Alright, here we go! Glock 36...

[Sebass]

Tried a search but didn't quite find what I was looking for...

I want to hear your guys opinion's on the Glock 36 from those that have one and also from thos who have considered buying one but chose not to. This will be for concealed carry (yes I have my CCW ) as of right now I have my 1911 listed on my permit but would be devastated if anything happen to it as I have a lot of sentimental value tied up in it...


Right now, I conceal my M&P 9c fairly easy (in a Crossbreed SuperTuck) and am hoping the Glock will conceal even better because it is thinner (1.2 vs 1.13).


I'd really appreciate your guys thoughts and opinions regarding recoil/shootability and anything else you can add, thanks!




P.S. I'd also like to hear from those who own/carry a G30SF and if it is too thick for IWB carry? I'm a fairly skinny guy so take that into account

[jayhuh]

I had one several years ago. My only beef was that the pad of my little finger landed in the gap of the frame/magazine and I frequently got pinched when shooting it. Otherwise, with the 1K rounds I put through the gun, it worked as it should have.

[rgs1975]

The G36 is loved and hated. I love 'em. I've had one as a carry piece for a few years now and it's perfect, for me.

Some say the capacity is an issue. Standard it'll hold 6+1. You can put on a mag extension for 7+1 but, in my opinion, defeats the advantage of the guns small size. Capacity isn't a problem for me as my other carry gun is a revolver and I've only got 6 with that. It's also the only Glock (I think) that can't use other Glock magazines. I can see how that would suck if you have lots of other Glock mags. I don't, so it's not really an issue for me.

The thickness of the gun is a huge + in my mind. In calipers it's not that much slimmer than it's fat sisters but man in an IWB you can really tell the difference. The gun ergonomically fits me perfect with the very minor additions I put on (grip tape and +0 pinky extension). I can see how if it didn't fit you well it might not be a pleasant gun.

The little booger does have some recoil, no question there. However, it's totally manageable with just a bit of practice. It's always been more accurate than I need it to be and reliability has been 100%.

Some folks get the dreaded pinky pinch from the gap between the mag base and the bottom of the handle. I did that once when my fat finger was in the wrong place when I slammed a mag in. Good friggin' God that hurt. If that happens to someone regularly there's no way they'll like the gun. Except for that one stupid time I never had a single case of pinkie pinch.

I carry it in a Crossbreek ST. After a half hour of wearing it, it melts into your side and dissapears from your mind.

Rent or borrow one before you buy. Not a good gun to take a gamble on cause there's a good chance you may hate it when you try it out. Or, you may love it and if you do you'll have it forever.

[sammy]

Not sure what it is but the small Glocks absorb recoil much better than other pistols of similar size and weight.

A BART cop let me shoot his G36 that he is using as a back up gun. The accuracy is amazing for such a small gun. Silver dollar size groups at 15 yards. Recoil is about the same as the big brother G21. The G21 is a bit easier to hang on to simply because the grip is larger.

[solanoshooter]

Have one. Love it. Carry it in a Crossbreed.

If I'm wearing a shirt with a little weight, it's my go to these days. If I'm just wearing a t shirt I go with my Kimber Solo in a Crossbreed. At least for another week or two until I get the Crossbreed for my new Shield.

[Mr310]

The thing about the Glock 36 is that you need to realize that it's nearly identical in size to the Glock 19.

[ironpete]

I have the +1 extensions on mine and it conceals fine (IWB - Comp-tac Minotaur). I like that I don't get my pinky pinched by the mag...but then again I have baseplates on all my mags for that very reason.

I've used it in various competitions fine (OWB - Blade-tech SRB).

Very accurate...one of my favorites.

Funny thing about CCW is that unless you're really looking you probably can't tell with any certainty. Most people are totally oblivious or assume it is a cell phone or something...never a pistol. I mean, I'm a small person and I can carry a full sized 1911 IWB without an issue. I used to think that a .25 difference in gun thickness might matter...but I don't any more. Now that Glock has updated their line I might get a G30SF.

Try before you buy...

-Pete

[SA227driver]

Love my G36, yes; dimensions are almost the same as the G19, but with the single stack mags it's thinner in the grip and conceals really nice.

[llamatrnr]

I have both; the 36 disappears iwb, the 30sf not so much, and the weight of the extra rounds is slightly noticeable for carry.

They're both excellent, imo, with the 36 a bit snappier, but very manageable, and the 30 soft and sweet!

A Hogue rubber grip will give the 36 a bit more "handle" and reduce felt recoil.

[c3 rolling]

For IWB, The Glock 36 feels leaps and bounds better than the Glock 19/23. I liked mine as it was 100% reliable and VERY accurate but I got rid of it because of the low round capacity and it pinched my pinky every time I fired it.

[lgdpt]

Love the 36. I liked em so much I ended up with two in OD (got a deal I couldnt pass up). One is for sale/trade now.

[Sebass]

Thanks for all the replies so far guys! Especially rgs1975, excellent write up and love the pics . I will DEFINATLY try before I buy, a local range has both the G36 and G30 for rent. I used to be a member there and could rent any of their guns for the cost of their ammo but now I am not so it looks like it will be two trips for me!

I've held the G36 and it felt real good in my hands and actually better than the G19 I used to own . I've also heard of the 'pinky pinch' but it seems that the Pearce +0's are the remedy for that and I've also been hearing good things about 'Talon' grips?

Keep the replies coming!

[Turbinator]

Definitely check one out. Something about the grip feels funny to me - it's the dimension between the front strap and the back strap. The thickness of the grip is fine, but I just feel like the front to back should have been slightly thinner / smaller.

Turby

[rgs1975]

've also been hearing good things about 'Talon' grips?

Talon is great. I have their grip tape on my 36 and it was a great addition. It sticks in your hands like it was fly paper lol

[jayhuh]

The thing about the Glock 36 is that you need to realize that it's nearly identical in size to the Glock 19.

This ^^^ and the pinky pinch issue is what lead me to sell mine. And yes I know that the 36 is a little thinner.