[seansean]

I've narrowed down my choices to these two. The glock is used, in excellent(98%) condition for 499.00, the ruger, new for 439.00. It'll be a HD/CCW gun. Which should I choose, and which is the better deal? What I mean by better deal is not just price, but price of ammo, maintenance, longevity, etc. I'm still a relatively new gunnie, so be nice, please.

[Lone_Gunman]

I think you can get a new Glock for the price you stated for the used G36.

Either would be good guns for your intended purpose, though.

Personally, I would go with the 357.

[WillBrayJr]

I say the Glock-36. It's slimmer, longer sight radius, holds more ammo, faster to reload, and less recoil. Plus you got night sights:)

357mag snubbies are nasty little critters when it comes to recoil. If I was to get a 357mag snubbie it would without a doubt be a Ruger SP101 3in.


Both are great choices but I pick the Glock for obvious reasons.

[Lone_Gunman]

My revolvers have never jammed.

I don't usually carry a spare magazine or speed loader, so quick reloads are not an issue. (They really arent much of an issue even if you carry a reload, but having more ammo makes some people feel better).

[WillBrayJr]

I never had an autoloader jam on me with the exception of the Glock-17C which was a jamo-matic. Then again it was probably a ripe lemon:)

[Imaginos]

The Glock has a slightly more complex manual of arms. The means you need to know more about how to use it than you do a revolver.

Practice ammo is pretty cheap for either one if you get Winchester White Box bulk packs from WalMart. Either gun can be a handful with heavy defensive rounds. However, the SP101 has the advantage of being able to chamber and fire any 38 Special ammo you can find. Practice ammo for 45ACP is pretty much limited to 230 grain full metal jacket which I understand gives stout recoil in the G36.

This means you have a slightly better chance of finding a good defensive round that is more comfortable to shoot in the SP101 than you do in the G36.

If I was to choose a Glock I would try to get hold of a G30. It is not much bigger than the G36 and holds 10 rounds.

Take the one that feels better in your hand and learn to use it well. Both are good gun/caliber combinations for your stated mission, and I would carry either one with equal confidence.

[Seven High]

I used to own a Glock 36. I bought it used. It was a jammomatic. I could not get thru 50 rounds of fmj ammo without getting at least 3 failure to feeds. I did everything that I could think of to correct the problem with no luck. I traded it in. I would suggest that you get the Ruger,

[RyanM]

Neither my G23 nor my SP-101 have ever jammed or malfunctioned in any way. With the right combination of components, you can get the trigger pulls on them nearly identical at around 8 pounds all the way through, though the Glock will always have some stacking unless you have a professional work on it.

The G36 will be a little smaller than a 2.25" SP-101. My G23 is identical in size to my SP-101, muzzle-to-butt, though of course there's the protrusion of the back of the slide as well.

Maintenance for either is as simple as could be. Clean 'em after you shoot, and oil a couple parts maybe once a month. That's it. The Ruger is stainless, and the Glock has Tennifer finish on everything that isn't plastic.

Choices of decent performing defense ammo in both is pretty limited. Very few police departments use .45s or .357s, preferring high-capacity 9mms and .40 S&Ws, so manufacturers mostly work on developing their 9mm and .40 line over the other calibers. Speer Gold Dots are your best bet in either caliber. 230 gr in .45, 135 gr short barrel in .357 or .38. Winchester Ranger Talons (not SXT Supreme), if you can get them, perform pretty well in .45. But Winchester's politics absolutely suck. They flat-out refuse to do any ballistic testing of any of their ammo lines except for the law-enforcement only ones. As a result, 90% of the rest of their self-defense ammo performs extremely poorly. Most of the "Supreme" SXTs either underexpand and overpenetrate, or overexpand and underpenetrate. Silvertips always overexpand and underpenetrate in bare gelatin, and never expand in clothed gel. Pretty crappy.

I don't know how the prices typically are in CA, but both sound like highway robbery to me. $550 "should" be able to get you a brand new G36, and $380 or so is a fair price on a brand new SP-101.

[eagle45]

seansean-

Have you fired the glock? I am not Glock bashing, but a lot of folks, myself included, do not like the grip angle and find it does not point naturally. I have had the opportunity to shoot several Glocks (my boss loves them) side by side with my XDs and during those comparisons I always chose the XD. I would suggest you look at the XD if you have not already done so. You can easily find a new one for the price of the used Glock.

With the two options you mention, I personally would choose the SP101. I have one and carry it regularly. If the recoil of 357 is too much, you can always use 38+p in it.

[bulbboy]

You can do no wrong - either one is great - I love both of mine!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f284/kevinmichaeldick/G-l-o-c-k-23.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f284/kevinmichaeldick/rugersp101.jpg

[glockcrazyjerry]

I would deffinitly go with the glock but not the 36. To many problems and thats why you see alot of them used. I would go with a 30. Its not that much bigger. Shop around because those prices are really out thier ???

[tazbigdog]

I've narrowed down my choices to these two. The glock is used, in excellent(98%) condition for 499.00, the ruger, new for 439.00. It'll be a HD/CCW gun. Which should I choose, and which is the better deal? What I mean by better deal is not just price, but price of ammo, maintenance, longevity, etc. I'm still a relatively new gunnie, so be nice, please.

Depends on what you are going to use the firearm for. There is a difference in the ammo, .45 vs .357 mag. Ruger makes a great gun and as a revolver should not be a problem. Glock on the other hand also makes a great gun, but, IMHO, a better firearm.

Personally, I would go with a new Glock, bigger bullet, bigger hole.:)

[chriswolfe68]

If possible, go to a gun range that rents handguns and shoot both if available.
Both are excellent weapons. I would go with which ever you feel more comfortable with.
:)
Chris

[thorazine]

The Glock has a slightly more complex manual of arms. The means you need to know more about how to use it than you do a revolver.

Ummmmmmmmm... ok.

"Slightly more complex" when compared to -- brewing a half pot of coffee in the morning.

[azredhawk44]

SP101 all the way.

I own the 3" .357 sp101 and a G21.

If I'm intentionally going into a gunfight:what: I would obviously have the G21 as backup to my M1A, but from day to day carry I fully trust my sp101. It conceals well at IWB for me and is very accurate. For 1-2 assailants, I fully trust it to get the job done. I wouldn't trust the G36 to take any better care of me than that. It would take a full size, double-stack service pistol to make me feel any better.

Soaks up the recoil very well.

[cookekdjr]

Can't go wrong with either. I'm into Glocks right now so I'd go with the 36, but traditionally I'd pick the revolver.
In any event, both are good choices.
-David

[MCgunner]

Personal preference is SP101 in .357 magnum

I might buy some other auto, but I don't like Glocks for carry.

.357 vs .45? Hands down go with the power, the magnum. You're talkin' at least 200 more ft lbs even out of a 3" barrel. You could up the .45 with +P pressures, but still not equal the .357 magnum's power.

[WillBrayJr]

Personal preference is SP101 in .357 magnum

I might buy some other auto, but I don't like Glocks for carry.

.357 vs .45? Hands down go with the power, the magnum. You're talkin' at least 200 more ft lbs even out of a 3" barrel. You could up the .45 with +P pressures, but still not equal the .357 magnum's power.

FT LBS? who gives a crap about FT LBS. The 45acp is a known man-stopper. A 230gr FMJ will effectively stop a 6ft 225lb man dead in his tracks, it might not kill him but it will stop him and without the slap of a 357mag.

[glockcrazyjerry]

I like revolvers for hunting or for the range but i would much rather have my glock in 45 much better. I think the Glock will conceal better also. Breaks down real east to clean easy to shoot and 10 rounds of 45 with low recoil. The 357 with a 2 1/2 inch barrle will kill your hand from recoil so you will not practice to much.

[Marshall]

I would be all over the SP-101.

[Jack19]

Can you do a speed reload on the Glock without making the palm of your gun hand bleed?

Keep a firm grasp around the grip and slam a mag in as if your life depended on it. Does your hand, in your lower palm, get caught between the bottom of the mag and the grip?

If not, the Glock may be for you.

[Erich]

I've owned both. I felt better carrying the G36 because it held more, reloaded faster, hit almost as hard, and shot a lot easier. I do believe that a semiauto requires a bit more familiarization than does a revolver, though.

Neither is a bad choice. :)

[461]

I'm biased just like everyone else. Get the Ruger, more power, more versatile, can't lose the magazine, not plastic and you can get grips that fit you. I've got two and a third on the way.

[CORDITE]

Get the ruger. No frills, no fuss, just good old drop-the-bad-guy reliability!:D

[WillBrayJr]

Get the ruger. No frills, no fuss, just good old drop-the-bad-guy reliability!:D

And the Glock has frills?

[WillBrayJr]

I'm biased just like everyone else. Get the Ruger, more power, more versatile, can't lose the magazine, not plastic and you can get grips that fit you. I've got two and a third on the way.


More power? The 45acp has more than enough power.Can't lose a magazine for a revolver? Speedloaders are considered magazines and you sure in the hell lose those. Lets not forget muzzle blast. Anyone ever tried shooting a 357mag snubbie more than a couple shots without hearing protection?

Some of you guys are too extreme. We're talking about a human target not some Tyrant boss out of Resident Evil.

[MCgunner]

Why I've been thinking of getting the Ruger SP101, and I'd carry it concealed, too, is that I'd like to have it for an outdoor gun, especially in bear country. 180 grain .357s would be a good load for bear protection. I own a .45, but wouldn't want to rely on it in bear country. The SP101 is a nice, light, strong as an ox little package and a lot easier to carry than my 40 ounce .45 Colt Blackhawk cannon.

But, I do have a medium frame 4" .357 DA, so getting that SP isn't really high on my list, but I sure like the gun!

[MCgunner]

FT LBS? who gives a crap about FT LBS. The 45acp is a known man-stopper. A 230gr FMJ will effectively stop a 6ft 225lb man dead in his tracks, it might not kill him but it will stop him and without the slap of a 357mag.

"slap of a .357?" Have you ever fired one? In a proper revolver, it's easy to shoot. No, I don't include 9 ounce snubbies on that list, but the SP101 handles it well. It's a nice little cartridge and it TOPs on the marshall/sanow list. The reason for that is ENERGY, aka ft lbs. The .357 has stopped lots of men, bears, deer (I've gotten a couple with it), and other stuff bigger and tougher to kill than men. An excess of power is never a bad thing if you're man enough to handle it.:D I have killed with the .357 and witnessed its power, two deer and a javelina, no men. But, it's given me a certain amount of confidence in the cartridge. I don't hunt with a 360 ft lb .45 ACP. My .357 hunting loads double that from my Blackhawk. Some say the .357 is minimal for deer, but I've done okay with 'em the times I've used 'em. Now days I handgun deer with a Contender, but might use the Blackhawk again. I certainly think the 125 grain .357 is a superior defense load, superior to just about ANYTHING you can put in a handgun of reasonable SD size. It's rivaled only by such as the 10mm. Perhaps a titanium .41 magnum would work, caliber was originally intended for police work, but the 10 and .357 are easier to shoot.

Heck, though, I carry .38s and even a .380 a lot. I know the .45 can do the job, you don't have to convince me of its adequacy for self defense. But, I ain't gonna put down the .357 when it clearly is a more powerful round. I don't think it's a necessity to carry one in the SD roll, but it is a great man stopper.

[stormspotter]

If you want a 45, then go with a Glock 30. I carry mine in a C.T.A.C. IWB and love it. You should also look into a Glock 26. It to is carried in a C.T.A.C.

The 30 is carried 75% of the time and the 26 when I am down to a T-shirt in the hot part of summer.

Got my 30 off gunbroker for $320 delivered LNIB.

You can't go wrong with either. Never had a jam with either one. Also check into C.T.A.C. holsters as they are the best (IMHO).

Good luck,
Leonard

[MCgunner]

If you want a 45, then go with a Glock 30. I carry mine in a C.T.A.C. IWB and love it. You should also look into a Glock 26. It to is carried in a C.T.A.C.

The 30 is carried 75% of the time and the 26 when I am down to a T-shirt in the hot part of summer.

Got my 30 off gunbroker for $320 delivered LNIB.

You can't go wrong with either. Never had a jam with either one. Also check into C.T.A.C. holsters as they are the best (IMHO).

Good luck,
Leonard

The 30 is the single stack, right? I had the hots for that gun for a while. It sure looks easy to conceal, very flat.

[WillBrayJr]

Nope the Glock-30 is a double stack, the Glock-36 is the single stacker.

Yes I have shot the Ruger SP-101 and in every caliber. Yes it does handle the 357mag better than any other snubbie on the market but the recoil is still stout campared to the G-36. There aren't that many guns out there that I haven't shot.

[45+]

As WillBrayJr said, the G36 is single stack (6+1) and the G30 is double stack (10+1).

Of all the 357 Snubs, I like the SP101 best. It is Ruger stout, but still very "packable". Of all the Glock 45's, I like the G30 best. It is Glock stout, but still very "packable". I have had a G36, and I liked the thinner grip, but I missed the capacity of the G30 and it just shoots better for me than the G36. YMMV.

As others have said, shoot them both if you can. Then pick what you shoot/like best. If you cannot shoot, then hold them both if you can. Then pick what feels the most comfortable.

357 full power loads MAY edge out the 45 for SD, but not many carry full power loads in a snub. Either will get the job done with correct placement most of the time. One of each would be an awesome combination for almost all CCW sitations short of full ninja/zombie/merc attack.

Whatever you decide, you are considering two very good options, not one good and one bad, IMO.

Good shootin'....

[MCgunner]

Okay, got it. I think I'd prefer the single stacker for its thinness. That's what impressed me about it when I looked at it. Capacity is no big thing to an old revolver guy. :D

If I carried a .357, it'd likely be firing a 125 grain hollow point in front of 17 grains of 2400, a flame thrower of a load, but hits HARD. I would also NOT shoot it out of anything less than a 3". If I get an SP101, it'll be a three inch gun. It's amazing how much the 1" of barrel between the 2"ers and the 3"ers does for velocity. I mean, I haven't tested it, just going off a couple of articles I've read on the specific subject where they WERE testing barrel length. The effectiveness of the .357 is barrel length Dependant. The caliber is AWESOME out of a rifle barrel. The slower powders do this. The 9mm and the .45 shoot much faster burning powders and work better out of really short barrels. Still, the .357 out of a 3" has a decisive edge in energy, but when you go to a two inch, you can be almost as effective with the .45 or 9 and you have a lot less flash bang in the process.

So, if that matters in the decision between the two, then the .45 is a better choice. My own favorite compact is my 9mm shooting a +P CorBon or +P+ hand load. It's a tiny, lightweight little P11 Kel Tec. So, I guess, I don't practice what I've preached here. :rolleyes: :D It really all depends on what's most important to you. If I get an SP 101, like I say, part of its duty will be as an outdoor revolver. I will carry it as I do my little alloy .38 now, but to be honest, the P11 and the little .38 are so light on the hip, I don't know if the SP would get a lot of all day duty.

It's hard to say which of those guns would be the best without some perspective of what the guns are going to see in actual use. If it's CCW only, heck, a toss up. I would likely go auto because I don't reload with speed loader very well. I need to practice that. That's one of the main things I like about autos, ease of reloads. I also like the ease of which you can carry the reloads, less bulky than speed loaders. I also like the guns, flatter, easier to conceal. There's a lot more to consider in a CCW gun than just the caliber 'cause if the gun is easy and convenient to carry, you'll have it with you when you need it. If it's a PITA to carry, it might be at home or in the car when you need it.

[seansean]

thanks for the responses, I'm gonna go to a nearby range and shoot 'em both to make sure..but I'm leaning towards the SP101...if only I had the cash to get them both...

[cookekdjr]

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.
You picked two excellent guns as your "finalists".
-David