What 9mm carbine should I get?

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Greywolf

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I've been considering a 9mm carbine and here are my criteria:

1 - Reliable

2 - Inexpensive

3 - Available mags that are not too pricey and hold at least 15 rounds

4 - Good selection of accessories




So far, I've read some info about the Ruger PC-9, kel-tec Sub 2000, Marlin Camp Carbine, and Hi-Point Carbine.

Anyone have any thoughts on these, experiences, etc.? It appears that the Hi-Point is pretty good on most fronts but suffers in the magazine department. The Sub 2000 is intriguing since it takes glock mags, but I don't know much more than that.

Thanks for the help!
 
I have a HiPoint. Bought it used at a gun show 3 years ago. It was in bad shape as the guy obviously never oiled it, so sent it to the factory. They replaced the worn parts and I shot a few hundred rounds through it.

Then one day the safety snapped off, disabling the firing mechanism. Back to the factory.

Two weeks later took it to the range, off center firing pin strikes. Called tech, said the chamber/barrel wasn't lined up right.

Back to the factory. They replaced everything but the barrel. I have so many friggin extra parts I could probably build another one of these, not to mention all the extra mags.

Why oh why didn't they just send me a NEW carbine? All that labor and shipping costs on my part. :fire:

I used to feel the HiPoint was a decent gun, but when parts just randomly snap off, hard to recommend it.
 
Pick any two . . .

I've been considering a 9mm carbine and here are my criteria:

1 - Reliable

2 - Inexpensive

3 - Available mags that are not too pricey and hold at least 15 rounds

4 - Good selection of accessories
Click to expand...
You remember the old saw: good, fast, cheap -- pick any two?

  • Beretta CX4 Storm: Reliable, Available Mags, Accessories.
  • Marlin Camp 9: Reliable, Available Mags, sometimes Inexpensive -- but out of production.
  • Hi-Point 995: Reliable, Inexpensive, some accessories, but mags are usually 10 rd and proprietary. You'd have to check for 15 rounders (single stack).
  • Kel-tec SUB-2000: Reliable, Best Mag Availability, Inexpensive, limited accessories. (Also folds up for transport.)
  • Ruger PC9: Reliable, Available Mags, . . . somewhat expensive, no accessories that I know of.

There are others.

I think maybe one of the above will be what you want.

Edit:
Someone commented that I left the "Storm" out of the list.
It's there. I simply called it the "CX4" rather than "Storm."
The "Storm" name describes both the carbine -- CX4 -- and
the pistol -- PX4.
 
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I'll only speak toward the Hi-Point because I have no personal experience with the others.

I realize that the Hi-Point is on the bottom side of the price scale when looking at 9mm carbines. I suspect that because of this one might expect they are not as well built as the other brands costing more, and that may well be the case. They however seem to work better than expectations.

I find therefore that they are a bargin for the money and perform much better than one would expect from such a low cost firearm. I have had zero issues with mine so far. I understand that those who do, generaly are treated with swift turn around and good customer service from the company.

The proprietary 10 round magazine seems to work well. There is an aftermarket 15 round magazine that most agree does NOT work . Some modification to this aftermarker 15 round magazine has proven to be helpful, but I have no personal experience to say they are totaly reliable with the modifications.

Many owners have opted to replace the Hi-Points stock with an aftermarket one that appears to be a copy of the Beretta CX-4 design. I personaly feel that if one wants this type stock they would be better served by applying the extra cost toward the Beretta. (just my opinion)

From what is second hand information there seems to be little issue with the brands mentioned. They all seem to have a good reputation, so therefore cost and personal fit should be you guide, as well as the opinion of others on this forum who have personal experience with them.

Shooting 9mm carbine - a real hoot ! Have fun.
 
I wonder if Hi-point or any other company has given some thought to making some higher capacity mags - one would think that would go a long way towards gaining even more market share.
 
I own both a Highpoint 995 and a KT Sub2000.
The Highpont is a good shooting,trouble free design,
same can be said about the Sub2000.
With HP's going in the $150's and Sub's going from $275,
I'd go with the Sub. The fact of using G-18 31rd mags
puts her in the lead,hands down.
Word is promag,or someone, does have 15rd mags for the
HP,put only heard bad reports about them.
Good luck on your choice.

MRI
 
Chose the Kel Tec b/c it takes common mags (THey make them in SIG... also)
They have GREAT customer service/warrenty
It has the added advantage of folding.

Then I sold it to a THR member b/c I realised if I'm gonna carry a rifle... I want a rifle.
 
I have a PC9 and have had absolutely no problems with it at all. That being said, I really have no use for a 9mm carbine. It is a lot of fun to shoot, and very accurate out to 50 yards{have not really shot it any further than 50},15,20,25,and 30 round mags are plentiful, and it is still fairly cheap to shoot. Mine has fed every round imaginable reliably{ even reloads} it is compact and light.

No complaints.:)
 
If U want optics on it, I'd say the Beretta Storm. If U plan to shoot with open sights, I'd get the Keltec.

I'd own a Keltec now if it wasn't for the fact that I want a scope on it (red dot) and if U do that, U can't fold it up anymore. That folding mount that Keltec sells doesn't work as advertised - U have to rezero the thing each time U fold the optic out of the way.
 
I'd stay away from the Marlin Camp only because they have been out of production for so long. I have a Camp 45 with a broken hammer strut bridge that I'm not able to find a replacement for. It's very frustrating. I think I'm going to have to have one machined by a gunsmith.

It's a nice shooter though, or was.

hoji, if you're looking to unload your PC9 send me a PM. :)
 
You can buy two Hi-Points and a bunch of ammo for the price of one Marlin. Parts are out of production by Marlin also. So I would suggest the Hi Point even though it does not have 15 round magazines. Don't buy a used one unless you know the owner. Since they are so cheap they inspire non-gun owners to buy them who then do not take care of them.

There is another option if you own a Glock. MechTech makes an upper that attaches to your Glock receiver in several different calibers. Does not work as well as a Glock and you have to disassemble your Glock to use it (take off slide) but it takes all Glock magazines and it can be shipped to your door as it is not a gun.

BtW- I just bought a Hi Point the other day and it works great. Uglier than Rosie O'Donnel but way more functional. 500 rounds through of cheap WWB and zero hick-ups. Off hand accurate to 6'' at 100 yards.
 
I bought a Hi-Point carbine after reading good reviews here at THR (Thanks Doc2005) and I'm very happy with mine. I picked up a gently used one at a gun show with the ATI stock for $180 with 5 mags. The only problem I ever had with it was with the junk Promag that was included in the bundle (aftermarket). It's easily recognizable by the thick plastic mag floor. I just leave it in the drawer and use the other 4. Using them, I've put 400-500 rounds through her without a problem. Great gun for the money. Stay away from Promag for these guns.
 
I recommend the Ruger PC-9. Weigand makes a Ruger->Weaver Scope Mount for it. There a reasonably priced hi-cap mags. Not a platform with a lot of crappy accys available. Very reliable and solid weapon.

Bertta also makes a good rifle. I've shot the 9x19 and .40 S&W. Both were plenty accurate. At 50 yards, the .40 was easily able to hit clays laid out on the berm.

I really recommend against the Hi-Point. Some of them work great, but they also sell a lot of rifles with serious issues. It's kind of like playing the lottery. Mine jams at least once every ten shots, often times more frequently, regardless of ammo. Accuracy and ergonomics are good. The stock screws and bolt handle need to be tightened frequently, and it is a PIA to lock the bolt back. The mags also seem pretty cheaply constructed.

The Marlins were pretty good guns. The major complaint is that the triggers can be excessively heavy. If the rifle your looking at has a decent trigger you may be in luck. For the price, you are probably better off with a Ruger.
 
If U want optics on it, I'd say the Beretta Storm. If U plan to shoot with open sights, I'd get the Keltec.

I'd own a Keltec now if it wasn't for the fact that I want a scope on it (red dot) and if U do that, U can't fold it up anymore. That folding mount that Keltec sells doesn't work as advertised - U have to rezero the thing each time U fold the optic out of the way.
Click to expand...
U do realize that there's nothing that says that U have to fold the Keltec, don't U?

Just because it has that capability, U don't have to utilize it. The Keltec has other things going for it besides being foldable.

U know?
 
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Here is the response I left at TFL:

If you have a Glock already then the keltec with Glock mag setup is probably the way to go. I haven't shot one, but they get good reviews. They also offer them with Beretta mag compatibility I believe (maybe others, not sure).

I own a PC9 and love the thing. Shoots and handles well, zero malfunctions not related to crappy aftermarket mag. I also own a P89 so it makes sense for me because of mag compatibility. I got mine very gently used for $360.00 a few months ago. I've seen them NIB at gunshows for around $400.00 within that same timeframe.

I know nothing about the highpoints other than what I've read. They seem to have done something right at least with that weapon as it has a lot of fans here and at THR. Not sure about mag compatibility or availability.
 
I have had the HiPoint in the 9mm and the 40S&W. Both were dependable and abel to fill the role of carbine for any home defense. I liked the 9mm better, due to the smaller size. Ten rounds of hyper speed 124gr Euro Pellets will certainly ruin your day! The 4095, 40S&W carbine, was just a little too big for its purpose. It was a couple inches too long for a carbine and it kicked like a mule! It didn't handle like the 9mm carbine. Good groups though, and the mags could also be used in my 40S&W Hi Point pistol.

I have had the Marlins in both 45ACP and 9mm. I didn't like either.

I have two 995 carbines (HiPoints), that I bought used for $100 each. I sent them top teh factory for a checkup. It costed me $35 for shipping, but I got three mags for my trouble! I don't think their is a better carbine than the 9mm Hi Point. They are my daughters goto rifles.

Now, why whould anyone want a pistol caliber in a rifle? It is to allow others, ie non regualr shooters or smaller framed, to use an effective caliber in a more effective platform. My daughters shoot regular, but they are far from Ms Rambos. They can shoot a pistol well, but they shoot a pistol caliber carbine GREAT! And at typical home defense ranges, they are lethal. Personally, I would want everyone armed with at least a .223 or 7.62 Soviet caliber carbine. But sometimes we settle on what will work, not what is the best.

BTW, if anyone from HiPoint is watching......why don't you build a carbine AROUND a hi cap mag, like the Glock or XD? This would cause your company to have to build several new factories!

And about the the Kel Tec.....I shot one and it hurts! It was one that took a Glock mag in 40S&W. I had a black and blue "circle" on my shoulder for a week after. The recoil rod will beat the hell out of you. My buddy finally glued a recoil pad on the end to be able to stand to shoot it.

22lr
 
I have shot the Keltec, and the Storm, and picked up the Highpoint. The Storm looks cool but it is NOT worth 2x the Keltec or 3x the Highpoint. IMHO the only reason to go with the Keltec over the Highpoint is the ability to use the hi-cap mags. My little Highpoint shoots very accurately, has run just about every kind of ammo flawlessly (even HP), it is ugly, but so is the keltec and you can buy the aftermarket stock that makes it look pretty much like the storm (costs about $75) http://www.atigunstocks.com/.

I like my HP and actually my boys want me to buy each of them one, which I probably will.
 
BTW, if anyone from HiPoint is watching......why don't you build a carbine AROUND a hi cap mag, like the Glock or XD? This would cause your company to have to build several new factories!
Click to expand...

It is my undestanding that the 995 was built to comply with AWB I to provide a low cost self defense carbine that complied with all ban rules.
 
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