Bit the (GAP) bullet, so to speak

[Vista]

After months of on 'n off lurking on various GT forums, I finally decided to "bite the bullet" and order a G38. I've had a G19 for 10-12 years, and have always felt that it was just about the right size, not too big, not too little. The bigger bullet in the same size frame really appeals to me. I just hope that the GAP ammo proves successful - there's a surprising amount of GAP badmouthing and predictions of failure on this and other forums. I'll be posting some questions about the G38 and GAP ammunition in a bit.

Vista

[DannyR]

Welcome to the wonderful world of GAP. I carry my G38 in a Blade-Tek holster, loaded with 200-gr Cor-Bon JHP's, mags fitted with #7151 factory bases. Ammo Choices are:

Speer
Federal
Winchester
Remington
Cor-Bon

I have a factory 3.5# connector and a G37 trigger installed in my G38.

If you reload, try West Coast 200-gr FMJ over 4.1-gr of Titegroup.

[Slvr Surfr]

Ive been damn happy with my G38. Ammo seems to be getting more popular. I saw several manufacturers ammo priced right around the same price as .45 ACP ammo was. That was at Sportsmans Warehouse 14.50-14.99 a box of target ammo.

[SDGlock23]

I'm gettin' the fever I think, I've called around and there are some gun shops locally that have some G38's. I don't know if I can resist, the compact frame size is my favorite hands down.

Congrats on that G38, Vista!

[J. Parker]

I'm EXTREMELY happy with my G38. The G19/G23 is my favorite frame and BINGO I get to shoot a 45 calibre bullet out of it. I like the 45GAP concept alot!:supergrin:

~John

[Vista]

DannyR:

Thanks for the welcome...I've been following your numerous GT posts..you always seem to have the right answers, even to dumb questions! So, here's a few more (I hope others chime in as well):

1. Does GAP ammo with lower grain bullets (i.e. 200gr, 185 gr) have less recoil than the heavier 230gr bullets? I assume that the lower grain bullets have higher velocity - true? Is there any tradeoff in accuracy?

2. What is the recommended ammo for range/training use? For defense use? Where's the best place to buy ammo on the net?

3. In scanning the various internet ammo sites, it appears that many of them are out-of-stock in various makes and types of GAP ammo, particularly at the lower end of the price range. Does this mean that the GAP stuff is moving fast and they can't keep it in stock, or that it is moving slow and they aren't bothering to reorder?

4. I keep hearing that there's been a large Federal/Military GAP order that's gumming up the works for civilian orders...any truth to that?

5. The G38 that I ordered is the LEO model. According to the order sheet, it comes with three 10-round magazines. I suspect the 10 rounders apply to the G37, but I hope the three mags is correct. I also had a choice of 5lb 8lb or NY1 trigger. I took the 5lb, but I'm not sure what this means in regard to the connector. My G19 has a 3.5lb connector, which I like.

Thanks in advance,

Vista

[KingEDC]

I use federal american eagle ( i think thats the name of it)red box 185 grain.Very accurate.I tried using the WWB but it leaves alot of crums in the barrel.Dirty if you ask me.But with other calibers I guess it works,because I`ve heard people recommend it.The WWB 45GAP I`ve use it wasnt good.For defense I carry Speer gold dots 185 gr.Or Federal Hydrashoks.I like the 185s.I`d try both 200gr. and 185gr. like I did and see which one is best for you.Have fun






Cruz

[Vista]

Bumped to see if I can get some input regarding the GAP questions I asked a couple of days ago...

Vista

[gary newport]

Originally posted by Vista
DannyR:

Thanks for the welcome...I've been following your numerous GT posts..you always seem to have the right answers, even to dumb questions! So, here's a few more (I hope others chime in as well):

1. Does GAP ammo with lower grain bullets (i.e. 200gr, 185 gr) have less recoil than the heavier 230gr bullets? I assume that the lower grain bullets have higher velocity - true? Is there any tradeoff in accuracy?

2. What is the recommended ammo for range/training use? For defense use? Where's the best place to buy ammo on the net?

3. In scanning the various internet ammo sites, it appears that many of them are out-of-stock in various makes and types of GAP ammo, particularly at the lower end of the price range. Does this mean that the GAP stuff is moving fast and they can't keep it in stock, or that it is moving slow and they aren't bothering to reorder?

4. I keep hearing that there's been a large Federal/Military GAP order that's gumming up the works for civilian orders...any truth to that?

5. The G38 that I ordered is the LEO model. According to the order sheet, it comes with three 10-round magazines. I suspect the 10 rounders apply to the G37, but I hope the three mags is correct. I also had a choice of 5lb 8lb or NY1 trigger. I took the 5lb, but I'm not sure what this means in regard to the connector. My G19 has a 3.5lb connector, which I like.

Thanks in advance,

Vista

Well, I'm not Danny (nor do I play him on TV) but I have answers to some of your questions.

1. In my experience, Speer (Lawman and Gold Dot) 185 and 200 grain GAP loads are quite snappy while Winchester (White Box), Remington and Federal 230 grain hardball is softer shooting. The WWB 230 grain hollowpoint is a bit hotter than the hardball, but not at all unpleasant. In general, the 185 and 200 grain factory loads operate at higher velocities than the 230 grain loads. Accuracy is a complex thing but I found the WWB 230 grain hardball to be pretty accurate in my GAP Glocks.

2. Any hardball load (I'd use WWB if I weren't reloading) should be fine for practicing. The Speer Lawman loads closely match the Speer Gold Dot loads if you like the latter for defense (I prefer Federal HST 230 grain hollowpoints).

3. I have no idea.

4. The "5 pound" trigger means that pistol has a 5.5 pound connector and standard coil trigger spring. If you like the "minus" or "3.5" (actually 4.5) pound connector, it can easily be installed in your new GAP Glock. I installed the "minus" connector in all my Glocks--except for my G34 which came from the factory with one installed. I also installed G37 (smooth-faced) triggers on my G38 and G39 as I detest the serrated "target" trigger on compact and subcompact Glocks.

[Vista]

Thanks Gary, appreciate the info...

Vista

[Glocks&Ducs]

There is no Federal/military GAP order gumming up the works, that has been a rumor for a while due to a retracted article from a few months ago.

The best price you are going to find on ammo right now is going to be at Mirage Technologies. They don't have it listed on their website, but you can give them a call and see what it comes out to with shipping to your location. It came out to $11.90 a box for me, for 200Gr Speer Lawman.

[p7k3]

#3 got me wondering. I was looking for brass & on the Midway site the Winchester was out of stock with no backorders.
No problem getting the Starline, which was fine with me.
Anyone have a take on this?

[Glocks&Ducs]

I don't have an official answer, and I no it's just gunshop BS. But the other day, one of the local gun dealers claimed that all ammo companies were ceasing manufacturing of the GAP caliber, except for Winchester would make a run once a year. Now that I think about it, maybe he meant brass production, aside from what they need for their own production purposes. Either way, I don't consider the guy a reliable source. He's one of those that always has to have the "scoop".

I have enough ammo to provide me with about 6000 pieces of brass though, so it isn't a huge issue for me right now.

[p7k3]

i hope it's an unfounded rumor, I'm in decent shape brass wise, I always worry about the future. Don't know why.
Thought about it for a few & like you said, Sounds like bs, Para just released two new models. I think the ammo mfgs would give it a lot more time b4 giving up on what I think is a good round.

[p7k3]

Originally posted by Glocks&Ducs
I don't have an official answer, and I no it's just gunshop BS. But the other day, one of the local gun dealers claimed that all ammo companies were ceasing manufacturing of the GAP caliber, except for Winchester would make a run once a year. Now that I think about it, maybe he meant brass production, aside from what they need for their own production purposes. Either way, I don't consider the guy a reliable source. He's one of those that always has to have the "scoop".

I have enough ammo to provide me with about 6000 pieces of brass though, so it isn't a huge issue for me right now.
I emailed Winchester regarding the brass ?. I will let you know the outcome.

[Napa Nick]

I called mirage and they told me $15.00 per box on everything GAP, so I purchased from wholesale hunter (wholesalehunter.com) and got thier last case of Lawman 185 gr. for a bit over $12.00 a box plus freight.

[Glocks&Ducs]

Originally posted by Napa Nick
I called mirage and they told me $15.00 per box on everything GAP, so I purchased from wholesale hunter (wholesalehunter.com) and got thier last case of Lawman 185 gr. for a bit over $12.00 a box plus freight.

When you talked to them, did you ask them what it would cost for a case of practice ammo, or did you specifically say a box of GAP?

I called and asked what it would be for a case of 1000 rounds. Then if he could give me a quote for shipping, then the total, which came out to $238. The reason I called them, is because someone else said they bought some Lawman there for $200 for a case, but I paid $220 for the case.

[p7k3]

Originally posted by p7k3
I emailed Winchester regarding the brass ?. I will let you know the outcome.


Thank you very much for taking the time to contact us here at
Winchester Ammunition. We are always glad to hear from our many friends and
customers who share in the shooting sport.

Winchester Ammunition has not discontinued the .45 GAP

Thank you again for contacting us here at Winchester Ammunition. If
you should require additional information, do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Winchester Technical Department