Experience with Glock compact 45's?

palmetto99 said:

I have carried a G19 off and on for about 10 years. Really like the G19 and have no problem with the 9mm. But, I got a hankering for a Glock in 45ACP. The G21 and G21SF are pretty big for carry. I've looked at the G30, G30SF and the G36. The 30's are a little thick, but for the most part the size is the same as the G19. Just wanted to get some input (good and bad) from other members that have experience with these models. Thanks in advance.

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I've been carrying a Glock daily since 2005. It's been a G26/G19 almost exclusively, say a 65/35 split between those two.

I couple or few years ago I picked up a G30SF, figuring it had sufficient capacity (10+1) and was almost identical in size to the G19, so it should be a great carry option.

Well, the G30SF has always been a bit of a problem child model, with a far higher rate of issues than most other models (also the G36 and the initial Gen4 9's). I knew that, but I leg the apologists on Glock Talk convince me it was overblown internet myth.

Then my G30SF failed on JHP (FTRTB and FTFeed). So I sent it to Glock. Still failed. So I sent it to Glock and had them exchange it for a new G21SF, which has been perfect.

I would consider a G30 Gen4. When I did the above ^ there weren't any Gen4's out in .45 ACP yet.

It left a bad taste in my mouth though. I opted to get a second G26 instead of a Gen4 G30. And now I'm looking for a second G19. Then NEXT, after that, maybe, maybe, I'll try a G30 again.

I picked up a G36 back when they first came out, in 2000 I believe, and it is virtually the same size as my G19. Same holsters fit and it carries the same. I like it and carry it a lot when I am chasing hogs in the brush.

Try out a 30S. This is my carry option and I must say I love it- small, good capacity, and delivers that sweet .45 ACP round.

I had a G30. It was a bit thick for concealed carry and to be honest a bit heavy loaded, about 33 ounces. So I got a G36. That is a great carry pistol but it is limited to the 6 round mag and there is no other mag option for it.

I then went to a 27 and that is a great carry piece with plenty of capacity and a .40 but its not a .45.

So I went to the Springfield XDs which is nearly identical to the 27 dimensions but the grip is much thinner. The weight is nearly identical too. But you can get an extended mag or just carry the short mag.

The Glocks both shot great and were very controllable. I have been thinking about another 30 lately but have a full size H&K for field carry. My 36 was utterly reliably and I put several hundred rounds of factory and hand loads through it without a problem of any kind.

The 30SF has a slightly different grip than the 30 and it has a better feel to me. My 30 was the pre SF and it just did not hide easily. I have heard of more issues with the 30S and I don't think they are made anymore.

I have a G-36 that I purchased used. It still had the gold grease in it. When I shot it for the first time I discovered it shot high. My guess is that someone bought the gun and shot it once. Discovered it shot high and traded it back in. As I was going to put night sights on it anyway it didn't matter. I ended up installing the shortest rear sight and that put it right on the money. Other than that the gun has been perfect. No problems at all. As was mentioned earlier it also fits my G-19 holsters. This is a gun I would not get rid of.

Glock 30S .45acp .....

I don't own any Glocks at the moment but Id agree the new Glock 30S pistol could be a great carry gun. It's slim, compact & can still take a white-light or laser.
If you want to carry the model 36, the sub-compact it could work fine too.
It's smaller but can fire 7(6+1) .45acp rounds.
Trijicon HD night sights are a good add-on. www.trijicon.com
The Glock 30S was R&Ded by the elite detectives of LAPD's SIS(special investigations squad). They used the Kimber 1911a1 .45acp but converted back to the Glock 21 pistols. The 30S was picked to use for undercover ops & back-ups.

I too am a large fan of the 45. But though I've tried them, the Glock 21/30s are just too fat for me.

I still like the 45 though, I trust one more than a 9mm.

Since I reload and cast my own, I thought I'd give the 45 GAP a try. I've really enjoyed it. My 39 is an eight shot 45 the size of a G26. Makes me happy even though I'd prefer it in ACP. But Glock didn't fit the ACP in the 9mm sized frame.

It is the most compact 45 Glock makes though.


Cat

Have a g36, Never had a problem and its nice and slim.

I just (in the last few weeks) changed my EDC gun from a G27 to a G30S. It's in between the size of my G27 & G23, but I haven't noticed the difference in size from my G27 at all. I have a G21 (Gen4) as well, but I don't plan on carrying it. If you didn't know, the G30S is the G30SF frame with a G36 slide. If you want the higher capacity then to me it is an easy call to pick the G30S. If you're ok with the lower capacity then you'll have to make a call between it and the G36.

I have been carrying a G30 sf since 2006 ! Great gun ! Reliable ,powerful ,simple manual of arms !My brother and son both carry the g36 . I like the extra rounds in my g30 ! Kevin

I purchased a G-36 shortly after they were introduced and carried it for several years. At that time it was the only slim 45ACP pistol suitable for concealed carry. It is reliable, readily controllable and quite accurate. I still have it in the car. I found that I could not conceal it reliably all year long and opted for a Kahr PM-9 in a pocket holster.

I had a G30sf and really liked it, wanted to love it. It shot very well, carried well, but the grip was barely to big for my smaller side of average hands.
It fed 230gr ball or JHPs well, however it didn't like 200gr SWCs. If you feed them "hotter" ammo they are very reliable, not so much with lighter ammo.

I currently own a G30, a G30SF, a G36, a G21, and a G21SF. For my hands, the 30 and 30SF are better choices, with the 30 winning overall. These "compact" Glocks shoot far better than expected. It is, however, a bit bulky to carry.

I recently moved to a wooded area known to be rattlesnake habitat. The 36 is my walkabout gun, loaded with two CCI shotshells over five Gold Dots. My 1911s don't get much holster time these days.

I have a 30 for 15 + years now, and if still shoots fine as the first day. It's a bit thick but I have long fingers, so for me it's perfect. It is just not as easy to hide as my 26. But easier than a full sized 1911. Everything is a compromise. I haven't heard that glock stopped making the "s", I just saw one on one of the many sites I browse, have to look into it.
I was OWB my glock 30 in a Galco holster, it works with a light jacket or long button down shirt.

A Glock 36 has been my primary CCW for the last year or so and I couldn't be happier with it. I find it very easy to conceal and comfortable to carry year round in a Summer Special IWB holster with a good gun belt. Its also been completely reliable, with no problems in the 500-600 rounds of mixed FMJ and JHP I've fired through it. Never tried lead or anything lighter than 230gr, though. I've also had a couple friends comment on how recoil was much easier to handle than they expected in such a small and light .45ACP pistol.

Agree with Teachu2: I've had a G30 for about 3 years now and while I think it's fantastic to shoot, it's kind of a brick to carry. I bought the LaserLyte rear sights for it and am using it as a nightstand gun.

Al

I don't own a Glock 30, but I've shot a friend's extensively. It's quite nice, I must say. At the moment I carry a gen 3 Glock 21, and yes, it's about the upper limit for what I can conceal comfortably. I may invest in a Glock 30 soon.

The recoil is surpisingly soft for such a small and light pistol. It's certainly thick, which is probably the reason for that. Wide distribution of recoil. In my hands, it's almost so accurate it's scary. Very tight groups, and I'm not sure why. Reading into it more, the Glock 30 apparently has a reputation for being one of the most accurate Glocks in production??? Now sure how true that is, but it's a good pistol in my opinion.

I had a G30 in the early 2000s. Like you, I found its slide very wide for carrying IWB, and its trigger reach was borderline excessive. The new G30S (slim slide from the G36 on a SF - not the Gen4 -frame) does look very appealing.

Have had a G30 for several years. No issues. Big boy so the grip is not an issue either

I have a G30 SF it is accurate and reliable its my car gun, its also an excellent carry gun and has a large capacity of .45 acp for its size. They are good guns I doubt you will have any problems. Try the ammo you plan to carry if there is an issue with one type try another.

I switched to a 30SF for carry about 6 months ago from a Kimber Pro CDP. So far it has been 100% reliable and I shoot it great. Recoil is less than the 1911 4" with an Alloy frame. I have a 21G4 on order for full size. I carried a G36 for a while and I liked it too, but I like the option of carrying 14 round mags for backup with the 30. For ammo I stick to 230 gr. Blazer Brass for practice and 230 grain Federal HST's for SD. I like the heavier bullets, and the gun seems to like them too.

Have a 30sf......no issues... I'm a Hardball guy and it runs like a watch.

I have also shot a G36 as a rental and it actually did perform pretty impressively. But it is the same size overall as the G19 I had had - and still have - for years yet holds less than half the ammo. I also don't see any reason for the short grip and extended magazine. Take that gun, make it a full grip and flush magazine with at least one more round, even if the grip has to be lengthened a quarter or half inch, and I'd like it a lot better.