.45 differences

[Glock 23]

ok, so Im still pretty new to firearms. What is the difference between GAP and ACP? I looked it up on the internet, but perhaps someone could put it into newbie terms for me.

Im looking into getting a smaller firearm for concealed carry (supercompact), and so I dont have to keep moving my sole firearm around all the time. Looking at Glock 36 (ACP) or 39 (GAP).
What is a decent new price for these models?

thank you for your assistance.

[Mike1951]

No difference, really.

Glock wanted their name on a slightly shorter cased .45 cartridge. Glock and Springfield (XD series) were the main offerings in .45 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol). Springfield was apparently discounting their XD's in GAP some time back, so maybe they reconsidered their offering.

Initial loadings focused on 185gr and 200gr bullets, but more recently there have been 230gr loads offered.

Ballistics appear about equal.

GAP chambered guns may have a more compact grip, due to the shorter case.

ACP ammunition will always be more available and usually cheaper.

[Kalrog]

That about covers it... but my preference is for the ACP. The difference in grip size isn't much, and I have small hands. But the availability and price of the ACP make it a clear winner in my book.

[Skiprr]

What Mike said. I'd tend toward .45 ACP every time over GAP for no other reason than its availability is always going to better, and its a round that's useable in scores of different pistols...and even the new S&W Thunder Ranch revolver. And, yep, I do believe Springfield discontinued their .45 GAP offering (and I haven't figured out why they've decided to go with a new, manual safety on the 2008 models, but that's just me).

The only real downside you have to the Glock 36 is that it's a single-stack magazine, meaning that you can't interchange mags with any of the other Glock pistols. One of the things I like about the Glocks is that within a given caliber, the guns can use mags from a larger size up. For example, if you choose to carry a G22 as your primary and a G27 as your BUG, you can stick a short mag in the G27 for carry, but only have to worry about having spare G22, high-cap magazines because they'll fit just fine in the G27.

Well, two downsides; I lied. With the G36 single-stack, you actually have two fewer total rounds on board than I do with one of my compact 1911s, and the 1911's slide is over 2/10" slimmer than the G36's.

If I were hunting for a new, smaller Glock in .45, I'd definitely take a look at the G30. The length and height is identical to the G36, but it's about 2/10" thicker and packs a total of 10 round on board in its double-stack mag. And it can accept 13-round mags from the G21. If the thicker gun doesn't fit your hand, then it doesn't. But I can see a few reasons to try to find one to shoot and see if it will work for you.