Editor’s Rating: 8.0/10
Users’ Rating (Click a star to rate this gun.)
Summary: Dave Spaulding’s review and rating of the Glock 37 pistol, including a photo, range report, pros and cons, pricing, specs and user ratings. (Click here to see all Spaulding’s gun reviews.)
Editor’s Review
Glock has developed a .45-caliber cartridge that fits in a 9mm-size gun. Called the .45 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol), this cartridge is basically a .45-caliber bullet in a 9mm-length case. Glock developed the cartridge from the ground, but a number of other firearms manufacturers now make guns chambered for this new round. Most ammunition manufacturers build .45 GAP ammunition in a variety of full-metal-jacket training loads and hollow-point defense loads.
I took delivery of all three Glock pistols chambered for this new round and tested them on the range at the Tactical Defense Institute (TDI) in southern Ohio. The three models include the full-size service pistol model 37; a concealed-carry version called the model 38; and a deep-concealment sub-compact called the model 39. For readers familiar with the Glock pistol line, these three guns are similar to the 9mm Glock 17, 19 and 26.
The 37 will find great favor with uniformed patrol officers who carry their service sidearm in a duty style holster suspended from a 2.25″ duty belt. The 38, which was my favorite of the three, measures a ½” shorter in length and not quite ¾” shorter in height. I found this gun to provide the perfect compromise of shootability and concealability, while still large enough to fit in a duty holster. To me, the 38 is the best all-around .45 GAP pistol currently made.
That said, I will not be surprised if the sub-compact model 39 ends up the most popular model of the three. This palm-size gun was easier to shoot than I thought, and it was still small enough to tuck into a waistband under a t-shirt or into the pocket of a large overcoat like a winter parka. I think the short grip length will restrict this gun’s use as a duty pistol, but it will find great favor as a backup and off-duty gun.
It appears that the frames used for the 9mm, .40 SW and .45 GAP pistols are the same, but the GAP slides are slightly wider while maintaining the same length as their 9mm/.40 SW counterparts. This is likely due to the wider cartridge the slide must house.
Test ammo supplied by Remington, Corbon and Federal came in a variety of bullet styles and weights. It appears the manufacturers use the same bullets in the manufacture of .45 ACP ammo as they do the.45 GAP. The velocity of the .45 GAP runs just about the same as comparable .45 ACP loads.
On the Range
During a sunny Friday afternoon, the TDI training staff and I fired a total of 500 rounds through each Glock .45 GAP without a single malfunction. Although I had no way of accurately measuring, it appeared that the .45 GAP has less felt-recoil than the .45 ACP. (I admit this may be nothing more than an individual perception on my part, but at the same time, is not perception everything?) Regardless, rapid-fire drills, such as clearing a Bianchi plate rack, proved quite easy to accomplish, and no one expressed concern about blast or felt-recoil impulse. (Actually, one shooter stated, “This feels quite similar to the .40 SW.”) And the .45 GAP cartridge proved more than accurate enough for police service, shooting 3″ handheld groups at 50 feet.
Like all Glock pistols, these utilized simple, reliable Glock trigger mechanism, and they came with a white dot front sight and a white outline rear. At my age, I have found this sight system too white; all I see it a glob of white instead of a crisp sight picture. These sights are also plastic and susceptible to damage when used in the rough world of law enforcement operations. Fortunately, you can order all Glock pistols from the factory with a set of high-quality night sights that are made of metal and offer a very sharp sight picture, even for those of us with aging eyes.
All three test guns were also equipped with the updated slide-release lever that permits the shooter to release the locked slide with either their shooting-hand thumb or support hand. When Gaston Glock originally designed his pistol for the Austrian Army, he intended shooters to accomplish all slide manipulations with their support hand. However, American shooters, many of whom were trained on the 1911-style pistol, seem to prefer releasing the slide with the support-hand thumb. The larger slide-release lever allows for this very “American-style” action.
Would I change anything about the .45 GAP pistol? I would put a longer magazine release button on the gun—something that’s available from Glock. My short hands have difficulty reaching the standard button, so a longer version helps me eject spent magazines more reliably without having to shift the gun in my hand.
Conclusion
Other than the night sights I mentioned above, I would be very happy with any of the Glock .45 GAP pistols. They are easy to carry, easy to shoot and come in a caliber that will, without a doubt, end up street proven.
Dave Spaulding is a 28-year law-enforcement veteran, retiring at the rank of lieutenant. He’s worked in all facets of law enforcement—corrections, communications, patrol, evidence collection, investigations, undercover operations, training and SWAT. He currently operates Handgun Combatives, a handgun-combat training program, and he’s authored more than 800 articles for various firearm and law enforcement periodicals. In 2010 Spaulding received the Law Officer Trainer of the Year award, and he’s also the author of the best-selling books Defensive Living and Handgun Combatives.
The Specs
| Caliber: | .45 GAP |
| Length: | 7.32″ |
| Height: | 5.51″ |
| Width: | 1.18″ |
| Barrel height: | 1.26″ |
| Line of sight: | 6.49″ |
| Barrel length: | 4.49″ |
| Weight, unloaded: | 25.95 oz. |
| Weight, loaded: | 35.48 oz. |
| Mag capacity, standard: | 10 |
| Trigger pull: | 5.5 lbs. |
| Trigger travel: | .5″ |
| Rifling: | right hand, hexagonal |
| Twist length: | 15.75″ |
Pricing
MSRP: $614
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Easy to shoot and maintain |
| Light and easy to carry | |
| Rust-resistant slide | |
| Trigger is easy to press, quick to reset | |
| Wide-mouth magazine well | |
| Cons | Factory sights are too white, and easier to deform than metal |
| Grip angle too severe for many | |
| Slide-lock lever located right below right-hand thumb |
I own a Glock 19,23, & 37 and the 37 is my favoite to shoot. This pistol is just sweet. Recoil is like a 40 and it is just easy to shoot. Dave is right, you need night sights. Too heavy for me to carry but it does fit well under my bed. Ammo is easy to find but you need to shop around for the best price. I shoot 9MM at the range most of the time anyway but I do get the 45GAP for a workout every now and then. The main thing is it shoots every time. 500 rounds and not one problem….but then it is a Glock.
I own a Glock 19,23, & 37 and the 37 is my favoite to shoot. This pistol is just sweet. Recoil is like a 40 and it is just easy to shoot. Dave is right, you need night sights. Too heavy for me to carry but it does fit well under my bed. Ammo is easy to find but you need to shop around for the best price. I shoot 9MM at the range most of the time anyway but I do get the 45GAP for a workout every now and then. The main thing is it shoots every time. 500 rounds and not one problem….but then it is a Glock.
it works, a winner design and needed. impressed with it.good ccw iwb. won,t ever talk any 1 out of buying 1.
it works, a winner design and needed. impressed with it.good ccw iwb. won,t ever talk any 1 out of buying 1.
I own all 4 Glock models in 45GAP and they are my most favorite to shoot of all the pistols I own. I have been collecting and reloading for over 35 years now and could no be any happier with the 45GAP. I also have been shooting the Glock mod 37 45GAP since it’s introduction in 2003. It is the perfect fit for my hands as it uses the same frame as the 9mm. 40S&W, and 357SIG medium frame Glocks. The 45acp models 21 and 21 gen4/21 Slim Frame are too large and a bit uncomfortable in my hands. I was most impressed with the lack of a strong recoil in this frame. It also lacks the snappy recoil that I get from my Glock 22 40cal. I also own a couple of Springfield XD’s in 45GAP. It is a pleasure to reload and have never had a problem buying ammo on the net for them. The little Glock 39 is one heck of a CC powerhouse.
I own all 4 Glock models in 45GAP and they are my most favorite to shoot of all the pistols I own. I have been collecting and reloading for over 35 years now and could no be any happier with the 45GAP. I also have been shooting the Glock mod 37 45GAP since it’s introduction in 2003. It is the perfect fit for my hands as it uses the same frame as the 9mm. 40S&W, and 357SIG medium frame Glocks. The 45acp models 21 and 21 gen4/21 Slim Frame are too large and a bit uncomfortable in my hands. I was most impressed with the lack of a strong recoil in this frame. It also lacks the snappy recoil that I get from my Glock 22 40cal. I also own a couple of Springfield XD’s in 45GAP. It is a pleasure to reload and have never had a problem buying ammo on the net for them. The little Glock 39 is one heck of a CC powerhouse.