After my bad experience with the Walther PPK I returned it and purchased the Glock 36. Based on all reports I have read the Glock pistols are reliable and simple and if anyone has experience with the 36 would appreciate hearing about it. Have not shot mine yet and figure the recoil will be stout, but just want the pistol to fire when the trigger is pulled and not come apart on me or jam all the time. Seems like a simple request/requirement for a defensive handgun.

From good sources ,www.stoppingpower.net ,the 9mm Glock is extremely reliable. The others are very reliable but not quite as good as the 9mm.

I have no experience with the 36 specifically, but the only time I have seen ANY of my other Glocks (17, 17L, 35, 19) jam, or fail is A) when you "limp wrist" them, or B) when they get so dirty that they will not extract properly (and that takes a couple thousand rounds).

Get a good hold, pull the trigger and it WILL go bang, over and over again.

Well, the Glock after some 100 rounds of hardball never failed in any way one time. Have not tried any of the "small ash tray" bullets yet, but friend tells me his works with anything he feeds it other than cast lead and that is a no no with the rifling of the Glock.
A bit concerned about the recoil of the 36 in 45ACP, but turned out to be no concern at all.
Recoil was straight back and firm, but not punishing at all. Accuracy was good for me and could cover the groups of 6 shots bullseye style with my hand at 7 paces. I can't do any better with my SIG 1911 pistol.
Did order couple mag extensions, 1 additional round, and believe that will give just a tad more grip for the 36, but to sum it up, very pleased with the Glock and have always shunned them in favor of the traditional 1911 due to it's really ugly appearance and now see that performance far overshadows any visual negatives. The Glock 36 is living proof of the statement, "form follows function."