I spotted a Marlin Camp 9 at my favorite Pawn Shop yesterday and don't really know much about it. It looks to be in VGC with one magazine. I researched and found out that a 59 S&W magazine will fit it. I put it on layaway in case I decided to buy. Any input would be much appreciated.

Primary concerns = cracked stock behind the receiver. And you will probably have to replace the recoil buffer inside the receiver. They tended to just disintegrate which is why the stocks cracked.

Price is the main issue. I've seen them from $200~$650. I bought a sad one recently, but probably have about $350 in it after new parts and folding stock. Easy to work on... thanks to YouTube.

Like Riccur said, look at the receiver all the way behind the bolt. Sometimes the stock may be split too, like mind was.

The buffer, recoil spring, etc. can all be replaced. You can use S&W 59 or 5900 series Mags and Meg-Ger Mags offers an extended 20 round mag that works for less than $40.

These are fun guns. I've got a stainless one and a blue one. Recoil buffers need replaced once in awhile but are available and easy to change.

I have one and got some 32 round mags. Mounted a red dot and its a blast. It can bounce cans at 200 easy. I can hit the 300 gong regularly drought it has much killing power out there but it makes its presence known. Numerich and Ron Power have buffers, cheap around 20 bucks or so. Hey and its wood and steel not plastic. They made them in 45acp also.

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buy it !! they are fun for the kids- great rifles- kind of hard to grab ahold of here in AZ

Have owned one since 2000. Fun little gun, I had to black out the front sight but other than that haven't touched it. I should buy a new buffer but I keep forgetting to. Mec gar 5900 magazines work great. I use the 20 rounders

I have had 2 9mm's and still have one in 45ACP, plus dad still has his 9mm. I put 42mm red dot scopes on my 45 and his 9mm. The 45 is zeroed at 50 yards knowing I'll go 100 with it. Dad's 9mm is zeroed at 75 knowing he won't shoot it further (he's 83 next month).

Dad had a raccoon problem a few years ago and one evening there were 6 adolescent kits lined up on a limb. He adjusted the Red dot to mimic the flash light reflection from their eyes. He started on the left and with both of his eyes open started slowly swinging to the right, when a coon had 3 red eyes he would pull the trigger. Only the far right one got away.

About using the gun, they are handy like a M-1 Carbine but without as much power, OR NOISE! They can use S&W model 59 mags, but were were designed to use model 69 mags (lower profile if used prone). I had the family seamstress make a pouch based on a M-1 Carbine mag pouch that holds 2 of the 59 mags and slips over the stock to have the at ready with the gun. They are are very handy to scabbard mount on a tractor or ATV for around the farm. Like all 9 mm's, projectile choice is the biggest factor in performance, which is why I stayed with the Camp 45 and the M-1 Carbine.

Shortly after the came out a company in Northern Ohio made replacement Mag well assemblies, allowing the guns to use mags from Browning High Power, Beretta 92, or Sig (I think 229) and on 45, Sig 220, they already use 1911 mags. I have no idea of current availability.

My best friends wife carries a 669, and is looking for a Camp 9 as a companion gun. Put a 1" sling on it and it becomes a very handy farm and self defense rifle. Just remember: just because you can hit something at a longer distance, does not mean it is a good idea!

Ivan

Thanks for the info and advice. I will give an update, soon I hope, when I get it out of layaway.

Bought one not long ago with the split stock. Interesting thread, informative. Fun to shoot and mine came with a scope mounted. Anywhere to find a front sight? Larry

Gun parts Inc. Numerich arms shows the sight pieces. Buy a new buffer for spare.

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I'm interested in this thread as I'm going back to where I put one on layaway next Tuesday. Stock, barrel and action all look very lightly used. Has a fiber optic front sight, but I foget what year. $450 OTD. I have a new Blackjack buffer and a 21 lb spring on order. Already found a 59 mag and it came with a 12 rounder.

I've heard great things about the Camp 9 and think you should get it while you can. They don't make them anymore ya know. How much for the one you spotted? I ran across one about a year ago and it was $700 I think.it

After spending some time researching and by the info here, I am going to order a buffer and spring from Blackjack, just in case it needs them. The rifle appeared to have been shot very little, very nice stock and bluing on the barrel looked very clean. The mag had no markings but seemed to fit fine. They were asking $500 but put it in layaway for $400 OTD. Guess I will try hunting down some 59 mags.

$400 otd is a good price.

I have one that I also got from a pawn shop for even a bit less than you paid, about 2 years ago.
First shot out of it turned the original recoil buffer into tiny bits of debris in the action.
Do get the new buffer and recoil spring!

Don't have pictures yet, but I picked mine up Tuesday. The rifle doesn't look like it's had a box of shells run through it. However, when I got it home and removed the stock, the top half of the buffer pad fell out. It was split into two pieces. So round count doesn't have a thing to do with the deterioration, age does. I now have the original mag (which turned out to be a Clinton 10 rounder) and 4-15 round S&W mags. Hope to get the pictures out in a separate thread later. They look to be a very handy carbine to have around, and 9mm ammo is about as cheap as any. My advice is to grab one if you see one.

Right, think the original buffers were white, and think the replacements are different colors, mine is blue.
The carbine gives the little 9mm round an extra 300 or so fps, putting the energy in 357 magnum territory.

Glad you got the camp 9 Kraynky. I plan on getting mine out of layaway soon. Waiting to see if the pawn shop has a 4th of July special coming up. Anyway, I bought an original Marlin 12 round mag off GB the other day at a good price. I will also replace the buffer and spring. Post some pics when you can and any advise is greatly appreciated.

The Marlin mag for the Camp 45 is a 1911 style and stainless steel. I have something like 75 1911 mags, they range from 70's contract GI to Wilson top end competition, the Marlin rates at the top with the Wilson, I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't made by Wilson. On the Camp9's I've owned, I had S&W 69 & 59 mags, Marlin factory mags and knock off. Stick with Marlin and S&W if you can! Ivan

I have 1 original Marlin 10 shot mag for sale for 30.00 shipped. Sold the camp 9 this weekend to fund some other insane purchases. Send a PM if interested, Larry

I have owned 4-5 over the years. They are great guns and fun to shoot. REPLACE the buffer before shooting, a busted buffer can cause more damage to the trigger assembly. Make sure screws are tight before shooting, loose screws is what leads to broken stocks. Replace recoil spring with heavy spring from Wolf Springs and then shoot a lot and have fun!

The magazine mentioned in post #19 is an original Marlin mag. How abt 25.00 shipped! PM me if interested, Larry

$400.00 is a great price. Buy it now! Agree with above posts. New recoil spring and buffer and you're good to go. Lots of fun.

Picked it up today, and got another discount because of the 4th. I had purchased a buffer and spring and upon taking it apart to clean and replace, it already has the newer blue buffer. Also, picked up a couple of OEM mags, I'm ready to get it to the range this weekend. Dang thang looks brand new.
Thanks to Jebus35745 for one of the mags.