glock_gen4_02aThe Florida Highway Patrol is purchasing unique Glock pistols that are unavailable, for now, to anyone else, according to Randy Pitts, a Glock sales representative at the 2010 SHOT Show.  These new pistols will replace the aging Beretta 96 handguns currently carried by FHP.

Recently the Florida Highway Patrol conducted testing for a new duty pistol in Tallahassee, Fla.  One of the pistols they tested was the Gen 4 Glock.  The problem is Glock is only offering the Gen 4 in 9mm and .40 S&W, and FHP wanted a .45.  To secure the contract of “about 3000 pistols,”  Glock agreed to manufacture a special run of Gen 4 pistols chambered in .45 GAP.

According to Pitts, “We don’t even have a model number for these guns.”  Pitts stated Glock has secured ATF approval for the new pistols, and FHP should take delivery of the new guns in “two to three months.”

It is unknown if Glock will turn these custom pistols into a regular production item.  The .45 GAP has gained some popularity with law enforcement, but has not captured the shooting public’s attention.  Though the GAP reproduces the ballistics of a .45 ACP in a smaller package allowing for a “normal” Glock grip size, the relative high cost of ammunition has kept many buyers away.

Other agencies carrying the .45 GAP pistols include the Georgia State Patrol, New York State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and South Carolina Highway Patrol.  FHP is currently the only department that will have a Gen 4 .45 pistol.

About

Richard is the publisher of BlueSheepdog.com. In addition to writing here, he publishes GunsHolstersAndGear.com and is a regular contributor to places like Human Events, Police & Security News and The Firearm Blog.