glock 30sf vs. glock 36

[iyn]

Which Glock is more reliable, the 30sf or 36? I'm looking for a small .45 acp glock. I have small hands and was thinking about the 36. I heard mixed reviews about reliablity. I have not heard anything bad about the 30 and many said it is the most accurate of the .45 acp glocks.

 

[Geno]

I heard the same re: reliability, and opted for the 30-SF, also it can use my 21-SF magazines. Re: comfort, the 36 just doesn't cut it for me.

 

[NG VI]

Check this out-


I don't know if you have the cash for this, I certainly don't, but apparently the internal dimensions of the 30 and 36 slides are identical. On the 36, Glock just trimmed down the exterior dimensions of the slide. So if you have a 30 and a 36, you can swap the slides and get yourself a 9/10 round, hand-filling, slimmer-topped Glock 30SF. There is an ongoing thread on GlockTalk about it right now, it appears to be just as reliable as a 30 or 36, just about 3.5 ounces lighter and slimmer up top.


If I had the dough, or knew someone who really loved the feel of the 36 but wished it recoiled slightly less, I would totally make one of these neat hybrids. The consensus on GT is that it is kind of surprising that Glock doesn't already offer that combination, or use the 36 slide for the 30 as well.

 

[CPshooter]

I don't know if you have the cash for this, I certainly don't, but apparently the internal dimensions of the 30 and 36 slides are identical. On the 36, Glock just trimmed down the exterior dimensions of the slide. So if you have a 30 and a 36, you can swap the slides and get yourself a 9/10 round, hand-filling, slimmer-topped Glock 30SF. There is an ongoing thread on GlockTalk about it right now, it appears to be just as reliable as a 30 or 36, just about 3.5 ounces lighter and slimmer up top.

No offense, but that seems like a really dumb idea. Not for safety reasons or anything, but simply because a Glock 30 has a fatter grip than any of the 9mm/.40 Glocks in the first place. All Glocks except the 36 have a grip that is slightly fatter than the slide. Throwing a thinner slide on there would only make the proportions of the gun look totally ridiculous and wouldn't make concealing it any easier. The g30 grip is always going to be fat, and unfortunately part of the grip needs to be concealed as well as the slide. I don't think this would do anything but make the gun look dumb..all for 3oz? I don't think it's worth doing. Especially for the cost.

IMO if you plan on carrying the gun in-the-waistband you should go with the 36, or a 9mm/.40s&w glock. As far as reliability, I don't think the 36 is any less reliable than the 30 although there are rumors floating around on the net that the 36 is the "least reliable of all the Glocks." I think that is mostly just hyped-up internet bs and I'm sure the 36 is a very reliable weapon.

 

[NG VI]

All Glocks except the 36 have a grip that is slightly fatter than the slide. Throwing a thinner slide on there would only make the proportions of the gun look totally ridiculous and wouldn't make concealing it any easier.

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=894436

See post #16. The 36 slide is a perfect fit for the 30 frame. Seriously, it is even more aesthetically pleasing than either the 36 or the 30.

And it is also 3.5 ounces lighter than a 30. Also it seems to be compatible with most 19/23 holsters. I'm telling you, this hybrid is freakin' genius.


Also see post 19 for a great shot of the hybrid from the backstrap, you can see that the grip is barely wider than the slide.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I would go with the one that shoots better for you, if you are able to try them out. A G36 I tried fit my hand much better and shot tighter groups than a G30 I owned. (I did not like it quite enough to replace the G19 I own and still have.) Do keep in mind that you will be losing four rounds with the 36. To put it in perspective, however, seven rounds (six in the mag, one in the chamber) is the same capacity as the 1911 when carried chamber empty as mandated by the military.

I too never saw the need for the ginormous thick slide on the G30. It does have a counterpart - the G29 - designed for full power 10mm Auto, which does need it.

 

[Lonestar.45]

I heard that the G36 was less than reliable. I looked into the G30. I can't stand the grip, it just didn't fit my hand. I ultimately went with the G36 for the grip and the slime size when carrying IWB. I love it.

I've had zero malfunctions with my G36. I do sometimes get the pinky pinch between the frame and the mag, but it's not bad and when I shoot with the Pearce extensions on the mag I don't have that issue anyway.

I'd say go for it if it fits you. If it turns out to be a problem child, Glock would fix it, and if you don't want to go through the hassle, sell it and get a G30.

One thing I've found is that it takes some experimentation to find the "right" carry gun. There's only one way to find out if you'll like the G36 and that's to get one. I'd recommend seeing if you can find one to rent first and shoot it, you may find out you don't like .45acp at all in small packages.

 

[CPshooter]

NG VI-

I stand corrected. That really doesn't look all that bad. Almost looks like the same width difference between the slide and frame as any other 9mm or .40 glock.

I'm not seeing how it's possible though. Was the g30 slide the same width as the widest part of the grip? Kind of like the .45GAP glocks? I thought the glock 30 grip was fatter than the 9mm/.40 subcompacts and I thought the 36 slide was the same width as the 9mm/.40 slides. I was assuming this would make the 36/30 hybrid look stupid because the 36 slide would be way too thin for the fatter 30 grip.

I'm now confused and wish I had both in my hands to see for myself.

 

[NG VI]

Me too. There is a post later in that thread showing the slides of the 30 and 36, and internally they are identical. The only real difference seems to be in the barrel hood/feed ramp design and the exterior dimensions. Probably why the Glock 37 wasn't a slimline compact 10mm.

All I know is, I want one. Everyone who has tested them says it is just as reliable as the original guns.

 

[Ken Rainey]

I'd recommend the G30SF over a G36 for reliability. Both mine and a friends G36s experienced occasional malfunctions, usually extraction issues, plus the aggravating brass to the head a little too often. Of course yours may run like a champ without issues. The G36 also has more felt recoil due to the slimmer grip...our G30's run without a hitch and have less felt recoil and with the SF grip it's previous blocky feel isn't an issue.

 

[Baneblade]

When I went through the Glock armorer school the Glock Rep told us the 36 is the only model they have consistently had trouble with.

My wife and I are both LEO's and carry Glocks. We have both had very good luck with them, especially because I can buy all the parts from Glock. We owned a Glock 36. Had FTE and FTF issues with it. Sold it to another officer (after explaining the problems). He likes it, but has also had trouble with it. I was never able to figure out what was causing the problems.