Marlin Camp 9

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S&W1006

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A local pawn shop has a Marlin camp 9. I was told they use S&W 3rd gen 9mm mags which I already have several. I found some older reviews for the camp 9 and it seems like it would be a solid little carbine. I saw it recommended to change the stock recoil spring to a Wolff spring to shoot +P ammo. I am not necessarily interested in shooting hot ammo in it all the time. I would enjoy plinking with lower power ammo. I might even run it in a close quarters tactical match just for fun. If anybody has an insight on the camp 9 good or bad let me know. Also has anybody tried lead in a camp 9? Thanks guys.
 
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That is one gun I regret selling. I wish I had it back:mad:. I never shot anything but FMJ in it but it never failed and it was as accurate as I could shoot. I let a friend trucking across country talk me out of it. He wanted it for a truck gun for self protection.
 
Fun gun for sure. I've had a couple, but they went away with my last S&W 9mm.

I would advise against using +P ammo in it though. The recoil buffer is notorious for falling apart resulting in cracked stocks. At a minimum, when you get it, I would order up a replacement recoil buffer or 3 and inspect it regularly.
 
I have the Camp 45 and dad still has a Camp 9. I owned 2 or 3 Camp 9's over the years, but let them go (and gave any spare mags to dad). I shot factory FMJ, STHP and Hydro-shoks in mine as well as all manner of reloads including cast (124 grain). Everything fed well! I only used S&W or Marlin model 69 mags. (avoid megar!) The trigger is a little crude and riveted, so it can't be worked on easily, but we keep them lubed and do just fine. For Dad's camp 9, I had my wife make a pouch to hold 2 mags and slide over the stock (based on a M-1 Carbine pouch). We both put Tasco Pro Point 42mm red dot sights on them Mine is zeroed at 35 yards (knowing I will shoot to 75) Dad's is zeroed at 50 yards (knowing he won't shoot further). A quick story: Dad, like all country dwellers, had a raccoon infestation. One night his dog treed a whole litter of adolescent kits on a single limb. Holding a flashlight and the forend in/on his left hand, He adjusted the red dot to match the reflection from the raccoon's eyes. From left to right he slowly swung the rifle, when the reflections and dot lined up so it looked like they had three eyes he pulled the trigger.. the sixth one got away! Ivan
 
Essential accessory for the Camp 9:

The Blackjack Buffers Marlin Camp Carbine 9/45 Recoil Buffer is an easy to install recoil buffer that will greatly reduce wear on the firearm as well as reduce felt recoil.

It's a goofy gun to take down but instructions are available somewhere on the net, can't recall where I found the ones I used.

Fun gun to shoot, essentially zero recoil as you might suspect, too easy to burn through mucho ammo. One of the last guns I'll sell, even though I don't shoot it that much.
 
Muss Muggins said:
I've had one for years and love it. Never fired lead, but S&W Third Gen magazines are definitely interchangeable. I've been looking for one in the .45 ACP version for a couple years, but they are few and far between.
Click to expand...

I just bought a camp 45 off GB. I will be ordering a new buffer and recoil spring before firing it.
 
CAMP?

I've known people that have had them & others that still do. All that I recall like them. I just have no idea how it got that name. I never needed a high cap semi auto while camping, BUT what's in a name?
 
I have one as well. Works great. I also would like a Camp 45. Also, the 922m is based off the same receiver. I have yet to shoot that one.

James
 
I owned a Camp 9 for about 5 years, back when they were still being made. I put an inexpensive 4 power scope on it, using those mounts that still allow you to use the iron sights.

I fired a LOT of my cast lead reloads through it. When I say 'my', I mean I cast the bullets myself. I cast them really HARD. I used the same light load in the carbine as I did in my pistols. They gained 200 to 300 feet per second, over 4" pistol barrel. The Camp 9 wasn't rated for +P 9mm, so I stayed with mild loads for it.

I got some leading on the rifling, but it wasn't bad. I used to load one or two jacketed rounds in each magazine of 15 I filled for the Camp 9. That seemed to really cut down on how much leading I would have to clean out that night.

The cast lead bullets never gave me as good accuracy as FMJ bullets, which is what I expected. But, it was good enough to plink at soda cans at 50 to 75 yards.

My biggest complaint about the Camp 9 was the fairly atrocious trigger. It was heavy, 'gritty', and didn't always break the same. It made shooting accurately more work than I thought it should.

Still, it was a fun gun to shoot, and I wish I had kept it. Like almost EVERY firearm I sold or traded away, over the years.
 
Fumble

Last fall I sold a gun collection for some friends that inherited them. Several of them were NIB. There was Marlin 336, Camp 9
and Camp 45. Sold 336 & C-9 at 1st show I set up. The 45 was
"Saved" guy didn't come back, I got $20 deposit but didn't sell
gun. Guy bought it for Christmas present last year. Right after
1st of year rumors said Ohio was having first rifle season, limited
calibres. You guessed it 45acp was leagal. The price on 45 in
Ohio tripled. I have shot both 9 & 45 they were good shooters.
They can be tuned up just buy flat stoning parts. Also these guns
would be very easy to adapt to suppressors if your into that.
 
I have camp 9 never had any problems, very accurate with open sites plinking, it will put a smile on your face when you use it.
 
I have 2 camp nines and have never shot anything but lead through them. They use smith and wesson model 59 magazines. A new recoil buffer every 3-4 years, never changed a spring. Great carbines.
 
They sure have gotten expensive lately. I have a Camp 45 recently acquired, with the checkered stock. Loaned it to my Dad, he shot it once and said it was too nice to shoot.

Looking for a 9MM for him now.

If you can pick one up under $500 that seems to be a decent price on a shooter. Several on the auction sites starting at $750.

... and yes, replace the buffer. The feed ramp on the .45 (and maybe the 9mm) is spring loaded. Be sure to get the feed ramp in the correct position or you will have a single shot rifle.
 
goldenlight said:
My biggest complaint about the Camp 9 was the fairly atrocious trigger. It was heavy, 'gritty', and didn't always break the same. It made shooting accurately more work than I thought it should.
Click to expand...

Sounds just like my Marlin Model 60.
 
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