If you looking for the power of a 45acp but in a smaller and thinner frame....

This got me curious, so I went Googling. (Data courtesy of WIkipedia, confirmed by whatever the second source on the search list happened to be each time)

Overall dimensions for .45 ACP = 1.275" x 0.480"
Overall dimensions for .45 GAP = 1.070" x 0.480"
Both fire a bullet with the same diameter, so the width is the same.  The length varies by 0.205"  That's not even a quarter of an inch!  You could make that up with a change of grips easily.  So, smaller?  Thinner?  I think that's a specious sales point.

Now, I can't argue that moosed found a genuine point in the reloading savings. 

This got me curious, so I went Googling. (Data courtesy of WIkipedia, confirmed by whatever the second source on the search list happened to be each time)

Overall dimensions for .45 ACP = 1.275" x 0.480"
Overall dimensions for .45 GAP = 1.070" x 0.480"
Both fire a bullet with the same diameter, so the width is the same.  The length varies by 0.205"  That's not even a quarter of an inch!  You could make that up with a change of grips easily.  So, smaller?  Thinner?  I think that's a specious sales point.

Now, I can't argue that moosed found a genuine point in the reloading savings.

that might not be such a big issue for guys, but for a female it might be a sales point. i do fine with ACP, but i'm sure my mom and sister would prefer smaller and thinner. i'm looking into something they specifically can shoot, as they have smaller hands than me.

Is that a generic question referring to the different widths in double-stack versus single-stack mags?

Did someone tell you the mags for a .45GAP are double-stacked?  They are not.

Just a question.  I'm not a Glock guy (or 9mm for that matter) and pretty much most 9mm mags I see are double stacked, so I just assumed this was the case as well.  With regards to single stack, if it's a 45GAP or 45ACP seems to me not much of a difference in the mag widths as both will be roughly/exactly the same diameter?

that might not be such a big issue for guys, but for a female it might be a sales point. i do fine with ACP, but i'm sure my mom and sister would prefer smaller and thinner. i'm looking into something they specifically can shoot, as they have smaller hands than me.

I have short fingers.  Best fit for me is actually a 1911 w/thin grip panels, short trigger, undercut under the trigger guard, and some material removed from the frame.

Springfield XD 45 is really small and will fit in females hands!

Just a question.  I'm not a Glock guy (or 9mm for that matter) and pretty much most 9mm mags I see are double stacked, so I just assumed this was the case as well.  With regards to single stack, if it's a 45GAP or 45ACP seems to me not much of a difference in the mag widths as both will be roughly/exactly the same diameter?

Glock makes both single-stack and double-stack.  The G36 is a .45ACP that carries 6 rounds single-stacked.  The G30 is another subcompact .45ACP that carries 10 rounds double-stacked.  Each frame and mag configuration has pluses and minuses.  You want the most rounds?  or the smallest pistol?  You know you have to make compromises and pick the characteristics that are most important to you individually.  There's no perfect model for everyone.

This whole concept is simple:  Glock designed the  .45GAP to attract a niche consumer:  those who desire a .45ACP for it's effectiveness but with the ability to better conceal carry than the current .45ACP pistols.  Almost everyone who carries a Glock concealed says it's not the overall size of the pistol they would like to improve, but the thickness of the grip, both depth and breadth.  Glock has always offered the double-stack mags for the majority of their models because you will be better off with the maximum number of rounds the gun can carry.  Stopping power is the cartridge, but fire power is the number of cartridges.  The trade-off obviously is double-stacked mags are bigger around than single-stacked.

With the increase in conceal carry permits recently, it goes to reason there is a wider variety of people Glock must cater to..  The best gun for CCW is the one you are willing to carry everyday.  If you decide it's too much trouble or uncomfortable to carry, the gun will do you no good sitting at home.

For CCW, size matters.  The 9mm you are willing to use for EDC (Every Day Carry) is better  than a .45ACP you can't conceal during the Summer months or which prints on your clothing (a major crime in many  CCW states).  If you can carry a .45 with the dimensions of a 9mm, with the only real detriment being 6 rounds vice 10, that will probably appeal to many.  Additionally, if the mags for the .45GAP are the same size as the 9mm, spare ammo is easier to carry than the honking big .45ACP 10 rounders.

Just my thoughts.  Everyone has to decide.  Just like cars, cell phones, and every other consumer product, you can bat around the specs until it becomes another "Mac vs. PC" feud.  In the end, the utility will be in the eye of the owner.

^^^I C now.

If you can carry a .45 with the dimensions of a 9mm, with the only real detriment being 6 rounds vice 10, that will probably appeal to many.  Additionally, if the mags for the .45GAP are the same size as the 9mm, …

But, see, .45 GAP has the same diameter as .45 ACP.  Which means that the guns, and their magazines, have the same thickness.  So to claim that a .45 GAP can be made "with the same dimensions of a 9mm" is an untruth. 

I know, that's how Glock marketing portrays it.  Marketers lie.  Smaller than a .45 ACP? Slightly.  As small as a 9mm?  No.

Your mileage will not vary. 

But, see, .45 GAP has the same diameter as .45 ACP.  Which means that the guns, and their magazines, have the same thickness.  So to claim that a .45 GAP can be made "with the same dimensions of a 9mm" is an untruth. 

I know, that's how Glock marketing portrays it.  Marketers lie.  Smaller than a .45 ACP? Slightly.  As small as a 9mm?  No.

Your mileage will not vary. 

Magazine number one:  9mm
    Double-stacked with cartridge length of 29.69 mm

Magazine number 2:  .45GAP
    Single-stacked with cartridge length of  27.2 mm

So, the .45GAP is a shorter round than 9mm, and the width of the .45GAP mag will be narrower than the 9mm mag due to being single-stacked, NOT due to the width of the cartridge.  That results in a magazine about the same size as the double-stacked 9mm.

If you are comparing only single-stacked mags, then you have a point: the width will be the same.  That's NOT Glock's claim.  They claim the .45GAP mag is about the same size as their 9mm -- which is a double-stacked 9mm.

Am I missing your point, Tom?

If you are comparing only single-stacked mags, then you have a point: the width will be the same.  That's NOT Glock's claim.  They claim the .45GAP mag is about the same size as their 9mm -- which is a double-stacked 9mm.

Am I missing your point, Tom?

Um, maybe?

Maybe I'm missing yours.  I KNOW I'm missing Glock's.  But if we back up just a little in the thread, we have your assertions

This whole concept is simple:  Glock designed the  .45GAP to attract a niche consumer:  those who desire a .45ACP for it's effectiveness but with the ability to better conceal carry than the current .45ACP pistols. 

  If you can carry a .45 with the dimensions of a 9mm, with the only real detriment being 6 rounds vice 10, …

Both of these can easily be (mis?)interpreted to say ".45 GAP guns are the same size as 9mm guns."  That's what I hear, anyway. 

Now, if you're clarifying to say that ".45 GAP guns with single-stack magazines are the same size as 9mm guns with double-stack magazines," then my answer is "and less than a quarter-inch shorter than .45 ACP guns with single-stack magazines."

My point, is, or perhaps was, or more likely has evolved into, "as there are negligible differences between the overall dimensions of firearms chambered in .45 GAP and .45 ACP or between the performances of the two cartridges, .45 GAP has no inherent advantage over .45 ACP."  Which, I think, is still salient to the OP:

could someone give me the quick rundown and the plus/minus of GAP vs acp?
pretend i'm an idiot...

So far, the only thing I've read that is a valid "plus" in my eyes is the lower reloading cost. 

Just like cars, cell phones, and every other consumer product, you can bat around the specs until it becomes another "Mac vs. PC" feud.  In the end, the utility will be in the eye of the owner.

True dat!  And I would dearly love to shoot your new .45 GAP the next time we cross paths at the range!  Maybe a little reality needs to be added to all this theory!

...
...   Maybe a little reality needs to be added to all this theory!

As is usually the case in a virtual world such as the Internet!

Ill be at Koko Head Saturday with my Glock 37 if you like to come play around with it. There is a noticable difference between a GAP and an ACP come see for yourself.

Ill be at Koko Head Saturday with my Glock 37 if you like to come play around with it. There is a noticable difference between a GAP and an ACP come see for yourself.

Thanks for the invitation!  I'll be there this weekend, too, if the creek don't rise!   

I don't have one, but I always figured it was overloaded for the case volume.  I understand that it's ticklish to reload using regular canister powders, and that Glock's factory rounds use a special powder not available to thee and me.  Has that situation changed?