Is now a good time to buy a Carcano?

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Kyle S.

Kyle S.

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I occasionally check the milsurp market for good deals and it seems that the carcano calvary is about the only thing out there for under $300. From what I've read, DKfirearms would be the place to buy from. My only concerns would be with the prvi partizan ammo diameter, availability, and getting a broken gun. It seems like grafs has 123 grain and 139 grain ammo but a limit of two. I've read enough reviews of people getting rusted out barrels and bent firing pins to be cautious. I have only ever bought one milsurp before and that was an m39 through classic firearms, but if read a lot of bad stuff about their carcano calvary batch. I really like the carcano calvary because of its short length and mild round. Not sure if I would take care of it like my m39 but I might take it hunting at some point in the future. Seems like it would make a good truck gun. Haven't posted on here in a few years so its good to be back. Also, its my birthday today so I might make the impulse buy if you guys sway me into it:).
 
I would probably spend my money on something else, were I you. Those aren't the best rifles in the world to begin with, and parts can be a bear to find sometimes. Given a little time and research, you could probably find another surplus rifle that would suit you better. Even if you had to wait and save up for it, I feel like you'd be better of in the long run.

Mac
 
MacAR said:
I would probably spend my money on something else, were I you. Those aren't the best rifles in the world to begin with, and parts can be a bear to find sometimes. Given a little time and research, you could probably find another surplus rifle that would suit you better. Even if you had to wait and save up for it, I feel like you'd be better of in the long run.

Mac
Click to expand...
Don't you think we might see something similar happen to these rifles that happened to the mosin nagants?
 
The Carcano has always had a reputation for being junk, and the only appeal to them is they tend to be the cheapest thing on the market. If you found one at a garage sale for $100 maybe it would be worth buying, but I wouldn't buy one from a retailer for $300.

Its nice to daydream about the good ol' days. I turned 18 when J&G sales had crates of Mosins for $69 and SMLEs for $99. That was good times. I bought a bunch of them that summer, and years later was able to leverage them into much better rifles. But Caracanos for $300 isn't a path you want to go down.

Oh and Happy Birthday.
 
Deals in the milsurp game now require patience an internet hunting skills.

If you want a nice milsurp, at a moderate length, with a mild recoil, that's universally beloved, scour the internet for an M38 Swedish Mauser. You'll never be unhappy with the purchase. Don't buy the first one you see on gunbroker for $1000. I still see them sell for 500-600.
 
Well, the "best" time would be in the mid-90s, when they were two for $150 or so.

They have an unfair rep in the US, the actions are pretty strong and reliable. The bolts are not buttery-smooth, but workmanlike. Probably too many were hit with a "parts cannon" to make them "complete" rather than working.

Neither cartridge was very popular in the US, and, of course, "they look funny." Many of the claims of inaccuracy stem from using wrong-sized bullets not loaded to Caracno specs.

That does not mean that there are not some examples out there that are not dog's breakfasts, only hta the number is far less than the 9 of 10 one often hears.
 
Ive had several and got rid of them all. The 6.5s are a little less unfun to shoot than the 7.35s, but thats the only good thing I could say about them.

If you just want an example of the service rifle Italian troops had to put up with, then grab one for the collection, but if you are wanting a historical AND functional rifle, save your money and get a Mauser, Enfield, or- best of all- a M1903A3.

Id rather (and do) have one 03A3 for $1000 than 5 Carcanos for $200.
 
I have two Carcanos, a sporterized Model 1941 and a minty Model 1938. They are decent guns and they won't get cheaper. I'd say buy one but be aware of ammunition acquisition issues. They aren't a Mauser, Enfield, etc but they still work. One bonus is clips for them are cheap, you can get them for around $7 each.
 
I traded for a 6.5 Carcano carbine in the 70’s. It was functional and accurate enough, but even then 6.5 was $1 a round. The local Western Auto sold them individually. And being short and relatively light, the recoil was horrendous.
I’d buy another one for $100, but not $300.
 
Kyle S. said:
Don't you think we might see something similar happen to these rifles that happened to the mosin nagants?
Click to expand...

To be honest, no. And here's why. The Carcano never has and likely never will have the following in the US that the Enfield, Mauser, or Mosin Nagant have. The ammunition has always been high, as others have said. And, the killer for me is those cock-eyed clips; Without them, you have a single-shot rifle. No bueno for me. Peruse the internet, and you'll find something that will suit you. Simpson Ltd. is one of my favorite sites for all things guns, and they just posted this today: https://simpsonltd.com/mauser-fn-greek-mauser-1930-c33661/. It's pretty rough, but worth the money. SG ammo has plenty of 8mm, and at a reasonable price for the times. So, happy birthday and happy hunting!

Mac
 
300 for some carcano rifles may not be a bad deal, but it would have to be a hand select, very nice condition and functional gun. Taking a shot in the dark from an internet based seller on used guns that haven’t been shot in decades that were last touched by military servicemen who were happy to get rid of them… maybe not worth the $300.

I would hop on Gunbroker and just do a search for “sporter” first and see what pops up. You may find a restorable gun with an acceptable price or possibly a true sporter that isn’t worth taking back to original that you could have some real fun with.
 
I will say this, the Japanese Navy Beretta/Carcano Type 1 rifle is actually a very nice piece and if you are lucky enough to see one for sale at a reasonable price, buy it.

The only time Ive seen one in the flesh, I decided to sleep on it and, of course, it was gone the next day. Stupid, stupid, stupid......
 
Swampman said:
25 years ago you could barely give away a Mosin Nagant, unless it was a Finn.

They only developed a following after most of the more "desirable" Milsurps were pretty much picked clean.

Which brings us to the Carcano... :)
Click to expand...

I think about 25 years ago there was a softening of prejudices against Russian imports in the general gun totin' publics view as well. Less "I'll never own a red commie gun", more "cyka blyat! Look at me doing slav squats in an addidas track suit!" Seeing how the current generation didn't grow up fighting proxy wars with the soviets, and it's generally accepted we "won" the cold war.
 
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