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In my latest adventures I tested a Glock 38, a compact 8+1 handgun that delivers the unique 45 GAP round. If you're the kind of reader who scans all the way to the end of an article to get the "bottom line," here is the spoiler right up front: I shoot a lot of guns for testing and I am occasionally impressed, but rarely enough to purchase the gun after testing. I bought this gun.
A new spin on an old favorite
The Glock 38 has been in production for more than 10 years. For law enforcement officers, it is a compact handgun that fires a cartridge with a "4" in its name. This is a midsized gun, with a 4.01-inch barrel, weighing 26.83 ounces. It shares much of the parts interchangeability of related models. The Glock 38 shares the same form factor as other models. The most recognizable handgun in the world, it is a polymer framed, striker fired handgun with Glocks Safe Action System. Some misguided critics suggest that the same design in several different models shows a lack of imagination. In fact, the simplicity and consistency of the Glock is the reason why we prefer them.
I carried a Glock 22 for duty and backed it up with various different Glocks, preferring the Glock 27 on the vest. Although each have different shooting characteristics, Glocks give the combat shooter an instinctive edge. The 45 GAP (Glock Automatic Pistol) is a very unique round. It was developed as a collaboration between CCI-Speer and Glock a little more than 10 years ago. It is not simply a shortened 45 Auto. It is a completely new cartridge. The rim is slightly rebated compared to the 45 Auto. The 45 was adopted into military service because of the behavior exhibited on the receiving end of the .38 Long Colt.
A word on lethal force and a suspect's will to fight
There are three factors which will stop the fight in an opponent. They can be stopped mechanically psychologically or physically. The .38 Long Colt was not enough. The 45 ACP was. The 45 GAP is the just an updated version. Stopping a suspect psychologically does not require an effective firearm, or a firearm at all....