Marlin Camp .45

LakerDad · 03-02-2008, 04:53 PM

Has anyone had one of these carbine/pistol cartridge guns? I got mine when they first came out. I went into our Bass Pro one night, to check out what type of mag is used in the Camp 45. I took one of my Colt 1911 mags with me and asked to try in the gun they had. Once I found that it uses the same mag, there was no turning back. It will be 21 years next week, the same day my daughter was born.

Nice combo gun for my Model 70 1911 GC. It was another gun made for a niche that fell thru. It was made for the law enforcement depts. The Camp 9 was made to use the S&W clips. These models were not made very long. I see them in pawn shops from time to time. It's a nice home gun.

Big Dog · 03-02-2008, 05:02 PM

I'd love to find a Camp 45 for a decent price - on the rare occasions I can find one, the price is silly/stupid! I've never heard anything but praise for them from owners! I too have a set of M1911 mags just waiting for the right carbine!

LakerDad · 03-02-2008, 05:12 PM

Big Dog, I agree, I did see a Camp 9 for $360 at the pawn shop. The prices are crazy for sure. I saw one Camp 45 with checkered stock [$500plus], mine is a plain jane hardwood gun. It was my shortest long gun [oxie moron] until my AK. It's still neat to have as a combo gun. I think I paid $211 +/- . I had always wanted a Tommy gun semi auto, they were $450 back then and $900 today, I think. The mags are worse price and they don't fit the 1911.

rondog · 03-02-2008, 07:13 PM

I've heard they had some issues, not sure what. Reliability or breakage, something like that. I also found a website once that sold the 9mm and .45 Camp Carbines with full-barrel suppressors on them. They looked REALLY cool! But they've long since gone out of production.

Bookman · 03-02-2008, 08:15 PM

I've had a .45 Camp Carbine for two summers. IIRC I bought it LN in 2006 for $500. It came with the box, paperwork, and six magazines.

The Marlin is not a target gun, but it's reliable. I've used mostly 230 gr. FMJ ammo with this carbine. Accuracy is decent and recoil is gentle. A good little gun overall.

I agree that the Camp Carbines are overpriced.

Otter · 03-03-2008, 01:51 AM

I wish I kept the Model 45 I had, I modified the bolt hold open by milling a slot in the left side and putting a tab on the magazine bolt hold, so I could push up on the tab to lock the bolt open. I wasn't impressed with the original push in on the charging handle bolt hold. When putting the gun together, be careful to make sure the feed ramp is not below the chamber, which causes the gun to not feed properly.

Silent Shooter · 03-11-2008, 01:31 PM

I have been looking for one for years...

03-02-2008, 04:53 PM	#1
LakerDad Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 207	Marlin Camp .45 Has anyone had one of these carbine/pistol cartridge guns? I got mine when they first came out. I went into our Bass Pro one night, to check out what type of mag is used in the Camp 45. I took one of my Colt 1911 mags with me and asked to try in the gun they had. Once I found that it uses the same mag, there was no turning back. It will be 21 years next week, the same day my daughter was born. Nice combo gun for my Model 70 1911 GC. It was another gun made for a niche that fell thru. It was made for the law enforcement depts. The Camp 9 was made to use the S&W clips. These models were not made very long. I see them in pawn shops from time to time. It's a nice home gun.

03-02-2008, 05:02 PM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,205	I'd love to find a Camp 45 for a decent price - on the rare occasions I can find one, the price is silly/stupid! I've never heard anything but praise for them from owners! I too have a set of M1911 mags just waiting for the right carbine! __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-02-2008, 05:12 PM	#3
LakerDad Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 207	Big Dog, I agree, I did see a Camp 9 for $360 at the pawn shop. The prices are crazy for sure. I saw one Camp 45 with checkered stock [$500plus], mine is a plain jane hardwood gun. It was my shortest long gun [oxie moron] until my AK. It's still neat to have as a combo gun. I think I paid $211 +/- . I had always wanted a Tommy gun semi auto, they were $450 back then and $900 today, I think. The mags are worse price and they don't fit the 1911. Last edited by LakerDad; 03-02-2008 at 05:15 PM. Reason: added info

03-02-2008, 07:13 PM	#4
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 1,323	I've heard they had some issues, not sure what. Reliability or breakage, something like that. I also found a website once that sold the 9mm and .45 Camp Carbines with full-barrel suppressors on them. They looked REALLY cool! But they've long since gone out of production. Last edited by rondog; 03-02-2008 at 07:15 PM.

03-03-2008, 01:51 AM	#6
Otter Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 949 Images: 6	I wish I kept the Model 45 I had, I modified the bolt hold open by milling a slot in the left side and putting a tab on the magazine bolt hold, so I could push up on the tab to lock the bolt open. I wasn't impressed with the original push in on the charging handle bolt hold. When putting the gun together, be careful to make sure the feed ramp is not below the chamber, which causes the gun to not feed properly. __________________ Life is too important to be taken seriously.

03-02-2008, 08:15 PM	#5
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 738	I've had a .45 Camp Carbine for two summers. IIRC I bought it LN in 2006 for $500. It came with the box, paperwork, and six magazines. The Marlin is not a target gun, but it's reliable. I've used mostly 230 gr. FMJ ammo with this carbine. Accuracy is decent and recoil is gentle. A good little gun overall. I agree that the Camp Carbines are overpriced.

03-11-2008, 01:31 PM	#7
Silent Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 292	I have been looking for one for years...