GAP-Which grain for defense?

[AfterDark]

I was having problems accessing my account for a while but I resolved it with the moderators. Anyways, I am currently using 185 grain HPs for home defense. Which grain do you recommend? I was considering going with the 200 and maybe 230. Which grain is ideal? And if I go with a 230 grain HP, are there any potential problems since the GAP was suppose to be be only 200 grain at first? Where can I buy besides streichers since they are sold out? Thanks in advance.

[nosuchagency]

you didn't mention a specific manufacturer; however, here's a couple of additional sources for defensive ammo as well:

http://mahsupplies.net/

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_41

http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=9851&categorystring=653***691***

[Devils7]

Speer Gold Dot 200 grain. Much talk about it here on this forum. #1 to use for carry.

Me on the other hand, I like my 230 grain. Federal Tactical HST

[BOGE]

I figure the Fed. 230 gr. HST for Winter (heavy clothing to penetrate you know) and the 200 gr. Gold Dot Double Tap for Summer weather and light clothing penetration. :whistling:

[DannyR]

All are good choices.

[chad745]

I have no alliegence to any, but currently, I'm carrying Federal 185gr HS. Comes out at 1090 fps. What's the best weight? Man, I can't imagine a human body getting hit by ANYTHING that comes out of a GAP Glock! It's all going to be pretty narly...effective I guess would be the technical word.

[Calculated]

I like the Speer Gold Dot 200g. It feeds reliably and seems to be accurate enough for me.

[tonyparson]

I'm using Federal Premium 230 grain. Why because it all the gun shops here stock. I'm going to see if they will stock some different grains so i can see what one i like the best.

[msciresa]

160 gr. corbon dpx. Works in any situation, expands in any medium!

[obxemt]

Man, I can't imagine a human body getting hit by ANYTHING that comes out of a GAP Glock! It's all going to be pretty narly...effective I guess would be the technical word.

I don't know...narly sounds pretty accurate! :supergrin:

[dday27]

I carry the Speer Gold Dot 200Grain

[Thx-1138]

I loaded up 230g into my G39. I don't have any empirical evidence to back up my decision, but here's my theory:

Energy is determined almost exclusively by the amount of gunpowder than burns before the bullet leaves the barrel. The energy can be translated to higher FPS with a lower-weight bullet, or lower FPS with a higher-weight bullet, but the total energy is pretty much the same.

Powder that burns after the bullet leaves is largely wasted.

Higher FPS means the bullet leaves the barrel faster. With a short barrel, this increases the likelihood of having unburnt powder before the bullet leaves the barrel, and a net loss of muzzle energy.

Higher FPS means the bullet has less drop per foot traveled, which improves long-range accuracy.


With a short-barrel defensive firearm, if I go with a lower-weight bullet, it's likely that I'm wasting some energy, so I went with the higher grain. I might lose some long-range accuracy, but since this is a defensive round, I'm not expecting to engage targets at anything over 7 yards.

I'm not a ballistics expert, or anything even remotely close to one. I'm not even a ballistics enthusiast. It's entirely possible that my thought process is completely backwards.

[jeremy1]

I loaded up 230g into my G39. I don't have any empirical evidence to back up my decision, but here's my theory:

Energy is determined almost exclusively by the amount of gunpowder than burns before the bullet leaves the barrel. The energy can be translated to higher FPS with a lower-weight bullet, or lower FPS with a higher-weight bullet, but the total energy is pretty much the same.

Powder that burns after the bullet leaves is largely wasted.

Higher FPS means the bullet leaves the barrel faster. With a short barrel, this increases the likelihood of having unburnt powder before the bullet leaves the barrel, and a net loss of muzzle energy.

Higher FPS means the bullet has less drop per foot traveled, which improves long-range accuracy.


With a short-barrel defensive firearm, if I go with a lower-weight bullet, it's likely that I'm wasting some energy, so I went with the higher grain. I might lose some long-range accuracy, but since this is a defensive round, I'm not expecting to engage targets at anything over 7 yards.

I'm not a ballistics expert, or anything even remotely close to one. I'm not even a ballistics enthusiast. It's entirely possible that my thought process is completely backwards.

You are indeed correct from what I have read. Long barrel - lighter bulet. Short barrel - heavier bullet.

I think it was Speer that made short barrel pistol rounds and all were on the heavy side for caliber.

Of course were dealing with 45 here so its effective regardless of bullet weight.

[gary newport]

I use Federal HST 230-grain HPs in either .45 GAP or .45 ACP.

[D.R.T.]

I use 230 gr. Winchester Ranger SXT law enforcement hollow points. I believe that these are the best rounds out on the market today. With exception to the infamous Black Talon...that is no longer made and I don't even think it would ever be made on the GAP round...so stick to the second best!

[Quiet]

With exception to the infamous Black Talon...that is no longer made and I don't even think it would ever be made on the GAP round...so stick to the second best!
The .45GAP and .357SIG were not in exisitence when the Black Talon was around.

[Bladerunner747]

It is my understanding the the 4th generation Win. Ranger SXTs Law Enforcement Only are better than Black Talons.
At any rate, the new 5th generation SXTs LE Only are about to be marketed and it is a sure bet they will be even better!

[bigbore45colt]

I carry the 200 gr Speer Gold Dots. I understand that this is what the PA State Police are using so, since it's so accurate in my 38, I figured I might as well carry the same as they do...

BB45C

[AfterDark]

I use Federal HST 230-grain HPs in either .45 GAP or .45 ACP.

Thanks Gary. I will definitely purchase a box or two of the HSTs.

Thanks for all the replies so far. They have been extremely helpful and insightful.

[RUT]

>>Ranger SXTs Law Enforcement Only are better than Black Talons<,

That's very possible, since the whole Black Talon thing was a myth devised by the liberal media in the first place. Were they known as "white talons" they probably would have passed under the radar.

[Tiel Raptor]

I use the 200gr Gold Dots in my G38 for carry. Also in my G37, under the seat. It was the most accurate out of my two GAPs.

Tiel