M38 Carcano Carbine, 1939

[smellie]

You guys all live in the Excited States and you are so DARNED lucky!!!!!!

Springfield Sporters has enough Carcano parts to fix any number of the things and the prices are great. They have all the parts for the TS-38 and they have complete bolts, both types.

There should not be much trouble in fitting a Bolt. The Italians kept things VERY tight in the Bolt Department. The likeliest problem you might encounter would be a bolt which is a tad too tight. Quickest fix for that is just to dress a few thou off the upper surface of your Shellholder when you FL size your brass after the first firing. Factory ammo you can generally cram in somehow; it comes out a lot easier than it goes in; that's how you know when to dress that shellholder.

I just wish we could talk some sense into your and our Idiot Politicians and Power-mad Petty Bureaucrats: WE aren't The Enemy..... and our money spends very well. We just aren't allowed to get parts for ANYTHING from a US source, unless we order it through a Dealer.....who has it sent to a Broker...... and then to him........ and you end up paying $15 for a $3 part...... if most of them can even be bothered with our small bits and pieces. Right now, I need so MANY parts which are available plentifully and inexpensively in the USA...... and likely there are another 50,000 like me in this country. For the most part, the Canadian importers love it like this. This country has a long tradition of keeping the competition OUT and the prices HIGH... and most of us don't like it.

Apart from my rant (which helps nobody), I do hope this is some help.
.

[Midmichigun]

Smellie,
I haven't purchased a bolt or sling for the rifle yet. I am debating on the $$, since I am SOOOO close on finishing my 1920, 1903 Springfield.
I would just hate to get caught up with, "Gee we sold the last bolt".... type scenario... if I don't move on it soon.
I am not a Carcano collector, but may look into it further. These are interesting rifles, with a pretty nifty history. As the other MAJOR WWII weapons continue to become over collected, eventually these should go up in price a bit.... for right now tho... I think I have found something I can afford to collect!! LOL!
I agree 100% on your assessment of Govt interference...

[Patrick Chadwick]

I am delighted to see that the treacle rifle turned out so well. As jmoore wrote, the wood looks fine, so leave it as it is and just feed it a few drops of linseed oil every week or so.

[Midmichigun]

Folks,
How exciting! I was able to source a Carcano bolt this past week!

I did opt for the turned down bolt as suggested.
Here is another photo of the semi completed rifle...

I also sourced clips for the rifle... and some screws....

Not its onto slings and bayonets.

[Bionicback321]

I was able to get all the Carcano parts I needed for my M38 at Numrich. They sell the middle band with screw and ring for the sling.