Glock 30 and 36 impressions

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Up until a few months ago I simply could not feel the love for plastic pistols. Handled a few, handled a lot, and was not able to feel anything resembling desire. Then a Gun Buddy (friend of another Gun Buddy) showed up at one of our range sessions where we all let others shoot stuff they were interested in and I shot a Springfield XD-S in .45.

Wow. Suddenly the plastic feel faded away and I caught the rhythm and rhyme. It beat my hand up something fierce but I really started to notice polymer pistols. Shopped for a used XD-S in .45 and found one but didn't buy it. Next day they recalled them. Bummer...Gun Buddy bought a Glock 30 to carry until his XD-S came back and I handled it and shot it.

Oh Wow...now I'm becoming obsessed to the point that I have saved the $ and I'm gonna pull the trigger on a Glock. Problem is I have small hands and I am recoil sensitive to some degree.... it doesn't stop me but my hands *do* get beat up by the .40's and the .45's and the wider grip (I'm a Colt 1911 lover from 40 years back...) bugs me some. The 26 rings my chimes but I want a .45.

So, tell me about the Glock 30 versus the 36. Other than the few millimeters thinner on the 36 and the loss of a few rounds, are they that much different size wise?

I'm thinking it's down to a Glock 36 or a Glock 30 Gen 4 unless someone tells me the slimmer width of the 36 is worth it in conceal ability and the loss of 4 rounds.

And thanks for your impressions!

VooDoo

 

[IBEWBULL]

30/36

i had both the 30 and 36 I could hit better with the 30. The 36 seemsd to want to twist in my hand with more torque.
Both are gone now and I kept the 27 in .40 which I like a lot more and can hit just fine with. I have too many holsters and accessories to even think about dumping the 40 and also it is my only 40 so it remains.
Shoot them if you can and you will figure it out. This is my best suggestion.
Good luck with your choice.
Steve in Wisconsin

 

[jimbo555]

I own a xds and a glock 36. The 36 is the only glock that feels right in my hand,so for me it was an easy choice. I'm waiting to try a 30s, but haven't seen one here yet. The 30s has the 36 slide on a 30 frame. My xds is back for the recall.

 

[greenlion]

The 36 is the only GLOCK that I don't really enjoy shooting. The narrow grip seems to accentuate recoil, and it will often pinch my finger between the magazine and frame. I MUCH prefer the 30sf. Both guns are fairly large for me to conceal-carry, but I'm a medium sized person.

 

[Coltdriver]

I had a 36. Fabulous pistol and I love .45.

The only drawback for me was the 6 round mag and no options available for anything more.

The 36 was about 27 ounces loaded. The length height width on the 36 is 6.77" by 4.76"H and 1.13"W

The 30 is the same length and height as the 36 but it is 1.27" wide. Does not sound like much but it gives it a bigger heft. Loaded it is just under 34 ounces.

The 36 is an excellent carry .45 and I have not found anything lighter or better.

The 30 has the capacity (10 rounds).

You might take a look at the 30 S as that slide is just over an inch wide versus the 30 SF which has the 1.27" wide slide. Also I think (but am not positive) that the gen 4 version may have some grip adjustment panels that let you make the grip smaller overall.

If you get one do go get a talon skateboard tape grip. Costs under $10 and makes a world of difference on a Glock. Does for me at least. I put a 27 grip on my 36 and it worked great. With either one you can get a different base for the mag that will give your finger a perch. Also makes a world of difference for me.

 

[jfrey]

I've had a 36 since they first came out and love it. I tried the 30 and didn't care for it near as much as the 36. A lot of people knock the 36 for the 6+1 configuration but many carried a 6 shot revolver for years and didn't complain. It is only 1 round less than most 1911s. I did have Robar take the finger grooves off the frame to fit my hand better. The 36 is also basically the same size as a G19 and works in the same holsters. I carry both on an alternating basis.

 

[john wall]

The 30 is a fat hog to conceal. The 36 is smaller than the 19. If 7 rds of 45 won't stop the fight, you are in a war.

The 36 kicks a little more than the 30, but there is night and day in concealability.

 

[Master Blaster]

I have the 30 sf it is a great .45 very accurate and reliable and you can use g21 magazines as spares if you carry it. I own 1911s, Hk USP,and SIG p220. The 30 shoots with them all. No need for grips tape or anything else but ammo and practice. I did change the stock sights for trijicons.

 

[Capt. Ct.]

I love my 36. I found the 30 to be too thick for my hand.

 

[Quentin]

The 36 is the only GLOCK that I don't really enjoy shooting. The narrow grip seems to accentuate recoil, and it will often pinch my finger between the magazine and frame. I MUCH prefer the 30sf. Both guns are fairly large for me to conceal-carry, but I'm a medium sized person.

I noticed the pinching shooting a friend's G36. Annoying, and I don't have that problem with my G27.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Awesome information and perspective...thanks to everyone for weighing in!

I got to handle a G36 and a G30 side by side last night and find that the G30 seems a little too big for concealment for me. Even though it is not that much bigger dimensionally, it "feels" much larger due to the width and the weight.

I have yet to shoot the 36...so, we'll see how that goes.

I have compared both the G30 and G36 to a G26 and suddenly the 26 seems to fit the bill and my needs even better yet...thinner, lighter and back to having 10 rounds. I kinda have my heart set on a .45 *but* I have 9mm already in the stable and will be hand loading for it as well as the .45.

Thoughts on the G26? I'm not a small guy but I am narrow, tall, and not got much extra on me to conceal larger guns without dressing for it which I cannot always do. I guess I have now added another variable - it's down to the G36 or a G26.

Thanks for the help!

VooDoo

 

[tinygnat219]

I have a Glock 30. 10 rounds or 13+1 rounds if you use the Glock 21 magazines in a package that small is a very nice handgun. I'd suggest looking at the Glock 30SF or the new Gen 4 models coming out. Both will have slightly smaller grips than the plain G30. Sometimes, those extra milimeters make all the difference in how things feel.

The G36 definitely has a smaller grip. One thing to note though about the G36 is that it is the only single stack Glock, and it's parts are not interchangeable with other Glocks. It's difficult or impossible to really personalize "That gun".

The G30S that was released this year combines a G30SF frame with a G36 slide. This was something that was being done as a personal conversion for a lot of people. The rumor is this gun was created in part to go after the XD-S. My personal feel is that Glock had to have "something" new to present to the public.

See if you can feel samples in grip difference and then make a decision. Hope this helps!

 

[Inebriated]

Thoughts on the G26? I'm not a small guy but I am narrow, tall, and not got much extra on me to conceal larger guns without dressing for it which I cannot always do. I guess I have now added another variable - it's down to the G36 or a G26.

It's all about grip length. I love .45 too, but for a daily carry gun, the G26 is possibly the BEST combination of size, capacity, and shootability. With the flush mags, it can manage itself into a pocket, or sit very comfortably IWB/OWB. Being so short, it's very easy to conceal, even at 3:00. It's also quite light.

Additional benefits include 12, 15, 17, 19, and 33-round mags that are all reliable, and the fact that it still shoots like a service pistol should. Low recoil, not snappy in the least. Also a ton of aftermarket support out there.

 

[el Godfather]

I have been interested in the G36 for its profile.

 

[gym]

You need big hands. I have a 30 since they were first sold here, and I like it, but it is thick as a brick compared to my other guns, I just happen to have long fingers, so it works for me. I could see a small handed person having a tough time with it.

 

[hentown]

You're losing a lot more than just 4 rounds with the 36; you're losing the ability to use G21 mags as backups, and you're losing some controlability.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I found the "fat" G30 grip to be reminiscent of my old Beretta 92S. Nice gun - shoots well. But it is *so* fat/wide in my 4"-across-the-palm hands that it is concerning me a bit. After handling the G36, I don't think the 30 is gonna be small enough for me to own although I do love shooting someone else's....

It's a race between the 26 and 36 now and tomorrow is range day and I have 2 boxes of 9mm and 2 boxes of .45 to donate to the tests.

I have read about slide bite with the G26 but I can't hardly believe it. You'd have to have hams for hands to get anywhere near the slide. Then again, I have small hands.

VooDoo

 

[Inebriated]

I have read about slide bite with the G26 but I can't hardly believe it. You'd have to have hams for hands to get anywhere near the slide. Then again, I have small hands.

The G26 is one of the ONLY Glocks that I'm not risking slide bite with. But with Gen 4, you get the beavertail backstraps anyway, so it's kind of a non-issue with them.

 

[jjones45]

like someone else posted why not get the best of both worlds with the 30s. 30s has the sf grip and 10 round capacity mags with g36 slide. not to mention the 30/30s can take the g21 mags that the 36 can't (I believe). I never held a 36 but the 30s reminds me of my g23 which is why I want one.


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[Teachu2]

I'll chime in here. I own a 30, a 30SF, a 36, and a 26. I'm 6'3, 285ish, and have carried for over 30 years - often full-size 1911s. Never cared for alloy or short 1911s, never had a problem carrying full-sized ones. I decided a couple years ago to investigate Glocks, looking to carry less weight and more rounds. That lead me to several of the models you mention.

The 30 was the first Glock I shot well. I still find it comfortable to shoot, reasonable to carry in a CrossBreed SuperTuck holster, and a lot more accurate than it should be. I really enjoy shooting it. The 30SF is a bit small for me.

The 36 is slimmer, but not enough to convince me to give up the capacity of the 30. It isn't nearly as comfortable for me to shoot, so it doesn't get as much range time. Some shooters love it, but it just isn't the best fit for me. I'd rather carry a 1911 and deal with the extra weight, or a compact Glock in 9, .357Sig, or 40. I'll probably replace it with a 23 when I renew my CCW permit. I have conversion barrels for 9 and 357S, that'll drive the clerk nuts!

Finally, the 26. I load Gold Dot Short Barrel rounds in it, and it shares the capacity and shootability of the 30 in a smaller package. I shoot it as accurately as the 30, but much faster. Much, much faster.

The improvement in 9mm defensive ammo over the last 30 years has made me reconsider the 9mm. Currently on my permit are the 30, 36, and 26 - and I usually carry the 26, especially in summer and when I ride my Harley. The 30 rides in my ConsoleVault in my pickup or the wife's SUV. I can't carry at work, but if I make it to the truck....well, I won't be undergunned. I usually have four spare mags in with it.

If you can, shoot them all - one will speak to you.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Wow....seriously helpful insight about the Glocks in this thread and I want to say*Thank You* to everyone for sharing. This is helping to make a difficult decision a little easier.

We have a huge gun show here this weekend and last evening I had the opportunity to handle, side by side, the G30, a G30S, a G36, and a G26 Gen4 all side by side. The Dude at the booth was more than happy to let me fondle and play for almost 15 minutes and I now have serious perspective.

The G30's are off the list...too big for the intended purpose which will be live fire qualification for my CCW class. It'll be a few months yet but I want to be thoroughly familiar and proficient well before the class and test. They are awesome *but*, like Teachu2, I'm 6'3" but I'm 100lbs lighter than he is. The G30 series is almost a full size gun for me....I shot it well and handle it fine but it is too big by comparison.

The G36 talks to me but is still very, very wide in the slide for me but it handles and hides well on me. The G26? I gotta shoot this one. It seems to fit my hand and my style, hides in a back/front pocket covered with a T-shirt, and feels like an extension of my body.

Today I get to shoot a G36 and a G26 (range rental) side by side to make my final decision and I am *trying* to be objective but I think the G26 is gonna rule me unless it shoots completely different than it points and handles.

Can't wait to point shoot both offerings on 6" splatter targets at 21'. That'll be the test.

I'll report back tonight or tomorrow morning on my Glock experience.

VooDoo

 

[kneesus]

Never judge a gun until you've actually shot it I like Glocks chambered in either .40 or .357 sig. You can always get a 9mm barrel from Lone Wolf and a .357/.40 barrel and have one gun that shoots 3 different rounds with 3 different barrels and 2 different mags. I currently have a 33, have had 27, 17. My brother had a long slide, 30.

 

[greenlion]

Did you handle the new Gen4 G30 or an older G30?

I found the older G30 too big, but the Gen4 G30 and G30sf are fine.

If you really want thin, look at the Kahr pistols in 45acp.

If you want a thinner GLOCK, I'd go with a G26 or G27 before the G36.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Shot my Gun Buddys G30 Gen4 side by side with a G36. Like 'em both but prefer the G30 for control ability and larger capacity...the G36 is really, really cool but not enough smaller than the G30 to fell like what I want.

Shot both of the .45s against a G26 Gen 4 and there is no comparison for me. As much as I want a .45 I'm gonna buy the 9mm. The G26 Gen 4 is my favorite hands down....the G30 (I think the one GB owns is an SF?) is my second choice and would be *the* choice but it's just too clunky and wide for me at this time.

The G36 doesn't fit.

So, next week I'm ordering a G26 Gen4 from my local range/gun store. Since I'm ordering it, are there any factory options that help? I'd really like 3 dot night sights....can I get that by ordering factory or do I have to add it later?

Thanks for all the help and opinions you guys. It really has helped me put this together.

VooDoo

 

[Teachu2]

My 26 is a Gen3 with factory night sights. It was cheaper to get it that way than to buy the sights later. Bud's had some last year for ~$30 more than standard sights. Gen4s are not CA-approved, so I've made do with Gen3s.

I have left mine completely stock, just as it left the factory. It shoots great, and if I'm ever in a situation where I have to use it I won't have any "modifications" to justify or defend. My carry ammo is all new factory ammo for the same reason.

Speer Gold Dots are available with a faster burning powder specifically for short barrels, and they are a great match for the 26. They wring very good velocity out of the short barrel, and minimize muzzle flash at the same time. Box is marked Speer 23611 9mm LUGER+P 124 GR GDHP Short Barrel Hollow Point.

I carry mine (I'm wearing it now) in a CrossBreed SuperTuck regardless of my attire, unless I'm riding with a leather jacket. Then it goes in my inside pocket.