Marlin Camp 45 Questions

[JCM298]

I just put a 45 Camp Carbine on lawaway and will pick it up next week. I couldn't get it today because it's still under police hold as it was used as a trade at the gunshop. I've wanted one for years but could never justify it. I still can't justify it but I bought it anyway.

My questions concern springs, magazines, and ammo.

From what I've read, I should replace the recoil spring with a Wolff. Some people say to use the 16# and others say to use the 22#. Which is the better spring?

It'll come with one Marlin magazine. I have a couple of Wilson models for my Officer's model. Which brand is recommended?

I'll be using it for plinking and my ammo will be my lightly re-loaded 200 gr lead SWC and W-W white box 230 gr. I'll also try a few Federal 230 gr Hydra Shoks but they will not be the primary load. Are there any other suggestions on re-loads?

Thanks for your time.

John

 

[rbernie]

1) Go directly to the 22lb spring - do not stop at 16lb, do not collect $200.

2) My M45 lives on my standard USGI 7rd magazines - work great, last a long time, and hardly ever break.

3) Right now, I'm on a Bullseye kick under 185HP, 200HP, or 230HP Raniers. I've tried AA#5, PowerPistol, and TiteGroup, and of these I prefer Bullseye. In fact, this afternoon's range session included 100rds of 200gr Raniers in front of 6.2gr of Bullseye down the pipe of my Camp 45.

 

[JCM298]

rbernie,

Thanks for the quick reply.

John

 

[Bigfoot]

I thought the 22# spring (and a buffer) was for shooting 45 Super loads and the 16# spring was enough for +P.

Mind if I piggyback a question? How long is the barrel? I've seen it quoted as both 16 1/2" and 18 1/2".

 

[rbernie]

I was advised to get the 22lb spring when I picked this rifle up last year, and I've had no reason to be sad with that recommendation. The rifle has been flawless, and the receiver/stock show no sign of battering.

The barrel is 16.5" long.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I've used both the 16# and 21# springs in my Camp 45. I like the heavier spring because it reduces the already very mild recoil to almost nothing. More significantly, I no longer get "gun schmutz" (GeekWithA.45's term) in my face when I shoot it (I'm left handed).

I have the single Marlin mag that came with it and also use Chip McCormick Shooting Stars and Power Mags. Note that 1911 magazines with a rounded cutout in the top rear may not seat fully. The Marlin and CMCs have a square cutout, and do seat all the way.

Before you shoot it, make sure that the screws holding the action to the stock are properly tightened. Failure to do so may result in a cracked stock.

I suggest picking up a spare bolt buffer from Blackjack Buffers.

All I've run through mine has been S&B and Federal AE 230 grain Ball.

I recommend a red dot sight. The factory sights are rather coarse and will prevent you from extracting best accuracy from the gun. Mine ate a cheap BSA red dot in ~110 rounds, but it now has a Bushnell sight on it. The Camp Carbine takes the same scope bases as the Marlin 336.

Enjoy your new rifle. It's one of my favorite long guns to shoot.

 

[rbernie]

The Camp Carbine takes the same scope bases as the Marlin 336.

This allows you to mount the Williams WGRS slimline rear aperture sight on the Camp 45, if one is so inclined to stick with iron sights. You will need to use a taller front bead to compensate for the higher mounting of the WGRS.

But in exchange, you wind up with a lightweight 45ACP carbine that has superb iron sights.

 

[smince]

Dave, perhaps you solved my problem.

I had a Camp .45 and of all the name brand quality mags I had(about 25), it only would work with about 4 of them. I bought it for mag interchangeability, but it just didn't work out for me. Wilsons, Colts, GI, and McCormicks all failed to function properly.

Hope you have better luck. I solved my problems with a Mechtech CCU on a Springfield frame.
www.mechtechsys.com