Looking for a good pistol caliber carbine

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MurrayNevada

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I'm looking for a good pistol caliber carbine for home defense and occassional trunk carry. I would like a .45acp carbine that uses 1911 mags but no one seems to make one anymore.

I like the looks of the Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in .40S&W but wonder about the reliability. I am a big Kel-Tec fan but a couple of the gun store folks say they are reluctant to order them because customers have been unhappy. What do you suggest.
 
My sub-2000 is 100%. I've heard good things about others. Some issues with reliability on some glock mag models. If you search this forum for my review of the Sub-2000 you can find out more. If you're interested in a Marlin Camp Carbine in 45acp, I've got one in stock. PM me if you want to know more.
 
I would like a .45acp carbine that uses 1911 mags but no one seems to make one anymore.
Click to expand...

Pretty much the only option there is a used Marlin Camp 45. I have one and like it a lot. There have been several Camp 45 related threads here recently. A few highlights:

* They are accurate and reliable.

* You need to use 1911 mags with the square notch at the top rear of the mag. Mags with round notches won't seat in the Marlins.

* Replace the factory recoil spring with a 16# or 21# Wolffe spring. The OEM spring is way too light, at only 11#.

* If you want to put optics on one, they use the same scope bases as the Marlin 336. Weaver #63B, IIRC.

* Get a spare buffer or two from Marlin.

* Do not try to take apart the trigger group because getting it back together will be no fun.

* Keep cleaning solvents away from the trigger group, which is made from plastic that can be damaged by the stronger solvents.
 
I have not actually shot a Beretta Storm yet. But I handled one at a gun shop recently and was VERY impressed. Light, easy handling, comfortable to shoulder. Uses Beretta mags which are easy to come by, including standard capacity magazines. At around $550 they are more expensive than some of the other options, but a heck of a lot cheaper than most ARs. The Storm has jumped up on my list of gun buys. Might be worth it for you to look at it too.
 
I have put a few magazines through a 9mm Beretta Storm and all I can say is wow. EXTREMELY accurate, great ergonomics, sexy plastic, etc. The client's model I fired had been decked out with vertical foregrip. just when I thought that carbine couldn't get any better he brought it in with an aimpoint type optic and I cut the x out at the same range. My hope is they make nice hi-cap mags in .45 acp for it when (if?) the awb sunsets.

Aside from that, there is an excellent conversion for 1911's out there made by Mech Tech. I shot a SA long slide attached to one recently and I was extremely impressed. Accuracy & range are increased, recoil & sound levels decreased. Converting it back to your stock 1911 takes less than 30 seconds and is as easy as popping out the the slide release lever, removing the carbine slide, re-seating the stock slide, and replacing the the slide release lever.
 
If you have an AR-15, get a .45 caliber upper. One that can use grease-gun mags, or another common magazine.
 
A couple of other options:

1. Get a low cost 1911, and replace the slide/barrel assy. with one of the carbine kits.
Then, you've got a carbine that uses 1911 mags.
2. CDNN Investments has Ruger PC40 carbines, (used, police trade-ins) for $350, I think. You'd have to pay a FFL to order it, but that would still be a good price on a PC40.

FWIW, I'd love a Thompson, but they need to come out with model that uses stamped steel that they can sell for around $400.
Guess I won't hold my breath. :rolleyes:
 
sporter.jpg


Do you mind bolt action?

http://www.valkyriearms.com/sporter.htm
 
I'd vote for the Storm in 45 (may get one myself)

Or a M1 Carbine. The Kahrs are selling for about $550.
(I've got some M1/M2 Carbines but I like the looks of the Kahr)

I've got the Thompson but it's too heavy and expensive for an "all around" carbine.
 
I'm a little surprised to be the first one to say it; but a proper pistol-caliber carbine has a lever on it. A marlin or winchester or rossi in 357 or 44 or 45 colt will turn a pistol caliber into a darn near real gun; cheaper than a storm by a stretch, able to shoot light or heavy loads (like 38/44 spec & 44/44 mag), and they get a much greater increase in velocity out of a long barrel than a stubby round like 40sw or 45acp. Most importantly, you're guaranteed to discover it's the funnest gun in your collection, or I'll refund the price of this post ;) .
 
Badger might not be ready to drink the GAP Kool Aid yet, but it sounds like he's been nipping at the electric Kool Aid ;) .
 
Quote
ChristopherG

I'm a little surprised to be the first one to say it; but a proper pistol-caliber carbine has a lever on it. A marlin or winchester or rossi in 357 or 44 or 45 colt will turn a pistol caliber into a darn near real gun; cheaper than a storm by a stretch, able to shoot light or heavy loads (like 38/44 spec & 44/44 mag), and they get a much greater increase in velocity out of a long barrel than a stubby round like 40sw or 45acp. Most importantly, you're guaranteed to discover it's the funnest gun in your collection, or I'll refund the price of this post .
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That's a good suggestion to.
I had a couple Marlins in 44 Mag.

Very nice rifles.
I cut one down to a 16 inch barrel. It made a very handy rifle.

The only reason I got rid of them was the price of the reloading components got too high and I got rid of all my 44 mag stuff.
 
According to this page on Beretta's Cx4 Storm site, the Storm will use .45ACP, not GAP. I asked about the .45 Storm yesterday at the local black rifle store and was told that the .40 S&W Storm will be out very soon, but the .45 won't be out until end of year.

I have a Kel-Tec Sub2000 in .40 S&W. Love it.

I expect to pick up a Marlin 1894P (16" ported barrel) in .44 magnum on Tuesday. Yay!

Edited to add: I plan to do most of my shooting of my new 1894P with cowboy loads. 500 200-grain lead bullets cost $20.00, plus 2 cents each for powder and primer makes 8 cents a bang (plus some for the cases, but I don't know how long they'll last yet). Of course I'll make some heavy H110 loads with 240 and 300 grain jacketed bullets, but those cost more like 25 or 30 cents, so I don't expect to shoot them as often.
 
I really like the look and feel of the beretta storm, but think Im more likely to own a Marlin 1894 .357 carbine before the storm. I dont own a lever and the .357 carbine would rectify that, but on the other hand 9mm ammo is so cheap the storm is looking more and more tempting.
 
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