Can .45 GAP Ammo Be Used?

199LIB · #1 12-21-2013, 04:09 PM

Can .45 GAP ammunition be used in a Model 625 JM safely? Would this be similar to using .38 Special ammunition in a .357 magnum revolver, resulting in less performance/ballistic power?

WC145 · #2 12-21-2013, 04:40 PM

Yes it can be used but you have to use moonclips since the cases are too short to headspace on the case mouths. Shouldn't be any measurable difference difference in performance compared to an equivalent .45ACP round, .38spls are loaded lighter than .357mags, .45GAP is loaded to replicate .45ACP ballistics in a shorter OAL cartridge.

199LIB · #3 12-21-2013, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the information, I was not sure that was possible. Yes, the M625JM requires moon clips.

S&WIowegan · #4 12-21-2013, 07:04 PM

I routinely shoot .45GAP in my competition 625s. The reason is the shorter case makes for a slightly faster reload. For whatever reason, .45GAP brass has a very wide extractor groove which causes the cartridges to wobble and shake in standard moonclips.

There is no loss of ballistic power with .45GAP. It is as hot as .45ACP. It was invented by Glock so they could make a .45 cal gun the size of the Model 17.

The .45 GAP ammo is expensive and hard to find since it's not particularly popular.

WC145 · #5 12-21-2013, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 199LIB

Thanks for the information, I was not sure that was possible. Yes, the M625JM requires moon clips.

You can shoot .45ACP without moonclips because the cartridge headspaces on the case mouth in the chamber. However, since the cases are rimless they won't eject so they need to be poked or plucked out of the cylinder if you're not using moonclips.

roundgunner · #6 12-21-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S&WIowegan

I routinely shoot .45GAP in my competition 625s. The reason is the shorter case makes for a slightly faster reload. For whatever reason, .45GAP brass has a very wide extractor groove which causes the cartridges to wobble and shake in standard moonclips.

There is no loss of ballistic power with .45GAP. It is as hot as .45ACP. It was invented by Glock so they could make a .45 cal gun the size of the Model 17.

The .45 GAP ammo is expensive and hard to find since it's not particularly popular.

I shoot a 625 in IDPA and they were looking at ammo at one of the matches just for that reason.

If I still had some reloaded I would use it in the Thunder Ranch, the ejector rod is too short. S&W screwed that up or it would have been a perfect fighting 45 revolver.

BobR1 · #7 12-22-2013, 01:26 PM

I have one shooter shooting a Glock in 45 GAP at the range. As I reload and pick up range brass I get a round of GAP now and again. I also have my 625 chambered for 460 Rowland. When reloading 45acp getting a GAP case or a Rowland case mixed in is a pain. The short 45 GAP is not a real big deal if you notice it when Belling/Charging the case. You will total the Rowland case. Just like getting a 357 in with your 38 Special brass.

Using a 625 you can keep your 45 GAP cases together.
I probably have 2/3 of a 5 Gallon Bucket of 45acp cases. So I will not switch over to 45 GAP. IF I were buying new brass for a 625, I might make an order with Starline for some.

Short and Fat is a good combination with a moon clip revolver.

Bob