Looking for Carcanos

[Snowman1510]

I am looking to buy a Carcano rifle that is an early WW2 Carcano rifle. I was wondering what should I be looking for on the rifle and what markings should it have to still be an axis regime rifle? Another question I have is how readily avaliable is the ammunition?

Information

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[Eaglelord17]

So what are you specifically looking to represent? Every Carcano variant was pretty much used during WWII, and there are quite a few different variants. Overall they didn't really mark the rifles with any particularly special markings when the government changed. Only major difference was after 1929 to 1943, they started using Roman numerals for the date (just add the Roman numeral to 1929 to figure out the year of production).

Ammo can be difficult. There is two main calibers, 6.5x52 and 7.35x51. 6.5x52 can be found but it can be difficult. 7.35x51 is very difficult to find, most people who shoot it have to custom make the bullets and ammo. Most are in 6.5x52 as the few made in 7.35x51 were abandoned (sent to Reserves or even Finland) due to the desire to keep the ammunition standard during WWII.

This is a good link with a list of the models. Very basic information wise, but it can help you figure out which model you are specifically looking for.

Carcano Identification: A Quick and Dirty Guide for Variations : : CRsenal

[Snowman1510]

Hmm, I guess what i was really asking was what model of the rifle was most used by Italian forces during the time they were fighting against the allies?

[Ovidio]

You should look for the 91/38 variants or the cavalry moschetto (folded bayonet), especially in 6,5x52. 7,35 was issued only in limited numbers.
The long rifle was also very much in use, but less in front-line units.
If you want to reload, you should look for old military bullets. Here in Italy you still find them, but they're getting rare.
Hornady has a .268 160 grs. bullet perfectly suiting, but first check your bore. Some Carcanos have been tinkered with and have tighter bores (.264).

[Eaglelord17]

Probally the best couple options for that would be the M38s, and the M91/24. As mentioned they did use pretty much every version in WWII, none of it was really thrown out, but the most recent production rifles were the M38s and those were intended to be the main pattern of rifle until they found having a adjustable sight was a advantage and they started making the M41s (which those didn't see much service, most are in mint shape because of that).

[rum_runner]

As others have already covered, you have a wide range of Carcanos to choose from. That is, if you can find one that hasn't been "Bubba'd". I have owned just about every model. Favorite was a 38 in 7.35. This was 40 years ago when you could still get surplus ammo on the cheap. If you are going to shoot much...get into reloading. I would prefer a 91/38 in 6.5. STAY AWAY from the 8mm conversions!

[Ovidio]

Definitely. The action has not been designed for the high pressures of the German ammo.

[Snowman1510]

I'll make sure to stay away from it!

[cherokee]

You should look for the 91/38 variants or the cavalry moschetto (folded bayonet), especially in 6,5x52. 7,35 was issued only in limited numbers.
The long rifle was also very much in use, but less in front-line units.
If you want to reload, you should look for old military bullets. Here in Italy you still find them, but they're getting rare.
Hornady has a .268 160 grs. bullet perfectly suiting, but first check your bore. Some Carcanos have been tinkered with and have tighter bores (.264).

Wow...been here a long time and this is my first message.....amazing I kept my mouth shut for so long.

I have two and am in the process of working up loads for them. Partizan makes factory ammo....going to cost you about $2 per bang. But that gives you some good re-loadable brass.....Norma also makes brass for it....but like most of their stuff it is a bit spendy....good but spendy.

The Hornady bullets are fantastic....the correct profile and correct size if the gun is in "good" shape. Mine really came alive with hand loading. I went from a basket ball group at 100 to a fist sized group with a bullet that did not bounce its way down the bore....also had some real key holes with the partizan ammo.

They are real fun guns to shoot (oops all of this is for 6.5) very lite recoil....just a pleasure. The hornady bullets are also a bit spendy....but I got the costs down to about $.70 per shot.

The rifles are one of the few "good deals" left in the surplus world....and are also fun to shoot.....find a good one and give it a try.

[Aragorn243]

Privi 6.5 is only costing me about $16 a box. I do some shopping around it you're paying $40.