This article was published on April 30, 2004, and subsequently retracted on May 6, 2004.  This is the only DefenseReview.com article that has ever had to be retracted, to date (4/29/06).  It should be noted that because of this incident, DefenseReview.com immediately created new research, verification, and publishing protocols and procedures to negate the possibility of its recurrence in the future.

This is HUGE. DefRev has just received information from one of its sources that the United States Marine Corps (USMC) has purchased 10,000 Glock 37 (G37) pistols. According to our source, the pistols have already been delivered, and the Marines have had them for two months, now.

This is staggering news. Just staggering, particularly with respect to what it implies regarding the G37 pistol/.45 GAP cartridge combo's initial development and what the future holds for it.

The source concured with DefRev's supossition/assertion (of the possibility) that perhaps the G37 pistol/.45 GAP cartridge combo/package was, in fact, designed/developed from the get-go specifically for the purpose of landing large U.S. military contracts. Understand that DefRev, as yet, has no proof of this. Right now, it's just conjecture. However, both the USMC and U.S. Army have been searching for...

DefRev is guessing that the idea of .45 ACP performance out of a 9mm/.40-sized platform was very appealing for them (USMC). According to our source, the USMC's purchase decision also had to do with a desire to equip Marines with a pistol round that can't be fired in enemy weapons, which implies that one of the conditions for the U.S. military purchase will be restricted, or even prohibited, sales/distribution of .45 GAP ammunition (and thus, pistols) in other countries. Again, DefRev doesn't have any confirmation of this. This is just conjecture, at this point.

DefRev got a chance to fire the Glock 37 pistol last year at SWAT Round-Up 2003, and came away very impressed with it. We were particularly surprised by the contollability of the pistol/round combo. DefRev has video of the G37 being handled and fired at the Round-Up. We'll try to make it available to our readers, soon.

The .45 GAP round is designed to provide equal to superior ballistic/terminal performance to the .45 ACP, while utilizing a shorter cartridge case that can operate in a smaller and lighter weapon platform. The G37 is essentially the same size as a G17/G22. The compact version of the G37, the Glock 38 (G38), is supposed to be on its way. That's actually the one I'm waiting for, since my daily carry (CCW) gun is a G19.

By the way, DefRev has also heard rumors that the .45 GAP could/may become a law enforcement-only round, although we currently don't give these rumors any credence, since there's absolutely no evidence to support them. DefRev doesn't yet know whether or not Glock, Inc. has even considered cutting off civilian sales of it's .45 GAP pistols and ammo inside the U.S. At this point, we don't think they would do that. We certainly hope not, anyway.

DefRev definitely can't blame the Marines for going with the Glock 37 and .45 GAP round. It's an impressive combo/package, both in the hand and on paper. Personally, I'm just waiting for my G38.

Click here to read an update to the above article, titled Update: USMC Purchases 10,000 Glock 37 Pistols (.45

This article was published on May 6, 2004.

So, we screwed up. More specifically, I screwed up. I...

Sincerely,

David Crane
Editor-in-Chief
DefenseReview.com