Glock’s New Model 37 .45 G.A.P.

GunBlast ^ | 12 November 2003 | Jeff Quinn

[45Auto]

Since the introduction of the Glock model 21 chambered for the legendary .45 ACP cartridge, it has been a steady seller, with those who shoot them developing an almost cult-like devotion to the big pistol. The only complaint that I have ever heard leveled against the model 21 is regarding the size of the pistol’s grip. It was designed to hold thirteen of the fat .45 ACP cartridges in a double column magazine, and the grip is necessarily large. This is fine if you have large hands, but is a bit awkward for shooters with small to medium hand sized hands. I wear a size large glove, but find the model 21 grip to be a bit too bulky for my hand. I can shoot it fine, but it just doesn’t have the comfortable feel of the model 17 size grip frame.

In an effort to accommodate those who do not possess large mitts, Glock has introduced a .45 that uses a shorter case and still delivers .45 ACP performance. When first introduced at the 2003 SHOT Show, the model 37 had a frame and slide that was very close in size to the medium frame models 17 and 22. The production model 37 received for testing has a frame that is indeed the size of the 17/22, but the slide dimensions are closer to those of the model 21. The thickness and height of the slides of the models 21 and 37 are the same, but the model 37 slide is a bit shorter, and is beveled at the front for easier holstering and improved smoothness compared to the model 21.

The grip frame dimensions are where the two guns differ, and the smaller size of the model 37 does indeed offer improved ergonomics for those who prefer the feel of the medium frame Glocks. A comparison of the critical dimensions are as follows:

Glock 21 .45 ACP Glock 37 .45 GAP Magazine Thickness 1.15 inch 0.904 inch Grip Circumference 7.75 inches 7.375 inches Grip Thickness 1.292 inches 1.182 inches Grip Front to Back 2.155 inches 2.08 inches Trigger Reach 2.938 inches 2.793 inches Barrel Length 4.605 inches 4.59 inches

As seen in the chart, the numerical differences are small, but they do make a significant difference in the feel of the weapon. The model 37 grip frame has three finger grooves, and has a small thumb rest on each side. The front of the frame has an accessory rail for attachment of a small flashlight or laser sight, if desired. While the weight of the two pistols is almost the same at roughly twenty-nine ounces, the new model 37 does feel smaller. With the slide dimensions the same, the model 37 fits a model 21 holster quite well. With the smaller grip size, the commercial model 37 magazine holds ten rounds of .45 GAP, with the magazines for law enforcement being of the same ten round capacity.

The case length of the .45 GAP is roughly three quarters of an inch. The fired cases measured between .750 and .756 inches. The shorter case allows the grip frame to be smaller and still hold ten rounds. The .45 GAP is loaded to the same velocities as the .45 ACP, with Speer and Winchester offering loaded ammunition at this time.

I had available for testing some Speer Lawman 200 grain TMJ flatpoint ammunition, along with some Speer Gold Dot ammo in both 185 and 200 grain hollow point configuration. I also loaded a few rounds using my .45 ACP dies, and plan to do a follow-up article on loading for the .45 GAP in the future. I fired the ammunition for velocity and accuracy. The 200 grain TMJ bullet crossed the screens of my PACT chronograph at an average speed of 969.8 feet per second ten feet in front of the muzzle. Interestingly, the Speer Lawman .45 GAP ammo functioned perfectly from a model 21, but clocked in a bit slower at 928 feet per second. It is not recommended to fire the GAP in the longer ACP chamber, but I did it just to see if it would work. The Gold Dot 185 and 200 grain ammunition chronographed at 1044 and 1002 feet per second, respectfully.

The accuracy of the .45 GAP was very good, with initial testing at fifteen yards producing tight one-hole clusters. Moving the target out to twenty-five yards opened the groups up to an average of two and one-half inches for five shots. The Lawman ammo shot to point of aim at fifteen yards, and was just an inch high at twenty-five. The 200 grain Gold Dot shot to the same point, with the 185 shooting just a bit lower. The model 37 functioned perfectly; feeding, firing, and ejecting every round without a problem. The magazines dropped free with a push of the release button.

The felt recoil of the 200 grain load was relatively mild, due in large part to the excellent ergonomics of the model 37. The trigger pull measured a smooth six pounds, five ounces.

With Glocks, there is usually no middle ground. Some people love them, and others do not (Ed. Note: see Jeff's early article, I Hate Glocks - Boge). The model 37 will most likely be received the same way. It should be welcomed by law enforcement agencies who desire a big-bore cartridge, but find that the model 21 grip is too large to fit the hands of some officers on their force. The .45 GAP offers a greater bullet frontal area compared to the .40 S&W, and I find the felt recoil to be less when loaded to the same velocities, offering faster follow-up shots. Whether you are a Glock fan or not, one thing is certain....they work, and they work well. I have found that a new shooter can learn to shoot well with a Glock very quickly. Glock is one of a very few handguns that I would trust to work in extreme conditions.

For those Glock fans who want to carry a .45 concealed, the model 37 offers a relatively lightweight pistol that still packs ten rounds into a reliable and accurate weapon. The model 37 comes shipped in a hard plastic case with two magazines, a magazine loading tool, cleaning rod, brush, instruction manual and cable lock.

For shooters who find that the .45 ACP model 21 fits their hand well, the model 37 offers no advantage. For those who want .45 power in a full-sized Glock with a nine-millimeter sized grip frame, the model 37 chambered for the new .45 GAP is your baby.

[SandRat]

Some gun porn for a Friday!

pssst! keep it down. we don't want to give the liberals any ideas.

[Servant of the 9]

I would have my fingers surgically lengthened before I would admit that I couldn't grip a .45.
Women five feet tall have no trouble grasping a 1911 or even a Para-Ordnance.

So9

[Servant of the 9]

I bet the ammo is a lot more expensive than .45 ACP.

I bet no one is making it in 5 years, and the Glock is a really expensive paperweight.

So9

[NMC EXP]

Get a Colt Model 1911 in .45 ACP and quit fooling around.

Regards

J.R.

[wirepaladin]

You can CCW a Glock 21 if you know where to place it on the body. I have carried a 21 on numerous details in both a belt slide and shoulder rig in cold and hot weather. Placement and clothing choice is the key and I am nowhere built like the Michellin man. Besides 26 rounds of 45 ACP from 2 pre-ban mags and 10 rounder just in case sure makes some sweet music when needed and says you are ready to go!

As for the 45 GAP round: cost too high, not readily available in a pinch, and I think you will give up something in the amount of powder you load into the case. Although a 45 round you want move slow instead of fast so it will give up its terminal velocity upon impact.

[glock rocks]

Whatz yer thot?

[Servant of the 9]

My current holding weapon is a "Baby Eagle" in .45. Same folks that make the Desert Eagle. It is so sweet, but it's a little large to carry all the time.

Try a small Para-Ordnance. They are made of metal and are really 1911s at heart. They can be trusted.

So9

[meyer]

Anyone here used the Glock 27? Any recommendations/criticisms/praise?

I have both the G-27 and the G-30. They are both quite accurate, particularly considering their size. The 27 is a bit smaller and I find a Pierce +1 grip extension to be a valuable addition, as the .40 is a little snappy (the .45, but comparison, gives more of a nudging recoil).

I prefer shooting the 30, but the 27 is more easily concealed. Plus, I have meprolites on the 27 as well as a couple of different means of carry. The 27 is a good carry weapon.

As for this new .45, I'm not sure why Glock did this. I don't see the value in a shortened .45. If the .45 presents difficulty for the shooter, the 9 mm is a very good alternative.

[absalom01]

Beat me to the punch.

Regardless, I'm betting that the new cartridge won't set the market on fire, since the .45 ACP is so widely used, readily available, and has been proven to work for almost a century, while the new cartridge has the only merit of allowing Glock to standardize their frames from a production standpoint.  And the rest of the world still seems to think that the 9mm parabellum is just dandy.

I'm thinking that this bad boy is a better buy than the new Glock (and yes, I've got a safe full of Glocks and 1911's both -- I don't engage in the Glock vs. 1911 debate thing, they're both great guns with different applications.)


Does need an external extractor and a trigger job, though.

[ozzymandus]

Oh, swell. Another proprietary cartridge that nobody wants. Better buy a box of that stuff and put it away till it becomes a collector's item. If you want a hot but compact round, check out the .357 SIG.

[4CJ]

Get a Colt Model 1911 in .45 ACP and quit fooling around.

Bump.

[meyer]

Get a Colt Model 1911 in .45 ACP and quit fooling around.

One should have both! And a couple of nicely blued revolvers.

[ThePythonicCow]

Model 21 in .45 ACP (top), Model 37 in .45 G.A.P. (bottom)

 

 

 

Model 21 in .45 ACP (left), Model 37 in .45 G.A.P. (right)

[papertyger]

They would have done better by enlarging the 36, and keeping the single column magazine. As it stands, the 36 is NOT fun to shoot.

[Republican Extremist]

I was at the SHOT Show when Glock introduced the gun and caliber, and it went over like a fart in church.

What everyone wanted was a .45 acp Glock in a single column frame, like the G-36, only Commander sized, holding 8 rounds.

[COEXERJ145]

I'll take an H&K USP .45 over a Glock any day.

[meyer]

They would have done better by enlarging the 36, and keeping the single column magazine. As it stands, the 36 is NOT fun to shoot.

Actually, I rather enjoyed shooting my friend's 36. I like my 30 better, but it does present a reasonably slim package and certainly isn't irritating to shoot. Come to think of it, wouldn't the 30 be something of an enlarged 36, but with the benefit of a double-stack?

[Gorzaloon]

Get a Colt Model 1911 in .45 ACP and quit fooling around.

Besides, one is not supposed to NEED 13 rounds of .45ACP.

I have tried a few double-row versions at my range (In exchange for letting their owners try my American Eagle P-08..an oddball treat), and for me at least, they are just too fat for me to grip comfortably. Plus, it's like concealing a piano...

I'll stick to my Colt 80 MKIV. I guess I just have simple tastes.