.45 GAP, we dont need no stinking .45 Gap!

[Vulcan Bob]

Or do we? Hi all, this is all about breaking the rules, mainly the rule that is printed on the side of a box of ammo. You know, the one that states that this ammo is to be used only in firearms in good working order and specifically marked for and designed to fire this ammunition. Well due to poor close range vision I picked up a bag of Starline .45 Gap brass thinking it was .45 ACP at a LGS. Well the thought had crossed my mind in the past, I wonder, can you fire the .45 GAP in full moon clips out of the 625? Well the 625 is rated for .45 ACP plus P ammo and that is what the GAP really is, a shorter case at higher pressures to equal standard pressure .45 ACP. OK, now to see if the slightly different extractor cut in the GAP case fits the moon clips, why yes they do and are a bit easier to snap into them as well. Well I loaded up a box of the .45 GAP using a .452" diameter 225gr LRNFP bullets using the starting load for 231 with a standard small pistol primer. Well tally-ho boys and girls off to the range, loaded up a 625 Model of 1989 with them and had at it. No drama, they shot well with good accuracy, no pressure signs and the fireing pin hits were centered in those wee primers. So then why? Well if you just happen to be wandering around in the post apocalyptic world lugging a .45 ACP chambered revolver with a few now empty moon clips and dig up a box of .45 Gap ammo you are good to go, well sort of.

 

[DFrame]

Interesting. Frankly I'd never thought of using them like that. When I'm unfortunate enough to find any at the range I usually just toss them in the recycle bin. May have to rethink that. They could actually be useful.

 

[venomballistics]

I don't see any immediate issue in this trick.

 

[fredj338]

Sure, not unlike shooting 38sp in 357mag.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I have been loading Starline 45 GAP brass with 230 gr FMJ bullets and small doses of Vihtavouri N310 for at least 6 years. I bought Hearthco moonclips made to fit Starline brass. I run this ammo in my 625 for USPSA and IDPA.

The benefits are less powder to make power factor, very fast drop into the cylinder and fast dump of the empties when reloading.

 

[Co Th G]

When I used my 625 in competition, that's all I used was Starline 45 GAP. Faster reloads is the reason you use it in competition.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I don't see any immediate issue in this trick.

No issue no trick, just being curious! For some reason I hadn't heard of this before, guess I'm a bit late to the party. The .45 GAP cartridge seems to me to be at deaths door, a solution to a non existent problem as the late Col. Cooper would say. It seems to have found a few users although not quite what the folks at Glock had imagined.

 

[S&WIowegan]

No issue no trick, just being curious! For some reason I hadn't heard of this before, guess I'm a bit late to the party. The .45 GAP cartridge seems to me to be at deaths door, a solution to a non existent problem as the late Col. Cooper would say. It seems to have found a few users although not quite what the folks at Glock had imagined.

I know Glock wanted to offer a 9mm sized pistol in 45 caliber. I thought it might sell too. Springfield brought out the XD-S in 45 but quickly added a 9mm version. The kick of 45 ACP is too much for lots of people. The story from Glock is that some US police agencies told Glock they would like to have a 45-size cartridge in a 9mm dimensioned pistol......so Glock made one and invented the ammo for it.

 

[Fredo Batali]

That .45 GAP ammo shoots great in my Glock 37 too

De Oppresso Liber

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My shooting buddy has been doing this for a long time. He is very, ummmm, frugal so he will use anything he can get. He has an in on a range where there were a lot of shooters used to shoot the 45 GAP but no one wanted the 45 GAP brass. My buddy took it all and uses it in his several 45 Auto revolvers. I didn't think it was a big deal so I didn't think to mention it here on the forum.

 

[BobR1]

So far I have not heard the main advantage of the 45 GAP in a 625 mentioned for us reloaders. SMALL Pistol Primers.

Probably 95% of my reloading is 38 Special, 40 S&W, and 45 acp revolver ammo. Using 45GAP one could use Small Pistol Primers in 38 Special, 40 S&W, and 45 acp chambered revolvers.

I probably will not make the switch due to having a great deal of 45acp brass on hand. But if one were buying new brass just for a 625 Revolver, I would look at the 45 GAP pretty hard.

Bob

 

[venomballistics]

No issue no trick, just being curious! For some reason I hadn't heard of this before, guess I'm a bit late to the party. The .45 GAP cartridge seems to me to be at deaths door, a solution to a non existent problem as the late Col. Cooper would say. It seems to have found a few users although not quite what the folks at Glock had imagined.

It could have been a part of a solution for a lady oriented pistol.
But no, glock wasted on a double stack and defeated the only advantage it had.
At least someone can use it as it turns up on the range floor.

 

[roundgunner]

I think 45 Gap would have been a lot more popular if S&W hadn't come out with the 40 short and weak. I reloaded some 10mm today and between rounds was thinking about what is my favorite auto loader round.

15 years ago it was no doubt 45acp. Now the 40 may be it. Not sure right this second.

 

[johngalt]

So far I have not heard the main advantage of the 45 GAP in a 625 mentioned for us reloaders. SMALL Pistol Primers.

Probably 95% of my reloading is 38 Special, 40 S&W, and 45 acp revolver ammo. Using 45GAP one could use Small Pistol Primers in 38 Special, 40 S&W, and 45 acp chambered revolvers.

I probably will not make the switch due to having a great deal of 45acp brass on hand. But if one were buying new brass just for a 625 Revolver, I would look at the 45 GAP pretty hard.

Bob

The large primers feed more reliably in my Hornady LNLAP. I prefer them for that reason.