G36 is jamming...help!

[mikemiller]

I just bought a G36 (my first .45ACP) and shot about 250 rounds through it. I bought it used so it's probably had a few thousand rounds fired before I got it.

It's jamming sporadically, but that's more than I've seen any glock jam up until now. My two G19s and my G26 have never jammed, so I'm at a loss about how to fix it. The spent casing fails to eject, and the slide ends up locked open on it. It helped to drop the magazine when trying to clear it.

What are things to check as possible causes of these failures? Is this the type of jam you get from "limp wristing"? I've never had a problem before, but I have shot exclusively 9mm Glocks up until the G36, not sure if that makes any difference. I was consciously trying to hold the gun more firmly after the first two jams, but it didn't help.

The other thing I noticed about the G36 is that my pinky finger gets pinched in the gap between the gun and the magazine's baseplate on recoil.

Please tell me they're not all like this, b/c I really want a .45ACP Glock! ;f

[CCW007]

Have you tried other brands of ammo? I had Glock 19 that would not feed PMC FMJ ammo and a few other brands. What it did shoot it shot well.

[mikemiller]

Originally posted by CCW007
Have you tried other brands of ammo? I had Glock 19 that would not feed PMC FMJ ammo and a few other brands. What it did shoot it shot well.

I started with Blazer brass and it definitely jammed with that. I then moved on to WWB, and I THINK it jammed with the WWB as well. The real test is when I bring my carry ammo to the range...I won't be happy unless I get 100% reliability.

How about the magazine gap pinching my pinky? Is that common on all G36/G30s?

[trozau]

FWIW, I never experienced the pinky pinch although I've read of others who have (it may be hand size dependent). Is your used G36 stock (maybe the recoil spring has been changed to an aftermarket)? I have never had any failures with my stock G36 and I have used Fiocchi, WWB and CCI Blazer.

[CCW007]

Originally posted by mikemiller
I started with Blazer brass and it definitely jammed with that. I then moved on to WWB, and I THINK it jammed with the WWB as well. The real test is when I bring my carry ammo to the range...I won't be happy unless I get 100% reliability.

How about the magazine gap pinching my pinky? Is that common on all G36/G30s?

I just got my Glock 30, but I have not had that problem with it or the one I rented before I bought mine. I shot a Glock 36 once and did not have the problem, but you are talking to someone that has only shot about 500 rounds through a 30/36 so far.
Since you have not shot a Glocks in 45 before you may have someone else at the range shoot it to rule out limp wristing. You may check the recoil spring too.
When it jams does it do it the same time like the first or last round?

[mikemiller]

Originally posted by trozau
FWIW, I never experienced the pinky pinch although I've read of others who have (it may be hand size dependent). Is your used G36 stock (maybe the recoil spring has been changed to an aftermarket)? I have never had any failures with my stock G36 and I have used Fiocchi, WWB and CCI Blazer.

I guess I don't know for sure that the previous owner (or the guy before him) didn't change the recoil spring. It is a captured double spring, which is at least the same configuration as stock. Is there a good way to tell if it's stock, or should I just order a stock replacement to be sure?

It was a new one for me too...a Glock that jams? I didn't know there was such a thing!

[swampglocker]

:cool:

[mikemiller]

Thanks for your reply swampglocker. It is an "E" prefix, but I called Glock and they said there was no reason to send it in. They would have told me if it were subject to "recall" or "improvement", right?

I used CCI Blazer Brass, then WWB...both ball and it jammed with both. It only jammed maybe 5 times in 250 rounds, but I need to get it running 100%. I'll head down to a GSSF match to have the armorer take a look asap, and in the mean time I'll give it a good cleaning and lube it like you suggest. Also, I'll do some extensive shooting at a range where I can better control all the factors. Those 250 rounds were shot walking around my buddies farm just plinking. My stance/grip may not have been ideal for all shots.

It came with a few pierce +0 grips, but I don't like the size they add. I took them off and figured I should practice with the magazine configuration that I will be carrying with. Someone mentioned the fit of the newer magazines is better, but this gun was made in 2002 and one of the magazines was bought recently, so that's not it. We'll see how my pinky fares.

Thanks again!

[2000Z-71]

Check the slide stop and slide stop spring. Make sure that they are in working order and installed correctly. I initially had problems with my G36 jamming but it turned out to be an incorrecly installed slide stop. The spring was under positive rather than negative pressure and the gun would jam with the slide locked back. Since the problem was coreected the gun has remained trouble free.

[swampglocker]

:cool:

[mikemiller]

Originally posted by 2000Z-71
Check the slide stop and slide stop spring. Make sure that they are in working order and installed correctly. I initially had problems with my G36 jamming but it turned out to be an incorrecly installed slide stop. The spring was under positive rather than negative pressure and the gun would jam with the slide locked back. Since the problem was coreected the gun has remained trouble free.

When the spring was installed the wrong way in your gun, did it jam every shot, or just sporadically? One thing I can say about the slide stop on my gun is that it's INCREDIBLY hard to release the slide from a locked position. Even in full lock it lays extremely flat against the frame.

[series1811]

The G36 is particularly susceptible to "limp wristing" and that is my armchair diagnosis as well. It's easy to do, especially when you have been shooting a lot and are tired. I shoot with a very loose grip and I frequently cause otherwise fine .45's to jam when I shoot them.

[mikemiller]

Originally posted by series1811
The G36 is particularly susceptible to "limp wristing" and that is my armchair diagnosis as well. It's easy to do, especially when you have been shooting a lot and are tired. I shoot with a very loose grip and I frequently cause otherwise fine .45's to jam when I shoot them.

GOOD! Like I said, I hope it's me and not the gun, b/c it carries very well for me and I am really liking the .45ACP cartridge. I'll re-post after my next range session. I'm shooting for 100% reliability.

[vafish]

Originally posted by series1811
The G36 is particularly susceptible to "limp wristing" and that is my armchair diagnosis as well. It's easy to do, especially when you have been shooting a lot and are tired. I shoot with a very loose grip and I frequently cause otherwise fine .45's to jam when I shoot them.

I've had my G36 for over 2 years now. Tons of rounds through it. I've tried to force it to jam by limp wristing and holding it as loosely as I can, it never has. I've used it in training classes with over 300 rounds in an afternoon. I've shot IPSC matches with round counts of 100-120. Still hasn't worn me out, and I haven't seent he inside of a Gym in over 6 years, I sit at a desk and type on a computer, if anyone could limp wrist it would be me.

[2000Z-71]

Originally posted by mikemiller
When the spring was installed the wrong way in your gun, did it jam every shot, or just sporadically? One thing I can say about the slide stop on my gun is that it's INCREDIBLY hard to release the slide from a locked position. Even in full lock it lays extremely flat against the frame.

The jamming was irregular, not every shot but it would usually jam twice when shooting a fully loaded magazine. Since then the only problem that I've had with it was with the 185 +P Remington Golden Sabres. With everything else it has been problem free.

[series1811]

Originally posted by vafish
I've had my G36 for over 2 years now. Tons of rounds through it. I've tried to force it to jam by limp wristing and holding it as loosely as I can, it never has. I've used it in training classes with over 300 rounds in an afternoon. I've shot IPSC matches with round counts of 100-120. Still hasn't worn me out, and I haven't seent he inside of a Gym in over 6 years, I sit at a desk and type on a computer, if anyone could limp wrist it would be me.

Limp wristing jams are funny. My agency, which allows just about every Glock in 9mm, .40 and .45 as personally owned weapons, has taken G36's off of the list. The FTU says it is because they were getting so many reports of jams, that they did an investigation, but found absolutely nothing wrong with the G36's. They finally attributed it to limp wristing and decided the easiest fix was to just take the G36 off of the list.

If you go by the theory that the gun most likely to limp wrist jam is a light, heavy recoiling, pistol, the G36 is the poster child.

[JoeG19]

Don't give up!!!! I heard so many bad stories about the G36 and jamming that I wondered who in the world would buy one. I wanted a .45 and tried the G30, but it was just a tad too wide for me.

I went to the range and rented a G36 and could not get off three shots w/o it jamming. I took the ammo back in to the dealer (at the range)and told him it was a bad lot. He said it was not the ammo but me. He took the same ammo and same G36 and put two mags through it w/o a hitch. A friend of mine here on GT offered to meet me at a range and shoot his. I did...no problems....and I kept reading all these folks who had them who said what a teriffic Glock it was.

I bought a G36. I've never had a jam. (WinWB/RemUMC/FedHydraShoks/FedPD/WinSilTip) I put probably 3-400 rounds through it before I spent the big $$ to test my carry ammo. I purchased sufficient Remington 185gr GS/GD for the test and it never missed a round.

You have to hold it tight but no tighter than a 27. I'm Glock through and through. I've had 19s,23s,27,30,34,36.

I'd make sure it is stock GLOCK. There is not much other than nite-sites you can improve on the 36. IMHO, tinkering begets problems.

As to the little finger pinch - try Pearce +0 extensions. NOT +1. Here is what they look like: 'ole joe :cool:

[mikemiller]

Well, at least I've ruled out limp wristing. The bad news is that it's the gun, not me.

I just came from the range where I put another 200 rounds of WWB and 50 rounds of Federal HST 230gr +P. I had about 5 jams with the WWB and another 2 with the HST.

Mostly FTE with the slide stuck open on the spent casing. It happened with all three magazines, and there was no pattern as to which round in the clip would jam. I was holding it firm as a mo-fo and had a very firm stance, it's definitely not a limp-wristing problem. To verify this further, I put three magazines through it with a one hand grip just barely strong enough for the gun not to hop out of my hand, and it didn't jam at all.

I'm going to call Smyrna tomorrow and see what they can do for me. Hopefully they will live up to their good reputation for customer service, and considering this is my sixth Glock they should realize that I have been a loyal customer. I'll post again once I talk to them.

[JoeG19]

Originally posted by mikemiller
I'm going to call Smyrna tomorrow and see what they can do for me. Hopefully they will live up to their good reputation for customer service, and considering this is my sixth Glock they should realize that I have been a loyal customer. I'll post again once I talk to them.
I don't think you will be disappointed in their service. I had to send two back during the 'frame upgrade' and they were fast once the frames arrived from Austria. It will probably cost you shipping one way. - 'ole joe :cool:

[j_ratliffe]

my g36 was doing the same thing and i posted here about that over a year ago. i ended up replacing the new style extractor with the older type. the one without the cartridge loaded indicator and i also replaced the spring loaded bearing. it has not jammed once since i did this. i didn't want to send it back to glock, so i bought the stock parts from glockmeister. it was only a few bucks and i had them in three days. the gun was new when i bought it by the way.

[mikemiller]

Originally posted by j_ratliffe
my g36 was doing the same thing and i posted here about that over a year ago. i ended up replacing the new style extractor with the older type. the one without the cartridge loaded indicator and i also replaced the spring loaded bearing. it has not jammed once since i did this. i didn't want to send it back to glock, so i bought the stock parts from glockmeister. it was only a few bucks and i had them in three days. the gun was new when i bought it by the way.

Hmmm...that sounds like a good option. I don't mind spending a few bucks if it will fix the gun. I'm also guessing that Glock would never install an "old" extractor as a part of their fix. How difficult is it to remove/install the extractor? Do I need any special tools?

Thanks! ;c

[mrmedina]

Originally posted by mikemiller
Hmmm...that sounds like a good option. I don't mind spending a few bucks if it will fix the gun. I'm also guessing that Glock would never install an "old" extractor as a part of their fix. How difficult is it to remove/install the extractor? Do I need any special tools?

Thanks! ;c
Download armorer videos here http://www.dt-concepts.com/
you need to sign up first,for verification only...no charge.
And you need an armorers tool....or just find a Glock armorer in your area....but you need that extractor first..........
But getting back to this forum....my G36 would do some of the things listed above. Yet I'm determined to master it and I am getting better with it....I just call it bad handgunning techniques.
And I do think its certain types of ammo, IMO.
But good luck with this suggestion.

[mikemiller]

Originally posted by mrmedina
...my G36 would do some of the things listed above. Yet I'm determined to master it and I am getting better with it....I just call it bad handgunning techniques.
And I do think its certain types of ammo, IMO.
But good luck with this suggestion.

Sounds like you're gun jammed due to you limp-wristing it. My gun had no such problem, as stated above. Lack of mastery was not the problem, equipment failure was the problem.

Thanks for the video links.

[j_ratliffe]

topglock.com's site and glockmeister both have step by step instructions and pictures of the complete disassembly of glock pistols. all you need is a 3/32 punch that you can get at any hardware store for about two dollars, it's the only tool you need for any glock pistol.this is the cheap version of the glock tool but i think it works just as good. the extractor is new but the old style, make sure you get the spring loaded bearing to. i'm sure that will take care of your problem. it's so easy to take out the extractor you won't believe it. here are the links for extractor removal.
www.topglock.com/info/coverplate.htm
www.topglock.com/info/edp.htm
www.topglock.com/info/extractor.htm