Posted: 8/18/2015 7:20:43 AM EDT
After years of smugly dismissing the G37, I got to ask why didn't anybody tell me how great this gun really is 
I recently purchased a new, in box G37 with three mags and factory night sights for <$300. I couldn't resist. I had anticipated that I would have a potential collectible curiosity but instead what I found was a G17/22 size frame (and grip) in a caliber that offers potentially 10% more energy than .45acp. 
The gun is easy to shoot and easy to carry. A set of reloading dies is on my X-mas list. Mag capacity is the biggest drawback but I understand the Glock factory +2 extended base plates will work fine and bring the round count to 12+1. Aside from hard to find magazines and hard to find/expensive factory loaded ammunition, what is not to like about the G37??? |
|
Quoted:
I thought those are pretty good reasons. I could see liking a GAP if someone gave me a truck load of brass for it. Quoted:
Quoted:
Aside from hard to find magazines and hard to find/expensive factory loaded ammunition, what is not to like about the G37??? I thought those are pretty good reasons. I could see liking a GAP if someone gave me a truck load of brass for it. Starline offers .45GAP brass and the round uses small pistol primers and readily available bullets. So, after I buy a set of dies and develop some loads my average cost per round should be about equal to .45acp. Everywhere I look for mags, they are listed as OOS but seem to be priced the same as any other Glock mag when in stock. I am hoping that maybe they are released in batches every once in a while. I'll keep my eyes open. |
|
If one wanted a .45 caliber handgun, the 45 GAP is great in theory. Same ballistics in a smaller package. Higher capacity in a more manageable sized pistol.
The problem is that most people who want a .45 are traditionalists and ain't no "new fangled euro trash caliber gonna replace mah forty five. If it was good enough for grandpappy, it's good enough for me." It never interested me because I have no interest in .45 caliber. I only shoot and carry 9mm and 10mm in pistols. |
|
45GAP operates at the same pressure (23ksi) is 45 ACP +P but with less case volume. So with light bullets it is more efficient and similar performance but with heavy bullets it lacks the case capacity to fully utilize its moderate pressure limit. In most of the GAP vs ACP comparisons you will find they only compare 185 and 200 gr bullets. You don't see 230 gr bullets in 45 GAP very often because despite the higher pressure the case volume is not there to effectively used the heavier bullets.
45 GAP a good cartridge but 45ACP (+P) is a bit more versatile. |
| I like a few things about my G37 I like that Glock rounded the muzzle of the slide, it is accurate, but my love for the G37 ends at that..... Ammo is expensive unless you reload, the slide weight is heavy (had they used a G17 width slide the G37 might have caught more), holsters are harder to find, mags are difficult to find but I bought many back in the day. |
|
Quoted:
Could you elaborate? Insight from somebody who carried one professionally, on a daily basis, might help me see deficiencies I do not yet realize. Quoted:
Quoted:
The 37 used to be my issued weapon. Hated everything about it outside of it being a glock. Could you elaborate? Insight from somebody who carried one professionally, on a daily basis, might help me see deficiencies I do not yet realize. Main reason being magazine capacity. I personally, hated shooting it. The recoil impulse in conjunction with the grip size was always somewhat of a struggle for me a my hand size is a m/l (Non chubby hands). I could shoot targets with good results, however I didn't enjoy it one bit. Felt like shooting a .40 +p sub compact in my hands. To compare a bit, I could shoot the 21 like a dream. I loved the size, however, was not an option. Another thing which has already been pointed out, was ammo. It was expensive, and it affected us as a whole. Allowed 50rds a month free, or go to the nearest indoor public range and pay. Main reason I thing it's ridiculous, is I'm a 9mm guy. Ballistics please me just fine with 9mm. Why sacrifice the pros of a , say glock 17, for a restricted caliber such as the .45 gap. I mean hell, almost one glock 17 magazine is two glock 37 mags... One hell of a trade off. But, this is all my personal opinion. |
|
Quoted:
Can the .45" GAP series be converted w/ swap out bbls to other calibers like the 22 & 23 can? Ie, are other caliber replacement bbls available? The 45 GAP breech face is going to make extraction with smaller calibers like 40 and 9mm a real problem. 40S&W to 9mm works because the extractor can still catch the 9mm rim. That is not the case with 45GAP/ACP down to 40S&W. The extractor will never touch the case. |
|
Quoted:
The 45 GAP breech face is going to make extraction with smaller calibers like 40 and 9mm a real problem. 40S&W to 9mm works because the extractor can still catch the 9mm rim. That is not the case with 45GAP/ACP down to 40S&W. The extractor will never touch the case. Quoted:
Quoted: Can the .45" GAP series be converted w/ swap out bbls to other calibers like the 22 & 23 can? Ie, are other caliber replacement bbls available? The 45 GAP breech face is going to make extraction with smaller calibers like 40 and 9mm a real problem. 40S&W to 9mm works because the extractor can still catch the 9mm rim. That is not the case with 45GAP/ACP down to 40S&W. The extractor will never touch the case. .407" SIG?  Ok. Just plotting my options for when I get money.
|
|
Quoted:
I thought those are pretty good reasons. I could see liking a GAP if someone gave me a truck load of brass for it. Quoted:
Quoted:
Aside from hard to find magazines and hard to find/expensive factory loaded ammunition, what is not to like about the G37??? I thought those are pretty good reasons. I could see liking a GAP if someone gave me a truck load of brass for it. Last year I RO'ed a GSSF match with 300 shooters. Only one 45 GAP came through. After the match, I could never find a person to give the brass to. This year after two matches totaling 600 shooters not one single 45 GAP. The GSSF match organizers were selling used 45 GAP mags for $10 each and there was no takers. I don't think the GAP has as much of a benefit in frame size compared to 21SF and Gen 4's. Couple the small benefit of frame size with ammo availability and it is a net loss. Reloading doesn't help since there is an almost nonexistent used brass supply. |