The Marlin 45 Camp Carbine
BY Herschel Smith1 week, 6 days ago
I confess I didn’t even know they had made this firearm. Now I want one. Of course, as with all such unique and nice firearms, when they go out of production, they are “unobtanium.”
I confess I didn’t even know they had made this firearm. Now I want one. Of course, as with all such unique and nice firearms, when they go out of production, they are “unobtanium.”
On November 21, 2024 at 1:46 am, Georgiaboy61 said:
I can’t get Marlin – which is now owned by Ruger – to start making these carbines again, but I can direct you to the Ruger LC Carbine, which is available in three chamberings, 5.7×28 FN, 45 Auto/ACP and 10mm Auto.
The LC Carbine is well-thought out and has many modern features. They take proprietary Ruger magazines, but also have the provision for other common makes, typically Glock (depending on model). The 45 Auto/ACP version, for example, takes the same magazines as a Glock 21 45-caliber pistol.
Since the operating system is forward of the butt-stock, it is capable of being folded to shorten overall length. The direction of folding is reversible. Being pistol-caliber carbines, the LC line relies mostly on blow-back or modified blowback operation.
Barrels are 16.25″ long with a 1:16 RHT and have accessory-compatible full-length hand-guards. They are threaded .578′ x 28 and a cap is supplied for when a muzzle device isn’t in use.
BUIS are supplied from the factory, and they are foldable should the user wish to mount an optic. The carbine features an ambidextrous safety, and has M-LOK QD sockets for a sling.
Capacity with the supplied magazine is 13 + 1, and the carbine comes with hex wrenches for disassembly. Weight is 7.1 lbs.
The 16-inch tube brings out extra performance from the venerable 45 Auto/ACP cartridge; depending on bullet weight, load and manufacturer, gains of 150-250 fps muzzle velocity are possible in comparison with pistol-length barrels. Hotter loads verge on 10mm Auto performance. The LC Carbine is +P rated.
The LC Carbine in 45 ACP/Auto hits hard and the 10mm version likewise. I don’t have experience with the 5.7×28, but a friend who does says that they are sweet shooters, accurate, easy to use and with very little recoil.
On November 21, 2024 at 5:50 am, Nosmo said:
RE: the Marlin Camp Carbine in 45ACP…..no, you don’t want one. The idea of one, yes, the actual rifle, no. Single-stack mags that limit capacity, clunky action, marginal accuracy….nope. If you really need something like that, GB61 (above) has the answer, and despite ammo availability and cost, 10MM is the ticket. (I know you like the 45 PMC cartridge, but 10MM energy levels, with the right ammo, are as good or better, and IIRC, the Ruger comes with 20-round mags in 10.)
On November 21, 2024 at 12:14 pm, xtphreak said:
Didn’t want to pay the $$ everyone wanted for the Camp 45 a few years back, so I picked up a Camp 9 for way less than I expected.
To me the “limited” capacity of the Camp 45 was less important, because it could share magazines with my 1911’s.
The Camp 9 would accept S&W 59 series mags and so would the Keltec P-10 I had (stolen & replaced with a 5906).
I’ve always had a “thing” for pistol caliber carbines with matching pistols (kinda like the “thing” I have for takedown rifles).
The Camp 9 serves as a “things-that-go-bump-in-the-night” in my cabin, a light under the barrel, a red dot up top, a 20rd MecGar magazine and … a solid one piece wood stock that feels more reassuring than a handgun.
Much more fun to shoot than a Sub2000 or PC, more traditional, less plasticky.
There is something cool about a 9mm carbine that looks like a .22 when shooting.
Have a Good Day
On November 21, 2024 at 5:22 pm, Tony M said:
I have one and love it. Sold one some years back and regret that. I have a 40 round drum mag that works great on it. So that with four spare 10-round Chip McCormicks on butt stock, I’m pretty set. As for accurate, for what I need it’s great. We went shooting out in the country and some relatives had these “self-healing” gel targets set up at 100 yards. Shooting 5.56 at them, they would indeed head between shots. Then I whipped out the Marlin and at a 100 yards, proceeded to shred the hell out of those targets. Self-healing was just not in cards.
On November 21, 2024 at 5:53 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@Tony M,
Want to sell?
And I don’t think commenters get that this is a wood (probably Walnut) stock, very cool, legacy gun in the greatest cartridge ever invented.
On November 21, 2024 at 6:05 pm, Paul B said:
Have wanted one for some time. But Ruger will work as well. Just don’t need a spit glock spit, I do like guns that pistol and rifle use same magazine.
On November 22, 2024 at 7:13 am, jrg said:
I remember these well but cannot recall if the stocks were standard birch or walnut. I think they were birch – the stock color was always shown rather bland. I also seem to recall recoil buffer issues and some stock cracking due to this.
Nice concept though, especially with same magazine fitting your pistol and rifle. Imagine your own Welrod version (sound moderator attached) – sweet !
On November 22, 2024 at 11:53 am, Steven Y. said:
I’ve had mine for years. It feeds just fine from 10-round McCormicks. Finally going to have the barrel threaded for a modular suppressor. I can’t think of a better long gun for the lovely wife.
On November 22, 2024 at 7:53 pm, Tony M said:
@Herschel
Afraid not. I regret selling the other one a lot. I remember when I saw the 40-round drum mag in a magazine years ago. My thought was, who in the world would want a drum mag for a 1911? Then it hit me. Thanks for the links on the internals. My wife is going to hate that I have another project ahead of hers. Oh well.
On November 22, 2024 at 10:56 pm, BigCountryExpat said:
It reminds me of the Ruger 10/44 which was a tube fed .44mag Ruger with a 10/22 style action (just fatter LOL). Everyone I knew who’s ever owned one swore by them. Another very rare and collectible toy.
On November 22, 2024 at 11:55 pm, Dan said:
Would love to have a Camp Carbine but they are very hard to find. I did get lucky a few years ago at a gun show and obtained a Ruger 44mag carbine. But nice guns like the Camp 45 are hoarded and if found NOT cheap.