Author Topic: Camp Gun (Read 3359 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** March 08, 2005, 10:47:13 PM »

I have heard talk of a "Camp Gun" and just thought it was a model. WEll I can't find such a model.
What is a camp gun?

Blessings

inluvwithsara · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2005, 01:21:08 AM »

well, there was Marlin's "Camp Carbine" a small semi-auto carbine in 9mm or 45...but If you mean the catagory I'd say a quick handleing, fast action, for defense against snakes, bears, mountain Lions, and evil people...Some would say a short shotgun, or a Winchester trapper, or 1894 marlin, I like my 1895g for the task, some use an handgun for the job...
The Smith Mountain guns were a good Idea...but heck, if it be grizzly areas...45/70 or 12 gauge are my Idea of a camp gun...
I live in the east so for a longtime my 1894c was my campgun. along with a s&w 686 on the hip...they have givin' way to a Ruger SBH 44 on the hip and my Marlin 1895g

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2005, 03:20:08 AM »

As inluvwithsara said,

Marlin made a Camp Carbine(semi-Auto). Also to agree with him, My idea of a camp gun is just like his.

I personally carry a 357 Blackhawk for that purpose, usually with my 1894C 357 close at hand. Here in SW Virginia either of them will handle anything we're likely to encounter very nicely.

big medicine · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2005, 04:03:21 AM »

I always wanted a Thompson SMG but will never be able to afford one. But the Marlin Camp Gun is a lot of fun. I have the Mod 45. It is accurate and off the fun scale.

Chuck White · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2005, 11:02:12 AM »

My definition of a "camp gun" is as follows:
This is a gun that you would leave at camp, in case someone at camp was to damage their gun or you were to get a visitor in camp and then he/she decided to go hunting with your group but didn't have a gun of their own with them, they could use the "camp gun"!!
Basically a "camp gun" would be a "loaner" gun!

marlinman444 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2005, 03:55:00 PM »

Ive always used my refurbished enfielf jungle carbine as my woods/farm truck gun for predatoers and deer after chores. it works great and keeps goin after some good use. (it is a battle rifle after all i would expect at least this much)

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2005, 03:31:47 AM »

williamlayton - I agree with Chuck White on his definition of a 'camp gun'. My camp gun is an old VZ-24 8mm Mauser that probably gets knocked around more than anything else, but it shoots very accurately, hits more than hard enough and is totally reliable. I have used it and so have half a dozen other folks and it has always worked for all of us.

Yep, a 'camp gun' is the one you leave at camp in case someone else needs one. Mikey.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2005, 09:03:24 AM »

For goodness sakes, I have been hunting for over 35 years and have been in dozens of different camps and clubs in more that 10 states. I have never heard the term camp gun being used to refer to a gun for self defense, or defense of the camp, or defense against animals or people. I have also never heard of pistols or revolvers being referred to as camp guns. Geez, do you guys really go to deer camp and wear big revolvers on your belts all day, like you are in the old west? Not in my camps. Perhaps the only reason for this would be if you are in Alaska or British Columbia.

A camp gun is a spare, medium caliber rifle with open sights, or a shotgun, with a medium to short barrel, that is generally worn but in good operating condition, that you have at camp to loan to someone in case their gun goes down, or for a visitor, or for quick and handy use in case you spot some game close by camp, or in case a friend comes in and says he has wounded a deer and needs your help to track it. Implicit in the concept is that the gun can't be one that is very valuable, since it might get stolen from camp, or damaged by someone you loan it to.

Big Paulie

nfmMike · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2005, 02:55:37 AM »

Poor guy only asked about a "Camp Gun" and refered to a manufactured model. Everyone knows about the "spare" rifle policy at hunting camps.

wilaimlayton - inluvwithsara has it right. There were three models of Camp Carbine made by marlin, the popular ones being the 9mm and the .45 ACP.

Doing a quick internet search, I found this for your reading pleasure:

http://www.kimdutoit.com/ee/index.php/ggps/marlin_camp_carbine_45_acp/

I don't nesseccarily agree with all his points, but I do agree that for a short statured woman, it would be hard to beat the handyness of the Camp .45.

nfmMike · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2005, 03:13:24 AM »

Here is a quite an excellent article on the take down and reassembly of the Camp 9.

http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/marlincamp9war.htm

nfmMike · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2005, 03:23:36 AM »

And here, is probably one of the best write ups I have seen concerning the Camp Carbine's pros and cons.

http://www.notpurfect.com/main/campgun.htm

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2005, 06:23:42 PM »

Big Paulie
When camping with my wife and daughters I often took my .44 Mag Browning as a camp gun for protection against bears, lions, and two-legged varmints. Later on I took handguns a 9mm with a 15-round magazine, a .357 Mag revolver, a .45ACP with a second magazine. The rifle was never far from hand and the handguns were usually on my hip.

There is ample evidence to contradict your contention that the only reason for this would be if you are in Alaska or British Columbia. Here in Colorado we have had a number of campers attacked by black bears and two or three people have been killed by lions in the past few years. Human vermin have shot one camper and killed another up on the Platte River below Deckers. My wife was on the jury pool (but not selected) for a couple people that killed a third individual. The three of them had been living off the land up in the mountains by robbing various camps.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2005, 08:25:30 AM »

Coyote Hunter,

All good and sound reasons for carrying a handgun while camping with the wife and kids.

What I object to is guys showing up at deer hunting camp, like its some sort of male fantasy weekend, wearing enormous revolvers (44 mags, 454 Casuls, and other massive single actions) on their hips, with full leather holsters and 30 shells in the loops, and pretenting that they are cowboys.

If there is a realistic need for some sort of protection in deer camp (extremely unlikely), then the camp rifle or shotgun will do it, and if someone is really really paranoid about it, a small .357 mag, tucked in their coat pocket, should be enough. Deer camp is for hunting, not fantasy role playing. This is why I finally bought my own hunting land. I got really fed up with these guys. (Not to mention the ones who think that "hunting" means riding around on four wheelers in conveys all morning and afternoon!)

Best Regards,

Big Paulie

tomaldridge · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2005, 09:56:04 AM »

Haven't seen it mentioned in the thread yet, but the Marlin Camp Carbine was originally designed to use magazines from the 1911 for the .45, and from Smith & Wessson handguns for the 9mm. The 12 round mag fit perfectly in the 9mm, and the 14-15 round mag would work, but you had to load from a closed bolt to keep from jamming the rifle. There was a small velocity loss from the 1911 to the Camp Carbine, but a pretty decent gain in the 9mm. They seemed made for an AimPoint and fun shooting. The downside was picking up all that brass.

Camp Cook · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2005, 12:42:20 PM »

My definition of a camp gun is a fast handling short barreled rifle or shotgun that is used for protection/plinking/backup hunting rifle etc.

My camp rifle is usually my Marlin 1895GS 45-70, my shotgun is a 12 gauge Rem 870 Express, 18.5" rifle sight barrel, extended mag tube and my wife's rifle is a s/s Ruger 77/44 44mag.

When I feel like it I also carry a Ruger SRH 454 Casull, or one of 2 s/s Ruger Bisley Vaquero's in 45 Colt or a Glock 20 or Colt Delta Elite 10mm's when I'm in camp.

inluvwithsara · « **Reply #15 on:** May 20, 2005, 07:07:16 AM »

Big Paulie, I understand you statement, I have met the type...I am not that type...but to clarify, I live in VA...unfortunatly the Northern part...when I get home from work, I strap on my gun, all weekend I carry my gun, when I go to the store, I carry my gun...with the exeption of work, fed parks, and church, I carry my gun...and it is either a glock 30, or a 4 5/8s 44 super blackhawk with 44 specials in it...Its a tool as we all can agree...thats all...I never go in the woods without a knife, compass and a gun...just the way I am...better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it...

His question was about camp guns...for hunting camps...you are right....you are pretty safe in a hunting camp...but in a family camp sight, or a solo camp sight...I see a "need" for a camp gun...

Old Griz · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2005, 08:30:43 PM »

:cb2: Big Paulie:

Once upon a time about everyone you met in the wilderness was an instant friend. Today that just isn't the case. There are just too many crazies out there who would do you bodily harm without a second thought. What happened in Minn. last November wasn't a normal occurance, thank the Lord, but 6 dead and 2 wounded probably wouldn't have happened if some of them had been armed with a pistol or revolver at deer camp. And since most of us hunt with "44 mags, 454 Casuls, and other massive single actions" what do you expect people to carry at deer camp? .22s?

National and state parks are being used by drug smugglers and coyotes (the 2-legged kind) more and more. Park rangers who used to be unarmed are now carrying Sig .45 autos.

Isolated areas were you like to hunt are also areas where marijuana crops are grown. A friend of mine and I stumbled upon what the Feds told us was a $3 million crop. They told us we were luckycrops that size are usually protected by claymores and armed guards. It used to be moonshine, but now the cash crop ain't related to corn.

We spent a week in Colorado last Summer, and in that week alone the news had three different accounts of people threatened my mountain lions, and a special on the news on the number of homes broken into by bears. If they're not afraid of the suburbs, they sure ain't afraid of an isolated deer camp.

So I'll wear my .44 when I'm out in the woods at deer camp. It even sleeps with me in my sleeping bag. It has nothing to do with "fantasy role playing," and I'm not trying to be macho (too old for that), or "playing cowboy." I'm glad you had enough money to buy your own hunting land, but most of us are not that fortunate. I hope you're as safe there as you think you are.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2005, 09:42:26 PM »

Old Griz.

Well Put, I carry mine every where i go because i can, The best post was
( better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it ) I have been hunting for over 58 years and i have seen a lot of changes in the last few years and don't like what i see. So not to be a cowboy is not an option for me, If you come into my camp you will find a 45-70 leaning next to some thing very close to me.,( way too much crap going on to suit me ) Yall have a good day.........Joe.........

Old Griz · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2005, 06:25:58 PM »

:cb2: Thanks Joe. I meant what I said, but I wish I had expressed myself more graciously. Sorry Big Paulie, I did not mean to offend you, and please accept my apology if I did.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2005, 08:06:13 AM »

Old Griz,

I don't think Big Poulie will be offended at your post, You said what you felt and wasn't being hatefull about it. People some time have a different
Take on things due to their up bringing or or style of life. Often opinions are formed when you are young and live in a different area and they may not be the same as yours. But i can see where Big Paulie is coming from when he made the statement about the Cow boys. But he maybe should not have said them here. Most of the people feel the same was as we do.
I'am speaking about the people here on GBO. I for one think you did the right thing in your posting and stand behind you 100%. Take care Griz and will se ya later..........Joe........

Keith L · « **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2005, 09:52:29 AM »

In our camp the camp gun is for the use of anyone who needs it as a previous post discusses. If it gets to the point where I hunt that I need to cary protection from people I will find another place to hunt. Protection from critters is another matter.

Old Griz · « **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2005, 04:04:09 PM »

:cb2: Hey Joe,

My wife and I will wave to you next week when we go by Tucumcari. We're headed to Durango by way of Albuquerque.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 06, 2005, 07:24:36 PM »

Old Griz

If you would like, When you come to Tucumcari I will Buy you and your family a nice meal in one of our finest places in town, Whether its breakfast
lunch or supper, The rest will do you good. PM me and i will give you all the details on how to find me. It would be a pleasure to meet you guys.
Just do it,..........Joe...........

Settler · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2005, 01:07:09 PM »

Quote

What I object to is guys showing up at deer hunting camp, like its some sort of male fantasy weekend, wearing enormous revolvers (44 mags, 454 Casuls, and other massive single actions) on their hips, with full leather holsters and 30 shells in the loops, and pretenting that they are cowboys.

. . . Deer camp is for hunting, not fantasy role playing. This is why I finally bought my own hunting land. I got really fed up with these guys. (Not to mention the ones who think that "hunting" means riding around on four wheelers in conveys all morning and afternoon!)

What's wrong with pretending like you're a cowboy? Stupid, careless behavior is one thing, or even ineptitude. I can understand criticizing that. But simply playing out a fantasy while persuing another, semi-related, endeavor? That doesn't sound so bad. Men are locked up in offices and cars all day long on their jobs, and pretending like you're maybe somewhere else, in a different time, for a few days a year sounds like fun to me. Of course, if they can't hunt and aren't serious about hunting, then you did the right thing by getting away from all that.

Just keep in mind that a growing number of Americans these days think that hunting = animal cruelty, and that carrying a gun for any reason is itself outdated. But then, the purpose of the Second Amendment was to protect your hunting rights, wasn't it?

oso45-70 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2005, 01:20:41 PM »

Settler,

Welcome to gbo, I think you will find this spot kinda interesting, Lots of opinions---good and bad..........Joe.........

Settler · « **Reply #25 on:** June 07, 2005, 02:13:12 PM »

Thanks for the welcome. No intent to offend anyone, I just have a problem with someone on a LEVER gun forum looking down at someone who has the nerve to want to play cowboy with cowboy guns. :roll:

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #26 on:** June 07, 2005, 07:10:03 PM »

Quote from: Settler

Quote
...But then, the purpose of the Second Amendment was to protect your hunting rights, wasn't it?

Settler

Im with you a little fantasy doesnt hurt. Just look at all the money Hollywood rakes in every week. Been know to donate a few bucks to them myself but haven't suffered any long-term effects. So far. I think.

On the other hand, stupid, careless behavior is reason enough to say goodbye to your hunting companions. Been there and done that to a couple individuals and one whole group. I think I can empathize with Big Paulie even if I haven't gone to that extreme.

As to the Second Amendment, no it wasnt about protecting your hunting rights. It was about protecting ALL your rights from an overreaching government and from vermin of other sorts, foreign, domestic, elected, appointed, self-anointed, etc. Hunting rights was a small part of it.

Settler · « **Reply #27 on:** June 07, 2005, 07:32:41 PM »

Understood. Playing cowboy is healthy. It's fun. Playing cowboy at the expense of hunting isn't quite so fun. So I understand that part of the point that was being made, and will leave it there.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #28 on:** June 28, 2005, 03:55:56 AM »

Hope you guys don't mind this simplistic answer, but the "camp gun" at my camp is an inexpensive but reliable and accurate H&R 12 gauge that will shoot slugs great as well as shotshells. There are a few shotshells plus a slug or 2 on top of the refridgerator. It's there for whoever needs it and for whatever it's needed for. It's left at camp and is always there, therefore it's my "camp gun"!!! Much like all older farmhouses usually had an old shotgun by the kitchen door for whatever it was needed for. Also, I have never heard of a Marlin "Camp Carbine" referred to as a "camp gun". Rather, a "camp gun" is simply a gun of the camp, lets not try to make this to complicated, it's really not!!!...<><.... :grin:

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #29 on:** July 18, 2005, 06:18:41 PM »

Quote from: Big Paulie

.... Geez, do you guys really go to deer camp and wear big revolvers on your belts all day, like you are in the old west? Not in my camps. Perhaps the only reason for this would be if you are in Alaska or British Columbia.
....
Big Paulie

Remember my post where I posted this?
There is ample evidence to contradict your contention that the only reason for this would be if you are in Alaska or British Columbia. Here in Colorado we have had a number of campers attacked by black bears and two or three people have been killed by lions in the past few years. Human vermin have shot one camper and killed another up on the Platte River below Deckers. My wife was on the jury pool (but not selected) for a couple people that killed a third individual. The three of them had been living off the land up in the mountains by robbing various camps.

A couple days ago two men stole a BMW and headed to the mountains to a popular camping area west of Colorado Springs. They stabbed one 18-year-old boy to death, and stabbed his two friends as well. The cops were called at 4:16AM. The victims did not know the assailants and made two mistakes:
1. Camping in the wrong place at the wrong time, and
2. Not having a camp gun handy.