To carbine,or not to carbine ?

shoots100

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Jan 11, 2010
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NYS Flatlands
I'm in the market for a pistol chambered carbine.The CX4 storm .40,or the .45 in particular.The main reason is that I'm a southpaw and it's fully ambi.I can get two extra rounds with the .40.I have to follow the insane NYS 10 rd magazine capacity restriction.If the ban sunsets,I can buy .40 High cap mags later.I want it for the wife to use while I'm away too.I leave a 20ga loaded with lite T shot loads,but she still doesn't like to use it.She won't touch a handgun.I'm thinking a carbine is the perfect middle of the road weapon for the situation.Anyone have any experience with the Storm ?
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

I have carbines in 9mm and 45 acp.... Very limited use but theyre fun for close quarters shooting... Take a look at some other brand like kel-tek, Just Case, etc... Some hold glock mags and can find some pre ban hi caps. I wouldn't hold your breath on the AWB to pass ... Definitely not now. If you want something a bit nicer it might be worth considering a AR platform with carbine conversion, some are fairly inexpensive. I own a couple Hi Points as well, they are the cheapest thing ever ($550 and you will own 2 calibers) but this configuration won't be driving nails any way.

Good luck and have fun, they're a blast-
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have carbines in 9mm and 45 acp.... Very limited use but theyre fun for close quarters shooting... Take a look at some other brand like kel-tek, Just Case, etc... Some hold glock mags and can find some pre ban hi caps. I wouldn't hold your breath on the AWB to pass ... Definitely not now. If you want something a bit nicer it might be worth considering a AR platform with carbine conversion, some are fairly inexpensive. I own a couple Hi Points as well, they are the cheapest thing ever ($550 and you will own 2 calibers) but this configuration won't be driving nails any way.

Good luck and have fun, they're a blast- </div></div>
Thanks for the input.I've checked some of the brands you mentioned and even fired some of them too.I like the Kel-tec,but it's a PIA to clean.My friend owns two and we stripped them one night after firing a couple hundred rounds.They do make a better firearm these days.That is my second choice after the storm.The JIC is made here in NY,but have heard they have issues.Expensive too.If a firearm has issues and I buy it,I'll be the one guy who'll have issues with it.I've had and sold a 9mm RRA upper.Too bulky for the wife to use and it spent most of the time collecting dust.I can't bring myself to trust a HI point with my,or my families lives.Plinkin is ok.

FAL ??? Maybe That,or a Barrett M82 ?
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marduk185</div><div class="ubbcode-body">fal </div></div>

Wtf? Why do you do this over and over?
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

Ahh, sorry, didn't quite process the last part of your post about home defense. What problems did you have with JIC? I've never had the opportunity to fire one but they appeared well built in person.

That's good you've had the opportunity to get behind a few of them already. Personally, I felt the storm was over priced , but that was some time ago. It surely has a following. The nicest dedicated pistol cal I can remember was an HK in 45acp, but even they have their design problems. I believe their were two different mag designs and one couldn't take the standard. Love em or hate them, it was well built, and very comfortable to hold.
28f98245dad0bd1accbedd1bc0dcb796.jpg



I don't know what's going on with Taurus' model, but it was supposed to be released in the three most common flavors as well. Might be something to look at if it becomes available
1b39f745173120bf1e1a2e5214a77282.jpg


I understand the hesitancy and distrust for Hi Point... There pistols are garbage. Their carbines are not the nicest to look at but I must tell you, every time you pull the trigger in goes bang. I have yet to have a single FTF or FTE in either that I own, and they have been fed every dirty thing under the sun. The 45 is a little heavy.
5dbce5211c32ad3024bbe6a1c51d89ff.jpg

9c90a4a6e3c71e74b796967fb8ecb855.jpg

they are very easy to manipulate,
-last round bolt hold open
-locking charging handle moves with fire
-blowback action
-recoil spring in stock (also holds 2 additional mags)
-single tool fits in grip (adjusts sights and disassembles weapon)
My 45 came with 3 mags, folding forward grip (with storage), and 150 lumen pistol light ~$285 I believe.

I know there's a lot of hate for them, but I think they're underrated. Its difficult to get over the fact that they are not as nicely constructed as others. But, If you check commentary from actual owners its surprising how good the feedback is. I have yet to see people they complain of any malfunctions. Certainly they are not for everyone, but reliability has never been an issue (at least for me). I'm happy with it. I didn't have any expectations for them to perform or handle like any of my other rifles. Close quarters it does just fine.


So many offerings are all over the place between weight, balance and build quality. Hope you find a great match. Good luck-
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

JIC won't sell to NY residents because of the 3 position stock it's has.It has the features I like,but it pisses me off that if I want one,I have to buy it from out of state.Plus I have to have the stock pinned,or replaced with a fixed stock.The older ones had problems.The newer ones are better.The storm is over priced,thats the main reason I don't have one yet.The USC is an awesome carbine,but it lacks the ambi eject feature.
I've shot alot of HI points and I don't hate them.They are hit and miss also,but mostly from shooters who don't take care of them.They are also a pain to take apart.Nice job on the sights and acces.Did you do any internal work on it ?
The taurus looks good,but I'll probobly never be able to own one,living in the communist state of NY.NY's AWB is crazy.I can't get 90% of the choices available to free citizens.Unless it's a Preban(pre 1994 and you need to be able to prove it too),I can't own it legally.Everything has to be pinned,or welded and ends up looking like a Frankenstein creation.
The real shit hasn't hit the fan yet here,so I'll need to purchase something soon.Hopefully they won't pass legislation to confiscate previously Grandfathered firearms.It's been discussed,but thats a story for another day.
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Skeld1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marduk185</div><div class="ubbcode-body">fal </div></div>

Wtf? Why do you do this over and over? </div></div>

it seems self explanatory. FAL supercedes the carbine being contemplated here in every way that matters. why does anyone answer a thread with their opinion? FAL is mine...boom.

that said, ive always considered the hipoint 9mm carbine an awesome poor man's uzi. but i never have found the 32 rounders available anywhere for it. shame really
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

I actually had a cx4 in 9mm I really liked it, it shot very well and very accurate. Never had any feeding issues with any ammo i put through it. The recoil was very light i have shot other 9mm carbines that had more recoil don't get me wrong it wasn't bad but you did say it was for your wife and it sounds like she's not really sure she wants to use a firearm so i would figure the lighter the recol the less intimidated to her it will be. I think for what you want he cx4 in either caliber would be good.
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

I'm in the same boat... New York here too.
One of my local shops sells/sold JIC carbines there. He gets a lot of manufacturers already pinned, the ones that won't he does himself. He's a smith and regularly converts LEO only rifles over; sells both.

You're right though, i feel the pain as well, we do miss out on a lot. He had a Sterling up as well but only comes in hi cap mags, so they are no go (LEO only), has to take current 10 rounders besides pre ban.

And no, I haven't made any internal modifications. They both have the newer body and stock style, double mag holder in stock, one has a comp and additional pic rails. They run smooth, but if I could change the triggers in them I would. They are also rated for +p ammo in all 3 calibers. Recoil is pretty much non existent as far as I'm concerned and the little that's there is absorbed by the spring attached pad on the stock.

As far as accuracy, I try to think of them as elongated accurate pistols opposed to limited distance rifles. At pistol distances I think they really shine. It could certainly be disappointing if one is expecting rifle like performance. So, I see it as a great shooting 9mm or 45acp that shoots hott and easy to manipulate, not judging it as a 16" barreled rifle, works in my mind.

Looks like the Storm's are going around $5-600 used if you can find one. Seems even this model is unavailable a lot of places. Might be some serious price gouging now, if you can find one, used may have gone up closer to new prices. Hopefully this whole thing will blow over and won't have to deal with grandfathered issues. Some here have speculated that they are in works to have all types either not transferable or possibly forced disposal and removing a grandfathered clause. Would be terrible losing rights and a huge amount of money down the drain. I pray neither of those are the case.

Good luck with your search,
Hope you find something that suits your needs-
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marduk185</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Skeld1</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marduk185</div><div class="ubbcode-body">fal </div></div>

Wtf? Why do you do this over and over? </div></div>

it seems self explanatory. FAL supercedes the carbine being contemplated here in every way that matters. why does anyone answer a thread with their opinion? FAL is mine...boom.

</div></div>
I appreciate the comment,but I asked for pistol chambered carbine suggestions.
 
Re: To carbine,or not to carbine ?

I ended up getting a deal on a Masterpiece Arms .45acp Tact carbine,that comes with and uses 30rd preban grease gun mags.I wanted a carbine that was more Lefty friendly,but the wifes a righty and she likes it.The price was right and I wasn't going to try and talk the little lady out of buying a gun.What goes around,comes around.
It might be a bit on the heavy side (fully loaded with 30rds of 45 ball ammo)for my wife to handle,but it take's away 90% of the recoil.It's like shooting a .22 cal,fully loaded with the comp.