Magazine Ban could revive 45 GAP

greenlion · 02-09-2013, 21:49

If there is a magazine ban that restricts capacity to 10 (or 7) it could make the 45 GAP look much more attractive again.

In addition, if GLOCK would give the 45 GAP the same new slide width as the new 30s, it would be the same size as the 9mm guns and hold as many rounds (considering a mag ban)

The compact GLOCK 38 with a 30s sized slide might just be the perfect GLOCK, if the GAP cartridge was much more common in stores.

greenlion · 02-09-2013, 21:57

Forgot to mention, they should go ahead and make it a Gen4 with the new dual recoil spring to tame felt recoil a bit too. Should work better than a Gen3 spring with the slimmer 30s style slide...

RPVG · 02-09-2013, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenlion

Forgot to mention, they should go ahead and make it a Gen4 with the new dual recoil spring to tame felt recoil a bit too. Should work better than a Gen3 spring with the slimmer 30s style slide...

IIRC, all .45 Glocks (ACP and GAP) have a dual RSA.

jeremy1 · 02-09-2013, 22:26

My gen 3 G37 has the same spring as the G17. I would guess the 38 is the same as well

glock2740 · 02-09-2013, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenlion

If there is a magazine ban that restricts capacity to 10 (or 7) it could make the 45 GAP look much more attractive again.

In addition, if GLOCK would give the 45 GAP the same new slide width as the new 30s, it would be the same size as the 9mm guns and hold as many rounds (considering a mag ban).

TexasPOff · 02-09-2013, 22:46

When the GAP was first talked about I was very interested because I in fact thought it would be the same size as the 9mm and 40 platforms. When I finally saw it in person, I had no desire. If I am going to carry the fat slide, I'm going to carry an ACP. Now in all fairness I have shot the GAP and it is a very nice performing round. It does resemble the ACP in recoil characteristics as I perceive it. So yes I would consider and probably would carry one on for duty if it was in fact exactly the same size as the 9, and 40 pistols.

This would also help it gain greater acceptance in the LE field as there would be no need to change equipment, IE duty holsters, mag pouches etc. Why not carry a 45 caliber pistol that is exactly the same dimensions as a 9mm. While I have nothing against the 9, as I currently carry one on duty, I do prefer a 45 caliber round. And no I have no interest in carrying a 40 again.

For Glock to use the multi spring RSA on a redesigned GAP pistol, they would have to use 4th Gen frames. The only Gen 3 glocks with multi spring guide rods were the 26/27/28/29/30/33/39 including SF variants. All other 3rd gen frames use a single spring system even the GAP 37, and 38.

TXPO

ImpeachObama · 02-09-2013, 22:58

The 38 measures smaller than the new 30S. The line of sight and barrel length with the 38 is a spec longer even thou it is smaller/shorter. I'm not sure the 30S make since other than it takes ACP instead of GAP.

Slug71 · 02-09-2013, 23:21

No G39s on Gunbroker at the moment. Been that way for the past week.

***BuckyP*** · 02-10-2013, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenlion

In addition, if GLOCK would give the 45 GAP the same new slide width as the new 30s, it would be the same size as the 9mm guns and hold as many rounds (considering a mag ban)

The compact GLOCK 38 with a 30s sized slide might just be the perfect GLOCK, if the GAP cartridge was much more common in stores.

I was just thinking, now that there is a G30S, is it time for a G37S?

I think the GAPs would have been more popular if they could use the same holsters as their other small frame counterparts.

Bruce M · 02-10-2013, 06:18

It is an interesting question as to whether slimming down a GAP slide would increase desirability.

greenlion · 02-10-2013, 06:36

Everyone is always wanting either a single stack 45 GLOCK or a compact one the same size as a GLOCK 19. This would fit the description perfectly if it had the slimmer 30s sized slide.

The GAP (if it were more common) does have some advantages for reloaders too. It uses less powder to reach the same velocities as the 45acp, and uses smaller primers which USE TO BE less expensive. It is also a higher pressure round than the ACP. I know when I began reloading 45 acp after using only 9mm and 40 for years, It took me a while to realize that you cannot use the same powders that work great in the high pressure 9mm and 40 and expect it to work the same in 45 acp. Some powders (universal for example) need high pressure to burn completely.

clarkz71 · 02-10-2013, 06:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce M

It is an interesting question as to whether slimming down a GAP slide would increase desirability.

I believe it would.

greenlion · 02-10-2013, 06:51

I know a lot of you will be crazy about the G30s, but to be honest, I don't get it. The part of a GLOCK that I find hardest to conceal is the grip, not the slide. The slide may be a bit fatter in your waistband, but that fat grip is what keeps me from carrying a G30sf. The 30s has exactly the same fat grip, so it will conceal no better for me.

If the GAP pistols were made with the slimmer slide, they would be more concealable on both ends. Imagine a G39 the same size as a G26 9mm.

**DannyR** · 02-10-2013, 06:54

The first prototype G37's had slimmer slides. During extensive testing of the 12 prototypes, it was determined that they needed heavier slides. The prototype G37 introduced at the 2003 Shot Show actually had a slimmer slide. Testing also determined that the GAP needed small pistol primers.

CDW4ME · 02-10-2013, 06:57

No magazine restriction was necessary for me to think the Glock 38 is a great CC pistol.

mgentry · 02-10-2013, 07:59

+1 for 45 GAP - Great round!

ggarciatx · 02-10-2013, 10:57

Right now there is demand for ammo. 9mm, .223, 5.56, .40, .45ACP and 22LR. The companies are not naive and will make this ammo before they make any other ammo for odd-ball calibers like .357 SIG, .45 GAP, 10MM, etc...........
There are way more guns in the common calibers that need ammo supplied for. Whatever ammo on the shelves or internet for those odd-ball calibers will be it for a while until they catch up with the common calibers. People will buy G26, G27, and G30 cause they know that the Wal-Marts, Academy's, Gander Mountains, Cabellas will get the common calibers before the odd-balls. I think this might have been the second to last nail in the coffin for odd-ball calibers. After this panic, I honestly don't beleive that we will see ammo stacked and shelved at retailers like it was before January 2013. I am estimating a year or two to get things stable and see ammo almost like it was. That would be without more threats of gun legislation. The Pro 2A citizens learned not to be caught off guard again.

ADK_40GLKr · 02-10-2013, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy1

My gen 3 G37 has the same spring as the G17. I would guess the 38 is the same as well

Correct: My gen3 G38 has the single recoil spring.

MrVvrroomm · 02-10-2013, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenlion

Forgot to mention, they should go ahead and make it a Gen4 with the new dual recoil spring to tame felt recoil a bit too. Should work better than a Gen3 spring with the slimmer 30s style slide...

You know they already make the 37 in Gen4 right?

**AgentM79** · 02-10-2013, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyR

The first prototype G37's had slimmer slides. During extensive testing of the 12 prototypes, it was determined that they needed heavier slides. The prototype G37 introduced at the 2003 Shot Show actually had a slimmer slide. Testing also determined that the GAP needed small pistol primers.

There have been several threads where the potential of the GAP/"S" slide combo has been mentioned, and I've jumped-in on each one. I think the unanswered question is whether or not a full-size "S" slide if feasible, and whether or not it would succeed, durability-wise, where it's predecessors failed in Glock's prototype tests. And, whether it would fit a 9mm/.40-sized "service" holster (i.e. Safariland 295, 070, 6360ALS, or Blackhawk's "Serpa")

Being that there have been no known durability issues with the G36 (though sporadically-reported reliability issues have been mentioned here on GT; I've never owned or fired a G36 so I can't comment), and the gun is rated for unlimited +P .45ACP ammo, one could logically conclude that a slimmer-slide .45GAP pistol is feasible.

Like DannyR, I am a huge fan of the .45GAP. I like the power, reliability, ergonomics, and soft-shooting handling characteristics. I just don't know what would be lost by slimming-down the slide on a G37, G38, or G39. Maybe they just got it exactly "right" with a .45 slide on a 9mm frame.

ADK_40GLKr · 02-10-2013, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenlion

I know a lot of you will be crazy about the G30s, but to be honest, I don't get it. The part of a GLOCK that I find hardest to conceal is the grip, not the slide. The slide may be a bit fatter in your waistband, but that fat grip is what keeps me from carrying a G30sf. The 30s has exactly the same fat grip, so it will conceal no better for me.

If the GAP pistols were made with the slimmer slide, they would be more concealable on both ends. Imagine a G39 the same size as a G26 9mm.

I got on a kick a couple weeks ago trying to figure out how I could hybridize just such a critter.

Wanted to put a thinner slide on a G39 frame & shoot GAP through a .45GAP barrel.

-36 slide wouldn't work because ejection port is too long.
-26,27,33 slide (with barrel port reamed out to .45) wouldn't either because GAP barrel is too wide for inside of slide.

The walls of the 36 slide are thinner than those of a 26 slide. I suppose you could mill a mm or so off both sides of the inside of the slide, and bore out the barrel port.

But not an easy hybrid. Gotta wait for Glock to make a slide that would work, but since they DID it for ACP, they COULD do it for GAP. Probably falls victim to laws of "supply & demand" & "diminishing returns"! Not enough consumer interest.

feathers73 · 02-10-2013, 11:46

Would a ban affect existing mags purchased prior to the ban?

greenlion · 02-10-2013, 14:47

Interesting about the early GAP prototypes not working without a heavier slide. You have to keep in mind that they will now be using the Gen4 dual recoil spring, so maybe it is feasible. If a slim slide would not work with a dual recoil spring, then the GLOCK 36 wouldn't work, and neither would the new 30s.

jack76590 · 02-10-2013, 14:56

I believe banning mags with over 10 round capacity will made the G26 and G27 even more popular than they are today.

I would envision sales increases in these two models to exceed any increase in 45 caliber glocks, whether GAP or acp.

barth · 02-10-2013, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack76590

I believe banning mags with over 10 round capacity will made the G26 and G27 even more popular than they are today.

I would envision sales increases in these two models to exceed any increase in 45 caliber glocks, whether GAP or acp.

+1
I think any gun that was 9 or 10 round pre ban will likely do well.
Specifically, a 45 GAP revival? Not so much...