Thinking about getting a Glock 36

[el44vaquero]

I've always had 1911s and loved them as I would my own children (flaws and all). I've never cared much for the 9mm, but have been looking at the Glock in .45 acp. I've always wanted to just be able to say I own a Glock, and would really like it since all my current stockpile is .45 acp. However, if the Glock 36 isn't worth my time, I'd appreciate you all letting me know before I forked over a good start towards another 1911. Does anyone have any thoughts on this gun?

 

[kahrcarry]

I owned one for a while. It was a great little shooter, but I had a recurring problem that I just couldn't solve. With every shot, the mag would naturally rise and bite my little finger between the mag base plate and the bottom of the mag well. I tried the Pierce grip extensions, and everything else I could think of, but nothing cured it. It wouldn't be that big of a deal for a carry-only gun, but I enjoy the range, so that little constant bite convinced me to sell it off. Now, you may have larger/smaller hands than I do, or a different type of grip, and it may not be an issue for you. But it drove me nuts.

 

[Jack19]

Make sure it fits your hand.

I had a G30, actually two of them over the years, that made me bleed if I did not significantly alter my grip when reloading. The palm of my hand would get caught between the magazine base and the grip.

OUCH!

 

[el44vaquero]

Here's a picture of the one I'm looking at. He told me $400 cash ftf for what I saw.

Didn't notice until I was uploading these that the holster is a lh model.

 

[gulogulo1970]

I had one but traded it for a Glock 19. For me part of the allure of a Glock is the magazine capacity, but 6+1 seemed too little for a gun that is a hair smaller than a Glock 19. Plus, I can't shoot a 45 in a Glock as quickly as a 9mm.

 

[atblis]

My friend has one.

I've shot it a few times. It worked and the recoil wasn't that bad. Accuracy was about what you'd expect. Definitely shoot one before you buy though.
$400 doesn't sound bad. I think you'd be able to resell it if you don't like it.

 

[poppy]

I have the G30 and have been thinking about the G36 myself. I passed on two different G36's at the last week end's gun show, each priced at $450 for a private sale. I didn't try to haggle, but I might have paid $400. poppy

 

[ChickenHawk]

There are a gazillion threads about the G36 on http://www.glocktalk.com you might want to search and read a few.

I have five Glocks. My G36 is my favorite and my daily carry gun.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[duncan]

Let me summarize as I'm a mod over there.

DON'T

Of all of the Glocks, the G36's backstrap and it's thinness causes all of the recoil to smack the crap out of your hand.

Shot several boxes during the prospect phase and looked at my hand and decided I would carry 357 sig or even 10mm in a subcompact for that spanking. I didn't like the fit of the mag butt in my hand either. Rather have a nice ultra compact 1911 if you must have 45.

Unless you want a CCW gun you won't practice with. Just like the Kahr PM40, too much whammy for the package.

Funny but I can almost always find a LNIB G36 with Trijicons and maybe a IWB holster at two/three shops around Seattle.

The G36 is the one Glock I just hate from a design standpoint. Now that design would work for a 9mm single stack - that's what Glock should have made!

Run away now!

 

[johnmcl]

Reconsider

Vaquero,

Before you jump onto a G36, do go and grab a G30. That's my daily carry gun and I could not be happier. I tried the G36 through a friend and found the design too thin from both a grip and recoil perspective. I did get pinched a couple of times with the 36, and not once yet with the 30.

You do need to go with what makes you happy. My recommendation is expand the search.

By the way, the holster looks like a fine right hand, inside the belt holster.

John

 

[duncan]

Vaquero,

Before you jump onto a G36, do go and grab a G30. That's my daily carry gun and I could not be happier. I tried the G36 through a friend and found the design too thin from both a grip and recoil perspective. I did get pinched a couple of times with the 36, and not once yet with the 30.

You do need to go with what makes you happy. My recommendation is expand the search.

By the way, the holster looks like a fine right hand, inside the belt holster.

John

John is right on point.

My first Glock was a Glock 30 and I loved it. Now my winter CCW is Glock 21. Both the G30 and 21 can share mags and they shoot smooth and accurately.

Remember the saying - beware of the man with one gun?

Well if you get a CCW and you don't practice with it weekly or at least monthly, your most critical skills drop. Point shooting is a skill that must be practiced and I recommend shooting at least 200 rounds a month through your CCW.

In a G36, my hand ached and was red. And I also shoot a G32, G33, G20, and a 44 mag Redhawk regularly.

Try some other guns. Again, a ultra compact 1911 like a Kimber CDP or a Springfield Ultra Compact:

 

[ChickenHawk]

Like I said, Read the threads yourself.

There are MANY people who like the G36. I have both the G36 and the G30. Both are excellent, reliable, accurate guns. But, I personally find the G30 to be a bit too heavy on my belt. Likewise, grip is completely a matter of perspective and personal choice.

I hit the range at least once a week, and put a minimum of 100 rounds through my G36 every time. If I don't take any other guns it'll likely be double that. Most I've ever shot in one trip is 400 rounds. It's my daily carry gun, I shoot it the most. I could shoot that gun all day (if I could afford that much ammo!)

Best advice you'll find on any forum, Try both guns and decide for yourself!

Stay safe,
ChickenHawk

 

[Seven High]

Glock 36

I owned a Glock 36 for a short while. The magazine would pinch my finger as well. I got numerous failure to feeds using fmj ammo. It appears that the feed ramp was a llittle too short. The bullet would impact the bottom of the ramp and stick there. I got rid of it. I suggest you shoot it before you spend any money on it.

 

[denfoote]

My beloved G36 sits by my side as I write this.

It has never failed to go bang.
It has never hurt me in any way.
It has always put lead where I have wanted it to go.
It fits my hand in ways the G30 never could (think single stack mag).
Recoil is not a problem.

The poor G30 was subjected to an intense hate campaign by the G30 crowd early in it's existance, just as the much malaigned Sigma was!!

There is a LOT of internet crap that has been published concerning it. Some of it has been repeated here!

"My sister's ex-boyfriend's second cousin had a G36 and it never failed to jam!!"
You know the story!!

My advice is rent and actually SHOOT the gun!!
Make up your mind, like I did, when I traded my first G30 for my beloved!!

 

[TexAg]

I have one, never been pinched by it and it does not hurt to shoot, recoil is not that bad in my opinion. Its also one of the most accurate handguns I own.

 

[duncan]

Best advice you'll find on any forum, Try both guns and decide for yourself!

Stay safe,
ChickenHawk

CH is right there. True enough

 

[duncan]

I have one, never been pinched by it and it does not hurt to shoot, recoil is not that bad in my opinion. Its also one of the most accurate handguns I own.

That's the point, it recoils sharply for a Glock.

That's why too many Glocksters dump the gun. Check the used guns glass at your dealer and ask them how many G36s they get. That's what I'm talking about. Great CCW but between the G30 and the G36, the consensus at GT is that the G30 is the best 45 acp CCW Glock.

You gotta go over the GT and read as they have the multitudes of Glocksters.

 

[albanian]

The G-36 is the dog of the Glock line. I agree with what some have said.

"With every shot, the mag would naturally rise and bite my little finger between the mag base plate and the bottom of the mag well."

True.

"I had a G30, actually two of them over the years, that made me bleed if I did not significantly alter my grip when reloading. The palm of my hand would get caught between the magazine base and the grip. "

True.

"For me part of the allure of a Glock is the magazine capacity, but 6+1 seemed too little for a gun that is a hair smaller than a Glock 19. Plus, I can't shoot a 45 in a Glock as quickly as a 9mm."

True.

"Of all of the Glocks, the G36's backstrap and it's thinness causes all of the recoil to smack the crap out of your hand. Shot several boxes during the prospect phase and looked at my hand and decided I would carry 357 sig or even 10mm in a subcompact for that spanking. I didn't like the fit of the mag butt in my hand either. Unless you want a CCW gun you won't practice with. Just like the Kahr PM40, too much whammy for the package."

True.


"By the way, the holster looks like a fine right hand, inside the belt holster."

True

Another thing is the trigger slaps my finger and causes it to sting. It really hurt to shoot this gun and I don't like it.


My bother has one and hee seems to like it. It pinches the heck out of my little finger. It actually gives me a blood blister if I am not carefull. The recoil it way out of sorts for a .45acp. It feels like the gun whips your hand. My hand shakes after only a few mags with it. It is also not much for accuracy. Very very average at the range. NOT a target gun. We are talking about 4-6" groups at 25 yards offhand. I am a pretty good pistol shot and I have a lot of guns that will outshoot this with no effort. I have a Star Firestar 9mm and a Star BM 9mm that will both do about 1 1/2" offhand at that distance. That is about as good as I can shoot offhand but I know when something is not measuring up.

In fairness, the G-36 is not meant to be shot slowfire at 25 yards. It is meant to be shot rapid fire at closer ranges. The sad thing is, it is not much better in that role. I have many guns that I can get 3-4" groups with rapid fire at 10-15 yards. The Ruger P-95 does this without effort as does most of my S&W autos like the 6906 and 3913. The Kahr K-9 can do about that well and my SA XD-9 will do better. They all are more comfy to shoot as well.

I just don't see anything that the G-36 does as well as any other gun. It is almost as large as a full sized SIG 220 when you compare them side by side. That surprised me. I had a SIG 220 and my brother had his G-36 so we compared them. You get a few more rounds with the SIG and it is FAR FAR FAR more accurate and easier to shoot.

This is one of those pistols that you HAVE to shoot before you buy or you could be in for a real dissapointment. Some people do like them but that is true of anything. Some people like Kel-Tecs and Hi-Points also so you can go by that.

 

[duncan]

Candidly, 9mm is plenty for a CCW gun that MAY be shot in self defense inside a range of 10 feet.

You can even easily pocket carry a Kahr PM9 in a nice leather holster

Thin and its the kind of gun you will carry.

And I have lots o Glocks in the safe. But I prefer the G34, G20, and G21. High caps and erogonomic.

Shot a ton o guns and then buy your CCW.

For most, I have several of most sizes - to meet my attire and the assessed risk.

45 ACP is a great round but for close in - almost all major self defense rounds will stop the threat if you shoot straight.

If you want thin, think 9mm. Some nice Hydrashoks or Gold Dots in 124 grain +P should serve you well - and you'll like shooting and carrying that gun.

KNow lots of guys with BIG CCW guns but they tend to leave them in the safe.

At 2 am in a parking lot, you are better off with an always gun on your hip or pocket.

9mm in the pocket beats a 44 mag at home ever time!

BUt if you understand what you are buying, and you've been told, you can make an informed decision.

Maybe the G36 works for your hand. Just bit the crap out of mine and I shoot a LOT!

 

[Skipper]

I've had my G36 for 3 years. It is easier to carry IWB than any other Glock. Mine is totally reliable. I traded a G30 for it,and while I wish I had the G30 back,I wouldn't get rid of my G36. There IS less felt recoil with the 30 due to its mega fat grip,but the cost is less concealability. I like-um both!
SKIP

 

[HiVelocity]

Glock 36?

Folks,
I've had, and carried, all the 45 Glocks. I like the 36 the best (for my purposes). I'd never begrudge anyone from carrying more than 7 rounds on a daily basis but, for me, as a police officer, the Glock 36 is a good compromise in weight and caliber for daily use. I can hit almost anything I can hold the sight on, my personal weapon likes the Cor-Bon PowrBall and DPX ammo (the only two that fully expanded in recent denim tests against all the other hollow point ammo tested).

I say go for it, shoot it, decide for yourself.

HiVelocity
Cop in SC

 

[GoBrush]

If you are set on a Glock this wont help but I would also check out the New Springfield XD in 45. I have owned a Glock and one of the things I disliked about it was the way it fit my hand. Personally I like the grip angle on the XD better. If you are a 1911 guy you will probably agree.

 

[00blkgt]

Bar none it's my favorite conceal carry gun. I have had no problems and I shoot the 36 very well.
J

 

[Grayrock]

Forget the Block-

Go Bull- as in Taurus. PT-145 Millenium PRO. Better ergonomics, better price, better capacity, about the same size. PLUS- It has a safety you can control.

 

[SAWBONES]

What's "true" or "false" here? Nothing. It's all a matter of opinion and personal preference.

As an owner of nine Glocks over an 18 year period, in all calibers except 357Sig and 45GAP, including two each G30s and G36s, I LOVE my G36s.

I no longer use ANY other Glocks for CCW.
I practice with the G36s weekly, always 50-200 full power premium rounds.
I don't notice recoil at all with the G36, that is, it simply doesn't get my attention.
I strongly disagree that the G36 recoil resembles G27 (or other .40S&W pistol) recoil. G36 recoil, like that of any .45ACP pistol you can name, is a rolling sort of push, whereas .40S&W recoil is more of a "spank" or a snap. Sure, felt recoil with the G36 is more than the heavier, wider-backstrapped G30, but the point is that it's trivial, painless and not detrimental to making accurate followup shots.

As for "the pinch" between the magazine floorplate and the base of the gripframe, it's a recognized problem with ALL the mini or smaller Glocks, at least for many folks. I've personally had it with the G27 and G36, and solved it in both cases by substituting the appropriate Pearce Grip floorplates (their "Plus Zero" and "Plus One" types both work well), which change the angle of the floorplate extension to the gripframe so as to make pinching less likely, and also fill the gap that occurs with the stock mags at the front of the floorplate extension.

There are a lot of vehemently negative opinions expressed about the G36 here and at Glock Talk, which I find odd. In many cases, these seem to come from novice or inexperienced shooters, but not in all. Gun choice and preference is obviously idiosyncratic.
Many of us who actually own and shoot these little guns think very highly of them, and have NO problems with accuracy, precision, reliability, ease of shooting, capacity or carry. I agree with recommendations to try before you buy, obviously, which is good advice with any model of gun which you'd anticipate purchasing, insofar as possible. Best.