If you were going with a pistol caliber carbine which would you chose?

Which Caliber

  • 9mm

    Votes: 37 42.0%

  • 40 S&W

    Votes: 5 5.7%

  • 45 ACP (Auto)

    Votes: 24 27.3%

  • Other

    Votes: 26 29.5%
  • Total voters
    88
  • Poll closed .
J

Jim243

New member
In the Semi-Auto Pistol section, I came accross a posting on the Taurus CT G2 carbine. Why it was closed instead of moved here I do not understand.

But, besides that as I was looking at the spec.'s on the rifle and the question pop up as to what caliber I would purchase if I was to get one.

While I am not a fan of pistol calibers in rifles, I could see some advantages in it for inexpensive plinking and home defense.

And now with Taurus entering the market as well as Beretta and Kel-Tec it did look more attractive.

http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=6035
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/151/products_id/15217
http://www.berettausa.com/products/cx4-storm/

But the question did come up as to in what caliber 9mm, 40 S&W or 45 ACP?

While the 40 and 45 would give more punch, would the 9mm give more range (how far?) and be a better choice.

I am inclined to stick with my AR's and Mini-30 for carbines, but with the ever increasing cost of ammo (I do reload) would this be a good alternitive to the more expensive rifle cartrages and if so which one??

So shoot away and let the bullets fall were they may.

Thanks
Jim
 
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I voted for 9mm only because I have a carbine that accepts the magazines of my 9mm handgun when I much prefer the .45 ACP in a 1911 platform.

Being that the options were with the stipulation of "home defense and plinking" I think it best if one's carbine and handgun take not only the same caliber but fed from the same magazines.

Biker
 
I voted other. My only pistol caliber carbine is a Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum. Light, handy, plenty of power. Very accurate with .38 special or the magnums.
 
I recently purchased a pistol caliber carbine,,,

I went with 9mm,,,
Not because it's particularly the best cartridge though.

I went with it because I already own a nice 9mm pistol,,,
And because 9mm is the most readily available & cheapest ammo today.

Aarond
 
The later model Ruger Deerfield carbine in .44 Mag with the detachable rotary magazine and 1:20 twist barrel is very hard to beat when it comes to pistol caliber semi-auto carbines. Mine shares +P loads with a Ruger Redhawk. The box mag makes it quite easy to make safe, unlike tube magazine carbines that are cumbersome to unload.
 
dont write off the Hipoint as a pistol caliber carbine. Nice and surprisingly solid though clunkily designed. reliability is fantastic and its really accurate. I didnt like the beretta personally because the hipoint just put it to shame in my testing. I would like to try out the taurus though. The keltec just didnt feel right to me.
I really enjoy 9 as a carbine round because it is cheap and fun. Has enough power for small game too.
 
I voted other. My only pistol caliber carbine is a Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum. Light, handy, plenty of power. Very accurate with .38 special or the magnums.
Click to expand...

Same for me, but mine is an 1894C. Great rifle, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. And I bought it off a forum member here....
 
I'm with Dennis (PawPaw) on this one; but, I don't think my short barreled 38/357 lever gun is what you in mind when you asked about a carbine.
 
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I have a couple of the handgun chamberd carbines and I voted .45 ACP. The Camp 9 will take the mags from my Smith 459 (Camp 9 mag is shorter so it will not fit the Smith), the Camp 45 uses 1911 mags, the Marlin 1894 is in .44 Mag but with a 20" barrel I think it qualifies as a rifle, not a carbine. Then there's the Calico. If you want Hi-cap mags you have two choices, 50 or 100 rounds....

I had the Camp 45 out yesterday and we were plinking at a ball-type reactive target. With iron sights we still were making regular hits at 100 yards. It's light, fun, accurate enough without a scope and compatible with a 1911 sidearm. What's not to like?

Here are the Marlin "Three Amigos", Camp 45 top, Camp 9 center, 1894 bottom.

005.jpg
 
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Nice carbines and nice picture also. I don't think I would consider the M-1 carbine as a pistol round any more than I would consider my AR-15 in 5.56 or Marlin 336C in 35 Remington carbines as pistol rounds either. All were developed for rifles first.

I see I should have put more choices on the poll 38 spl, 357 Mag, 44 Mag and 45 LC as well.

Thanks
Jim
 
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magnum

The auto pistol calibers in a carbine do not have enough punch to suit me. The magnum pistol cals, .357 and .44 are more versatile.

Of the two, .357 if I could have only one, as it can be loaded up and down. even by non reloaders. .38 for bulk shooting, .357 for hunting.
 
I agree with Stoney_soldier. I owne a HighPoint in a 45 APC carbin. I got it just before x-mas and have put 500 rounds throu it in two weeks. No jams or miss Feeds. At 50 yards, the max hat I have tried so far, I could not ask for better groups. Price was not bad at all $299 out door at Cabelas. I would say this is best x-mas gift ever from the wife. I have gotten a red dot for it but have not used it. Hope to soon.


Cubdad67
 
I agree with Aarond, I voted 9mm, not because I really think it's the "Best", but because ammo is plentiful, and cheap. With a pistol cal carbine, for me, plinking would probably be one of it's primary uses.

If it were a dual use Plinker/HD weapon, I'd still choose the 9mm. A mag full of 9mil should be plenty effective should some fool break into your house.

If this were strictly a HD weapon, I'd go for the Mighty .45 acp.

40 S&W.... I cant think of any reason why it would be a good choice in this application.
 
.44Mag

Its the most powerful pistol round available in a carbine.
It can be exchanged for .44Spl if you want to download.
It is available in DoubleTap etc. or reloaded to >1100 ft/lbs.
It begins with a "4".
 
I voted for .40 because I have 2 .40 pistols and it would be easier to maintain a large stock of 1 type of pistol ammo rather than 2-3. I think the 5.7X28 has good merit in this category if it becomes more mainstream and ammo price comes down. BTW my next pistol will probably be a FN 5.7 (with threaded barrel and suppressor) when $ permits.
 
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