Glock 30 Vs 36 - When I first picked up a Glock 30 a few years ago, I found myself feeling like I had a potato. A grip filled my hand and showed
Compared to other pistols I have held. Not bad, just more durable than most. I must have liked it because I didn't buy it until a few months later.
Glock 30 Vs 36
Full disclosure: most of the pistols I review are new to me and my review is all about first impressions. Not so with this one. I owned the original G30 before the 30S came out and sold the G30 in 2014 to get the G30S. It is lighter and thinner than the original model and is a gem of a pistol; A .45 caliber butt in a compact body that suits me. Aside from being chambered in .45 ACP, the Glock 30S is possibly my favorite handgun of all time.
Review: Subcompact Pistol Glock 36 In Caliber .45 Acp
The first and last reason to consider a Glock pistol of any variety is simplicity and reliability. There is no simpler, more reliable pistol on the planet than the Glock. Plus, the G30S is meant to be concealed - it's a compact version of the Glock 21 utility pistol. So you might consider carrying the G30S because of its easy concealability (it's a bit smaller than the G19).
You might consider the G30S because of its .45 chambering, as many people prefer to carry fewer large caliber cartridges than more smaller caliber cartridges on their side. If you have larger hands, you may want to consider the 30S for its robust grip radius. It's a double magazine .45 so it has a fat grip that fills the hand. Despite its large chamber, double stack of large cartridges, and strong grip, the G30S is a relatively light pistol weighing just over 30 ounces.
The Glock 30S is a slightly smaller version of the G30. Key features include a thinner slide width (1" vs. 1.12") and reduced slide weight (it's a full 3.5 ounces lighter than the G30 slide), and the SF frame gives the 30S a slightly shorter trigger reach. and overall grip radius compared to the regular G30.
, but has the saving grace of being very easy to shape with a Dremmel sander for perfect fit and comfort. I believe that every Glock body needs both a contour and a tip, so this is how my 30S is set up. So the Glock 30S fits me like a glove.
Glock 30s (g30s) Compact .45 Acp Semi Auto High Capacity Combat/tactical Pistol For Concealed Carry (ccw) Applications And Undercover Operations: Glock 36 Slide Meets Glock 30sf Frame! (video!)
I expect some will find the G30S grip more comfortable than other Glock models due to the extra girth. For me and my average size, the girth and reach of the trigger is quite good.
The .45 ACP round has a bit of punch compared to the 9mm round and any .45 shot from a compact polymer body will create a bit of pop. However, the G30S is by no means harsh or uncontrollable. A slightly wider than normal grip and the softness of the plastic make the pistol quite tame. I have no problem shooting an accurate Bill drill as fast as I can pump my finger with this gun, and if you have the right grip, it's an easy gun to control. In addition to comfort, the frame can be shaped to better grip the thumb of the support hand for easier recoil control.
One thing I'll note is that while the 10-round magazines allow almost anyone to fully grip the pistol, the 9-round flush magazine leaves the grip short enough that the little finger may not have a good grip. . For those with large hands, the little finger may have no purchase at all. The output isn't as short as, say, a G26, but the fact that it's a .45 might mean some people want a full grip, with 10-round magazines helping to control recoil impulse.
I used to carry a Glock 19 all day and found the G30S to cover even better than the G19. This fact is mainly due to the shorter frame. The slide width is about the same as the G19, but the frame is a little wider, but that's about it, and no difference in concealment. Overall, this is an easily concealed pistol; and only slightly heavier than the G19. The G30S is actually quite a bit lighter on your belt if you carry a 9-round magazine.
S And 45 Shield Comparison
Typical wide-looking magazines hold 10 rounds, so the pistol holds 11. That capacity isn't bad at all, especially considering the compact package and the length of the grip. No complaints here.
Well, it's a Glock. The Glock 30S is built like all other Glock pistols and has a Gen 3 style frame. The recoil spring is a holdover variety of the double spring. Like most Glock pistols, the G30S has polymer sights with a rear U-notch. You will probably want to replace these stock sights with some iron sights.
The 30S slide has a bull nose design on the muzzle port, but is otherwise like every other model. The sliding locking lever and release tabs are extremely low profile and offer the easiest and most stylish external controller accessory in the industry.
Despite its simplicity and reliability, customization is the Glock's best friend. Virtually every aftermarket manufacturer makes parts and accessories for Glock pistols, and if you're looking to replace or add components, you have the widest range of options to choose from.
S Vs 30sf
Note, however, that unlike some Glock pistols, the G30S does not have a reversible magazine release. If you're left-handed, the G30S requires you to use the magazine as is. It's not a big deal, but it's a departure from almost every other modern Glock model.
I carried a Glock 30S a few years ago and it was my everyday pistol for about a year. I carried the gun behind my belt at the 5 o'clock position in a 9-round pistol with a flush magazine and 2 10-round magazines in an OWB holster on the left side at about 8 o'clock. This device hid very well under a simple T-shirt, due in part to the compact nature of the G30S with flush tank. Even with a full-size magazine, the G30S has a shorter grip than the G19 (which is now my daily carry), so it's pretty much hidden no matter where you carry it.
A fully loaded G30S is less than 0.4 ounces heavier than a fully loaded G19 at 30.36 ounces. It's not terribly light, but it's pretty substantial for a two-piece .45 pistol. I find that as long as you have a good carrying strap, it's easy to forget you're wearing it. And that is not just a phrase, but a fact supported by long-term experience.
The Glock 30S is an easily concealed, compact .45 with good capacity for its size and weight. It is as reliable a pistol as ever made, and easy to modify; wide range of additional components and covers available.
Glock 30 & 36
Some smaller hands may find the grip uncomfortably wide. Polymer sights allow you to replace irons. The price of this gun can be a bit high.
The Glock 30S is probably the nicest compact pistol that Glock makes, but it still needs some tweaking to make it a really nice gun.
The Glock 30S may not be for everyone, but everyone should check it out. If you like .45 ACP cartridges and don't mind their recoil profile, I think the G30S offers the perfect combination of size, weight, capacity, reliability, and concealability.
Andy Rutledge is a design professional, competitive shooter and passionate road cyclist. He trains several days a week at the Eagle Gun Range and elsewhere to improve his marksmanship and defense skills.
Glock 30 Gen 4
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