.45 ACP carbine recommendations?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Recently I’ve started looking at potential companion carbines for my .45 ACP pistols, and I’ve come across the following: Marlin Camp Carbine, HK USC .45 ACP Carbine, Beretta Cx4 Storm Carbine, Reising Model 60 SMG and the Featherusa RAV-45. At this point I know very little about these firearms and would like to get some opinions from the straight shooters of the Dope.

Semi-automatic is the preference here, so I’m not looking at bolt or lever action models. I have read some about pressure and muzzle velocity considerations with the varying barrel lengths between carbines and pistols, and I think I ought to be able to find ammunition that will be satisfactory for all. Your thoughts on this subject are welcome.

What little I’ve learned follows. Most of the comments I’ve seen regarding the Marlin tend to, without getting very specific, disparage it, with the notable exception of those from a couple of guys who actually one one, and who seem to like the gun. As a discontinued model, one would have to be located on the used market. Advantages are that the Marlin would likely be the cheapest by a long shot and it takes the 1911 magazine.

Both the HK and the Beretta are apparently current models, as they are featured on those manufacturers’ websites. While enthusiast pages are full of complimentary commentary, once again I’ve found little in the way of specifics. An HK would probably be fairly expensive. Price is not an absolute barrier, but it’s definitely a consideration.

Included only because it’s one of the very few firearms I’ve found that fit the search parameters, the Reising is an unlikely candidate as it was last manufactured ~60 years ago, and I know its full-auto predecessors (Models 50 and 55) were withdrawn from military service after a very short time.

Featherusa’s RAV-45 is another, pricey, current model that looks interesting, but reviews from those other than someone with one to sell are hard to come by.

Mech Tech makes a conversion kit, but that doesn’t really appeal to me, yet (pending one of y’all singing its praises).

So, thoughts, y’all? And, are there any other .45 ACP semi-auto carbines I’ve missed and should be considering?

2

I have the 9MM version of the Marlin and like it pretty well. Not a target rifle but it’s a blast to shoot and has never jammed on me. There is a hard plastic “cushion” thing inside, rear of receiver that got brittle and crumbly and I replaced that and bought a spare. The replacement seems to be a little different plastic.

That Beretta looks pretty nice, would make a good companion to my 92F.

3

Some pretty cool carbines there. What effect does a 16-18" barrel have on muzzle velocty/energy? I would assume the .45 ACP round is optimized for handguns, so increasing the length of the barrel beyond the standard 4-6" seems like it might be counterproductive.

4

I’m no expert but my understanding is that the longer barrel increases both velocity and accuracy. The increase in velocity is because the explosion of the propellant has a longer time to accelerate the bullet before it leaves the barrel. The greater accuracy may be because the greater distance between the rear and front sight allows for a better alignment of the sights and the bore of the barrel. That’s not really a good explanation of what I’m thinking but maybe someone else can explain it better. Also the rate of twist in the rifling in the barrel may be a factor, that is, the bullet may have more time to get spinning in the barrel increasing it’s stability in flight. Also having a shouder stock will help the shooter to hold the gun steady while aiming so that helps with accuracy too.

I used to shoot at an indoor range that was pistol only. I asked if I could shoot my 9mm carbine since it used the same ammo as what I shot there normally. They said no because of the increased velocity in the longer barrel.

5

Phantom Dennis, even though I had just read your post I was thinking velocity/accuracy when in fact you had asked about velocity/energy. Sorry to go on about the accuracy stuff.

6

My Father owns the Marlin Camp Carbine, but in 9mm.

As far as I know, it has never been fired. It’s about 20 years old.

What I found odd is that he does not own a 9mm pistol, but does have a .45 1911 officers model.

Not sure why he went for the 9mm. It was probably an impulse buy.

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BTW, if I remember correctly, the 9mm Marlin Camp Carbine will accept the S&W magazines but not Beretta mags.