Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock Review

The Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock Review No One Else Gives You

For years, the Marlin Camp Carbine has been a reliable and adaptable platform, but its fixed stock can make it cumbersome for certain applications. When I was looking for a way to increase its portability without sacrificing shooting stability, the Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock immediately caught my eye. Manufactured by Choate Tool, this folding stock promised to drastically reduce the overall length, making storage and transport significantly easier.

My personal need for a folding stock arose from a desire to more easily transport my Camp Carbine in a smaller vehicle and for better concealed storage at home. Traditional fixed stocks, while robust, are simply not designed for compact living or tight car interiors. I briefly considered some generic universal stocks, but their compatibility and build quality were too much of an unknown. The prospect of a purpose-built folding mechanism for the Marlin platform, from a reputable manufacturer like Choate, offered a level of confidence I couldn’t ignore.

First impressions upon receiving the stock were very positive. The stainless steel folding mechanism felt solid, and the glass-filled polymer stock itself had a good, substantial feel without being overly heavy. It seemed like a practical, no-nonsense solution to a common portability challenge.

Real-World Testing: Putting Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial testing took place on a range day, followed by some home workshop tinkering. I installed the folding stock on my Marlin Camp Carbine, and the process was straightforward. The key was ensuring the alignment was perfect before fully tightening everything down, a common step with aftermarket firearm accessories.

When extended, the stock locks up with a reassuringly solid feel, providing a stable shooting platform. The folding mechanism itself operates smoothly, with a distinct click when it locks into both the open and closed positions. I found the quick opening housing design to be efficient, allowing for rapid deployment or stowage. Exposure to a bit of workshop dust and the general environment of a busy shooting range didn’t seem to affect its function at all.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months of regular use, the Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock has proven to be remarkably reliable. It has seen action on various range days and has spent a good amount of time tucked away in vehicle compartments and under beds. Despite frequent folding and unfolding, the stainless steel folding mechanism shows no signs of significant wear.

The stock has maintained its rigidity when extended, which is crucial for accurate shooting. There’s no noticeable wobble or looseness that you sometimes find in less robust folding stock designs. Cleaning is also straightforward; a quick wipe-down of the polymer and a check of the hinge points are usually all that’s needed. Compared to other folding stocks I’ve encountered in the past, this one feels significantly more durable and less prone to developing play over time.

Breaking Down the Features of Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock

Specifications

The Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock is designed specifically for the Marlin Camp Carbine, fitting both 9mm and .45 ACP variants. Its primary innovation is the stainless steel folding mechanism, which is cast and then machined for precision. This mechanism is built to lock securely in both the open and closed positions, ensuring safety and usability in either configuration.

The stock itself is constructed from glass-filled polymer, a material known for its strength, durability, and light weight. This material choice contributes to the overall compact and lightweight nature of the unit. Fitted to the end of the polymer stock is a recoil absorbing rubber butt pad, which helps to mitigate felt recoil during shooting. When folded, the stock is advertised to cut approximately 12 inches off the total length of the rifle, a significant reduction for portability.

Performance & Functionality

The core function of this stock is to provide a collapsible option for the Marlin Camp Carbine, and it excels at this. Its ability to reduce overall length by 12 inches when folded is a game-changer for transport and storage. This makes the carbine significantly easier to slip into a discreet bag or a tight car trunk.

In terms of shooting performance, the stock performs admirably. When extended, it provides a stable shooting platform, with the stainless steel folding mechanism locking up rigidly. This means you don’t sacrifice accuracy or handling for the convenience of a folding stock. The recoil absorbing rubber butt pad also contributes to a more comfortable shooting experience, especially during extended sessions.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of the Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock is functional and robust. The stainless steel housing and arms are visibly well-machined, giving a sense of quality and durability. The integration of the glass-filled polymer for the stock body is a smart choice, keeping the weight down without compromising strength.

Ergonomically, the stock feels comfortable when shouldered. The recoil absorbing rubber butt pad is well-placed and effective. The folding mechanism itself is intuitive to operate. The quick opening housings allow for rapid deployment, which is a welcome feature for any firearm accessory intended for rapid use.

Durability & Maintenance

Choate Tool has built this folding stock with durability in mind. The use of high-quality stainless steel for the folding components and glass-filled polymer for the stock body suggests it’s built to last. The entire assembly is 100% made and assembled in the USA, and carries Choate’s lifetime guarantee.

Maintenance is minimal, which is ideal for a practical accessory. Regular cleaning of the exterior and occasional lubrication of the hinge points should suffice. There have been no signs of wear, cracks, or stiffness developing, even after repeated cycles of folding and unfolding.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock comes as a complete unit, ready to install. It doesn’t include additional accessories in the traditional sense, as its purpose is to replace the existing stock. However, its design is straightforward, meaning it’s unlikely to require specialized tools beyond what a typical gun owner would have on hand for firearm maintenance.

There are no inherent customization options for the stock itself in terms of color or material beyond the standard black finish. However, its design does not impede the use of standard sling attachments if the user wishes to add them to their Marlin Camp Carbine.

Pros and Cons of Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock

Who Should Buy Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock?

This folding stock is an ideal upgrade for any owner of a Marlin Camp Carbine (9mm or .45 ACP) who values portability and ease of storage. It’s perfect for those who need to transport their firearm discreetly in a vehicle, store it in tight spaces at home, or pack it into a smaller range bag. If you are an outdoor enthusiast who uses the Camp Carbine for general purposes and needs to maximize space, this is a serious consideration.

Those who prioritize maximum compactness and are willing to sacrifice the traditional aesthetic of their Marlin Camp Carbine will find this stock immensely useful. However, if you primarily use your carbine for static shooting at the range and never need to transport it compactly, then a folding stock might be an unnecessary addition. For those who decide to purchase, ensuring you have a good quality cleaning kit to maintain the folding mechanism is always a good idea.

Conclusion on Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock

The Choate Tool Marlin 9mm/45 Folder Shotgun Stock delivers exactly what it promises: enhanced portability for the Marlin Camp Carbine without sacrificing shooting performance. The stainless steel and glass-filled polymer construction feels robust and durable, and the quick opening housings make the folding action smooth and efficient. Its ability to significantly reduce the overall length makes it an indispensable upgrade for anyone needing to transport or store their carbine discreetly.

At its price point of $145.99, this stock offers excellent value, especially considering the 100% USA-made components and Choate’s lifetime guarantee. For Marlin Camp Carbine owners who have wrestled with the fixed stock’s bulk, this folding stock is not just a convenience, it’s a practical solution that breathes new life into an already versatile firearm. I wholeheartedly recommend this folding stock to any Marlin Camp Carbine owner looking to maximize their firearm’s adaptability and portability.