Recently the Florida Highway Patrol conducted testing for a new duty pistol in Tallahassee, Fla. One of the pistols they tested was the Gen 4 Glock. The problem is Glock is only offering the Gen 4 in 9mm and .40 S&W, and FHP wanted a .45. To secure the contract of “about 3000 pistols,” Glock agreed to manufacture a special run of Gen 4 pistols chambered in .45 GAP.
I know the “purpose” of the .45 GAP is to have the ballistics of a .45 ACP, but in a smaller volume cartridge. What’s wrong with .45 ACP though? or even .40 for that matter?
The standard magazine capacity of the fullsize .45 GAP Glock model 37 is 10 rounds. The Glock 21 (.45 ACP) standard magazine capacity is 13 rounds. One clear disadvantage of the G37, especially in a law enforcement environment.
According to Jeff Quinn’s article on the G37 at Gunblast.com:
The grip frame dimensions are where the two guns differ, and the smaller size of the model 37 does indeed offer improved ergonomics for those who prefer the feel of the medium frame Glocks. A comparison of the critical dimensions are as follows:
| Glock 21 .45 ACP | Glock 37 .45 GAP | |
| Magazine Thickness | 1.15 inch | 0.904 inch |
| Grip Circumference | 7.75 inches | 7.375 inches |
| Grip Thickness | 1.292 inches | 1.182 inches |
| Grip Front to Back | 2.155 inches | 2.08 inches |
| Trigger Reach | 2.938 inches | 2.793 inches |
| Barrel Length | 4.605 inches | 4.59 inches |
Why exactly does Florida need/want the .45 GAP though? Have they had failures in stopping bad guys with .40 or .45? Are there a bunch of new officers with small hands?
Coming from the Beretta 96, one would think that Florida Highway Patrol would be used to a large grip circumference, and that a Glock 22 or Glock 21 wouldn’t be hard to get used to.
Maybe is it an Elitism thing, where they want to brag to everyone that Glock custom made them a new model?
I would hate to see the bill for the cost of 3000 custom Glocks. I’m sure Florida tax payers would also cringe, especially knowing there are at least 2 other perfectly great off the self models that their highway patrol could be carrying.
Maybe someday this .45 GAP cardridge will catch on. Glock sure pushes it in every issue of Glock Annual.
I definitely have not noticed .45 GAP ammo at any of the gun stores I frequent, though maybe that’s due to the large amount of dust that likely collected on the box, making it unreadable. :P
Full story on Florida’s Gen4 .45 GAP glock purchase over at BlueSheepDog – HERE