A local shop has one. Its in 6.5x52. Fairly nice looking but I don't know its condition. They also have a MAS 36 for about the same price, maybe higher. Both are not too common around here. Trying to justify the Carcano, but I haven't even handled it yet. I would like to get a rifle from all the major countries involved in WW2. What do you think?
Would you get a Carcano for $100?
- Thread starter dumdum303
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Jeremy2171
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Depends upon condition and model. And you realize that to shoot it cheaply you will need to handload for it.
I have several 6.5 and 7.35 Carcanos most were bought for less than $100. I prefer the 7.35s more than the 6.5s. I even won a military match with my 7.35 Carcano one time.
I have several 6.5 and 7.35 Carcanos most were bought for less than $100. I prefer the 7.35s more than the 6.5s. I even won a military match with my 7.35 Carcano one time.
Snowdog
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Yep, I probably would. I do have a soft spot for military surplus and the purchase would help me justify my C&R. I'd like the M38 in 6.5x52 and would likely try to take a deer with it... you know, to further justify the purchase. 
I'm not familiar with the accuracy typical of Carcano rifles, but I understand the 6.5x52 cartridge has about the same energy as a 30-30 with a better ballistic coefficiency, so it would seem it would take deer within 150 yards without the slightest problem.
I believe SOG was offering Carcanos for around $89 not long ago... maybe I'll look into it.
I'm not familiar with the accuracy typical of Carcano rifles, but I understand the 6.5x52 cartridge has about the same energy as a 30-30 with a better ballistic coefficiency, so it would seem it would take deer within 150 yards without the slightest problem.
I believe SOG was offering Carcanos for around $89 not long ago... maybe I'll look into it.
Cosmoline
Member
If it's intact, yes. If it's a bubba, no.
ftierson
Member.
If it was in nice condition, I'd certainly pick it up for $100.
I'd also pick up the MAS 36.
I had a M1941 Carcano in new condition once that I foolishly sold.
I'd like it back...
Forrest
I'd also pick up the MAS 36.
I had a M1941 Carcano in new condition once that I foolishly sold.
I'd like it back...
Forrest
My thoughts exactly. I personally would like to find a nice WWII Italian rifle for my collection in that price range. I had a 6.5 carbine years ago, that I bought for $45. The barrel was pitted, though, and I couldn't get it to hit the broad side of the proverbial barn.
I would personally pass on both if it was to be a shooter.
There are enough Mausers, Enfields, Moisin Nagants, Swiss K31's and other great surplus rifles out there that you can have fun shooting without going through the hassle of finding extremely oddball ammo and then paying a fortune for it just to shoot it a few times.
That's just my take on it though. But if I intended on shooting it regularly, I'd want to know that fairly cheap and readily available ammo was out there to actually shoot. It just doesn't seem like there's alot of ammo in either caliber around. The French 7.5 ammo doesn't seem to be that readily available here in the US and the Italian 6.5 is downright rare and you'd have to get it from the Old Western Scrounger.
Now if it was more going to be a operational wall hanger that could be shot if you wanted to, then knock yourself out. But as a regular shooter I wouldn't bother. I've heard that some of those MAS 36's have been converted to fire .308 Win, if that was the case then maybe.
There are enough Mausers, Enfields, Moisin Nagants, Swiss K31's and other great surplus rifles out there that you can have fun shooting without going through the hassle of finding extremely oddball ammo and then paying a fortune for it just to shoot it a few times.
That's just my take on it though. But if I intended on shooting it regularly, I'd want to know that fairly cheap and readily available ammo was out there to actually shoot. It just doesn't seem like there's alot of ammo in either caliber around. The French 7.5 ammo doesn't seem to be that readily available here in the US and the Italian 6.5 is downright rare and you'd have to get it from the Old Western Scrounger.
Now if it was more going to be a operational wall hanger that could be shot if you wanted to, then knock yourself out. But as a regular shooter I wouldn't bother. I've heard that some of those MAS 36's have been converted to fire .308 Win, if that was the case then maybe.
This shop also has a bubba Carcano for $80. I think its an older rifle cut down I'm picking up a Yugo 98/48 on Tuesday and am really going to look into it. (Not the bubba, the original!) The thing is so tiny it should fit in the already full cabinet.
I'm picking up a Yugo 98/48 on Tuesday and am really going to look into it. (Not the bubba, the original!) The thing is so tiny it should fit in the already full cabinet.Glock19Fan
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I definatly would, especially considering it was the same type of rifle LHA used to kill John F. Kennedy.
I have always wanted one, but havent come across one locally.
I have always wanted one, but havent come across one locally.
Spiggy
Member
dumdum, where are you located? I gotta make you my new freind
There have been a lot of comments about the role of Italy in WWI and WWII, but it was definitely a key player in both wars, especially the former, where Italian soldiers fought bravely and suffered horrendous casualties on the Alpine front, an area we rarely hear or read about.
The Carcano deserves a place in any collection of military arms. It is actually not a bad rifle and is comparable to other rifles adopted by other nations (Greece, Holland) at the same time. We might remember that when the Italians adopted the Carcano in 1891, the U.S. Army was using the trapdoor Springfield; I think I would have preferred the Carcano.
Jim
The Carcano deserves a place in any collection of military arms. It is actually not a bad rifle and is comparable to other rifles adopted by other nations (Greece, Holland) at the same time. We might remember that when the Italians adopted the Carcano in 1891, the U.S. Army was using the trapdoor Springfield; I think I would have preferred the Carcano.
Jim
Dr. Peter Venkman
Member
Go ahead and get both the Carcano and the MAS-36. If not, give me the number to the shop so I can.
rangerruck
Member
http://ammunitiontogo.com/
carries at least two diff 6.5 carcano rounds, matter of fact, if Big Dog doesn't have your milsurp ammo, he will get it for you.
carries at least two diff 6.5 carcano rounds, matter of fact, if Big Dog doesn't have your milsurp ammo, he will get it for you.
ranger335v
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Every one to his own taste. I'd like a Carcano myself, if it was cheap enough, maybe $25. I'd lag screw the butt plate to a wood square, run a cord up the bore and mount a lamp socket at the muzzle to serve as an interesting lamp stand.
http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=24_92
Hmm, some of it isn't as bad as I expected.
I've seen some prices before in the SGN that would make you shudder.
Hmm, some of it isn't as bad as I expected.
I've seen some prices before in the SGN that would make you shudder.
MachIVshooter
Member
Grab both. $100 is so easily spent on worthless crap these days that it really is a drop in the bucket. Heck, I have individual combination wrenches and sockets that cost more.
Carcano's are neat little rifles, fun to shoot. I personally have a soft spot fopr them (I am Italian, after all). I've got an 1891 long rifle, a 91/38 carbine, a 91/38 cavalry carbine and an M38 7.35.
The actions aren't terribly strong, so you can't hotrod the cartridge, but it's got plenty of oomph for deer at moderate ranges.
Carcano's are neat little rifles, fun to shoot. I personally have a soft spot fopr them (I am Italian, after all). I've got an 1891 long rifle, a 91/38 carbine, a 91/38 cavalry carbine and an M38 7.35.
The actions aren't terribly strong, so you can't hotrod the cartridge, but it's got plenty of oomph for deer at moderate ranges.
SturmMackRuger
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Carcano isnt that the same rifle Lee Harvey Oswald Supposedly shot Kennedy with at 88 Yards.
rangerruck
Member
A shame is, it is such a wonderful little mid range cartridge, soft on recoil, too bad the closest loading to it is a 257 roberts, and those carts, and the rifles that fire them , usually cost a ton.
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