Opinion about carcano?

Not that you aren't already ... but be a very good son! I don't know if you have siblings, but if not, you could end up with a big boost in your collection. Even if you Dad doesn't gift some or all to you, if he knows you are interested, he might give you the right of first refusal and/or cut you a really hard to beat "family" discount.

I'm almost 69 and I know that if I had a son who was as interested as you seem to be, I'd do everything in my power to pass along ALL my knowledge and ALL my firearms. Yes, I could sell them ... but that would not be my first instinct in the scenerio I'm painting.

Also, if you were really interested in doing a caliber change to a Carcano, a GREAT choice would be keep the Carcano brass and rebarrel in either .264" or .308". I've ordered barrels from folks like Pac-Nor and had them custom profile from a barrel I supplied them. Yes, there's a small fee for them to do this ... but if you really want a different caliber, it can be done. Going with .264" you could use stock, inexpensive ($30 at Midway) LEE 6.5 Carcano dies for reloading ... or just shoot Privi (I believe they are still using a .264" bullet ... anybody know anything to the contrary?). Further, you could use existing Carcano clips. Just a thought. The .308" option means custom dies, they won't break the bank, but the first option is cheaper. I'd just make sure the gunsmith putting this .264" together PROMINENTLY marks the barrel: .264" BORE.
 
I don't have any interest in reloading, but maybe someday.

My brother and I will be splitting up his large (150 or so) collection someday if he still has it. We're both into guns and started shooting in elementary school. My brother and I like the newer assault rifles, and dad has some of them, but alot of the older ones too. It was always cool to be able to look at the actual guns that were on our video games.

As far as the carcano re-bareling idea, what other calibers have the same case head as 6.5carcano? I know about 7.62x39, what would be some others? .357 mag? .40 S&W? isn't there an AR round based on the 7.62x39?

I would think that one of the few advantages of being clip fed is that it would make it easier to convert calibers with just a magazine spacer since the rounds are held in place by the clip.

Just an idea, I guess you can tell why I'm an engineering major.
 
An Engineering Major,eh? EE?, ME? ...?

You are already pre-programed to "screw around with guns" (HaHa!) I've spent decades working with my "smith" on rifles with calibers that are useless ... but what fun! Interested in a rimmed 7.62 X 39? Why? So you can shoot it in a repro M1885 Winchester.

Other calibers for that Carcano ... 7.62 X 45 Czech. Basically a 7.62 X 39 with a 6mm longer case. Add 6mm more and you have a 7.62 X 51. While it's not our 7.62 X 51 ... it is a .308" Carcano. The AR 7.62 X 39 is the Soviet cartridge (same for 5.45 X 39), just a different bolt face from 5.56X 45. There's the old 6.5 X 54 Manlicher-Schoenhauer. In fact, before Privi started doing 6.5 X 52 Carcano, I made my own Carcano from it.

You mentioned not having an interest in reloading. I didn't either, until I wanted to shoot my first Carcano ... a 6.5 TS Carbine that my Dad sent back from Italy. That got me started and now I'm into something like 212 different calibers, many of them extremely obsolete (11mm Murata or .276 Enfield) or wildcats (7.62 X 39R or 7.62 X 25R). I just want to make sure you keep that option open ... it's way too much fun and if you keep your wits about you, not even remotely dangerous.

The reason I thought to stear you toward a .264" bore Carcano was to have you avoid reloading. You still have all the expense of a new barrel and custom profiling, you'll need a chamber reamer with a .264" pilot, then there are the "smithing" charges for chambering, fitting and barreling, removing and reinstalling sights. What you will save is any cost related to reloading; small by comparison to the project you contemplate. Not that your project is a bad idea. (I have, as I said, dozens of useless calibered rifles and it hasn't stopped yet) However, if you want to shoot a Carcano cheaply, reloading IS the route to go. Just sayin'!

Curious, does your Dad have a Carcano? (If he doesn't... maybe you need to convince him that he REALLY NEEDS to get one ... wink, wink, hint, hint) :-)
 
I dont think a could re chamber a carcano to somthing other than a rifle cartridge .. Possible to get it done to .223? I know you a sleeve and everything but would it be possible
 
My dad has several Carcanos and the only one he really likes is the one in 8 mauser. He just got it and I wish he'd stop talking about it to be truthful. He's looking for a clip for it so he can shoot it. It was enough for him to motivate him to pull out his reloader which has been packed up since he went to Iraq a few years ago, so that's a good thing.
 
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i could ever find who made mine, i could never find AY serial number. This is a late carcano, last few years when they never stamped them with much. If anybody can identifie please help!
 
Mannlicher?

I've always heard the Oswald rifle referred to as a "6.5mm Mannlicher (sp?) Carcano." Not sure if that more specifically ID's the gun...

JB
 
Mannlicher-carcano is the full name of the carcano family much like Mosin-Nagant. however with the number of rifles that Mannlicher had their hands in designing, Mannlicher Steyr, Mannlicher Schoenaur, ETC, many just drop mannlicher and call them carcanos... shorter too.
 
You mentioned not having an interest in reloading. I didn't either, until I wanted to shoot my first Carcano ... a 6.5 TS Carbine that my Dad sent back from Italy. That got me started and now I'm into something like 212 different calibers, many of them extremely obsolete (11mm Murata or .276 Enfield) or wildcats (7.62 X 39R or 7.62 X 25R). I just want to make sure you keep that option open ... it's way too much fun and if you keep your wits about you, not even remotely dangerous.



Did you rely say 212 differnt calibers. For the carcano????? Many people say it's a weak design! Some even say they wouldn't even shoot of because they're "dangerous" what's your opinions on that?
 
I think he meant 212 calibers total... which is still pretty impressive... I highly doubt a feller could chamber in 11mm murata without completely rebuilding the entire gun. sounds cool though, I've always been a little curious about the murata and what it's like to shoot one.
 
could ever find who made mine, i could never find AY serial number.
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That's because that is not a factory serial number. And the manufacturer should be abbreviated on the rear sight.
 
The Italian carcano has some undesirable features but it's not as bad as some would say. Let's not forget that it was proven in battles within Greece and northern Africa. The safety is much better than the ever popular Mosin Nagant.

Jack
 
um... I know I've been the recurring anti in this here zombie thread but I believe it was anything but proven in those wars. greece completely flogged the Italian military before Germany stepped in. Etheopia and other african successes were due as much to the fact that the italians were fighting enemies on camels and horseback... a little bit of a technological superiority that went well beyond what small arms were being issued.

as much as I dislike the carcano I will concede that the safety is better than the mosin nagant, if only by a little, and I would hardly call the mosin nagant the greatest battle rifle of the era either. just me though.
 
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