OK, I know it's not what we usually think of with "Big Bores" but I didn't know where else to post it.

I bought one today because it was cheap and in excellent condition. For those that don't know it's a clip fed semi auto rifle shooting .45ACP's from a 16-1/2" barrel.

What are these guns good for other than plinking? Small game, rabbits and such? I haven't seen any load that I'd want to shot at a deer with and 16-1/2" isn't handy enough for self defense.

Just a paper puncher?


Thanks, Rob

Cool gun. Hard to find now, too.
They use the 1911 / .45ACP magazines.

Marlin also had a Camp 9 that used high-capacity S&W pistol magazines ( 9mm ).

What are they good for?
The extra bbl. length will add some velocity to both calibers, so I guess for 'around the house' they'd both be good for self-defense because you'd have the ability to use a pistol/mag in concert with the carbine to extend the range a bit.
It's like a 'modern' cowboy pistol/rifle/same ammo kind of thing, only you can shoot and reload faster!

What you bought isn't made anymore, so it has a bit a mystique and value to it.
Have FUN with it!

I'm happy for you and jealous at the same time, the Camp .45 is one of those guns I really regret not grabbing when they were still available for order at the local 'Mart.

Lots of people think of pistol caliber carbines as 'Toys' but I promise, when used with care and respect they can be used (where legal and appropriate) for big game and small game alike.

Stuff that handy thing with some 230 gain hp's (not +P, it's not designed for those) or if you reload, some hard cast lead SWC, and I promise a pill that size will take most vegetarian quadrapeds out to 75 yards when you do your part.

Or, use it for what it was really designed for, putting holes in paper and range fodder that you can actually see from a distance!

If I remember correctly, Marlin advertised it as a home defense, plinking, and camp gun (to control pests, drive off nuisance bears, and take the occasional animal for the pot.

Let me know if you decide to sell it.

George

quote:

16-1/2" isn't handy enough for self defense.

Hmmm, I have a Winchester 94 trapper carbine that is very handy; and with silvertips I would not be afraid to rely on it for hearth and home... and factory 45 Colt ammo is loaded to similar velocities as 45 ACP. (well, I would use silvertips but have some Georgia Ammo loaded Gold Dots....)

Shoulder arms are reputed to be easier to hit with than handguns, so it would be logical for home or camp. I wonder how hard it would be to open up an aftermarket 10/22 folding stock so the action would fit making it stow more easily. A lot of ammo will have very similar velocities from the longer barrel, 45 ACP being one of the few cartridges that can even show lower velocities in the longer barrels. It varies from load to load.

Up until last year mine rode in the squad car with me, its a great self defense set up for 75 to 80 yards, have used it twice to shoot rabid dogs,

quote:

Originally posted by bluepuma:

Stuff that handy thing with some 230 gain hp's (not +P, it's not designed for those) or if you reload, some hard cast lead SWC, and I promise a pill that size will take most vegetarian quadrapeds out to 75 yards when you do your part.

Or, use it for what it was really designed for, putting holes in paper and range fodder that you can actually see from a distance!

I fairly well versed with rifle and shotgun cartridges but my handgun cartridge knowledge is lacking.

Am I correct that by hp's you mean hollow points? Also, what are P+ loads and why aren't they used in this gun?

I'm placing an order with Midway for some ammo and the have dozens of .45 ACP loads, any recommendations for plinking and small game? Any 230gr hollow points? Are some cleaner than others so they won't screw up the gun too much?

thanks for your generosity in sharing the knowledge.
Regards,
Rob

The camp carbine is straight blowback. Meaning that the only things keeping the bolt closed are the force of the spring and the mass of the bolt.

Hot ammuntion will therefore open the breech faster than the pressure can drop, causing an unsafe condition.

Thanks Kurt, so am I to assume that P+ loads are higher pressure loads?

Yeah, HP's just meant hollow points, and the +P rounds are just loaded hotter, not all guns should be fed them regularly. Some factory manuals say it is okay to use and some don't just depends on the make and model. I know my Hi-Point Carbine 9mm can take +P and +P+ ammo, but I have never seen anything hotter than factory +P ammo.

.38 super is always marked +P for instance.

I did read that some mil-surp WWII ammo from Hirtenberger(sp) that was designed for sub-machine guns was available, and it was marked +P+, but who knows how fast that stuff will clock at.

Another bonus of the Camp Carbines are their 'Politically Correct' look. Traditional walnut stock, and blued parts... less like a matte-black-plastic-people-popper that everyone seems to be so afraid of.

Thanks.

What are the specific uses of hp's vs. fmj, round nose vs. wadcutter? I see that hp's cost almost 3 times as much as fmj's.

Is some of the remanufactured ammo OK to use, seems a lot cheaper for plinking?


Thanks, Rob

The other item to consider with the Marlin camp carbines is the buffer.

This is an nylon insert that is in the rear of the reciever to act as a buffer for the bolt to stop against, rather than steel to steel. This is really the only part that seems to break or wear out on any regular bassis on these guns.

Marlin no longer has any.

We started cnc machineing them from 6/6 nylon this spring.

FYI, My camp 9 will function well with Smith 59 magazines. but the Marlin magazine will not engage the slide stop on my Smith, just enough difference in shape.
The Camp 45 I have not had any problems with swapping the magazines between the pistol or rifle.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith
http://www.wisnersinc.com

Thanks for the info Jim, how many rounds would you say your Marlin Camp 45 recoil buffer is good for? (So I can get an idea on how many to stock up?


Thanks, Rob

If it'll feed a 250 gr cast swc, I'd imagine the 16 1/2" barrel ought to be good for at least 1000 fps, and that at std 45 acp pressures. Many of the 45 colt revolver fans have been using that same load against deer and antelope and don't find it lacking in the least.

I think we tend to forget that a pistol/revolver round when fired out of a carbine picks up a signifigant amount of velocity, and despite the mild recoil, become fully capable big game rounds, within reason.

Jim,
Thanks for the info on the buffer. I have an older camp carbine with the smooth wood stock. I shoot it alot; it is fun! I only shoot the cheapest ammo because it will spit them out fast. So far only hardballs have been through this barrel; approximately 1000 to 1500 rounds. What are the symptoms of the buffer wearing out or going bad?

quote:

Originally posted by Paul H:
If it'll feed a 250 gr cast swc,

Paul, what's an 250 gr swc? The heaviest loads I have seen are 230's/


Thanks, Rob

250 gr semi wad cutter (swc) the classic elmer keith bullet as used in the 45 (long) colt revolver.

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=25

I know there is data out there for these bullets and they have been used in 45 acps. To my knowledge the main problem with the bullet is nose profile doesn't allow it to function out of every autoloading 45.

Recoil Bob
If I was going to shoot a deer with a Camp Carbine I would try the Hornady XTP in either 200 grains or 230 Grains.
I have shot a couple of deer with a 1911 45 ACP.

What we are seeing with the oldest buffers, is they are simply breaking up.
This could be due to age and solvents and the battering they take.
I have less than 500 rounds each, thru my two with the factory buffers. I can see where they are starting to seat in and make an inpression in the buffer. I bought these guns in 93. Have shot fairly hot reloads thru them.

I have replaced them but have not had time to really do and endurance test with our buffer.

I would not worry to much, just check the buffer from time to time and you will see if they are starting to breakup or crack. Then it is the time to replace it.

Jim Wisner

Just wondering, if one wanted to shoot hotter loads, could a heavier bolt be made for it or heavier springs be used. I guess the hard part would be tuning the weight of the bolt to the pressure curve of the load to get the desired results, not exactly home 'smithing; but i was really only thinking out loud....

quote:

Originally posted by Recoil Rob:
I haven't seen any load that I'd want to shot at a deer with and 16-1/2" isn't handy enough for self defense.

It would make a fine home defense weapon, especially in an area where its politically correct looks count for something.

16.5" is plenty handy, nearly the same as an M4 and our guys in Iraq and -stan dont seem to have much trouble using those indoors.

quote:

Originally posted by crazy_quik:
It would make a fine home defense weapon, especially in an area where its politically correct looks count for something.

16.5" is plenty handy, nearly the same as an M4 and our guys in Iraq and -stan dont seem to have much trouble using those indoors.

Yeah, I'm beginning to come around to that way of thinking, thanks for the input guys. I just got some ammo for it and will try it out soon.

The other thing that occurs to me is that if somone breaks into my home and I have to use it for defense, I don't care if it looks politcally correct and neither will the intruder.


Thanks, Rob

I dont know much about the politics around Westchester NY.

But the jury might care if it looks politically correct.

NY even has its own Assualt Weapons Ban doesn't it? This should be a great solution.