Glock 17 or Marlin Camp Carbine?

[Longbow]

Both are $350 the Marlin has a hi-cap mag, while the G17 has 10 rd. mag. Both are with in my spending range. Help me decide which one to get! Thanks in advance!

P.S.
Its been awhile since I bought a new toy. I'm having withdrawal!

 

[Schuey2002]

I would say go with the Glock 17, but it depends on what you plan on using either the Glock or Marlin for..

If you do alot of camping or hunting small critters then I'd say the Marlin. If it's just to have something to plink with,then go with the G17..

A G17 with a 32 round factory mags would make a reliable and fun to shoot "new toy"..

 

[Nick96]

I don't know much about the Marlin Carbine, but $350 sounds about right for 9MM rifles of this type. For a G-17 though, $350 would be a real bargin around here. I'd get the G-17 just because of the price.

Price aside though, why would there even be a question about choosing a handgun or a rifle. A rifle is for longer more accurate shots - a handgun is primarily for ease of portability. I would think you would want the attributes of one or the other.

If it's a question of magazine capacity, aren't all new magazines limited to 10 rounds (rifle or handgun)? Even then, there are ample numbers of pre-ban high cap magazines available (all be it some very expensive) for most any firearm originally made to accept them.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Glock 17

 

[jc2]

Again, it depends on the use. The Marlin will outshine the Glock in all areas except portability/carry. If "wearing" the gun is important to you the, of course, you should go with Glock. If just shooting, hunting (and even home defence), etc. is more important to you, the Marlin would be the logical choice.

FWIW, other factors to consider is that the Marlin has been discontinued for several years and will be harder to find in the future. (I've been looking for the .45 ACP version off and on for two years now.) The Marlin uses S&W magazines which seem to be in a little more abundant and less expensive than Glock magazines (at least the hi-caps) around here. Glock no longer makes/offers followers for pre-ban hi-cap magazines so maintenance might be a problem in the future.

 

[9x19]

I have both and they each have their appeal.

jc2, just how many Glock magazine followers have you worn out thru use?

I'm really curious, as I've been shooting them a long time and haven't worn one out yet...

 

[Blueduck]

9x19 I've had to replace two Glock followers other than for cometic/ preventative issues (one G-17, one G-23). First sign is usually the slide not locking back, new follower is the fix 90% of the time

Keep shooting long enough and you'll run into it. Glad to be of service

 

[10-Ring]

Aren't the mags for the Camp gun compatible w/ another handgun? If so, I'd get the Camp gun & whatever handgun was compatible...that would probably make a nice little combo

 

[Shane]

I read a few years back (I think in Gun Tests magazine) that the Marlin Camp-9 was not rated (i.e. the manufacture does not recommend using +p) for +p ammo. Is this true? Because a rifle that can't handle hot ammo is a disadvantage IMO.

 

[9x19]

Blueduck,

Thanks for the help... I have 4 range mags for my Glock 34 and it has a bit over 6,000 rounds thru it to date.

If they were evenly divided that's 1500 rounds thru each magazine... how many more should I be able to go?

BTW, the normal fix for me when a mag stops locking the slide back is to replace the magazine spring. So far, for me, that has been 100% succesful.

FWIW

 

[9x19]

10-ring,

The Marlins, from the factory, use S&W magazines, both the 69xx and 59xx mags work just fine.

Shane,

Marlin Camp 9s have a steel reciever and Wolff sells replacement (heavier than standard) recoil springs for them, so +p is not a problem.

Mine shoots Cor-bon and Triton Hi-Vel without a hitch and generates some pretty good velocity as well... Triton 115 grain runs at 1675 fps.

 

[10-Ring]

Thanks 9X19

My only contention w/ the S&W semi autos is in the grip. But, if they fit you, that would be a nice combo to have a small rifle & pistol combo like that w/ magazine compatibility.

 

[Blueduck]

9x19, both of my mags I've had trouble with have been police surplus so no telling how many rounds they saw before I came on them. I have done a few spring changes as well, they are often needed on older mags.

While a spring change has solved some issues I've seen. I've never seen problem with any Glock mag that a new spring AND follower would not solve. About the only thing left would be out of spec lips and I've yet to run across that.

One point I will note is that I've yet to have to swap out a out 9mm-3 follower. The one 9mm follower I had, and those I've seen that needed replacing for proper functioning were all the first generation types. Maybe the 3's do last longer, but I think we would both agree all else being equal it would be best to able to simply order a $2 follower than to not be able to and having to jury rig some set-up with the -4 followers for our prebans, which is apparently Glock's current intent.

Best, Blueduck

 

[9x19]

Blueduck,

Keeping in mind that the internet is a wonderful place, where garbage can often pass for gospel, I'll reserve judgement until I see the rumored 9mm-4 followers and compare them to the -1s and -3s I have now.

Yes, we can agree that having a supply of followers that function is a nice thing no matter the brand. I'm not sure it is incumbent on any manufacturer to insure OEM followers are forever available... but perhaps Glock's excellent service of the past has many of us spoiled.

 

[Jason Demond]

Glock!

 

[Longbow]

I picked the Glock!

After weighing all the input here, I picked the Glock. I figured, I already have an AK clone that could serve as a hunting/camping gun, and the hi-cap mags for it are cheaper than S&W mags that the Marlin takes.
The idea of having a handgun and a carbine that share the same magazine is really tempting, but that will mean I'll have to hunt for a good priced S&W auto that I'm not a fan of (I do like their revolvers BTW).
Once again, thanks to all of you for your responses, I really appreciate it very much!

P.S.
Now that the cravings ' been satisfied, I feel better now.

 

[Jason Demond]

Ahhh, you have done well, Grasshoppa.

 

[chris93473]

hey dumbbow get the glock !!! hahahahahha

 

[HeadCleaver]

I'd go with the G17 for overall utility and portability.