Looking for a handy carbine...

[Caliburn]

Choices

The M-1 carbine is a handy gun, and with hollowpoints instead of GI ball, an effective stopper. (Maybe not on heavy clothed opponents, apparently the M-1 didn't perform well in Korea in the winter.)

The PC carbines from Ruger are nice, but obviously pistol caliber. Might as well go with a Mini-14 (.223) or Mini-30 (7.62x39). Probably get a good deal on a used one. Accuracy isn't great, but ammo for either is dirt cheap. They're both handy and reliable shooters.

Any of those choices will fit the bill for what you want, with the pistol carbines on the weaker side. Also check out Marlin Camp Carbines and the Hi-Point already mentioned.

Shoot well!

 

[Logistar]

OEF_VET, I might have to join you "at the stake" after I pick up my Hi-point Carbine next month. I can't recommend them since I don't actually own one yet... but it appears they do fill a niche.

BTW - Is a SAR considered a carbine? I CAN recommend a SAR-1! You can share ammo with your SKS maybe and the recoil isn't THAT bad!

Logistar

 

[OEF_VET]

My SAR-1 is shorter than my SKS, so I consider it more of a carbine. Even when I fold the stock, the SKS is only about 3-4" shorter than the SAR. With the stock unfolded, it is about 8-9" longer than the SAR.

 

[Bowlcut]

what i find funny is eveyrone that shoots my hipoint carbine comes away saying "dang that thing is cool, dont tell anyone i shot it " while not pretty to most, and a little flimsey stock, its a cool little carbine. yea probaly be better in a different cal. but hey, 9mm is cheap to shoot.

what i want to do is find a way to stiffen up the stock. maybe fill it with structual foam i use in race cars to stiffin frames. maybe some grip tape or something. gota get some time to mess with it.

of course SAR-1....lovely piece of armament

 

[Futo Inu]

I love carbines

Well it's not within your pistol-cal, low recoil parameter, but that KelTec SU16 in .223 looks tasty. In any event, if you go with a .223 or 7.62x39 of ANY kind, the 7.62 will recoil a tad MORE, not less, than the .223, correct? The 5.45x39 even a smidgeon less still. An SAR-2 a very good economical choice as well.

If you already have a 1911, then consider getting a Mec-Tech in .45acp, .460 rowland, or 10mm. You can get a 10mm one and attach it to your .45 1911 frame, and it will work just fine - all you will need then is mags - that's what I'd do if you already have a frame. The 10mm can benefit from a longer bbl length (carbine).

M1 Carbine is nice in .30 carbine, or from IMI in 5.7 Johnson Spitfire for longer range - very nice efficient cartridge, and low recoil. A gas-operated or stationary-bolt gun is a better choice in general than a blowback, not only for recoil sake, but also just cartridge efficiency sake. A lot more burning powder ends up exiting the side of a straight blowback, rather than propelling your bullet downrange - this effect is magnified in a carbine, as compared to a handgun.

.357 mag is another cartridge that would benefit from a carbine length much more than a 9x19, 40, or 45, esp in heavy loadings like 158 or 180 gr. Lever guns available there. Good choice. Then you have levers or semi-autos in 44 mag or 45 LC too, but then you're getting back into some recoil - may as well get the SU16 or some such IMO.

The Marlins are reasonably priced, but then again there's the pistol caliber thing. Call Marlin and ask them if it's OK to shoot 45 super/450 triton SMC in the 45 - if they say yes, then you're onto something there. Specially if you reload and use a slower burning powder - should be able to pump 185s out at 1400+. Same thing on the Mec Techs - email me if you want me to update you on my testing results with 45 super from the acp mec-tec - should have some info within 2 weeks.

Indeed people speak highly of the Hi Point, but I just cannot get past the looks - I'll bet it's turned more people to stone than Medusa, just by looking at it. JK. Finally, as always, patriots don't buy Rugers of any flavor.

 

[Illuminate]

Thank you for your help, but could you please clarify this statement?

Indeed people speak highly of the Hi Point, but I just cannot get past the looks - I'll bet it's turned more people to stone than Medusa, just by looking at it. JK. Finally, as always, patriots don't buy Rugers of any flavor.

Am I missing something?

 

[Futo Inu]

Illuminate, you may be indeed missing something. Do you mean about Ruger, or the looks of the Hi-point? If so, I'll be glad to "illuminate" you on their treasonous actions. My sig line from above post is a start for ya....

 

[Illuminate]

Hahaha, was that there when you posted it? Sorry, I didn't notice that.

 

[cosmonick]

I own a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm. My main complaints are that it's intolerant of being dirty and very picky with magazines. Don't get me wrong, I clean it regularly. But after a couple hundred rounds it just doesn't work as well until cleaned again. Definitely the least reliable gun I own. I'll probably trade it against something else.

My brothers cheap little Hi-Point never seems to fail and shoots pretty accurately. The only reason I wouldn't get a Hi-Point is because there are no hi-caps available. That's just me, but I have a hard time with idea of a 10 shot 9mm rifle. If I'm going to limit myself in shots, I'd rather use my 454 lever action (9 rounds of 454 or 10 rounds of 45 LC).

If you own an AR, you could buy a pistol caliber upper. There are some that use Sten mags. Or if you prefer 45, there are some that use Grease Gun mags.

 

[gunsmith]

marlin camp in 9mm,pain in the neck!

While very accurate,cleaning it is a chore.little springs that go boing boing all over,the manual says you should put the pins in a certain way even though the gun works fine if you put them in the "wrong" way.
I got mine NIB for 325$ a couple a yrs ago though...