The GLOCK 36 packs 6 rounds of .45 Caliber AUTO stopping power in a package that fits the hands of most any user. In the SLIMLINE™ design, GLOCK has incorporated the use of a single stack magazine. The G36 measures only 1.13 in. in width which makes controlling recoil very simple. The G36 is easy-to-use, hard to see, and tough to face.

The Glock 36 is unsurprisingly well-made, and this is apparent from the moment the gun is picked up. I find the familiar polymer makeup of the gun so satisfying, though I am an admitted Glock enthusiast, so this may not be the reaction everyone has to Gaston Glock’s revolutionary plastic-like build. The G36 uses a composite frame with a metallic slide and barrel, each of which feature a tenifer finish, which makes for a solid, durable gun.

I have been carrying my G36 for over a year and fired hundreds of rounds with it – besides for some malfunction which was a result of foolishly trying to use rounds which were not fully compatible, I’ve had no problems with the gun. Ultimately, the G36 more than lives up to its “Slimline” billing – the minimalist frame of the gun keeps protrusions to an absolute minimum, and the 1.1-inch width of the weapon is about as slim as you’re going to find in a .45 auto. The gun looks sleek and feels comfortable to boot – it is light weight, but offers enough substance to make you feel like you’re carrying a powerful firearm.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: this Glock gun fires surprisingly steadily for a gun of its size. This has been a recurring theme in our Glock reviews – compact Glock guns and their deceptive stopping power and controllability – but a theme that is perhaps felt strongest in the G36. It almost took me aback when I initially fired the G36 at the range. Fearing the combination of a .45 auto in a “subcompact, slimline” might be too much for my wrist to handle, I braced for the worst, and was pleasantly surprised at the lack of recoil felt in the gun when fired.

With that being said, it is still important as ever to practice proper technique when firing the G36 – you will pay the price if you don’t! The G36 offers good balance with a full mag, and the grip is comfortably textured. Your comfort when holding the gun will be at least somewhat dependent on hand size, however.

Anyone investigating the Glock 36 should know right off the bat that they’re not going to be re-enacting the last scene of Scarface with this gun. The factory magazine capacity is 6, and there aren’t many options available in terms of equipping it with a higher capacity (an extended mag might add a round or two, depending on the brand). Still, it’s tough to call this a shortcoming of a firearm that exists to be easy to carry and conceal – it’s just impossible to feature both a compact form and a high magazine capacity, until rounds become much smaller in some distant future.

The factory sights of the G36 are not much to write home about, but they’re not terrible either. The front-end sight features a white dot and the rear a dovetail sight with white inserts – not bad, but not as practical as night sights when looking for a self-defense weapon. There are plenty of different sights available for those who are dissatisfied with the factory ones – I recommend Trijicon Night Sights.

It’s that time again! In every feature on a newer Glock model, we need to talk about safety, and that means it’s time to talk about Glock’s incredible and patented ‘Safe Action System’ – the very best in gun safety from the very best handgun manufacturer (in my opinion). The Safe Action System is a three-part system designed to comprehensively cover the most important aspects of handgun safety by accounting for the most risk-associated elements of handguns.

Firstly, the Glock trigger features a built in safety which prevents the trigger from being pulled unless it is simultaneously engaged with the trigger. Secondly, there is the firing pin safety, which sets the firing pin in a safe position from which it is only activated by engaging the trigger safety. Lastly, the built-in drop safety of the G36 ensures that there will be no unwanted or accidental firings of the weapon. The G36 is easily disassembled and reassembled, a task made even easier by the Glock disassembly tool accessory. Speaking of accessories, there are a lot of options to play with when you own a G36. A good holster is almost a pre-requisite, but there is a wealth of other options out there if you want to ‘trick out’ or modify your Glock – try different sights, grips, lasers, lights, magazines, and more.

Conclusion

The Glock 36 does exactly what it and the other models in Glock’s extensive handgun line are supposed to do – it fills a niche for gun owners, and it fills it well. As far as .45 auto guns which are intended for concealed carry purposes, you will not find better than the Glock 36 – guaranteed. The G36 won’t be perfect for everyone, however. Your best bet is heading down to the range and trying out the 36 to see if it works well for you. Happy shooting!