Glock 36 reliability

[RussellC]

I carried one until about 8 years ago when I went to a 4" 1911. I'm now back with a Glock 30SF. I had no problems at all with the 36. I'm thinking about looking for a used one and using it on the slide of 30SF to make a 30S.

You've got that backwards, 30S is a SF bottom and 36 slide. The 30SF does not have the slide of the 30S, the 36 does. Rereading I think that is what you meant to say....Hickok45, in one of his videos seems to think that there is some other small difference as well, when he "frankensteined" one together as you intend, he had some minor function problems which he did not have with the factory 30S. He stated he tried to get that info from Glock, but was unsuccessful. I always understood the 30S was created by putting the 36 slide on top of the 30SF like I believe you intend. Anyone know for sure?

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

While I don't have a high round count with mine, it has been flawless. Accuracy is excellent if I do my part. That said, after holding a 30S a few weeks ago, if I was buying now that is probably the route I would take.

That is exactly what happened to me. I wanted either a 36 or the little single stack Springfield XD I believe? Whatever, when I went to buy the dealer let me hold the Springfield, the 36, the 30, the 30 SF and the 30S. I quickly eliminated the Sprinfield, I know its a good gun, but didnt feel good to MY hand. (I had previously shot one in 40 and did well, but it had a longer grip, some XD variation) When the 30S was tried I bought it.
Doesnt conceal as well as the 36, of course has 10 round double stack clip. With the 9 round flush fit clip from the problem was solved. Still kind of want a 36....and a 21SF, and........on and on.

Russellc

 

[JJY]

Had mine for about 6 years. Friend has one as well. Neither has had any problems..

 

[LouisianaAviator]

I sold my G36. I find that with recoil, "the juice is not worth the squeeze". It's a fun gun to shoot, but it's nothing I'd want to trust my life with due to recoil. Don't get me wrong, the recoil is not that bad and is pleasant at the range, but for a self defense handgun, being able to make fast, accurate followup shots in vital areas is what your life depends on. That combined with a 6 round capacity and I would rather have a similar sized 9mm.

For me, the Glock 21, 1911 government or commander, and other full/midsize handguns are the smallest I'll go for a defensive .45. For getting accurate, quick followup shots with subcompacts, you're better off with 9mm IMHO


All that being said, I never experienced a malfunction with the G36, though I've seen several.

 

[Teachu2]

I bought a used 36 a couple of years back, and carried it a fair amount. I found myself carrying a 30 or a 26 more often until I moved to the hills. We have rattlesnakes here, and my 36 is now my walkabout gun - with two rounds of CCI snakeshot leading off.

 

[RussellC]

I sold my G36. I find that with recoil, "the juice is not worth the squeeze". It's a fun gun to shoot, but it's nothing I'd want to trust my life with due to recoil. Don't get me wrong, the recoil is not that bad and is pleasant at the range, but for a self defense handgun, being able to make fast, accurate followup shots in vital areas is what your life depends on. That combined with a 6 round capacity and I would rather have a similar sized 9mm.

For me, the Glock 21, 1911 government or commander, and other full/midsize handguns are the smallest I'll go for a defensive .45. For getting accurate, quick followup shots with subcompacts, you're better off with 9mm IMHO


All that being said, I never experienced a malfunction with the G36, though I've seen several.

I also shoot 9mm, but for defense, while not adverse to 9, I can empty the 30S clip very very fast with every shot in the kill zone. Just a matter of practice with the .45. 9 is easier, less recoil. That said, and remember I don't own a 36, the Glocks in .45 are easier shooting with regard to recoil than most others I've fired. They say the added weight of the slide makes the regular 30 easier than the 30S, 21 even easier. I thinking my next Glock will be the 21 SF.


russellc

 

[saltydog452]

230 grain Expansion ?

The short slide/barrel pistols like the 36 can expect velocity of around a high 700s to the low 800 speed.

If using JHPs, don't know if that speed will expand the ammunition of choice.

I do know that there is one 36 that feeds and functions as it should using 200 H&G hard cast and 7.? Unique. Recoil is brisk.

With a +1 magazine extension WITH a spiffier magazine spring installed, it has played nice and performed as designed, but left a mess of lubricant goo in the barrel.

Its a fun gun/ammunition combination but I carry a Commander.

salty

 

[chicharrones]

Since recoil and muzzle rise was brought up, my G36 with regular strength ammo is easier on the hand and easier to shoot than a .38 Special snubnose using +P. Make it +P vs. +P and things become more equal.

Yes, the G36 pushes harder than a 9mm handgun in the same size, but if anyone here is pretty good with a snub nose revolver they might be pretty good with a G36.

 

[Red Wind]

I've had mine since 2004. Carried it in every kind of weather in a multitude of states. From -34F somewhere north of Fairbanks, Alaska to +115F in Yuma, Arizona.

It's been flawless, not one hiccup in thousands of rounds downrange and in the boonies. A comforting feeling, knowing my life may one day depend on it.

I can't recommend any product higher than this Glock 36.

 

[LouisianaAviator]

Since recoil and muzzle rise was brought up, my G36 with regular strength ammo is easier on the hand and easier to shoot than a .38 Special snubnose using +P. Make it +P vs. +P and things become more equal.

Yes, the G36 pushes harder than a 9mm handgun in the same size, but if anyone here is pretty good with a snub nose revolver they might be pretty good with a G36.

I apologize if the message that came across in my post was that one could not make good hits or effectively use a G36 or that it's a bad gun. I have no doubt that someone who has practiced extensively with it and has a lot of rounds down range with that handgun will be very proficient. I just meant, in my experience, I don't find the recoil and capacity worth the small size and prefer a larger sized handgun when going with .45, especially when considering having to shoot one-handed.

As far as reliability, which is what the OP was asking about, it seems to be satisfactorily reliable in my experience, though I have seen people accidentally induce a malfunction, most probably from limp wristing. But that can be done with any semi-auto pistol. Might be easier with very small and light ones where it's harder to get a good grip, but other than that it seems pretty good.