Author Topic: Camp Carbine (Read 1074 times)

Mikey · « **on:** April 30, 2006, 02:06:34 AM »

I know this isn't a lever action but it is a Marlin. I am about to come into possession of one of these in 45 acp and know little about the rifle or its workings. The Marlin website does not have an e-mail addres to contact for questions and I am at a loss to figure out where to obtain information or (possibly) parts if needed. Can anyone out there help me - thanks very much. Mikey.

Dee · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:09:42 AM »

Let me enlighten you on this carbine as I bought one. Being a retired tactical officer and a devout 1911 carrier I thought that this would be the ultimate knocking around rifle as it took 1911 magazines.
Upon buying the rifle I found that the action is the same basic action (bolt design) as their 22s. The recoil spring is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too light and upon fireing sets up a vibration in the stock that literally stung my cheek. Forget about reloading! Most of your brass will go flying dozens of feet. As I said before the recoil spring is TOO light and it really flings it. I replaced the recoil shock buffer which appeared to be nylon with a spongy silicone one but, to no avail. I called Marlin to see if they had a stronger spring and they did not want to discuss it. I called Wolfe Springs to see if they had a stronger one and they did not. They had, had lots of calls. In short, I sold the darn thing. If you are going to buy it I would encourage you to shoot it first if possible. It might change your mind.
Good Luck

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2006, 02:23:49 PM »

DEE: Thanks. Mikey.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 07, 2006, 07:10:38 AM »

Mikey, if you can still find a copy of Dean Grennell's "Book of the 45,", he spends most of a chapter on the Marlin Camp Carbine, and was quite fond of what they could accomplish, within their limitations. The action is a straight blowback, hence extra-power loads are a big no-no. But given reasonable factory-level loads, you should be in good stead. Grennell never mentioned the "vigorous" ejection, that I remember, but he was also known to use a net on a frame next to his shooting position, so he may not have been bothered by having to hunt down the empties.

As for the spring situation, I'd be willing to bet you could find something with a little more oomph, Gun Parts Corp carries about a zillion springs, you might be able to substitute with something from an M-1 Carbine, or something similar. Don't unload it or pass on what might be a neat toy until you give it a chance. Grennell said that both the 9mm and 45ACP versions were absolute tack-drivers with ammo they liked, numerous sub 1-inch groups. Try it, you might like it! If not, there are a lot of folks who would love to play with one, they're hard to find!

Papajohn

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2006, 02:41:45 AM »

Papajohn - thanks. BTW, I checked the Wolff Spring site and they now carry extra power springs for that Marlin so I think I'll be in good shape, I hope. Mikey.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2006, 08:40:58 AM »

Mikey, I think you'll like it for what it is.........a short-range plinker, game-getter, and paper-puncher. Some have tried to make it into something it's not, and got into trouble. I think it was Dean Grennell who wrote about one chambered to 38/45 Clerke, just a bottlenecked 45ACP in 38 caliber, and he got some very gratifying groups. But once he exceeded the design specs, the cases started coming out like 45ACP cases, the action was opening too fast, and the brass was getting blown back out to a straight configuration! :shock:

Use it with sane loads, and you should be fine. But a good buffer and stronger spring might be a good idea, as well!

BTW, the 1" groups were at 25 yards, with a 4X scope. Marlin makes GOOD barrels.

Papajohn

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2006, 03:01:22 AM »

Papajohn - thanks again. I have never felt the 45 auto needed anything opther than a good bullet design to be as effective as possible and I would only be using it for a short range plinker - maybe to 100m for giggles.

I have issues with Dean Grennel that I will discuss with him when I see him, where the hay ever he went after he passed away. And trying to hot-rod the 38/45 is/was just like him. The 38/45 was/is a ncie mid-range target round but he tried to make it outperform the 38 super. It was ok on a 1911 platform with heavy springs but not for the action of the Camp Carbine. I think it was at that time he felt bottleneck cartridges on the 1911 weren't such a good idea, but he went about it the wrong way with a cartridge design that had too long a neck. Even so, he later (1978/9) convinced Peter Pi of Cor-Bon to re-design a (then experimental) 45 case necked to 40 cal, and to use the same long neck principal of the Clerke design. In order to keep from suffering the same pressure problems Grennel experienced Cor-Bon had to decrease the bullet weight to avoid higher pressures. Not the greatest of cartrdige designs in my (albeit small) mind..................Mikey.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2006, 06:37:58 AM »

He was still a great writer, good at imparting info while still being entertaining.......I love his style. If I remember right, he and his cadre of friends did accomplish a few good things. Tom Ferguson, Claude Hamilton, Ace Hindman, Jim Andrews, and a few others were responsible for the 45 Super in its early iterations. Plus a LOT of good articles by most of them down thru the years. It's sad, but most of those guys are gone now. Imagine all they saw in their lives, most were born in the 20's!

Take care and enjoy what Dean called a, "Graceful little i-dotter".

Papajohn

cwlongshot · « **Reply #8 on:** June 04, 2006, 04:24:58 PM »

I also have one of these delightful little carbines! She is one of my favorites. My only complaint has already been mentioned...throws brass a mile!! That and being a blow back it gets pretty dirty. The ciclik rate this carbine will shoot is astounding!

It shoots very accurately to boot. I have gotten 1.5" groups at 100yrds with a good scope. I only did this to see how it would do, normally mine sees duty as a house gun wearing williams peep and a big dot night site up front. It also works well with a red dot, but the stock is cut for open sights and this is my preferance.

As a hunting gun, this little carbine has a couple coyotes and two deer under its belt. All taken with Remington Golden Sabers 185gr +p loads. All with one shot at close range.

Like Dee, the 1911 is what I was trained on and my first choice for any altercation. This carbine being able to use the same mags was a natural. My local club does many tactical two gun matches as well as carbine and pistol "pin" matches. I am OK with the 1911, but have won many times against ARs and H&K's with my little marlin. The combo of light weight, light recoil, ample power and super fast fire rate make it a top contender.

Dont over look this fine little carbine!!

CW

papajohn428 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2006, 04:46:12 PM »

CW, thanks for chiming in, I'm glad to hear there are folks out there who enjoy the Camp Carbine for what it is. I've always wanted a semi-auto carbine in a decent caliber, the 9mm never attracted me, but the 45 did! Now if someone would just make a 10mm carbine that wasn't a blowback, I'd be in heaven! I think I feel a new thread coming on.......

Papajohn