Camp Carbines and Obscure Levers

[sisyphus]

basically the gist of this thread is, I had a roadmap for what I wanted to fill my safe with and I have now ticked all those boxes except for a Marlin 1894 in 41 magnum, which I will patiently wait for Ruger to produce one for me.

The remaining interests I have aren't burning me up to fill, but there are a few rifles that if the right gun came along at the right price I am interested.

Marlin Camp Carbine 45acp

this would be a cool range companion for my 1911s. I've read about the plastic recoil buffer situation and see that there are still aftermarket polymer buffers and recoil springs available. How do you guys like these old Marlins? Do they function reliably? I don't have patience for finicky guns.

Ruger 96/44

I was interested in the Model 44/Deerfield, but it was easy to talk myself out of because I already have a Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum. However when I saw the 96/44 I thought that was pretty darn cool, and it looks like the lever has a really short travel, so not only would it be a handy carbine, it looks like it would be fast. How are these? Not a ton of owners comparatively, so forum threads aren't as prolific.

Savage Model 99 300 Savage

You see these at every gun show and they don't sell for a lot. Finding a nicely preserved specimen may take a while as most of them are pretty beat up. I think it's an elegant looking rifle. I have questions about how smooth the action is. I think the 300 Savage round is interesting, a precursor to 308.

Sako Finnwolf

Beautiful lever gun in 308, now that's just cool. Action appears super slick.

Would love to hear your thoughts on any of these. Not in a mad rush to buy any more firearms now that I've completed my roadmap, but buying guns is satisfying and it would be nice to pick up something new to me every now and then. Thanks!

 

[sisyphus]

Remington Model 81

Never say no to a John Browning design, and if I got it in 300 Savage it would give me a reason to pick up a Savage Model 99 and a die set lol

 

[troy fairweather]

I would add a Remington 14/141 to the list, one of the best woods guns I've used.

 

[rabid wombat]

Remington Nylon 76

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Nylon_76

 

[Charlie98]

If I were you, I would look for a used Marlin 1894FG... rather than wait for Ruger to maybe kick out some 1894's in .41. The FG was a very solid rifle, and enough of them were produced (unlike the original 1894C) that you can still find them. Yes, you will pay a bit of a premium, but you get a genuine JM Marlin of known build quality. Don't ask me for mine... it's a Forever Rifle...

What questions do you have about the Savage 99? I have 2... I think they are one of the slickest leverguns extant. I bought my first, a 99F in .308, on a fluke... and after the first range session I put my 336 up for sale... it was that much Awesomenessness. It is as slick of an action as you can find in a lever action, and the rotary magazine means you can load pointy bullets, too, if that's a factor.

I've always wanted a 45 Camp Carbine, and I'm mad at myself for not buying one when they were available. I believe them to be reliable... with some exceptions, like the buffer as you mentioned. If you want the full skinny, check over at Marlin Owners forum.

Don't forget the single-shot 'lever actions' too... a nice 1885 is a joy to shoot.

 

[sisyphus]

If I were you, I would look for a used Marlin 1894FG

so expensive....

 

[MachIVshooter]

The Camp 45 is fun, but not especially useful outside of range toy. .45 ACP doesn't gain a lot from long barrels, so still a bowling ball trajectory with not a lot of oomph, and in a package that doesn't lend well to being SBR'd, where pistol caliber carbines really shine. As well, the lightweight bolt is fast, makes for a loud suppressor host. I have one and no plans to sell it, but I don't use it a lot.

The Ruger 96/44 never appealed to me on any level. It looks like an overgrown 10/22 with an out-of-place apparatus hanging off the receiver, and the magazine capacity is abysmal. I'll take my Marlin 94, thank you.

Savage 99s are neat, and the .300 Savage is a perfectly capable moderate range hunting cartridge. Probably not a great choice if you don't hand load, though.

Don't know anything about the Sako.

 

[Speedo66]

Sako Finnwolf

Beautiful lever gun in 308, now that's just cool. Action appears super slick.

If you like .308 levers and don't already have one, a Browning BLR in .308 is also cool.

 

[CapnMac]

Marlin Camp Carbine 45acp

this would be a cool range companion for my 1911s. I've read about the plastic recoil buffer situation and see that there are still aftermarket polymer buffers and recoil springs available. How do you guys like these old Marlins? Do they function reliably? I don't have patience for finicky guns.

I still have my 1st Generation version.
It's gotten the Blackhawk replacement buffer.

The only "finicky" part about the Gen 1 Camp 45s is that the last round bolt hold open (which comes loose on field stripping) has a loose spring and wants three hands to get the last pin in, putting it back together.
Which was fixed in the Gen 2 version--sort of. Marlin never bothered to mark the different Generations, and that label is more collector parlance than canon.
Generation 1.5 version have a dayglo front sight, and a sliding bolt release on the left side of the magazine well.
The Bolt Handle can be pressed in to lock the bolt open--and this, too, is a tad finicky.

Never had a problem digesting any ammo I could put into a 1911 magazine. It's a simple blowback action. The ramp to the barrel fed every HP I tried in it, including the Blazer 200gr Flying ashtrays.

As a blowback, the insides get pretty filthy pretty quickly.

 

[Riomouse911]

I had a 99F in .308 many years ago, it’s the only rifle I’ve ever sold that I still kick myself over selling .(Times were tough for me then, I needed rent money and the u-joints had failed in my car.)

The action is pretty smooth, I found it to be not as herky/jerky as the 1894 Win that has a few spots where parts move throughout the cycle. The only “stiffness” is in the final bit of lever movement when the bolt pops up to lock into place (like most lever guns at this point). The rest of the travel was a nice arc as the lever swung down and back.

The clean upper (no exposed hammer) makes for a slick handling rifle that (if not scoped) doesn’t have much on it to snag with. And, of course, the non-tubular Mag allows for the spitzer bullets to be safely used.

If you can find one get one, you won’t regret it.

Stay safe.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I have a Marlin 45, makes a nice companion to one of my 1911s, same magazine. That longer barrel does add velocity, the extra weight dampens recoil, the longer sight radius is a big help. The 45 ACP has a proven record for SD.
Instead of waiting for Ruger to make a "Marlin" in 41 Mag I am looking at a Henry.

 

[DocRock]

Savage 99 300 Savage. Excellent idea. I sold one in 308 Win that I couldn't love. For the 2 MOA that these rifles generally tune out at, the 300 Savage delivers all the terminal performance of the 308 Win with less recoil. There are huge variations in price and model features. A late model 99E(II) carbine, Schlitz edition: beech stock, pressed "checkering", no round counter, lever safety, can be had for $500. A Model 99G Takedown, round counter, tang safety, checkered walnut stocks with Schanbel Forend will be more like $1200.

My current wish is for an affordable Featherweight takedown in 250-3000.

 

[stownsend]

Sako Finnwolf-
My dad had one which my brother now owns in 243. I would love to have that gun. The build quality is great and there isn't a lever action smoother. The opening feels spring loaded and you just have to close it. They are pricey and I would be afraid to use it a lot because if something breaks the parts are very hard to come by here in the US. But it is such a unique gun that few have heard of. If you could find one I would jump on it if the price is right.

 

[WestKentucky]

Seems like you like levers. Have you ever looked into a Marlin Levermatic? The small bore guns are fun, but the real fun is in the centerfire model 62. My oldest (10) now claims the 30 carbine. That’s fine with me, she shoots it well and it fits her. I love them though, and have seriously considered buying another .256 just to do a barrel swap for a .357 since the fine folks at Marlin talked that chamber up but never made the rifles. I suspect bolt thrust was an issue, and would only shoot 38spl level loads in it. They are kinda spendy, but they are available.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I have a Camp Carbine in 9mm. Definitely fun and I love the wooden 80s retro feel of it, but it's more fragile than you'd think. The famous plastic buffer issue, the plastic receiver, a thin stock... the whole thing comes across as very commercial grade.

Reliability is OK - blowback guns are pretty cooperative by nature, but the Marlin does choke if you get it too dirty or feed it underloaded ammo. I'd agree that it's a range toy. Sort of an old-fashioned wood Hi-Point.

 

[BigBlue 94]

The ruger 96/44 and 99/44 deerfield carbine are excellent fun guns! Also great for a walking deer hunt in brush. 5.25 lbs with a loaded 4rd mag. The 96 series has been made from 17 to 44 caliber and ive yet to find one i didnt enjoy. The short lever throw is especially nice. The 99 deerfield is loosely based on the M14 and Mini-14 actions. It required factory pressure 44mag ammo to cycle properly.

I recently got an IQ Munitions 10rd magazine for my 96/44 and 99/44 to share. They are not perfect yet, but it did fit perfect in my 96/44, a gun that they did not necessarily make it for. Here is my 96/44 with the 10rd mag and the lever fully out.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I also have a pair of savage 99s. IMHO, the slickest lever action ever designed. Or at least that ive handled! One of mine is an 1899 and one an M99. The M99 is a 300 and the 1899 is 22SHP. Lever throw is very smooth.

 

[Elkins45]

I like the Browning BLR more than the Savage 99. I know that sounds like heresy but I’ve owned both and still have the BLR (although that’s mostly because you can get it in 358 Win).

 

[cdb1]

A Savage 99 with the original style magazine is on my bucket list, in 250-3000. A Sako would be awesome too. I wouldn’t turn down a BLR, especially a .358 Winchester or 7mm-08.

Don’t know why but I’ve never any desire for a rifle chambered in a handgun cartridge.

 

[earlthegoat2]

A Savage 99 with the original style magazine is on my bucket list, in 250-3000. A Sako would be awesome too. I wouldn’t turn down a BLR, especially a .358 Winchester or 7mm-08.

Don’t know why but I’ve never any desire for a rifle chambered in a handgun cartridge.

Because you never hunted in a straight wall area.
.............................

There are a few .358 Win Savage 99s out there.
.............................

The 96/44 also has a 1:20 twist barrel which shows that at least one manufacturer at the time was paying attention to what hunters wanted and it is promising for the hopeful future 1894 44mags they may produce.

 

[BigBlue 94]

44 mag from a light weight rifle is quite a well rounded tool. No recoil, higher velocity than a pistol, and a large bullet. Specials can be fired in both the 96 and deerfield, but you'll have to manually cycle the deerfield. These can be used on rabbits and squirrels fairly well.

I have a BLR as well, in 243. It isnt as ergonomic imho, as the savage 99. And the lever edges are all "poorly finished", being pretty sharp to the hand. Mine is a Japanese model.

 

[cdb1]

Because you never hunted in a straight wall area.

This is true and I wouldn’t like that restriction. I can also say rifles in handgun cartridges are something I just don’t care for though if in a straight wall area I would almost certainly use one.

There are a few .358 Win Savage 99s out there.

I would prefer a .358 Winchester in a BLR or Finnwolf. The only Model 99 chambering I’m interested in is .250-3000. Again, I don’t know why, I just do. I’m blessed and cursed by knowing exactly what I want the vast majority of the time.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

You picked 4 that are out there for sure. I can't speak to the Sako but I have a lingering interest in each of the other three and they all bottomed out in price some time ago so strike next chance you get.

You want obscure lever... Look at the Marlin .256 Levermatic. That is to say, good luck finding one to even look at and, NEVER buy one without a magazine.

Also, for *straight wall* they can sometimes be found in .30 Carbine or .357.

Todd.

 

[Tentwing]

1957 22Mag Marlin 57 M personal favorite “ obscure lever”………… most accurate rim fire I own

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

View attachment 968519 1957 22Mag Marlin 57 M personal favorite “ obscure lever”………… most accurate rim fire I own

Same here.
Mine puts the old myth away that nothing shoots .22mag super accurately.

Todd.