G36 defensive rounds
 

Any suggestions what seems to work best as a defensive round for the G36?

I like 185 grain Gold Dots.

I have been using Speer 230gr Gold Dot Short Barrel and IMHO this round will do the job. I also use Speer Short Barrel ammo in J frame and G 26. This round was designed for short barrels and has less muzzle flash. Check out the ballistics on this ammo.

Gold Dots are hard to beat. Just pick your weight and then wait.

Any JHP in 230 gr.

The reason I am asking is that I have heard that I should use 185gr. vs. 230gr because the 230's beet up the springs & gun more.

SPEER GD 230gr JHP

230 are no harder on the gun than 185s.

I use PDX1 or Ranger T.

My Glock 36 likes Ranger T 230 gr.

230 gr Ranger T, HST or Speer GD, all non +P. They all work great in mine with beautiful expansion.

I am not a balistics expert, so I guess my real question is...what beats up the G36 less, 230gr or 185gr? I have been told by my local GS that use 185gr. No problem with using either for accuracy or second shot, just putting this up to the knowledgable GT bloggers for some more info.
Thanks! :faint:

The reason that I usually use the 185 is to keep the velocity up in the short barrel. Neither round will beat up your gun at all! Okay? It is a purpose built 45 ACP that will not ever get beat up using 45 ACP. I have no idea why you believe that your 36 will not handle 45 ACP.

I use Hornady 185GR XTP. Feeds reliably and certainly should get the job done.

I run Corbon DPX in 185 and 160grs, depending on what I have the most of. Excellent performance. Total copper bullet. Excellent weight retention. Haven't had to use them in SD, but the testing is impressive. Yes, they are a bit spendy, but I am worth it!! LOL!!!!

Agreed. The Barnes copper bullet that CorBon uses is excellent for both expansion and penetration. Second choice would be Gold Dots. I use 185gr exclusively in my 36 for the same reasons G26S239 mentioned above.

http://www.shopcorbon.com/DPX-Handgun/200/200/dept

I use Speer Gold Dot or Remington Golden Saber both in 230 gr.

Both rounds function flawlessly (as does anything else I run through my G-36) and both are used by many LEA's in Florida including the agency I retired from.

OS

We must have heard this from the same GS in metro detroit. :dunno:

Federal Hydra-Shok gr 230 Old school ammo that works.

thanks i was just looking at that yesterday at my lgs and almost picked up a box. i will give it a go this week when i take my g36 out for her first run.

Don't worry what beats up your spring less. You aren't going to be firing thousands of rounds through the gun. You will test the round to make sure it works and then firing it only occasionally.

I like the 200 gr. +P rounds at about 1000 fps out of a G36 barrel, either Gold Dot or Hornady TAP FPD. I don't like 185 gr. or lighter rounds out of any length barrel. I don't think the .45 acp has enough sectional density for these lighter rounds to penetrate consistently. The .45 acp was designed for heavier bullets. The 185 and lighter bullets came later. And while people are amazed at their velocities and muzzle energy, those figures mean little if the bullet doesn't penetrate deep enough EVERY time.

I carry the Hornady TAP FPD 200 gr. +P in my G36. Nothing shoots better to me, the penetration is great and the expansion is more than adequate. It might not expand as violently as some of the newer rounds, but violent expansion usually limits penetration, which is the most important factor of bullet performance. Remember, you might have to shoot through multiple layers of clothes and/or someone's arm.

Federal .45acp HST 230gr. +P has worked very well for my department.


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I know my 36 did not get along well with ranger +p 230 grain this last weekend. Slide would lock back after almost every round.

Unless you plan on using your defensive rounds a lot, which I hope you don't have to, the 230gr shouldn't matter.

230 gr. wwb work well in my Glock 36. Can't believe they would be too much for my Glock.
Rod:wavey: