Hi everyone. If you have a semiauto pistol caliber carbine, please join in & tell me the good & bad points of your selection. Whats out there? The Marlin camp 9 / 45. The Ruger 9 / 40 (not the older 44 mag semi auto). The overpriced but cool HK UMPs and MPs. The Beretta carbine. Which one is best overall. Thanks for everyone's input.
Help me pick a pistol caliber semiauto carbine
- Thread starter Robert14
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briansmithwins
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- Aug 1, 2005
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I got a Uzi.
Pros:
Cheap mags. $13 for ne w32 round mags is hard to beat.
Reasonable price. About $650 delivered for a new Vector.
Simple design.
Robust.
Easy to find, cheap spare parts. Extra barrels drop right in of needed.
Evil looking.
Good iron sights. I've shot 10" plate at 280 yards with the irons. Took a few shots to get elevation in, but I hit the plate.
Cons:
Difficult to mount optics. Most of the aftermarket solutions suck.
Heavy. It's small, but dense.
I like mine and plan on SBRing it soon.
BSW
Pros:
Cheap mags. $13 for ne w32 round mags is hard to beat.
Reasonable price. About $650 delivered for a new Vector.
Simple design.
Robust.
Easy to find, cheap spare parts. Extra barrels drop right in of needed.
Evil looking.
Good iron sights. I've shot 10" plate at 280 yards with the irons. Took a few shots to get elevation in, but I hit the plate.
Cons:
Difficult to mount optics. Most of the aftermarket solutions suck.
Heavy. It's small, but dense.
I like mine and plan on SBRing it soon.
BSW
MaterDei
Member
I have both of the Marlin Camp calibers. Since my rifles are strictly for plinking I shoot the 9 much more than the 45. The ammo is cheaper and it functions better than my 45.
The Camp's are out of production and parts might be an issue.
The Camp's are out of production and parts might be an issue.
lacoochee
Member
You may want to consider a pistol caliber AR, you could always get a 22 upper for it later as well to reduce the cost of training with that weapon platform.
Pistol Caliber AR's at ar15.com
Pistol Caliber AR's at ar15.com
aloharover
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- Jan 26, 2006
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- 305
9mm AR.
quick and easy to convert the lower back to 5.56 and drop a different upper ontop.
quick and easy to convert the lower back to 5.56 and drop a different upper ontop.
MMcfpd
Member
I like my .45 ARs:
Pros:
• Compared to a 9 mm it packs more wallop - it's .45 ACP!
• The 16" barrel nudges most .45 up to sonic
• The AR platform makes for a pretty accurate .45
• They eat any ammo I've given them, including +P+
• So far they've been uber reliable
Cons:
• Compared to a 9 mm it's more expensive to shoot
• You're not going to find one at Gander Mountain - it takes a little effort to put one together
• As with many AR caliber conversions, magazines can be a problem - the one on the left uses modified (and pricey) Uzi mags in a standard AR lower and the one on the right uses grease gun mags in a dedicated .45 lower
Pros:
• Compared to a 9 mm it packs more wallop - it's .45 ACP!
• The 16" barrel nudges most .45 up to sonic
• The AR platform makes for a pretty accurate .45
• They eat any ammo I've given them, including +P+
• So far they've been uber reliable
Cons:
• Compared to a 9 mm it's more expensive to shoot
• You're not going to find one at Gander Mountain - it takes a little effort to put one together
• As with many AR caliber conversions, magazines can be a problem - the one on the left uses modified (and pricey) Uzi mags in a standard AR lower and the one on the right uses grease gun mags in a dedicated .45 lower
missouri dave
Member
I have the beretta storm carbine and a beretta 90-two pistol. Pro's both use the same ammo and the same magazines even. Came with 17 rounders but 20's and 30's are available. Extremely reliable and quite accurate, pretty good ergonomics. Mine came with a top rail so pretty much any optic I want is available. It takes down into two pieces much like an AR does. The bigger piece is 21 inches long. Con's Some people don't like the thumbhole stock (I don't mind it at all). The stock sights (front post and rear peep) are set a bit low for my taste requiring a good tight shooting stance to see thru them.
paintballdude902
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- Jun 30, 2007
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- 2,872
ive always liked the ruger carbines
9mm Hi-Point Carbine.
Pros:
Very inexpensive.
Uber-reliable.
Accurate.
Easy to mount optics on.
A little better balanced and much better looking when the OE stock is replaced by an ATI stock, which is also very inexpensive.
Cons:
Very fugly in the OE stock.
No reliable after-market magazines; the Pro-Mags are the only replacements I know of and are a poor choice.
Sam
Pros:
Very inexpensive.
Uber-reliable.
Accurate.
Easy to mount optics on.
A little better balanced and much better looking when the OE stock is replaced by an ATI stock, which is also very inexpensive.
Cons:
Very fugly in the OE stock.
No reliable after-market magazines; the Pro-Mags are the only replacements I know of and are a poor choice.
Sam
oneshooter
Member
+1 for the Hi-Point. Loving Wife has semi-retired her 30 carbine for HER 9mm!
Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
EHCRain10
Member
have the beretta CX4 in 9MM and love it to death,
the trigger isnt great but I am still able to hit 4x6inch bricks at 70-80 yards offhand with the short range sight and up to 120yards with the long range sight.
they are pricey but i really do believe that it has been worth every cent i paid for mine.
the trigger isnt great but I am still able to hit 4x6inch bricks at 70-80 yards offhand with the short range sight and up to 120yards with the long range sight.
they are pricey but i really do believe that it has been worth every cent i paid for mine.
Monkeybear
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- Joined
- Jan 27, 2006
- Messages
- 1,178
HK USC converted to UMP
Pros: Awesome!
Cons: $2500
If you have $2500 and the desire for Awesome! then the UMP is for you. A guy on the HKPro forums is selling USCs with the vent cuts and the magwell opened up for $1600. This is pretty cool since the hard part is done for you.
If you have not the money and/or the desire for Awesome! then I am sure any other carbine with a decent reputation will serve you well.
Pros: Awesome!
Cons: $2500
If you have $2500 and the desire for Awesome! then the UMP is for you. A guy on the HKPro forums is selling USCs with the vent cuts and the magwell opened up for $1600. This is pretty cool since the hard part is done for you.
If you have not the money and/or the desire for Awesome! then I am sure any other carbine with a decent reputation will serve you well.
3 gun
Member
A huge thumbs up for the KelTec S2K in 9mm. The only real downsides; you may need to do a little finishing work. Light sanding to even out seams, drag a file over sharp edges, little things. The big one; optics can be a pain to mount. They make a swinging mount that still allows the carbine to fold but its more gimmick than good. I went with a 42mm 4moa red dot on a generic rail clamped to the barrel. Had to trim the hand guard to get it to work but work it does! Has held zero for more than a couple thousand rounds, co-witnesses with the "iron" sights and let me add a light for night shoots. With UMC 115gr 9mm I can stay of the "head" of an IDPA target all day and night out to around 125 yards. Mine takes the Glock 17 mags, easy to find anywhere in the free states.
May not look as nice as some of the other carbines on the market but then they have to do something to explain the higher cost because they sure don't work any better. Light weight. Easy on the budget. Reliable and fun. I've never been beaten in a carbine match because of my S2k and I've won waaay more than I've lost!
May not look as nice as some of the other carbines on the market but then they have to do something to explain the higher cost because they sure don't work any better. Light weight. Easy on the budget. Reliable and fun. I've never been beaten in a carbine match because of my S2k and I've won waaay more than I've lost!
madcratebuilder
Member
A bit on the heavy side, but over all a great shooter.
ZombiesAhead
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- Joined
- May 10, 2007
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- 460
I like the idea of an AR 9mm upper.
That said, I have a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm. The real selling point for me is that it takes Glock 17 magazines - something I already have. As far as I'm concerned, "high cap" (according to anti-gun people, anything with 10 rounds+) magazine interchangeability/availability is paramount.
That said, I have a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm. The real selling point for me is that it takes Glock 17 magazines - something I already have. As far as I'm concerned, "high cap" (according to anti-gun people, anything with 10 rounds+) magazine interchangeability/availability is paramount.
Tomac
Member
FN PS90. Pros: Negligible recoil, mild muzzle blast, no muzzle flash, very short & handy (only 26" OAL), 50rd mag, very flat shooting, fully ambidextrous, incredibly easy to strip/clean/maintain.
Cons: Pricey!
Tomac
Cons: Pricey!
Tomac
tinygnat219
Member
I have 3 pistol caliber carbines:
One's a Marlin Lever Action in .357 Magnum. Great rifle.
One's a Hi-Point 995 in 9MM. This is one of the most fun guns I have ever owned. It's scarily accurate and it does things that no 9MM Carbine should be able to do. The stock is long enough that its wierd looking style is actually pretty comfortable. The only thing that stinks on this is the 10 round magazine.
The other's a KT S2K in 9MM that takes the Glock 17 Magazines. The 33 round G18 magazines are impressive to shoot. However, the stock is short for just about everyone, including females, even with the 1.5 inch stock extension. Just be prepared to hunker down and hold it REAL close. The nice thing about this one is its ability to fold down and go inside my range bag. Cost $159.00 8 months ago.
If you haven't thought about it, consider an M-1 Carbine. The cartridge is a rifle cartridge, but it's so downpowered compared to a real rifle cartridge, it might as well be a pistol cartridge fired out of a rifle. It's been in use for over 60 years and is light enough that anyone can handle it. Throw in the 30 round magazines, and you have a nice little rifle that's accurate to 100 yards or so. Cost: 350.00 or so. I traded another rifle of mine for this one.
I have fired the Beretta CX-4 and find that it really doesn't offer anything that the other two inexpensive carbines already offer.
One's a Marlin Lever Action in .357 Magnum. Great rifle.
One's a Hi-Point 995 in 9MM. This is one of the most fun guns I have ever owned. It's scarily accurate and it does things that no 9MM Carbine should be able to do. The stock is long enough that its wierd looking style is actually pretty comfortable. The only thing that stinks on this is the 10 round magazine.
The other's a KT S2K in 9MM that takes the Glock 17 Magazines. The 33 round G18 magazines are impressive to shoot. However, the stock is short for just about everyone, including females, even with the 1.5 inch stock extension. Just be prepared to hunker down and hold it REAL close. The nice thing about this one is its ability to fold down and go inside my range bag. Cost $159.00 8 months ago.
If you haven't thought about it, consider an M-1 Carbine. The cartridge is a rifle cartridge, but it's so downpowered compared to a real rifle cartridge, it might as well be a pistol cartridge fired out of a rifle. It's been in use for over 60 years and is light enough that anyone can handle it. Throw in the 30 round magazines, and you have a nice little rifle that's accurate to 100 yards or so. Cost: 350.00 or so. I traded another rifle of mine for this one.
I have fired the Beretta CX-4 and find that it really doesn't offer anything that the other two inexpensive carbines already offer.
Thanks for everyone's input. I would love to have a UMP, but I don't know if I want to invest that much $$$ in this purchase. I am considering it. Parts avaliability & mags are a concern. I already have several ARs, so I am considering a 9mm upper, but I have been told that the 9mm ARs are rough on bolt locks. The Beretta storm has appeal for me, does anyone know who has high cap .45 mags for it? I believe that it is avaliable in .45acp.
greyling22
Member
where are you finding an m1 carbine for 350 tinygnat? i'd buy 2.
ThomasT
Member
I have a Hi-Point and a 9mm Camp Carbine. I like them both. The Hi-Point really surprised me with how well it shoots and how accurate it is. The only failure i have had was with lead reloads. The nose dug into the feed ramp. That won't be a problem for 99.8% of most users.
The Marlin 9mm i have now is my second one of these. I stupidly traded off the first one. This one has a permanent home. My shooting buddy let his son shoot his first deer with a Marlin 9mm. They used a 125gr soft point. The bullet went through the deer and dropped it within 40 yards.
I would buy either one again. I found the Marlin on Gunbroker for a total of $286.00 after all the shipping. I believe they are a little higher now but still worth checking out. I did have to make a new buffer for mine. Blackjack buffers has replacement buffers for around 15 bucks.
The Marlin 9mm i have now is my second one of these. I stupidly traded off the first one. This one has a permanent home. My shooting buddy let his son shoot his first deer with a Marlin 9mm. They used a 125gr soft point. The bullet went through the deer and dropped it within 40 yards.
I would buy either one again. I found the Marlin on Gunbroker for a total of $286.00 after all the shipping. I believe they are a little higher now but still worth checking out. I did have to make a new buffer for mine. Blackjack buffers has replacement buffers for around 15 bucks.
Chipperman
Member
I have a USC. I've done the grease gun mag conversion, but did not go whole hog to make it a UMP. I love it. Ergonomics are great, recoil is nothing, very accurate.
The only downside is the cost.
The only downside is the cost.
neviander
Member
You guys with the Thompsons, where might I find one of those? Are the ones you have full auto? and are the full auto versions legal in Texas?
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