The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Shannon42 on November 16, 2007, 03:09:23 PM

Title: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Shannon42 on November 16, 2007, 03:09:23 PM
In this week's PODcast pistol caliber carbines were discussed.

My favorite pistol carbine is the Mech Tech, it uses either a 1911 or a Glock frame.

And my favorite carbine pistol caliber is the 10mm.  In a 16 inch barrel Mech Tech, you can get 2000 fps with Corbon 135 gn JHP and 1550 FPS with 175 gn Winchester Silvertips
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: HAWKFISH on November 16, 2007, 04:33:16 PM
Do you have a Mech Tech Glock frame? How is the accuracy? I've heard about them but never got to shoot one.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Michael Bane on November 16, 2007, 07:25:18 PM
I like my 1911 Mech-Tech...it's a pretty cool device. As I said, I always mean to get a cheap frame and leave it attached. With one of my Para frames attached, it was super accurate...I believe they were using a Hart or a Jarvis match barrel. It really fits my criteria for a car gun...

Michael B
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Hazcat on November 16, 2007, 07:59:58 PM
Hawkfish,

Love the avatar!  Burt is the man. :)
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: red rider on November 17, 2007, 05:11:58 AM
Oh heck......thanks a whole lot...........I love pistol caliber carbines. And like Shannon42, I am a fan of the 10mm. Now this mech tech is new to me, I have never seen or heard of one. I would almost buy a G20 just to get the carbine conversion for it.

So I found out this week that the S/W model 610 is coming back (more good news for my budget), I have an AR build that I am month by month peicing together, and now this! Im gonna have to work some overtime! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: HAWKFISH on November 17, 2007, 08:20:49 AM
Thanks, Hazcat.. //  Wow, match grade barrels..? This is sounding better all the time..  ;D

Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: 2HOW on November 17, 2007, 10:02:35 AM
Heres the site ,looks pretty cool               http://www.mechtechsys.com/
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: LMIB on November 17, 2007, 10:29:58 AM
A few years ago I picked up a NIB Marlin Camp 45 at an estate auction.  It has been a hoot to shot and a tack driver at 50 yards.  Marlin is missing out on the multiple thousands of shooters looking for a pistol caliber carbine.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Grizzle_Bear on November 17, 2007, 05:16:14 PM
Why not get an M1 Carbine?  Twice the power of a .357 Mag, three times that of a 9mm.

Grizzle Bear

Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: LMIB on November 17, 2007, 05:24:52 PM
Why not get an M1 Carbine?  Twice the power of a .357 Mag, three times that of a 9mm.

Grizzle Bear


I don't beleive it s twice or even equal to the power of 357 if said 357 is fired out of a carbine length barrel.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Walter45Auto on November 19, 2007, 11:35:58 AM
I'd love to have a Marlin Camp .45. My dad and I wish we'd each bought 10 of them when they were all over the place for $260. The carbine I really want is a Kel-Tec SUB2000 that takes GLOCK 21 magazines. But they don't make one.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: powderfinger on November 19, 2007, 08:47:22 PM
I only own one pistol caliber carbine; a Marlin 1894c in .357. Talk about a fun gun. I too am a fan of the Kel-Tec Sub2000 but I don't own one yet. I'm holding out in hopes they come out with one in .45ACP or 10mm.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Walter45Auto on November 20, 2007, 11:01:06 PM
Another one I'd like to have is a Puma .454 Lever action. I'd like to have 2 of them, actually. One with a large Loop Lever and 16 inch barrel, and one with the standard loop and 20 inch barrel.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: hawkeye1 on December 10, 2007, 07:21:51 PM
Now I like the idea of a carbine in 454.  That would go nicely with my Super Redhawk.  That would make a great deer gun, among other things.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: canon6 on December 10, 2007, 09:19:18 PM
My 16 inch Rossi '92, carries 8 rounds in the tube , 9 on the carrier and I am getting north of 1800fps with a 180gr wfngc.I do not believe the 30 carbine is any where near that.If I wanted to go to a 125 gr I could top 2200fps.  Doug
(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n48/canon6/DSCF0097.jpg)
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: m25operator on December 10, 2007, 09:43:34 PM
I've always liked the idea, I once had a Colt Ar in 9mm, bowling pins at 50 yards were no trouble, I wished I had it back but I traded it and 300 bucks for an M1a, that was before the ban when the car15 went to over 1500 bucks, LOL, but I still have the M1a, and it is definitely a keeper. I have had a marlin in .357 but I don't usually carry a .357 pistol in the woods. I definitely appreciate the findings on the Glock or 1911 mech-tech conversions, I don't know anyone who has tried them. Dang it, Brownells closed out on some of these for a very reasonable price in the odd calibers, eg... 10mm for the glock. I am actively seeking a .44mag carbine, just waiting for the right deal. I had a Rossi Puma in .44 mag, and it would not feed, traded off very quickly.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: ellis4538 on December 17, 2007, 11:09:47 AM
MB i saw your post about the Mech-Tech conversion...How ammo sensitive is it?  You mentioned about it qualifying as a "car gun", what about for HD instead of an AR.  I live just outside a small city so long range isn't an issue.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Michael Bane on December 17, 2007, 12:23:50 PM
I ran mine on 230-grain ball and old IPSC Major 185-gr H&G cast bullets and it ran fine on both of those. The system seems to me to be pretty much "blunt trauma" — a big recoil spring and a wide feed ramp...

Michael B
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: ellis4538 on December 18, 2007, 09:59:36 AM
MB, what about the rest of my question?
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Michael Bane on December 18, 2007, 11:19:44 AM
I think it can easily replace an AR in specific uses where long-range isn't an issue. Decades ago I wrote a piece for a police magazine suggesting that in most application, the .45 ACP Thompson would be a superior long gun for cops over the AR platform because of the .45's proven stopper ability and the Thompson's slow rate of fire in full auto. Since the gun was going to ride around in the car most of the time, the Thompson's beefy weight wasn't an issue, and there was always the option of 50 and 100-round drums.

The Mech-Tech's primary limitation is magazine capacity. The Wilson 10-rounders are reliable; I haven;t had much luck with the others.

Michael B
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: 2HOW on December 18, 2007, 11:43:32 AM
I think pistol caliber carbines are a good compliment to your side arm , keeping the same caliber in each. Great trunk guns. I had a Ruger deerstalker in .44 mag, but really had no use for it. A good lever in a pistol cartridge or one of the new carbines is an idea, I would consider a Hi-Point carbine, have heard and read good things about them.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Hazcat on December 18, 2007, 11:45:02 AM
Want a pistol caliber carbine?  Here ya go, in 9 or 40.

http://calicolightweaponsystems.com/home/
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: 2HOW on December 18, 2007, 11:47:46 AM
I remember when the calico 1st came out, alot of problems, and that was with .22 rounds. Junk guns they were ,not sure about now.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: ellis4538 on December 18, 2007, 11:54:13 AM
Good point MB.  Anyone have experience with Mech-Tech on a Glock (say with a 30 rd. mag)?
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: 2HOW on December 18, 2007, 12:53:20 PM
You might as well carry a Sten Bren or one of those ugly .45s we called grease guns that all the motorpool guys used to carry. This mech tech is a curiosity weapon not a serious platform IMHO. You can buy a whole lot more serious carbine for the money.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: olddog on December 18, 2007, 02:12:32 PM
I own a colt ar15 9mm carbine, and a marlin 1894 in 44mag. The colt is great for training on steel and indoors where my .223 guns would be inapropriate and the 1894 is great for short range hunting and is just a cool gun. Pistol caliber carbines definately have their place.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: mnshooter on December 18, 2007, 10:30:39 PM
I've had two of the mec tech glock 17 "uppers."  They would function 99% with the factory mags; you just never knew when the other 1% would appear.  Tried the full range of ammo, 110-147 grain bullets slow, medium and fast.  When they worked they were fun but felt somewhat awkward in handling.  The thing you will probably notice most is the bolt movement.  As a pure blowback there is a lot of metal sliding back and forth in the tube, rather like a Smith M76 or swedish K.  The 9mm AR's seem a bit smoother,  possibly due to the in line stock, and of course you can trick the AR's out to the limit of your wallet.  A rifle in 9mm is mostly a fun plinker anyhow (Not that there's anything wrong with that...).
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: tigerclaw on December 19, 2007, 02:41:00 AM
So far nobody has mentioned any of the HK clones....  I have one of the Coharie 94 clones and really like it.  I've only put about 350 rounds through it since I received it earlier this year, but it has performed great and is a blast to shoot.  Are the MP5 clones so small a market that not many people have them??
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Michael Bane on December 19, 2007, 10:23:41 AM
You don't see many of the H-K clones around...I always wondered how they worked.

I shot a Calico .22 back in the day, but not since they came back...lot to be said for a 50- or 100-round magazine for a car gun, since it's a lot harder to reload in moving car (yeah yeah, I know...I've taken a bunch of heat on this "long gun in the car" thing...nobody's said anything that convinces me I'm wrong).

I've said befoe that I think lever guns are one of the great overlooked self-defense tools.

Michael B
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: tigerclaw on December 19, 2007, 11:12:52 AM
You don't see many of the H-K clones around...I always wondered how they worked.

Michael B

Yeah, but you're one up on me as you've been able to shoot the real deal.

The one I have is fun, but the trigger is just okay, not gritty but not a clean break either.  I bought the one with the fake can on it, so that I didn't have to buy a stock for it if I ever decide to SBR it.  It is a lot of fun though.

If you are ever in the South-Central part of Wisconsin and want to shoot it, consider yourself having a loaner.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: 2HOW on December 19, 2007, 12:19:33 PM
For once we agree michael, I also think pistol caliber lever guns are great, and a shorty rifle is not all that hard to manage in confined spaces. A calico would be a great car gun if it functioned flawlessly. I still think you cant beat the Hi-poiunt for reliability, performance and price. Its also a rifle I could stand to lose and replace easily, if the car was stolen or burned up.
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: Hazcat on December 19, 2007, 01:14:02 PM
I always liked my .454 lever. I never feel under gunned and ya never know when a T Rex might run through the neighborhood. ;D
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: jaybet on December 19, 2007, 10:59:36 PM
I was down at the club tonight and a guy had one of those little High Point 9mm rifles. It was pretty crappy- all plastic with nutz-and-boltz type hardware. What's funny though was that it shot really well. And the sights were easier to use than the silly little sights on the Beretta Storm.
The thing was pretty accurate, and for under $200 it's cool to be able to place 9mm rounds at distance and feel cheap about it. I might get one!
Title: Re: Pistol caliber carbines
Post by: cookie62 on December 19, 2007, 11:17:03 PM
I have a hi-point 9mm, its fun to shoot. The trigger is pretty crappy, the 10 rd. mags need to be bigger, but it shoots great as far as accuracy goes. I just wish someone would make hi cap mags for it that are dependable. I bought some 15 rounders that won't feed. All the info I can find on them says they just don't work very well, Iv'e tried bending the lips and a few other thing to no avail. But like I said its a blast to shoot.