I'd like to get some people's takes on this gun.

What would be reasonable to expect as far as accuracy & reliability?
Are they built rugged and durable?
Anything to look out for as far as parts failing or factory parts that should be replaced?

I can imagine it's a fun gun to shoot. Is there any collector value to them?

TIA

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Sir, the biggest problem with these guns is finding one for sale. The 9mm versions turn up from time to time in the $300-$400 range, but on the rare occasions when a .45 version comes up, the asking price is usually $600+, and I saw one insanely priced at $850. Needless to say, I don't have one.

I'm told that they don't field-strip easily and that the buffers tend to break. I wouldn't expect amazing accuracy, but it should be fine for plinking.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

I've been looking around for one myself. I've come across a couple which I've passed on. For what it's worth the first had a crack where the receiver ends and the stock begins. I asked the fellow about it and was told, "it happens from the shock of the firing of the carbine". I was thinking maybe it gets loose in the stock. Not sure though. The second one I passed on was the price was a bit high.

I had one years ago and had to sell it due to a divorce. It was actually very accurate and reliable and I wish I could find another one, but they don't show up around here either. I'd even like to find the wife one to so she could use her 69XX and Kel-Tec P11 magazines in it.

I have both, the wrist on my 45 cracked, wood glue and clamping took care of that, plus I bought a spare stock. Both are accurate when I do my part. Yes they are a little tricky to disassemble. I usually clean mine by removing th action from the stock, use a spray cleaner and let it dry.

I also have the .45, (as ALL real men do) Reinforced the stock at the wrist with some fibreglass and ditto on the takedown, but out to about 75 yards it will ring a 12" gong every time if I hold up my end. It's my truck gun.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

I had one, found it to be reliable and accurate. It is a blow back operated gun, so it gets dirty fast.

The recoil buffer inside the rear of the action, which stops the bolt when the rifle is firing, wears out after use. Fire it with a worn buffer and the stock will crack where the rear of the action mates to the stock. The solution to that is to replace the buffer every 1000 rounds or so. Brownells sells them, as Marlin probably does. Some aftermarket buffers may be more durable, the original is like a soft nylon. I read of one shooter who made one of tire rubber.

I got in a trade with a friend, he got my Marlin .45 camp carbine, can't remember what I got from him. Should have kept the rifle, who would of known they would become collectors items and bring double their original price? I think I paid $335 for mine brand new in the early 90's...

I found a .45 one in a pawnshop two years ago mixed in with some police trade in Camp 9s - the previous owner had stained the stock green and reassembled it incorrectly which caused it to be a single shot. I put it back together right (its easy to get the spring loaded feed ramp caught under the chamber), put in a heavier recoil spring, painted the stock grey, and now its one of my all time favorites.

I put a cheap red dot on it, and with ball ammo it will bust rocks with boring regularity. I've never shot it at paper.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Buffers:

BJB MARLIN CAMP-45/9mm Recoil~Buffer [115 / BJB CMP45/9] : BlackJack Buffers LLC

I had one that was stolen - I miss it. I still have my 9mm version.

It was reasonably accurate and fun to shoot. The buffers need to be replaced from time-to-time but I never found it hard to field strip.

It uses 1911 .45 magazines and the 30 rounders are a hoot to load up and let go. Don't grab the barrel afterwards though.

I put a Williams Fire Sight on the front and a Williams peep sight on the rear.

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You are what you learn.

Well, some lucky local joker hit the jackpot and grabbed the one I've been looking at.
I knew I should have just gone ahead and snagged it up the first 3 times I looked at it.
Went in today and it was gone, along with the old Glenfield Model 30 I was going to get, too.

I hate being responsible and trying to save money, it always causes more regret than going ahead and spending it.

BTW, the Glenfield was $200 and the Camp Carbine 45 was $350.
Yeah, I know...

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About the only down side not mentioned is that if you reload, well, have fun chasing brass. It throws it quite a distance. They are fun guns, though.