Can I shoot .45 GAP ammo in a .45 ACP pistol?

Question

I have several boxes of surplus .45GAP ammo given to me. I have 3 .45 ACP pistols, including the new M &P (!). Can I shoot that .45GAP ammo in a .45 ACP?

Answer 1

Actually you can if your but you must follow some criteria. I have shot the .45 Gap round in 2 guns that were designed for .45 acp. With that being said I have fired over 5000 rounds through each without a single issue. The 45GAP and 45ACP rounds are almost identical. The bullet itself is the same size, but the casing is shorter, the primer circle is a hair smaller, and the extractor area is a tad shorter.

1. I used a Glock 21 and a Taurus Millenium. Both are rated for +p ammo. A standard pressure for .45acp rounf is 21,000. Standard pressure for the .45 ACP +P  is 23,000. Standard pressure for the .45GAP is also 23,000. So if your gun can handle +P loads then thats the first place to start.

2. Next is the feedability. You must dry run the gap casing in your barrel to ensure it doesn't get jammed in the headspace.

3. Finally the extractor area on the GAP round casing is just a fraction shorter than a standard .45 ACP. If your extractor cant grab it, then you definately can't shoot it.

I did some dry runs on both guns. I cycled both guns several times manually. Not one problem. Nothing got stuck  and it extracted flawlessly. Next I loaded up regular ball GAP rounds and let her rip in both guns. 500 rounds. No malfunctions in either gun.. I have since fired another 4500 rounds through both guns without a single issue. No damage to the barrel or other parts of the guns. Because it's a hotter load I have to clean a little more, but I do that religiously anyway.

Now I must say, I did not have the same luck with my kimber Custom TLE2 1911. Although I could get it to feed, I could not get it to extract. So I did not continue with any further testing.

Basically the .45GAP will work in some guns that shoot 45ACP. The best thing to do is safely test. If you have half a brain and realize issues before you even fire, then you should no better that to do so. That's why I did mulitple dry runs first. I also knew for sure my guns could handle +P ammunition. and the diameter of the casing and bullet are the same.

I noticed most people on here were like OMG noooooooooo. You'll blow yourself up. Well, in certain conditions you could, but unlikely. Its always good to practice proper gun safety. If you don't know what you are doing dont do it. On the other hand if you don't know what you are talking about, shut up. Alot of people on this board have no clue and offered any sort of a reasonable answer, and its because they don't know. And obviously someone asked the question because they are curious, so keep your mouth shut. No question is stupid. Not asking is stupid.

I am a retired Special Forces Operator and know more about weapons and ammunition than 99% of the peole on the internet handing out unreliable advice. I suggest you all do your research before handing out advice in the futures.