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.

[dbwz]

Take a look at the Kel-Tec P11.

[PoorMuttly]

...not that I don't use one myself on unarmed coyotes, every chance I get, with my Mini-14.

For defense, just use it and get it over with suddenly, as one really should. The line through space also helps in real target acquisition in an emergency....since looking for the dot is somewhat...well...it could cause spontaneous urination if you're not careful...so Muttly sez, see and shoot, and if the dot is there, fine...but really, lasers are best for practicing "point-shooting," so that you hit what you're looking at, unconscious of the sights.

[Khurkris]

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

In '84 I switched from a Combat Commander to an Officers Model. Eventually had it tuned, rounded and Novaked. It always works. If I need 9mm I have a Hi-Power that is tuned and works like a Swiss watch.

In serious social situations it is usually the person with the gun and not the gun that makes the difference.

[Drammach]

Yeah, I'll answer that..

Glock uses a "trigger safety"..
It is incorporated into the trigger, and thusly, while the weapon will not go off if dropped, etc., an "itchy" trigger finger WILL fire the gun.

The standard .45 cal has a "thumb" safety that has to be manually operated before the gun will fire.
Additionally, the standard .45 cal has a "grip" safety that requires a full, firm hand grip on the pistol in order to fire it.

I personally consider all Glocks as UNSAFE.
I do not recommend them to my freinds or relatives.
A child CAN fire a Glock.
The standard .45 has the proper safety features required in a handgun in my opinion, and the Glock does not.

[The Game Hen]

Very informative.
Thank You!

[Squantos]

Gonna have to lay hands on, crono some rounds down range, and drop a 1000 rounds on some IDPA paper and shoothouse steel before I tell ya I don't like it..........:o)

I have to almost agree with Lurker in the above post. What a waste of glocks resources. But as stated I still have to confirm my initial thoughts with use vs what someone else in a gunrag tests for me. You know that too....

Stay Safe GR !!!

[Lurker]

I didn't mean to be so abrupt, but what the heck is Glock doing reinventing the frigging wheel?

If they really wanted to 'accomodate' .45 shooters, why didn't they just make it a single stack weapon using the proven Glock action? What's the point in inventing a "new" .45 caliber round? What was wrong with the 'old' one?

While I'm not a personal fan of it, Glock has managed to secure a huge portion of the market with the action they invented. If Glock shooters wanted a smaller version of the pistol chambered in .45 ACP, that's what they should have given them.

But hey, that's just me.

Merry Christmas my friend.

Regards,

L

[Travis McGee]

You can't compare a revolver with a long 11+ pound DA trigger pull to a Glock's 5-6 pound shorter trigger pull.

A Glock is almost like carrying a 1911 with the safety off, all the time, IMHO.

[Lurker]

If you want a .45, buy a frigging .45, alright?

I've had the same Commander for the last 15 years I think. IMO, it's the finest personal defense handgun one can buy. It's not perfect, and yea Glock makes a nice gun, but it seems to me that Glock is trying to make something for everyone and this new gun just proves my point.

Who's going to make ammo for this thing? How many police departments are actually going to issue it? That's where Glocks market is. And PD's aren't going to buy the millions of rounds necessary to make this thing commercially viable.

Call me old fashioned Trav, but I just don't see how this things going to work. If I want to put a .45 caliber hole in something, I already own a well proven design which functions as close to flawlessly as any gun I've ever owned.

I'm not Glock quality or engineering here, I know they're decent guns. I'm just questioning their judgement.

L

[Squantos]

If truth and honest opinion is abrupt I'll take that over warm and fuzzy lies anyday. That's why I like freepers for the most part.

I think Aston wanted his own version of a "caliber" like the 357SIG or 40 S&W (aka Short & Whimpy)............thus the trendy 45GAP..........all smoke and mirrors. But of course I am a member of the gun of the month club thus will get one to line my gun safe with and test fer myself !........... 1911A1 rules !

Stay Safe and call em like ya see em friend !

[Eris]

Sure, but the Glock 36 I have is great for real firepower while dressed for summer.

[papertyger]

FRiend, I'm sorry to say this, but I don't know any other way to be truthful and timely for our Game Hen friend, but it's real obvious to anyone who is familiar with Glock pistols your knowlege of the brand is limited to what can be learned from a cursory external examination.

I really do hate to put you on the spot, but you're giving advice to a third party that doesn't know that your opinion is pretty uninformed. There is a reason all those police departments have adopted the Glock, and it isn't because they're uninformed. I've been carrying one for about ten years without any incidents whatsoever.

The safety you speak of is only one of three integrated into a Glock pistol. The other two are a drop safety, and a firing pin safety. They aren't obvious from the outside, because they are internal and don't need to be manipulated to work...somewhat like the backstrap safety on a 1911; if you're holding it, you've disengaged the safety. The ONLY way to make a Glock go off is to pull the trigger.

Not to mention the fact a Glock has a double action trigger; the same as all revolvers which have NO safety.

All these facts can be confirmed by a quick trip to www.glock.com at any time.

[papertyger]

You can't compare a revolver with a long 11+ pound DA trigger pull to a Glock's 5-6 pound shorter trigger pull.

I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one Travis. I wouldn't compare it to a redhawk or model 29, but I would compare it to something like a smith 66 or taurus 85. If the latter two have eleven pound triggers, then the ergonomics sure make them "feel" lighter.

[cyborg]

Excuse me Santa Claus, but I'd like to add this one to my list.

[Lurker]

I agree with you.

It seems to me that most of these new calibers are attemtping to do what the .45 ACP has done for years. First it was the 9mm's; pushing them faster and faster.

Then we got .357 Sig. Let's face it, that one was kind of a flop. Nice round, but the .45 made an even bigger hole, and you didn't have to spend 3 bucks a round for factory ammo.

Then we got .40 S & W. Hell, the company admitted they were trying to get .45 ACP results in a smaller package for the LE market.

Now this one comes on the market. An attempt to be a .45 in a shorter cartridge. Why bother?

I guess I'm getting a bit cranky in middle age, but it seems to me that Glock could have solved this problem by making a single stack built around their already well received action. But, what the hell do I know.

Hey, let me know if that Gun Of The Month club you're in needs any new members. I may bitch a bit, but I'm darned appreciative of finding things into my hands to play with.

Merry Christmas,

L

[Travis McGee]

This .45 Kurtz round is DOA. If you can find it on the shelves of your local gun store in 5 years I'll be amazed.

At the TOP of my list of guns I kick myself for selling is my Colt ltwt Commander! Slicked up, beavertail, extended safety, checkered forestrap. What a dummy to sell that great pistol!

[Travis McGee]

Glocks do not have a "double action trigger."

[Travis McGee]

The ONLY way to make a Glock go off is to pull the trigger.

Or have it snag on something while it's being holstered. Etc.

Glocks are perfectly safe secure in your holster, and presented in your hand. But the transitions from holster to presentation and reverse provide some unique....challenges. About the same as if you never used the safety on a 1911 and just left it chambered and cocked at all times. Safe in your holster, safe in your hand....but going from on to the other...WATCH OUT!

[Squantos]

Go peek at the new Granite series 1911A1 that SIG is just releasing. All 1911A1 parts from wilson etc etc on a SIG product.....8 round Wilson rogers mags, parts and goodies interchangeable with Colt, Kimber, SA, Clones.........My order is in with my local gunrunner FFL dealer. Looks promising.

Merry Xmas to you also Lurker. You stay safe and get a little trigger time if ya get some free days this week.

[Squantos]

Your correct....safe action....not double action trigger.

Do ya remember the toy dart pistols we had as kids. The one with the rubber tip that stuck to yer little sisters forehead. Find one of those and pull the trigger. Now , unload, clear and safe a glock, and pull the trigger.......same friggin spoing spoing spoing noise. The gun not yer little sister........:o)

Stay safe Bro !