Almost bought a Camp Carbine

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I had one back before I loaded 9mm in bulk but sold it. Now that I'm thinking I'd like a 9mm PCC can host, it seems to me that the Ruger PCC is a much more versatile and practical package for the same price or less than the Camp Carbine you saw.
 
Gtscotty said:
Now that I'm thinking I'd like a 9mm PCC can host, it seems to me that the Ruger PCC is a much more versatile and practical package for the same price or less than the Camp Carbine you saw.
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For the win!
 
For that kind of money you should take a good look at a brand new Ruger PC carbine. I picked one up back in July and couldn't be happier. I know the Marlin Camp Carbines have a good reputation ( from what I've heard) but I've not heard of any problems with the Rugers, ( zero problems with mine, so far) . The Ruger's a simple blow-back system like a 10/22; in fact, I saw one write up that called it a "10/22 on steroids". Unless your heart is set on a Camp Carbine the Ruger PC Carbine is well worth taking a close look at, IMHO. (compare prices, too.). IMG_2041.JPG IMG_2046.JPG IMG_2050.JPG
 
22250Rem said:
For that kind of money you should take a good look at a brand new Ruger PC carbine. I picked one up back in July and couldn't be happier. I know the Marlin Camp Carbines have a good reputation ( from what I've heard) but I've not heard of any problems with the Rugers, ( zero problems with mine, so far) . The Ruger's a simple blow-back system like a 10/22; in fact, I saw one write up that called it a "10/22 on steroids". Unless your heart is set on a Camp Carbine the Ruger PC Carbine is well worth taking a close look at, IMHO. (compare prices, too.).View attachment 814670 View attachment 814671 View attachment 814672
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I did look at the Ruger. You can see it right behind the Marlin. The Marlin shoulders better and just feels better all around. Now the Ruger does have more options but I like the Marlin better.
 
I think that is high for a Marlin 9mm and I wouldn't do it unless you had a pile of mag for it already.

As has been pointed out, many new options in that price range which are a better option.
 
I had one, Gunny, and sold it. Not much in the accuracy dept. and it goes thump...thump...thump but it’s otherwise not very exciting. I sold it thinking if I really wanted a 9 carbine, I should just do another AR.
 
Back when I bought mine, list price on a Colt AR-15 9mm carbine was $695 and the marlins were a cheap alternative.

BB00B76A-FF59-4E30-9008-426D6CDAFB6A.jpeg

I now have more 9mm carbines but will likely keep this one to pass on to a friend, it has been his favorite gun to shoot since 1987 or so.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
I think that is high for a Marlin 9mm and I wouldn't do it unless you had a pile of mag for it already.

As has been pointed out, many new options in that price range which are a better option.
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That’s actually very much on the low end for camp 9 prices from what I’ve seen. I’ve seen the for $800
 
GunnyUSMC said:
I did look at the Ruger. You can see it right behind the Marlin. The Marlin shoulders better and just feels better all around. Now the Ruger does have more options but I like the Marlin better.
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The biggest issue with the Camp 9 was worn out rubber buffers. If they continued to be shot without a buffer, the receiver bridge cracked. Polyurethane buffers and replacement bridges were available a few years ago, not sure about now.
They take S&W 59/5906 magazines which are still somewhat common.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
I think that is high for a Marlin 9mm and I wouldn't do it unless you had a pile of mag for it already.

As has been pointed out, many new options in that price range which are a better option.
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The average price on a Camp Carbine is $500 to $800 these days. And Magazines, they take any of the S&W 59 series mags. I probably have 3 or 4 mags in my extra mag box.
Like I stated. I almost bought it. I have two ARs in 9mm already, a carbine and a pistol. If I were to buy a Camp Carbine it would be just for fun.
 
I was in Australia last November on a work trip. I got back to the hotel one night and took a quick look on Gunbroker for a 9 MM Carbine. I can't have an AR one unless I make it look like an abomination, so I went with the Camp9. Found one so I emailed the seller. "If I win the camp9 would you be so nice to send it without the mag?" Got the reply back "sure". Second question, "I will pay immediately, but could you hold the rifle for shipping a couple weeks til I get back". Got the reply back "sure". I hit the buy it now and got my Camp9.

So now I have one. I like it. Parts does not appear to be an issue. There are quirks about them. The factory buffer falls apart easily, well it just crumbles into little bits and clogs things up. The second is the recoil spring may need replacing. Very happy. It shoots well. I could even hit the gong at the range at 200 yards using a Red dot. I refinished the stock. Most of the varnish could almost be hand wiped off so the effort was small. Partial picture of the Camp9 and the second is a Kangaroo. Tasty.



IMG_0116.jpg

IMG_1025.jpg
 
Take that to middle missouri and you could have doubled your money....I have seen them SELL, not priced but SELL for twice that.

As to parts....aside from the buffer (really an over grown 60) whats to go bad....I can't tell you how many rounds mine has, that and the 357 lever are about all I shoot anymore, the thing is just fun.

Like a cheap to shoot m1 carbine....and the wallmarts havs the blammo.
 
nipprdog said:
Marlin camp carbine was only offered in 9mm and 45acp. Are you thinking of the Ruger version?
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The Ruger is an over grown 10/22, and they do have issues in pounding themselves to death. I am looking for one pretty hard, but finding one that has not beat itself to hell is hard. There are several flavors of the Ruger, and depending on the vintage the price is different to collectors.

On the marlin the only thing I don't like is the stupid smith mags it has to have for the 9mm...the 45 uses a regular 1911 mag....those smith mags are a little spendy....and I like the 10 rounders, the longer ones just look flat stupid hanging out the bottom of the gun.
 
GunnyUSMC said:
I did look at the Ruger. You can see it right behind the Marlin. The Marlin shoulders better and just feels better all around. Now the Ruger does have more options but I like the Marlin better.
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The marlin is a better rifle IMHO....and if it matters does not look all evil and tactical that will set off the idiots. But you can tinker toy the new Ruger up to your little black rifles hearts desire. I go back and forth between a red dot and open sights on my marlin (a 9mm) and it is just so much fun zapping plates and such. If it would take 92fs mags (I have buckets of those) I would be in hog heaven....and yea I know Beretta made/makes one but doG what an fugly thing it is.
 
I had a Marlin 9 years ago...
It didn’t impress me at all. In fact, I think I sold it off after one range trip.
I came very close to buying a Ruger PCC recently, but went for a used Auto Ordnance M1 Carbine, instead.
 
dh1633pm said:
I was in Australia last November on a work trip. I got back to the hotel one night and took a quick look on Gunbroker for a 9 MM Carbine. I can't have an AR one unless I make it look like an abomination, so I went with the Camp9. Found one so I emailed the seller. "If I win the camp9 would you be so nice to send it without the mag?" Got the reply back "sure". Second question, "I will pay immediately, but could you hold the rifle for shipping a couple weeks til I get back". Got the reply back "sure". I hit the buy it now and got my Camp9.

So now I have one. I like it. Parts does not appear to be an issue. There are quirks about them. The factory buffer falls apart easily, well it just crumbles into little bits and clogs things up. The second is the recoil spring may need replacing. Very happy. It shoots well. I could even hit the gong at the range at 200 yards using a Red dot. I refinished the stock. Most of the varnish could almost be hand wiped off so the effort was small. Partial picture of the Camp9 and the second is a Kangaroo. Tasty.



View attachment 814729

View attachment 814728
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Your experience sounds like mine, just super fun and puts the holes right where I want to.

As to being accurate, remember a few months back and the guy with the marlin 22mag that was just not accurate....and he finally got it sorted with a good cleaning....the microgrove is what the issue was, a good hose down and his rifle came back to life, IMHO microgrove and lead just don't go together real well....it will leave a little behind and over time the gun goes to hell as far as how accurate it is.

Really good little guns.
 
A decade ago, I had to have one in 9mm and one in 45ACP - I wanted a PCC, and I had tons of 59 and 1911 magazines sitting around. After I finally got my wish and had them in my possession, I found that they really didn't scratch any real itch for me; ergonomics were meh, sights were basic, and they didn't take alternative sights well at all. The big kicker for me was that they were prone to breaking the plastic magwell (had one fall over from a rack with an empty magazine in it, and that was that), and that's when I discovered that parts were problematic at best.

The good news was that I could sell them for more than I paid (minus the cost of repair!) and move on.
 
rbernie said:
After I finally got my wish and had them in my possession, I found that they really didn't scratch any real itch for me; ergonomics were meh, sights were basic, and they didn't take alternative sights well at all.
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That was about my experience as well, I was really excited to pick one up, but then once I got it, it just wasn't terribly interesting or useful (and I'm good at inventing "uses" for guns I want to keep), so I moved it down the road. I can't believe folks are paying $800 for used Marlins with all the other options out there today. I like pretty much everything better about the new Ruger and I'll probably get one this year, but my experience with the Marlin made me a little hesitant about jumping into another 9mm PCC.
 
The one thing the marlin has over everything else is looks. It’s the only attractive 9mm carbine in existence. I don’t have any experience to say if they are good or bad mechanically. I almost bought one last year but I went home and did some reading on them and decided against it just because I read of the difficulty in replacing things like magwells, trigger guards, and stocks. My intended use for it would be the same as I use my AR9 pistol for, plinking steel and bungee cording it to the metal rack of my 4 wheeler. The AR’s finish is tolerant of that, but I’d just feel wrong doing that to a camp 9.
 
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