Anyone have a Glock 36?

[thefinger]

My buddy just got a nice reloading rig and now .45ACP will be affordable for me to shoot! For me, this is the perfect excuse to buy a new gun.

I've had a subcompact Glock on my "to buy list" for a long long time, and because I want a .45ACP pistol I'm looking at the G36 for the first time (rather than a G27).

I'd like a G36 more than the G30 because I want something very compact for IWB carry. My only hesitation is that some people online report that they have had problems with FTE's with their G36's. Has anyone here had that problem or can I buy a G36 with confidence?

[Glock-matic]

I just bought one! 10 days to go.

Like most things on the internet, you think its everywhere and it turns out to be about four or five people complaining about something that happened to them 5 years ago. I'll leave that investigation to you, but I haven't found any complaints that don't date back to 2006. I also noticed that nothing was said before 2005. Either they had a small batch of a bad run, or there was a couple of disgruntled folks that hammered on the G36 incessantly until they got what they wanted.

Here is what I feel is the issues with the 36:

It pinches the pinky finger. This is the most common complaint, one shared by my wife when she shot the rental G36. I didn't notice it myself. Seems that of those that experience the problem, an aftermarket base pad eliminates the problem.

FTE, my feeling on this one is that it is mostly caused by people transitioning from 9mm to 45 ACP. Any compact 45 auto will be finicky to limp wristing or improper hold. The recoil springs are stiffer or in the case of the G36 are double springs. They operate in a narrower range of tolerance in comparison to a 5" 45 Auto.

Contributing to the early woes, and again because of the spring issue, is a narrower range of ammo will make the G36 completely happy.

There was one batch of 1000 frames that were recalled, I am not sure if it was the over bent rail or if their was a dimensional defect in the magwell.

For what its worth, I shot an older rental gun. It had a lot of rounds through it and was so dirty that the magazine wouldn't fall free. The front inch and a half was completely grey in color. I disassembled the pistol and found carbon soot covering every internal component. The magazine well was caked. My wife and I took turns going through 50 rds of CCI blazer brass 230 gr truncated nose FMJ and had 0 failures. The pistol was putting out 2" groups at 15 yds!

My advice is to rent one and give it a shake down, this is not the gun to transition to from 9mm, if you are good with a 40, might be a good choice. If you have handled compact 45 autos before, it should be a natural transition.

[WaR_ClouD-VII]

don't limp wrist it and it should be fine.

[jermedic]

I have had mine for about 3 months and love it. I have had 0 problems with it and bought it new. It carries great especially since I have a very thin build and is more accurate than I can be with it. There were some issues with them a few years ago but none of the new ones seem to have problems. The mag did pinch me but the pierce baseplates were a $8 fix and give a great grip. As long as you don't limp wrist it it will run fine.

[hill billy]

I've had one for years and have been contemplating selling it lately. Never had any issues but I just can't get over only having seven rounds.

[lazyworm]

I like the 36. It is very shootable. I think it's more easy to hold and handle than a 30SF.

Another nice point is that 36 fits holsters designed for 19/23.

[Glock-matic]

I've had one for years and have been contemplating selling it lately. Never had any issues but I just can't get over only having seven rounds.

A lot of people get buy with a revolver holding 6. I wouldn't want one for a duty weapon, but for a BUG or deep concealment, I can think of few better. I would hold on to it for trekking the beach.

[coq]

My 36 has never had a failure...maybe 1500 rounds so far. Pretty accurate, too, and recoil is easy. The dimensions are similar to the 19/23, but narrower enough to notice and make much more preferable for carry. I don't think too much about the 7 round capacity...I bring a spare mag with a +1 extension for another 7. I like this gun a lot and carry it unless I use PM9 for dressing lighter.

[thefinger]

For those of you with a 36, how does it compare to a 19 in size? I have a 19 and love it, but I'd my next Glock to carry better. Is the 36 a comfy carry gun?

[hill billy]

They are very similar. I have carried my 36 in a 19 holster for a while.

[rgs1975]

I love mine. I carry it in a Crossbreed Supertuck IWB. I had a couple FTE's when I first got it that I attribute to me. I changed and firmed up my grip it's been flawless ever since. Surprisingly accurate too. I don't have the problem of the finger pinch with my hand shape/size. I highly recommend it. The below target was the first 50 rounds I fired through it at 10 yards.