Camp Carbine Experience/Opinions?

Hoping to get some feedback from those who have experience with the Marlin Camp Carbine in .45 ACP. My LGS just got one in believed to be a 1990 manufacture.

Not really asking about value yet, just experiences...good, bad and ugly. Any issues known to be inherent to these models?

Thanks in advance for the help!

There's a plastic buffer on the back end of the bolt that deteriorates and breaks into pieces. If not replaced, the bolt can damage the receiver when the carbine is fired.

arfmel said:

There's a plastic buffer on the back end of the bolt that deteriorates and breaks into pieces. If not replaced, the bolt can damage the receiver when the carbine is fired.

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9 bucks at Midway, 15 with free shipping on ebay.

Look really close for stock cracks at the rear of the action. The 45 was supposed to be worse than the 9mm in this regard.

I like my Camp 9. It's not as robust as the old PC9/40 but it sure is pretty. The action is basically a scaled-up Model 60. I think that's why that buffer takes such a beating, low bolt weight & small spring.

The plastic trigger housing isn't made from a solvent-proof material. Inspect it closely, I've seen more than one that was melted by the use of Gun-Scrubber type products. Hoppes and CLP were never a problem with mine.

Thanks to all for the responses and great information!

I'll echo good information above. Plastic trigger guard almost melts if strong action solvents are used.
Buffers on this model and other similar ones like the 922M HAVE to be replaced but a pretty simple fix on your bench. Instructions easy to find on internet or they usually come with the much better buffer replacement when you order one.
Original buffers might have well been made of Cornmeal.
Y'all have a great weekend! Bo in western NC.

I had one for a while. When I chrono'd it I found out my 5" 1911 was faster than the 16" carbine. I expect drag from the long slide down the pipe began to decelerate the bullet toward the end of trip. Fun gun, but my AR45 holds more firepower so it went to someone else. Got a premium for it on G-Bro. What are they asking?

I had one of the 45 Camp Carbines. I bought it used and on initial disassembly the buffer fell out in pieces. After reassembly with a new buffer and springs it worked great. Accurate too. Fifty yard groups were nearly one ragged hole. From a solid bench rest of course. The only issue was GI issue 1911 magazines wouldn't fit the magazine well. Commercial ones worked perfectly. I parted with it in a moment of weakness thinking my Mini 30's would do anything that the 45 ACP carbine could do . I still miss it though and occasionally bump into the buyer at gun shows so who knows, maybe it'll find its way back.

As mentioned before, replace the buffer and change the spring to a 21#. It will help prevent the stock from cracking also. A 16.5# spring in the 9mm is recommended also. All my 1911 magazines work fine in the .45 and the Smith & Wesson 6906 magazines work in the 9mm.

A friend had the Marlin Camp Carbine in both 9mm and 45ACP. His 45 did crack the stock but he was able to repair it with a little ingenuity. I would have gotten one in 45ACP because it used 1911 magazines and versatility is a good thing. I can't remember which brand of pistol magazine fit the 9mm version. He was happy with both of them.

S&W 69 (flush) & 59 (not flush) both fit the 9mm.

s4s4u said:

I had one for a while. When I chrono'd it I found out my 5" 1911 was faster than the 16" carbine. I expect drag from the long slide down the pipe began to decelerate the bullet toward the end of trip. Fun gun, but my AR45 holds more firepower so it went to someone else. Got a premium for it on G-Bro. What are they asking?

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$900