American1776
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The Glock 36: thoughts?
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Valmet
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Owned a Gen3 36 years ago, prior to the addition of the rail on the frame. It was reliable, but I didn’t care for it. I have large hands and it was so slim that it never fit them well.
Had one years ago. It was okay. Not great. Didn’t fit my hand well. But it worked well and was accurate.
The frequent jams with the 36 is from limp wristing.
The frequent jams with the 36 is from limp wristing.
ColbyBruce
Member
I had one about a year ago. It didn’t feel quite right in my hand compared to my other Glocks. It worked just fine, but you are correct about the 36 having issues. I have seen people at Glock, Inc. carry their 36’s in for service complaining about the reliability. Invariably the service techs would bring the gun out along with a baggie full of aftermarket parts and tell them all innards were replaced. I traded mine.
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Congrats on your new 36.
I have limited experience with the G36. I trained two folks who wanted to carry them. One was an early production version and it ran just fine. IIRC, it was particular about which JHP it liked. Ran fine with Ranger and Federal Hydra-shok. But it choked, often with........Golden Saber? I think that was the round it didn't like. Ate everything else just fine.
The second example was owned by a slight female. She shot lights out with it. Zero problems or malfunctions. It was later production. Fairly recent IIRC.
I shot both. Both were accurate. Both reliable. The problem I had with them was the recoil pulse in the meat of my palm below the thumb. Not painful.......but.....unpleasant, to me. And the space between the bottom of the grip frame and the top of the mag basepad pinched my finger a few times while firing them.
Anyways, nice compact 45. Enjoy yours! Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI
I have limited experience with the G36. I trained two folks who wanted to carry them. One was an early production version and it ran just fine. IIRC, it was particular about which JHP it liked. Ran fine with Ranger and Federal Hydra-shok. But it choked, often with........Golden Saber? I think that was the round it didn't like. Ate everything else just fine.
The second example was owned by a slight female. She shot lights out with it. Zero problems or malfunctions. It was later production. Fairly recent IIRC.
I shot both. Both were accurate. Both reliable. The problem I had with them was the recoil pulse in the meat of my palm below the thumb. Not painful.......but.....unpleasant, to me. And the space between the bottom of the grip frame and the top of the mag basepad pinched my finger a few times while firing them.
Anyways, nice compact 45. Enjoy yours! Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI
Shortly after the Glock 36 became available my then FFL got one for me. But before we could transfer it, he asked if he could give it to another customer, a good friend of both of us, and give me the next one he received. I said yes figuring that he would get another one soon. Unfortunately demand was up and it was maybe three years before I could finally get one.
I liked Glocks and figured that this would be a good carry gun. But for some reason(s) I really could not get comfortable with it. Much as I tried I did not like it as I thought I would and soon sold it.
I still think that it is/was a good idea and for some folks it would make a great carry gun. But my experience was not good enough for me to keep it. I hope that your experience will be different.
I liked Glocks and figured that this would be a good carry gun. But for some reason(s) I really could not get comfortable with it. Much as I tried I did not like it as I thought I would and soon sold it.
I still think that it is/was a good idea and for some folks it would make a great carry gun. But my experience was not good enough for me to keep it. I hope that your experience will be different.
luvsmiths
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Maybe the "malfunctions" were the shooters?
I like the 18:20 mark onward. Kinda quick. lol...
I Have one and love it. My hands are as big as his also.
I never had any malfunctions and have shot thousands upon thousands through it.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYJgIFQIAy4[/ame]
I like the 18:20 mark onward. Kinda quick. lol...
I Have one and love it. My hands are as big as his also.
I never had any malfunctions and have shot thousands upon thousands through it.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYJgIFQIAy4[/ame]
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ColbyBruce
Member
kleiss1
Member
I had a Glock 36 until my Wife shot it. Now my Wife has a Glock 36.
The +1 mag. extension helps a lot. Full power 230’s are a handful but I reload so I can tame it down a little.
The +1 mag. extension helps a lot. Full power 230’s are a handful but I reload so I can tame it down a little.
OP
American1776
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Thanks for all the feedback.
I became anxious after reading the online stories of G36 jam-o-Matics.
Seems like everyone’s experiences here have yielded reliable guns.
Every Colt defender 45 I’ve owned was reliable. I’m hoping this little 45 is the same.
I became anxious after reading the online stories of G36 jam-o-Matics.
Seems like everyone’s experiences here have yielded reliable guns.
Every Colt defender 45 I’ve owned was reliable. I’m hoping this little 45 is the same.
mckenney99
Member
The G36 had been Glock's problem child ever since it's introduction, with consistent reports in the industry of Glock being unable to get their legendary reliability out of the little gun.
However, I bought the G36 because I could get a good deal on it, as I worked at a Glock stocking dealer and with LE pricing it was a real steal at the time and I have a thing for small 45's. My daily carry is a Springfield Micro 3in 1911 45 and I regularly shoot another Springfield 3 1/2in Champion 1911, 4in Sig C3 and Shield 45. I never have any issues with limp wristing of the small light 45's but the G36 was a different stroy. The G36 was totally unreliable with ejected cases stove piping or flipping 180* in the ejection port on top of the next incoming round. I also had various failure to feed issues of all different kinds, using at least a dozen different types and weights of defensive ammo. I bought all new ejector parts, new recoil spring, polished the feed ramp. I shot , cleaned, re-lubed over and over trying to get the gun to run right but it never was right.
Also, who ever came up with the idea of shortening the grip frame and using the factory magazine floorplate to complete the grip WAS AN IDIOT. (Note, there was some concern expressed during one of the Armorers classes that the stupid short frame and extended magazine floorplate may have led to some of feeding issues. As the frame & magazine were gripped with the bottom fingers there was enough movement in the magwell for the feed angle to change ever so slightly at the top. There was also concern expressed that the Pearce mag floor plates might make the problem even worse.) The design, AS IS, does absolutely nothing to enhance concealability or alter magazine capacity. Make the grip frame the proper length and then just give the gun a normal magazine floorplate. (The gun would wind up with the same overall size and same capacity.)
Issue no. 3 or 4, with the current design of the frame and big butted magazine, Every time I reloaded the gun and didn't remember to get my hand out of the way, it got severely pinched by the STUPID over sized big butted factory magazine baseplate.
Despite what I've ranted about the G36, I am not a Glock hater, I own and shoot several. I bought, qualified 2x annually and carried a G27 as uniform duty backup gun for the last 10 years I was on duty and NEVER experienced ANY failures with it, EVER.
However, I bought the G36 because I could get a good deal on it, as I worked at a Glock stocking dealer and with LE pricing it was a real steal at the time and I have a thing for small 45's. My daily carry is a Springfield Micro 3in 1911 45 and I regularly shoot another Springfield 3 1/2in Champion 1911, 4in Sig C3 and Shield 45. I never have any issues with limp wristing of the small light 45's but the G36 was a different stroy. The G36 was totally unreliable with ejected cases stove piping or flipping 180* in the ejection port on top of the next incoming round. I also had various failure to feed issues of all different kinds, using at least a dozen different types and weights of defensive ammo. I bought all new ejector parts, new recoil spring, polished the feed ramp. I shot , cleaned, re-lubed over and over trying to get the gun to run right but it never was right.
Also, who ever came up with the idea of shortening the grip frame and using the factory magazine floorplate to complete the grip WAS AN IDIOT. (Note, there was some concern expressed during one of the Armorers classes that the stupid short frame and extended magazine floorplate may have led to some of feeding issues. As the frame & magazine were gripped with the bottom fingers there was enough movement in the magwell for the feed angle to change ever so slightly at the top. There was also concern expressed that the Pearce mag floor plates might make the problem even worse.) The design, AS IS, does absolutely nothing to enhance concealability or alter magazine capacity. Make the grip frame the proper length and then just give the gun a normal magazine floorplate. (The gun would wind up with the same overall size and same capacity.)
Issue no. 3 or 4, with the current design of the frame and big butted magazine, Every time I reloaded the gun and didn't remember to get my hand out of the way, it got severely pinched by the STUPID over sized big butted factory magazine baseplate.
Despite what I've ranted about the G36, I am not a Glock hater, I own and shoot several. I bought, qualified 2x annually and carried a G27 as uniform duty backup gun for the last 10 years I was on duty and NEVER experienced ANY failures with it, EVER.
ColbyBruce
Member
I tried out the Glock 30, the 36 and the 21.
I didn't like the feel of the 36, the 21 was huge.
I found the 30 to be the perfect compromise in size and capacity, plus the thing is amazingly accurate.
I didn't like the feel of the 36, the 21 was huge.
I found the 30 to be the perfect compromise in size and capacity, plus the thing is amazingly accurate.
OP
American1776
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Thanks for this comprehensive write up.
Erich
Member
I've had two, both totally reliable.
Ive had a Glock 36 and a 30 for over 15 years. Both are accurate and dependable. I carry and shoot the 30 ten times more than the 36.If all I had was the 36 that would be fine. If all I had was the 30 that would be better.
I’ve had one for over ten years with no problems. I was looking for the smallest .45 for concealment and the G36 was it.
I’ve only replaced the sights with steel trijicons.
It’s taken a back seat to a Shield .45 but I still have it.
I’ve only replaced the sights with steel trijicons.
It’s taken a back seat to a Shield .45 but I still have it.
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KLYDE
Member
I purchased anew G36 back about 2000. It was a solid gun and never had a malfunction. For some unknown reason, it went down the road a few years later.
As the years passed I always kind of missed it. Later bought a G30 to fill the void. As Hicock45 illustrated in his video, it was blocky and heavier. I didn't keep that one long. I was ready to buy another G36 and noticed the G30s. A thinner slide like the G36 and more ammo capacity like the G30. A good compromise between the two models.
Anyhow...you can't go wrong with a G36. A good find in these times.
Klyde
As the years passed I always kind of missed it. Later bought a G30 to fill the void. As Hicock45 illustrated in his video, it was blocky and heavier. I didn't keep that one long. I was ready to buy another G36 and noticed the G30s. A thinner slide like the G36 and more ammo capacity like the G30. A good compromise between the two models.
Anyhow...you can't go wrong with a G36. A good find in these times.
Klyde
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I carried one of these the last few years I was serving as an investigator in Crime Scene. For me, the gun was a welcome alternative to the model 21.
The G36 is a completely different design than all of the other centerfire Glocks in terms of the angle of the feed ramp. The "problem" of the steeper ramp in the 36 was compensated for through the use of a heavy recoil spring assembly, and some very detailed design work by the company on the top of the magazine. Reliability of my particular very early production example was improved by regular and systematic replacement of the recoil guide assy.
The other issue with the fit of the magazine inside the frame has already been mentioned. This was primarily a problem with some of the early production guns and magazines. The magazines tended to be loose inside the frame cavity, and sat too low in the frame when fully inserted.
This resulted in the magazine having a tendency to cam forward slightly at the top when the gun was held and fired. In my particular early production gun, this forward "cant" of the magazine actually made the feeding angle even steeper, and sometimes caused stoppages during feeding. The intermittent feeding problems with my particular gun went away when I purchased three new Glock magazines a couple of years later in the production cycle. The new magazines had some very minor design changes, even though Glock said they were the same.
Overall, The gun has always been accurate, and reliability issues disappeared after the purchase of the new magazines. The judicious addition of some friction tape here and there made the gun more comfortable to shoot and operate, especially as I got older.
The G36 is a completely different design than all of the other centerfire Glocks in terms of the angle of the feed ramp. The "problem" of the steeper ramp in the 36 was compensated for through the use of a heavy recoil spring assembly, and some very detailed design work by the company on the top of the magazine. Reliability of my particular very early production example was improved by regular and systematic replacement of the recoil guide assy.
The other issue with the fit of the magazine inside the frame has already been mentioned. This was primarily a problem with some of the early production guns and magazines. The magazines tended to be loose inside the frame cavity, and sat too low in the frame when fully inserted.
This resulted in the magazine having a tendency to cam forward slightly at the top when the gun was held and fired. In my particular early production gun, this forward "cant" of the magazine actually made the feeding angle even steeper, and sometimes caused stoppages during feeding. The intermittent feeding problems with my particular gun went away when I purchased three new Glock magazines a couple of years later in the production cycle. The new magazines had some very minor design changes, even though Glock said they were the same.
Overall, The gun has always been accurate, and reliability issues disappeared after the purchase of the new magazines. The judicious addition of some friction tape here and there made the gun more comfortable to shoot and operate, especially as I got older.
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