Question regarding .45 acp v. GAP

A

aryfrosty

New member
I know I asked this before but bear with me. I had a medical problem and rehab is taking a while...A little memory deficit but getting better.
I have a S&W 325NG in .45acp. Could I fire .45GAP in the revolver w/o problems?
Thanks.
 
No. .45 ACP and .45 GAP are rimless. The case headspaces in the chamber when the forward end of the case hits the shoulder. The .45 GAP has a shorter case, so it'll headspace with the case head (and primer) deeper in the chamber, where the firing pin won't reach it.

Unless, of course, you're shooting a revolver that handles .45 ACP by using moon clips. That should also work with .45 GAP.
 
Like Aguila said you can use .45GAP in your gun with moonclips but the extra free bore distance the bullet has to travel may be detrimental to performance and accuaracy when using it.
 
No thanks

Thanks 8 shot 357, but no. I'd much rather you stayed alert so you can act like an ass when someone asks an honest question.
 
... but the extra free bore distance the bullet has to travel may be detrimental to performance and accuaracy when using it.
Click to expand...

Would that really make much of a difference? I have a S&W 625 -- I suppose it's a similar-sized cylinder to the 325. I just measured a fired 45 ACP in mine, and the case rim is 0.730 inches from the front end of the cylinder.

If the 45 GAP case length is 0.143 inches shorter than the 45 ACP... is 0.873 that much different from 0.730?
 
But in a revolver cylinder there is a restriction called a throat which essentially sizes the bullet to the correct dia. for the barrel's grooves. Then it jumps across the gap to the barrel. In a 625 when a cartridge is chambered the front of the case is sitting against that throat. If the bullet had to move forward and then hit the throat the bullet could be deformed and accuracy would be poor. The proper solution to the OP's question would be to have someone handload some light target loads as someone stated. Personally I really enjoy shooting light .45 ACP ammo. It lets you totally concentrate on the sights without any distraction from blast or recoil.
 
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drail said:
But in a revolver cylinder there is a restriction called a throat which essentially sizes the bullet to the correct dia. for the barrel's grooves. Then it jumps across the gap to the barrel. In a 625 when a cartridge is chambered the front of the case is sitting against that throat. If the bullet had to move forward and then hit the throat the bullet could be deformed and accuracy would be poor.
Click to expand...
In reality, the practical effect would be no different than the common practice of shooting .38 Special in a revolver chambered for .357 Magnum, or .45 Schofield in a SAA chambered for .45 Colt, or .44 Special in a .44 Magnum.

However, since .45 GAP was created expressly to mimic the ballistics of a full-power .45 ACP round, I don't think trying to shoot .45 GAP as a means of reducing recoil is likely to work. It's a shorter case, but loaded to much higher pressure. I think the OP would be much better advised to find a source for lightly-loaded .45 ACP target loads.
 
When I had a smith 610 I shot 40 s+w all the time with moon clips no I'll affect from the increase in freebore. Same with 38 in my 357
 
Night Guards are great revolvers.One gun I'd love to own. They do take a clip so there is no real reason you can't use GAP. I have never priced GAP ammo so it may cost more than 45ACP?
My old Colt 1917 uses moon clips for 45APC and can also shoot 45Colt.
Like it to using a 38 in a 357.
 
I think the .45gap runs at .45acp +P pressure, so make sure the 625 is good for +P before you consider trying this.
 
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