Pistols are a type of handgun which are much smaller in size as compared to a typical gun. People mainly use pistols for safety purposes. Like guns, pistols can also work in different forms, such as fully automatic pistols, semi-automatic pistols, manual shot repeating pistols, single-shot repeating pistols, and more.
Moreover, pistols also have different types of ammo used in them. The ammo used in a specific pistol becomes the identity of those pistols. Such as in the case of 45 ACP pistols and 45 GAP pistols. These pistols use ammo of 45 ACP and 45 GAP, respectively.
45 ACP vs 45 GAP Pistols
The main difference between 45 ACP pistols and 45 GAP pistols is that the 45 ACP pistols operate at a lower pressure level than the 45 GAP pistols, equal to about 21,000 psi. On the other hand, the pressure level with which the 45 GAP pistols operate is higher than 45 ACP pistols, equal to about 23,000 psi.
The word ACP in the name of the gun 45 ACP pistols stands for Automatic Colt pistol. The 45 ACP pistols show a high rate of accuracy and precision when it comes to shooting the target. As a result, this pistol is quite famous and is used by different shooters and the army.
The word GAP in the name of the gun, 45 GAP pistols, stands for Glock auto pistol. The 45 GAP pistol is another quite popular type of pistol which is used prominently. Moreover, law enforcement agencies of about 4 different states have made the 45 ACP pistol their standard and service guns, which would be used by people such as the police.
Comparison Table Between 45 ACP and 45 GAP Pistols
| Parameters of comparison | 45 ACP Pistols | 45 GAP Pistols |
| Full form | The full form of ACP is an Automatic Colt pistol. | The full-form GAP is a Glock auto pistol. |
| Designed by | The 45 ACP pistol was designed by Jhon Moses Browning. | The 45 GAP pistol was designed by Ernest Durham. |
| Designed in | The 45 ACP pistol was designed in 1904. | The 45 GAP pistol was designed in 2003. |
| Availability | The 45 ACP pistol is readily available. | The 45 GAP pistol is not readily available. |
| Penetrations | Relatively more | Relatively less |
What are 45 ACP Pistols?
The 45 ACP pistol, also known as the 45 automatic Colt pistol, was designed by John Moses Browning in 1904. The 45 ACP pistol uses a bullet with a diameter equal to 0.452 inches. The size of the cartridge in the 45 ACP pistol is bigger. As a result, the power of the gun increases as well because as the size of the cartridge increases, the bullet’s penetration level also increases.
Moreover, another reason why the 45 ACP pistol is so popular is that it is not very expensive compared to other guns and is easily available. The pistol has been used for years and years and is still counted as one of the best pistols. It is known that the 45 ACP pistol is considered the most original pistol among the rest of the different types of pistols.
The 45 ACP was advanced into a couple of variants with more features. Two of the 45 ACP pistol variants are the 45 Super, which operates at a pressure level equal to about 28,500 psi, and the 450 Rowland, which operates at a pressure level equal to about 40,000 psi.
What are 45 GAP Pistols?
The 45 GAP pistol also known as the 45 Glock auto pistol, was designed by Ernest Durham in 2003. The size of the 45 GAP pistol is smaller compared to the 45 ACP pistol, making it easier to control and handle.
When the law enforcement agencies of 4 different states accepted the 45 GAP pistol as their standard service gun, it gained much popularity. However, since service people used the gun, it hindered the availability of the gun. As a result, guns became hard to buy for people.
The gun operates at a pressure level equal to 23,000 psi, making it a stronger pistol than the 45 ACP pistol.
Main Differences Between 45 ACP and 45 GAP Pistols
- The full form of ACP in 45 ACP pistols is the Automatic Colt pistol. The full form of GAP in the 45 GAP pistol is the Glock auto pistol.
- The 45 ACP pistols operate at a pressure level of 21,000 psi, which is lower than the 45 GAP pistols. On the other hand, the 45 GAP pistol operates at a higher pressure level than the 45 ACP pistol, which equals 23,000 psi.
- The weight of the single bullet used in the 45 ACP pistol equals 230 grains, which is higher than that of the single bullet used in 45 GAP pistols. On the contrary, the weight of the single bullet used in the 45 GAP pistols equals 200 grains.
- The size of the 45 ACP pistol is slightly bigger as compared to the 45 GAP pistol. On the other hand, the size of the 45 GAP pistol is slightly smaller as compared to the 45 ACP pistol.
- Any state law enforcement agency does not recognize the 45 ACP pistol to use 45 ACP pistol as their standard service gun. However, on the other hand, the 45 GAP pistol is recognized by law enforcement agencies of 4 different states to use 45 GAP pistol as their standard service gun.
Conclusion
Though both pistols have their advantages and disadvantages, comparing both pistols, the 45 GAP pistol is a better pistol than the 45 ACP pistol. However, the 45 ACP pistol is more popular than the 45 GAP pistol. The reason behind that is because it is less expensive and readily available.
References
- https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/abstractdb/AbstractDBDetails.aspx?id=43603
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403484
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