Which of the two would you choose and why?

[Hunter2011]

Ruger LC9 or Glock G36
I want something compact and slim, that is why I've settled on a LC9.
But a G36 is slimmer than a G26, I did not know that, so I am also looking at a G36 as well. But still it is 28mm versus 23mm for the LC9.
I really do want something compact but a Glock at 28mm and in 45ACP, what is not to love?

 

[kokapelli]

Well what caliber do you want? I think you need to decide on the caliber first and then go from there.

 

[Zerodefect]

Glock 36.

The Ruger is smaller. But that Glock will completely outshoot it. It shoots about as well as the fullsize Glocks. I'd also wait for the new Glock to come out and check out the SA XDS and similar striker fired single stacks.

 

[Don357]

Even though I don't like the LC9, I would choose the Ruger simply because I don't like or trust Glocks even more. I would rather have my Kel-Tec P-11.

 

[chicharrones]

I'd like the LC9 if it had no manual safety like Ruger's own LCP series. The G36 is bigger than the LC9, but it is no harder to shoot than the LC9 in my experience. For some reason I can more accurately shoot the G36 as I can keep a more consistent grip with that Glock. The LC9 tries to jump out of my hand a bit, shot to shot.

I do own a G36 and have had decent trigger time with my friend's LC9, but if I wanted a single stack 9mm pistol that you can find today, I'd probably get a Kahr CW (or CM) or perhaps the Walther PPS.

 

[psyopspec]

I would go with the Glock due to personal brand familiarity. I could do my own smithing, have a plethora of affordable and available parts and accessories (holsters, magazines, etc). I also have a good feel for the brand and can easily shoot them accurately and have come to enjoy their boring reliability.

However, none of that applies to your situation. So the question becomes which do you shoot better? Which points more naturally? Do you plan on buying extra magazines? Holsters? Would you like to be able to easily take it all way down, get to know it, swap out the trigger if you prefer? Do you reload (to make shooting .45 ACP more affordable)?

With the right belt and holster combination, carrying either would be easily done.

 

[Hunter2011]

Well what caliber do you want? I think you need to decide on the caliber first and then go from there.

9mm or higher. I want a super compact pistol, and the LC9 is actually as big as I would have liked to go. But the G36 packs a punch and is thinner than other Glocks. And I could get it at a very good price. I don't know what to choose as I do want compactness, but the G36 is calling me hard!

 

[C0untZer0]

I think you would want to look at the G26 and other 9mm pistols in comparison to the LC9. If you want super compact I think you would want to look at these guns:

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.7 in
Weight: 13.5 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Boberg XR9-S (Shorty)
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.35 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.2 in
Width: .96 in
Weight: 17.5 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr MK9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.3 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Weight: Pistol 22.1 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kimber Solo
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 1.2 in
Weight: 17 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P290
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.9 in - 1.1" w/slide catch (roughly the same width as MK9, Kahr lists the width of the slide only)
Weight: 20.5 oz w/magazine
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Beretta Nano
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.07 in
Length: 5.63 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 17.67 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Ruger LC9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.12 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Slide Width: .90in
Weight: 17.10 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Glock 26
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.46 in
Length: 6.29 in
Height: 4.17 in
Weight: 19.75 oz w/o magazine
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

 

[chicharrones]

I don't know what to choose as I do want compactness, but the G36 is calling me hard!

Well, if you really have a hankering for the G36, I think you will like it. I do like mine very much.

However, you may feel highly compelled to replace the Glock "grip extension" with the Pearce grip extension immediately after your first range trip. In my hands the stock mag extension wedges my pinkie into it and gives my pinkie a nice blood blister after firing it. The Pearce grip extension cured that.

Other simple changes I made to my G36 were installing a tritium front sight, a steel rear sight, and the heavier olive colored NY1 trigger spring. You don't need any of those changes to shoot a G36, though.

Here's a crappy cell phone photo to "help you" with your decision.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I'd go with the G36 if you want .45 ACP and the G26 if you 9mm. Handled/shot both and ended up with the G26. If I had to have single stack .45 I'd go with the Springfield Armory XD-S in .45.

Didn't care for the LC9 but it is a fine pistol as well.

VooDoo

 

[Hunter2011]

Well, if you really have a hankering for the G36, I think you will like it. I do like mine very much.

However, you may feel highly compelled to replace the Glock "grip extension" with the Pearce grip extension immediately after your first range trip. In my hands the stock mag extension wedges my pinkie into it and gives my pinkie a nice blood blister after firing it. The Pearce grip extension cured that.

Other simple changes I made to my G36 were installing a tritium front sight, a steel rear sight, and the heavier olive colored NY1 trigger spring. You don't need any of those changes to shoot a G36, though.

Here's a crappy cell phone photo to "help you" with your decision.

It looks so nice, not a crappy photo at all.

 

[5-SHOTS]

I have no doubt the Glock 36 is a fine pistol, but is it really slimmer than a 26? I don't know, I'm just asking. Speaking about the size I think it is more comparable with the Glock 19.
But if you like .45ACP and you can conceal it well, go for the 36 without esitations; .45ACP Glock are very accurate and very soft shooting guns considering the caliber.

 

[Teachu2]

LC9 vs G36? G36 all the way.

I carry a G26 daily. I used to own a LC9, and sold it. I found it too small and with such an awful trigger that I really disliked shooting it. I have a G30 as a truck gun, and a G36 as an alternate carry gun. We are limited to three guns on a CCW permit here, and those are my three. I also own a Shield in 9mm, and will probably bump the 36 with it next renewal.

My advice is always to carry the largest gun you can carry, conceal, and shoot well - larger guns are easier to control and hold more ammo. The G36 is a fine weapon, but the 30 holds 11 rounds and is faster and more accurate for me. The G26 is insane, both in speed and accuracy. The Shield is nearly as fast, conceals better, but holds fewer rounds. The LC9 is slower on the first shot due to the trigger, and slower still on followup shots due to recoil, and is at the bottom for capacity. The Shield, in my experience, is much more shootable yet nearly as concealable. For me, the LC9 was a clearly inferior choice. I'm limited to three, the LC9 was about eighth place on my list.

Just one man's opinion.

 

[HexHead]

The LC9 is junk compared to a Glock.

 

[Hunter2011]

LC9 vs G36? G36 all the way.

I carry a G26 daily. I used to own a LC9, and sold it. I found it too small and with such an awful trigger that I really disliked shooting it. I have a G30 as a truck gun, and a G36 as an alternate carry gun. We are limited to three guns on a CCW permit here, and those are my three. I also own a Shield in 9mm, and will probably bump the 36 with it next renewal.

My advice is always to carry the largest gun you can carry, conceal, and shoot well - larger guns are easier to control and hold more ammo. The G36 is a fine weapon, but the 30 holds 11 rounds and is faster and more accurate for me. The G26 is insane, both in speed and accuracy. The Shield is nearly as fast, conceals better, but holds fewer rounds. The LC9 is slower on the first shot due to the trigger, and slower still on followup shots due to recoil, and is at the bottom for capacity. The Shield, in my experience, is much more shootable yet nearly as concealable. For me, the LC9 was a clearly inferior choice. I'm limited to three, the LC9 was about eighth place on my list.

Just one man's opinion.

So in your opinion the G36 has less recoil, or less felt recoil, therefore has the ability for faster follow-up shots than the LC9?

 

[Hunter2011]

The LC9 is junk compared to a Glock.

I totally agree. But the one thing that wants me to get the LC9 is the fact that it is only 23mm thin.

 

[gonoles_1980]

My wife picked the LC9, just because it had a better feel for her. I've fired it a few times, a nice gun. I prefer my revolvers though.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Of the two , the Ruger. I carry an XDs though.

 

[Teachu2]

So in your opinion the G36 has less recoil, or less felt recoil, therefore has the ability for faster follow-up shots than the LC9?

It's definitely more controllable. The LC9 is too thin for me to get a good grip on, and I found it very slow to get back on target. The thin grip transmits recoil over a narrow part of the hand. I tried a grip sleeve and it was better - but I can shoot every gun I carry for a couple hundred rounds without any discomfort. The LC9 was good for less than 50 at a session. I won't carry a gun that I am not proficient with, and could not foresee ever being proficient with the LC9. It simply was a terrible fit for me.

 

[justice06rr]

Another vote for the G36. You can't go wrong with a compact Glock in 45acp.

I totally agree. But the one thing that wants me to get the LC9 is the fact that it is only 23mm thin.

A few millimeters of width is not a big deal. I've owned and shot a LC9, PF9, and PT709. All are in the same size category with the PF9 being the lightest and slimmest.
I did not like the LC9 at all; its a great pistol but it just didn't suit me.

Are you planning on pocket carry or deep concealment? If you are doing IWB, the Glock36 will conceal just fine.

 

[el Godfather]

Glock 36
Based upon my experience with Glock pistols and your post shows its Glock 36 you really want.

 

[LAK]

I would go with the G36: an extra 5mm in grip is really nothing unless you have very small hands, and it is not going to matter in regards to concealment.

 

[David E]

I'd go Glock 19 or 23 over the G-36

The height/length measurements are very, very close and the width difference is 50/1000ths, but the increased capacity is something to consider.

If confined to the given choices, I'd go Glock.

 

[Eb1]

I was going to buy a G36 once, but it gave me the worst blood blister on my pinky finger. when the new round feeds it'll grab you every time.

 

[JRWhit]

IMO you have listed two different categories. A light dress gun and a heavy dress gun. As many others you will most likely eventually end up with a different gun for each. In light dress the LC9 has a clear advantage. With the glock you have a more secured grip,depending on your hand size, that may be more favorable in heavier dress where printing is less likely. Both guns do their job, it just depends which is better suited to the most likely conditions they will be carried in and how much moving you will have to do.
Admittedly this is based on carrying IWB.