp sales to the XD, while an XD 45GAP actually increases the market. Frankly, I think it's a great idea. |
| My problems with the 45GAP are logistical. Another caliber to stock and reload for, expensive, not much in the way of cheap brass, etc. There's only TWO guns chambered for it, the round could easily be a commercial flop. I'll keep my money in the wallet until we see how this pans out. |
| I think the .45 GAP will do well, IF the gunmakers take advantage of the shorter case. Think along the lines of a Kahr K-9 in a .45 loading. The shorter case dimensions will allow using 9mm size frames. I think there would be a good market for smaller pistols in a .45 loading. I know I would at least give a "Kahr K-45" a try. Or how about a Browning Hi-Power in .45? All this is possible with the .45 GAP. |
I agree that your concerns are valid. I am relatively new to firearms so I'm not "adding another" to anything. From an engineer perspective, the GAP is fantastic and as I'm an engineer, I instantly like it. I was in the market for a polymer carry gun and when I heard that the XD would be coming out in GAP I though... that's my gun. Then the expensive ammo and turned me off for now. Still I think there is no chance in hell that this will be a flop. I expect to see every major manufacturer with a model in 45GAP within 2 years. Also, in a few years, ammo should be less expensive. That's when I expect I'll buy into the GAP market. -LS |