M91 “Calvary” Carbine for my son

[KneverKnew]

Just got this model 1891 (made in 1918) carbine for my young 8year old son.
It cleaned up ok and the bore looks reasonably good.



We just fired it three times from the porch. I shot twice to get a velocity reading and my son once. We stopped because it is SOOO LOUD!! I decided to be merciful to my neighbors. We will continue at the range at a later date.
We shot PPU 6.5 Carcano 139 FMJ factory loads. The velocity average I recorded with my two shots was 2176 fps from the 17.7” barrel.
Primers looked fine but cases did show some stretching at the top of the shoulder and about one third up from base.
Unfired cases had a headspace shoulder to base length ShL= 1.695”
Fired case ShL = 1.703”. That was a change of .008” ?
The diameter measured just behind the shoulder of the case was .430” unfired and .440” fired. A change of .010”.

All that being said, my 8 year old loved shooting it and was able to hold it up off hand and fire. He said the kick didn’t hurt at all. But what a fireball!!