sp.101 & Glock 36

[Fat Boy]

I am planning to get my CCW license in the near future. To that end, I have been working on a carry weapon. I have shot small frame S&W 38 specials, (lightweight), and recently a Ruger sp101, 3" revolver. Frankly, I don't feel comfortable with the recoil, muzzle flash, noise, etc. from these short barrel guns. I have been looking at a Glock model 30 at my local gunshop. I don't have the opportunity to shoot this gun, and they don't have a rental gun in this model, or the 36 either. My question is for those who have shot the small frame revolvers and a Glock 30 or 36, will I find the same issues with the Glock?

Thanks!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Although it has been some time since I did so, I shot a G36 as a rental, putting about 100 rounds through it. I do not recall it having excessive kick, roar or blast; in fact I shot rather well with it. The .45 Auto is much milder to shoot than many people believe; it has more of a "sharp push" recoil than a "snap" or harsh kick, a "boom" instead of "roar" or "crack" report, and low muzzle flash. By contrast, some full-power .357 Magnum loads in a Ruger SP101 I had were real fire-breathers; the blast alone from the Remington R357M1 (the 125-gr. SJHP) would nearly knock my target down, without the bullet even having to strike it. It was much more pleasant to shoot with .38 Spl. or milder .357 loads, however.

I no longer even own a snubnose revolver, preferring the capacity, power and shooting qualities of the Kahr PM9.

 

[DistantHorizon]

What ammunition were you shooting in the sp101?

 

[10-Ring]

My preference is w/ the Airweight j frame but if it's not your cup of tea, the Glock 30 would be my1st choice because the 36 has a grip just a tad toos short
good lcuk on your quest!

 

[Fat Boy]

They were 38 special - 130 grain FMJ

 

[chris in va]

Revolvers are like bolt action rifles...all the recoil goes straight to your hand. Semiauto's absorb/spread out the force more and will feel milder.

 

[3 gun]

Any compact pistol will kick harder than the full size models. Full power loads will kick the hardest. Ammo companies have gone a long way in making ammo for the compacts that reduce recoil and flash with little to no loss in effectiveness. Of the two you list I'd go with the SP all day any day over the Glock. If you found the 38spl 130gr loads a handful you may need to rethink your choices. That load in a SP should feel like a 22.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

They were 38 special - 130 grain FMJ

Those loads will barely blow your nose. I doubt if you will like a lightweight .45, then.

 

[DistantHorizon]

Those are my thoughts as well. Do you have much experience with handguns? I'm wondering if you just don't need to shoot them some more, get used to them.

I can't imagine a carry-sized gun with less kick than a 3" sp101 with 38 specials. Maybe you need to be looking at a large all-steel 9mm auto.

 

[hicksdm]

I have both, carry both and enjoy shooting both. I have smaller hands so the G36 fits me well. It is also a breeze to carry and the recoil is not bad at all, especially for a lighter weight gun. Most people get the SP101 over the light weight Smith's because the Ruger allows them to shoot the heavier weight 357 magnums in a smaller package. If the 130 gr 38's bothered you then you need to either take a step down in caliber or practice more and become use to the recoil.

 

[BikerRN]

I agree with spending more time shooting to get used to the recoil.

I have a 2 1/4" SP101 and it is the smallest gun I will fire .357 Magnum 125 Grain JHP's out of. I find that the size and weight of the SP101 "tames" the recoil of the .357 Magnum rounds quite well.

Here's a little information, in case you didn't know it.

The longer the Barrel, the less the recoil
The heavier the gun the less the recoil
The lighter the bullet, the less the recoil

Everything has a "price" so to speak. If you want a lighter/smaller gun you pay for it with increased recoil.

BikerRN

 

[Fat Boy]

withdrawn

 

[Fat Boy]

Thank you all for the responses-

First, I must admit that I was a bit miffed by the question about my experience, or lack thereof- then it occurred to me, I hadn't said anything about my level of experience, so how would anyone know? My apologies....

I have had experience with handguns, albeit some years ago; in 1977 I began handgunning with a 4" S&W model 10. From that beginning, I shot several .38 special guns, both S&W and Colt. I moved on to a 4" Ruger Security Six, which I shot comfortably with .357 magnum loads. From there, I worked through .44 magnum guns, both single and double action, and .45acp in both a 1911 platform and revolver with the half/moon clips.

In the 1980's I began to slow down with gunning, due to a growing family. Over the past few years, I have begun to get involved in shooting sports again, but now in a polymer/alloy world. This has presented somewhat of a new learning curve to me. Maybe I will try to find an all-steel semi-auto-

Again, I appreciate everyones responses!

 

[camsdaddy]

I am in the same debate I cant decide between the two. I like the SP due to its a revolver and I figure I can definately benifit from the dry fire practice, would be able to shoot a variety of ammo loadings from 38 to 357 to shot shell. I would have five rounds of 357 on tap and a 3"barrel. OR I like the 36 due to well its a glock, its a single stack, its a .45 and it fits my hand but both do. (secret, also looking at a 26&19 another debate). I like having the larger caliber (makes big hole) and the ease of reload of the 36. I am a slim guy 5'7 138lbs Im pretty sure I can easily conceal either. What I think I am having the biggest trouble with is a 45 is great for people but not animals and a 357 is great for both dont understand why the debate of material selection I dont understand why punching holes in someone and a animal are different. I would carry 85% small urban enviorment 15% rural/ woods. Looking to carry year round. I know most sd shots will prb be within 7yds but would consider stretching to 25-50 yds in more rural enviorment wild dogs, coyotes, general plinking etc. so med range accuracy I think could be gained from both. Any way not trying to hijack or complicate just adding.

 

[DistantHorizon]

Definitely not intending to offend you, just throwing a wild theory out there, but could it be you just require a little more re-acquainting? Forgive me if I'm wrong.

Last summer, I shot my buddy's .44 mag Redhawk (6" or thereabouts) for the first time. I went from scared of it to pretty confident with it, in 2 sessions. Shot it a week ago, and I was back where I started last summer. Shot a cylinder of mid-range, and a cylinder of full-house, flinched like crazy, and couldn't didn't even hit paper consistently. But I'm sure I could get comfy with it again.

I know noise and perceived recoil vary from person to person, but no matter who you are, I don't think the noise or felt recoil for of 38+p from a 3" sp101 is anywhere near that of a moderate .44 mag out of a big gun. Even given the lapse of 15 or 20 years, I have a hard time believing that you can't be comfortable with .38's outta the chunky little Ruger.

All that said, it's true an auto's lower bore axis and cycling slide seem to soak up recoil, and there are plenty of great midsized all-steel autos out there to choose from today.

 

[jad0110]

Too bad you aren't able to test a G30 or G36 before you buy. Who knows, you could be like me: I shoot a S&W 642 airweight snubbie better than a Glock 23 .

Plus, if you find the recoil/flash/noise of an SP101 not to your liking, you might not like a G30/36 either. As you said, an all steel weapon may be more to your liking. One possibility is a used 9mm SIG Sauer P225. There are TONS of these on the market as reasonable prices, as many of them are trade-ins from German LE organizations. They are well cared for, with just enough finish wear to give them character .

With a great gunbelt (ie, thebeltman.com) and a quality holster, the extra weight of the all steel handgun vanishes. For example, my all steel 5" 1911 carried in a quality IWB holster on a sturdy gunbelt does not feel much heavier than my alloy J-Frame carried in an el cheapo holster on a crappy $9 Wal-Mart belt.

 

[bestseller92]

I love my 3 1/16" SP101, and I don't even mind the recoil of 125 grain mags.

What I DON'T like about it is how hard it is to find an IWB holster for it.

 

[camsdaddy]

oops