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[FROM GUNS & AMMO]
SPRINGFIELD XD .45 GAPThe "Extreme Duty" concept has just gotten bumped up a notch.By Payton Miller
 The Springfield XD Tactical in .45 GAP--here set up with an M6 Tactical Laser Illuminator--definitely lives up to its "Extreme Duty" billing.
Chambering the new .45 GAP in Springfield Armory's XD pistol had an overwhelming air of inevitability to it. But an obviously calculated marketing move can lead to an excellent payoff, as this one certainly does. The whole concept of the .45 GAP, of course, was to shoehorn America's favorite bore diameter into a .40 S&W platform while replicating the performance of the original .45 ACP. And it appears to be bearing fruit. The particular specimen I had a chance to shoot was the 5-inch Tactical Model, which is my pick of the XD series in terms of out-and-out shootability. I've logged a lot of rounds with a Tactical in .40 S&W, and this new .45 GAP version is--save for the slightly larger bore--a dead ringer for it. Weightwise, the difference is minimal--32.1 ounces for the .45, 32.8 ounces for the .40.
Bigger bore, shorter cartridge: The .45 GAP XD's bore (above, left) is noticeably larger than that of a .40 S&W XD. The shorter, fatter GAP round (inset, left) means one less in overall magazine capacity.
For my range session, I was fortunate to have on hand some of Winchester's latest 230-grain offerings in .45 GAP--Winchester USA 230-grain JHPs and FMJs along with the company's 230-grain Ranger "T" (a law enforcement brand). In addition, I ran some Speer Gold Dot 200-grain GDHPs and Federal Hydra-Shok 185-grain JHPs through the gun.
A quick chronographing from the XD Tactical's 5-inch barrel certainly supports the contention that the .45 GAP replicates the .45 ACP. Winchester USA 230-grain JHPs and FMJs clocked 865 and 833 fps respectively. The potent 230-grain "LE only" Ranger stuff hit an impressive 905 fps. The Speer 200-grain GDHPs and Federal 185-grain Hydra-Shoks registered 960 and 1,088 fps respectively. From a standpoint of accuracy, the Federal 185s and Speer 200-grain GDHPs came out on top. From a sandbagged rest at 25 yards, both averaged five-shot groups of around two inches while the heavier Winchester 230-grain JHPs averaged 2 1/2 inches--slightly better than the Ranger "T" stuff. My particular XD seemed to like the lighter-weight loads, although the 230-grain JHPs are going to have more appeal to traditional .45 ACP fans.
The XD's broad, easy-to-acquire combat sights are drift-adjustable, front (left) and rear (center). (right) One of the key elements to the XD's excellent pointing characteristics is the grip shape/angle.
The XD Tactical lived up to its workhorse reputation as functioning was 100 percent with everything. In all honesty, I couldn't tell the difference in recoil between 185-grain .45 GAPs and 180-grain .40 S&Ws; however, the 230s bumped a bit more. Across the board, though, the .45 GAP is eminently controllable. I emptied a couple of magazines stuffed with 230-grain Winchester USA FMJs at a silhouette target at seven yards as quickly as I could (kind of within public-range, rapid-fire limitations) and managed to stay tight in the center mass.
This particular .45 GAP incarnation of the Tactical XD is an excellent pistol. The trigger was within standard "XD spec," with about a quarter-inch take-up and a 6 3/4-pound break. While shooting it, I was once again reminded of why I think so highly of the gun: excellent balance, easy-to-acquire sights and a faintly "CZ-75ish" grip angle that contributes mightily to the gun's pointability. If you're a fan of the .45 caliber and aren't married to the 1911, the XD Tactical in .45 GAP is an obvious choice. It would appear that the "Extreme Duty" concept has just gotten bumped up a notch. Shooting Facilities provided by Angeles Shooting Ranges, Dept. GA, 12651 Little Tujunga Road, San Fernando, CA 91342; (800) 499-4486. |
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