Pistol Caliber carbine on the cheap

[Hawthorne2k]

Ok, let's say Santa has been good to you this year and you have about $500 to spend on a pistol-caliber carbine (and that's $500 firm, no "Save up and a get something more expensive" option available). This is just for plinking and the occasional low-key rifle/carbine competition.

What would you chose from the following, and why?

• 9mm HiPoint Carbine
• 9mm Kel-Tec SUB-2000
• 9mm Sterling Sporter
• What about a pointed stick?

 

[Z-Michigan]

Of your list, a kel-tec.

But a WASR would be under $400, cost only a little more to shoot and be more useful and probably more fun too. That would be my under $500 fun/casual competition vote.

 

[Justin]

You might check to see what the 9mm uppers that Olympic Arms makes are going for.

They're probably not top-of-the-line, but for the purposes of plinking and the occasional side match, I suspect it would be good enough.

 

[goon]

What's a Marlin 1894 in .357 go for these days?
I saw a used one locally for $400 the other day.
That would be my choice over any of the options you've listed.

 

[merlinfire]

I have a Kel-Tec and I have to say they're fun little carbines. Accurate, easy to take apart, VERY light (some hunting revolvers are heavier I think) and can fold up to easily fit in a backpack, for what that's worth. Feeds without malfunction in my experience, even on the cheap steel-cased stuff. Uses 9mm glock mags, so if you have a glock you can share mags as well as ammo.

Downsides is the bolt doesn't hold back on an empty chamber (but there is a bolt hold back notch to lock it back). Bolt is a little awkward to operate without breaking your sight picture.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

What's a Marlin 1894 in .357 go for these days?

Agreed, and even one of the less expensive Cowboy Action lever action rifles in a .44 Mag, or .45 Colt, or also in .357 are an option. I had a Rossi in .45 Colt that was a tack driver, and my neighbor has one in .357/.38 that has little kick so is very fast. OK so reloading is slower than a mag fed semi-auto.

LD

 

[336A]

Another vote for the Marlin 1894 rifles I like to have versatility, from punching paper and tin cans to punching game. Here is a good little thread that portrays the effectiveness of a .44 mag carbine on game.
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,82101.0.html

 

[Justin]

Unless he's planning to shoot cowboy action matches, the lever gun would be a poor choice for local side matches.

 

[Hawthorne2k]

Unless he's planning to shoot cowboy action matches, the lever gun would be a poor choice.

I'm planning on doing that eventually, but no, that's not the reason for this particular purchase.

 

[336A]

Unless he's planning to shoot cowboy action matches, the lever gun would be a poor choice for local side matches.

The OP didn't specify what the side matches were going to be, so it could be anything so I don't see how the Marlin would be a bad choice. For the price point the Marlin is undoubtedly the better value for the money and probably more accurate as well. I know that the OP didn't mention using the rifle for hunting either but if that were in his future then the Marlin again would be a better choice.

 

[Grunt]

Out of your list, I'd suggest the Sterling. I have one and it's not a bad little carbine. The side loading magazine takes some getting used to but the roller design follower makes for the easiest loading magazine out there, bar none! The only problem I had with mine that is pretty common to these carbines is that they shoot low even with the front sight bottomed out. You can either file the top of the sight down a little or do like I did and pull the sight out and file down the bottom to prevent damaging the finish on the top of the blade. All-in-all, it's a pretty fun carbine to play with and once you get it sighted in, the accuracy isn't bad for a PCC and the reliability once mine was broken it, was 100%. So what's the down side? Magazines aren't as easy to come by (although Sten mags work if you don't mind loading those damn things) and aren't as cheap as some other designs but they are pretty much bomb-proof and I never had a problem with any of them.

 

[hirundo82]

I want to get one of the 9mm KelTec carbines, especially since my HD and carry guns are 9mm Glocks and you can get a Sub2000 that uses the same mags. If you have a gun that uses mags that the KelTec can be configured for (Glock 17 or 19, S&W 59, Beretta 92, Sig P226) that may be something to consider.

 

[Robert]

I know that the OP didn't mention using the rifle for hunting either but if that were in his future then the Marlin again would be a better choice.

He also did not mention lever guns.

so it could be anything so I don't see how the Marlin would be a bad choice.

By all means come run one at the next 3Gun or Tactical Rifle match.

The OP didn't specify what the side matches were going to be,

Well, all of the choices he lists are semi auto pistol caliber carbines so I think it would be safe to bet that he would be shooting a side match after an IPSC or IDPA match, or even Steel Challenge.

 

[Justin]

The OP didn't specify what the side matches were going to be, so it could be anything so I don't see how the Marlin would be a bad choice.

To my way of thinking, low-key carbine match would seem to imply the sort of "just for fun" side matches that usually accompany an IDPA or IPSC match. Close range, and basically running a pistol course with a long gun, maybe with a couple of targets tossed out at 50-75-100 yards.

Hawthorne's post at 2:51 would seem to back up this notion.

 

[Hawthorne2k]

Nothing wrong with the Marlin at all, but Justin is correct: I want the carbine for matches like the SubGun Match at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club (which has a semi-auto division) and the monthy carbine/shotgun match at the Phoenix Rod and Gun Club.

 

[briansmithwins]

Sterling. It's the only one of the bunch that was designed as a military arm and as such will be more durable and reliable.

If I didn't already have the Uzi I would have snapped one of these up in a heartbeat.

Yes, I run it at local competitions too. BSW

 

[Justin]

Nothing wrong with the Marlin at all,

Agreed, Marlin makes good guns. It was certainly not my intention to bag on Marlins or those who like them. Rather, I was trying to keep within the requirements set out by the OP in the first post, eg. a semi-auto 9mm carbine.

I want the carbine for matches like the SubGun Match at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club (which has a semi-auto division) and the monthy carbine/shotgun match at the Phoenix Rod and Gun Club.

What are the rules for these matches? If they allow you to run double stack or high-capacity magazines, you'll probably want to avoid the Hi-Point since the capacity is limited to 8 rounds.

 

[dusty14u]

I voted for the KT2000. Accurate, light and reliable. Mine takes Glock mags so I picked up a couple of the 33rd mags. It is good to 50yds and over and packs really well.

 

[henschman]

If you get the Kel Tec that takes Glock 17 mags, it leaves open the possibility of high cap magazines... 17 or 33. The Hi Point only takes Hi Point's own 10 round single stack mags. Plus the Kel Tec folds in half, which is pretty cool.

The hi point has better (more adjustable) sights, and is more optic-friendly... it has a picatinny rail on top of the receiver, unlike the Kel Tec. The high point is also very rugged and reliable, and is surprisingly accurate.

I have owned both, and I didn't consider either one to be significantly better than the other, so I didn't vote in the poll. I think the answer for you might depend on what you personally care more about... sights and optics, or high capacity?

 

[onebigelf]

Keltec. I carry a G19.

John

 

[mcdonl]

Hands down, any day any where the Hi Point. Not one single misfire of any type with about one cleaning every 2000 rounds of lead. Flawless.

 

[Tomcat47]

Marlin Camp 9 or Camp 45!

Out of your list probably the Kel-tec, But I would add these to the list myself.

I had a camp 9 and it was fun to shoot! You can still find them in the specified price range.

Had one friend years ago that hog hunted with a Camp .45 and Black Talon Ammo. Done a fine job!

Am always a fan of the 1894 .357, .44 those are awesome! but thought poster was sticking to 9mm?

 

[ritepath]

I love my sub2k, It's a great little gun lots of fun to shoot.




However.com if I didn't have an AK I'd pick one of the cheap-o's up just to have one considering they can be had for under 500 now.

 

[RX-178]

Voted for the Sub2K. I really like mine as well.

I wouldn't go with the Sterling. I tend to be distrustful of any semi auto version of anything that originally fired from an open bolt. I'd get them for the historical value, but that's about it.

 

[Balrog]

What is recoil of the Sub2K in 9mm compared to an AR in 5.56
?