Glock Reference Guide by Manning Robb

Author:Manning, Robb [Manning, Robb]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: F+W Media
Published: 2015-06-09T21:00:00+00:00

The G37 (left) has the same slide as the G20 (right) or G21 (not shown), but on a G19-sized frame.

Glock introduced the complete .45 GAP line, the G37, G38, and G39 at the 2003 SHOT Show, with the G37 being the standard size pistol, the G38 the compact, and the G39 the sub-compact.

The overall dimensions of the three .45 GAP pistols are nearly identical to their 9mm cousins; however - and this is a big however - the slide width of the .45 GAP pistols are slightly wider at about 1.14 inches (the G17 slide measures 1.005 inches). In fact, the .45 GAP slides are the same width as the large frame .45 ACP and 10mm lines. This doesn’t change the overall width of 1.18 inches - that’s still the same as the G17 - but it’s a big enough difference that the .45 GAP won’t fit in holsters that are made for the G17 and other standard-frame Glocks.

Loading the .45 into a frame the same size as a 9mm does have a tradeoff, and that is lower capacity. The full size G37 holds only ten rounds, while the full size G21 holds 13. That’s one area I hear as the biggest criticism of the Glock .45 GAP Pistols - capacity isn’t that great. One thing that is important to remember, however, is that the .45 GAP was intended to reduce the circumferance of the handgun grip, not to increase capacity. The cartridge was shortened, but the diameter remains the same. The shorter cartridge results in a shorter grip length, but since the diameter is the same, the stagger of the rounds has to be lessened, resulting in fewer rounds. If the capacity were to remain the same as the G21, then the grip would be just as wide.

Shooting the .45 GAP pistols is not any harsher than shooting the various other .45 ACP pistols on the market, despite the reduction in mass. If you’ve shot a .45 in any other pistol, then shooting the Glock .45 GAP will be mostly as you expect. I have a fair amount of experience with the .45 - the first pistol I purchased when I turned 21 was a Government Model 1911. I’ve fired full-size 1911s, Commander size 1911s, the XD, the XDS, the HK USP and Compact, as well as every model of .45 ACP that Glock offers (Gen3 and Gen4).

The Glock G37, G38, and G39 all shoot as well if not better than all their comparably sized counterparts. Due to the lower bore axis, muzzle flip is less with the Glock than the 1911s I’ve fired. I was able to control it better, which led to faster and more accurate rapid fire.

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