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What Is a Glock GAP?

A Glock GAP is a Glock pistol chambered to use .45 GAP bullets. Traditionally, shooters desiring a large bore cartridge would use a pistol chambered for .45 ACP bullets. The disadvantage of the ACP is that it requires a large framed handgun, which may prove cumbersome for some shooters (particularly if carried frequently). Glock's solution was to collaborate in the design of a new bullet which would provide the performance of a .45 ACP in a midsized pistol.

Pistols as "Bullet Launchers"
- To understand what sets the Glock .45 GAP apart you must understand that the primary purpose of a handgun is to serve as a bullet launcher. Handgun designers have always tried to produce weapons which would perform best with specific ammunition, taking into consideration capacity, performance and size.
The .45 ACP
- The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) bullet was designed for the Colt model 1911 pistol over 100 years ago. At the time the United States Army was looking to adapt a heavy large caliber pistol to replace their underpowered .38 caliber revolvers. The .45 ACP bullet proved so successful that it remained the Army's handgun caliber of choice until the 1980s. The .45 ACP was also popular among law enforcement but was considered too bulky for duty.
Origin of the .45 GAP
- To meet the demand for a big bore pistol and a smaller frame, Glock sought to develop a shorter bullet with the same performance as the .45 ACP. Glock worked with bullet maker Speer to develop this bullet. The new shorter bullet was named the .45 GAP (Glock Automatic Pistol).
Why it Works
- The .45 GAP provides the same performance as the .45 ACP, despite being shorter, due to advances in bullet technology. Using advanced propellants, the .45 GAP provides a higher velocity from a smaller casing, without applying excessive pressure to the pistol.
The Glock GAP Advantage
- The Glock GAP pistol gives the shooter all the power of the .45 ACP in a smaller framed pistol. Additionally, since the .45 GAP is a smaller bullet, the pistol is lighter and easier to use.

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