Looking for a 6.5 Mannlicher Carcano
- Thread starter RClow
- Start date
They come up for sale from time to time, in the $125-$250 price range, and are found on the board here or at milsurp retailers like Ellwood Epps and P&S Militaria. Ammunition is not readily available but can be found at gun shows, some retailers like Ellwood Epps may have it, or reloaded.
You're looking for an M1938 Fucile Corto (short rifle) in 6.5
Prices hover around $150.00 for a nice one.
The only factory ammo available in quantity in Canada will be Norma.
Brass, dies, bullets etc. are not hard to get from any reasonably well stocked gunshop.
Put a want to buy (WTB) ad in the milsurps equipment exchange.
Prices hover around $150.00 for a nice one.
The only factory ammo available in quantity in Canada will be Norma.
Brass, dies, bullets etc. are not hard to get from any reasonably well stocked gunshop.
Put a want to buy (WTB) ad in the milsurps equipment exchange.
A simple, strong and accurate rifle quite sufficient to the task of infantry weapon.
If you really want the Lee Harvey Oswald special, you'll need to look for one manufactured at the Terni Arsenal in 1940.
Mine is only a few hundred serial numbers removed from Oswalds. I've got the correct folding bayonet as well, but don't have pictures of it installed.
They've got a bad reputation, perpetuated by the same line of thinking that considers anything French or Italian substandard. The cartridge was way ahead of its time (as far as when it was issued) but they handle like a dream, and I just love mine.
Mine is only a few hundred serial numbers removed from Oswalds. I've got the correct folding bayonet as well, but don't have pictures of it installed.
They've got a bad reputation, perpetuated by the same line of thinking that considers anything French or Italian substandard. The cartridge was way ahead of its time (as far as when it was issued) but they handle like a dream, and I just love mine.
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They ARE a sweetheart. I prefer the Model 1941 rifle: longer than the TS or any of the Carbines and still shorter and much handier than the original 1891.
Easy cartridge to handload, but bullets are hard to get. I have been using Remington 140s in mine, along with fairlt fast powder: figger you boot 'em on the tail end hard enough they ought to obturate.
If all a guy has is an action....... what about a .220 Swift barrel? Or, if you don't like that idea, why not skoosh the little 7.62x45 Czech down to a 6mm and build one of those? Boltface is right size for the Czech or Russian assault-rifle rounds, either one.
Easy cartridge to handload, but bullets are hard to get. I have been using Remington 140s in mine, along with fairlt fast powder: figger you boot 'em on the tail end hard enough they ought to obturate.
If all a guy has is an action....... what about a .220 Swift barrel? Or, if you don't like that idea, why not skoosh the little 7.62x45 Czech down to a 6mm and build one of those? Boltface is right size for the Czech or Russian assault-rifle rounds, either one.
Verily, one must drool.
On the topic of originality for the Kennedy thing, Klein's in Chicago was selling the unmarked blued-steel clips for these, so if you have original Italian ones, you're not original...... something's wrong here....... .
On the topic of originality for the Kennedy thing, Klein's in Chicago was selling the unmarked blued-steel clips for these, so if you have original Italian ones, you're not original...... something's wrong here....... .
Carcano Clips
Hi Smellie
The Carcano rifle uses a true "clip" of Mannlicher style, it holds six rounds and can be loaded either end up. The earlier clips were made of brass and they are usually dated and with the manufactors initals on them. During the 1930's, experiments were made with steel clips, they tried cadmium and zinc plating, blueing and another finish that is black with a rough texture. Some say that the best clips were made by SMI in 1939 of polished blued steel, they seem to be stronger than brass and feed smoothly. Italian ordnance must have thought otherwise as they returned to the brass clips in the 1950's on the last ones made. Clips were also reused and it is not unusual to find 1930's ammo packed on a veriety of WWI and 1920's clips in the same box.
Cheers.
Bill
Hi Smellie
The Carcano rifle uses a true "clip" of Mannlicher style, it holds six rounds and can be loaded either end up. The earlier clips were made of brass and they are usually dated and with the manufactors initals on them. During the 1930's, experiments were made with steel clips, they tried cadmium and zinc plating, blueing and another finish that is black with a rough texture. Some say that the best clips were made by SMI in 1939 of polished blued steel, they seem to be stronger than brass and feed smoothly. Italian ordnance must have thought otherwise as they returned to the brass clips in the 1950's on the last ones made. Clips were also reused and it is not unusual to find 1930's ammo packed on a veriety of WWI and 1920's clips in the same box.
Cheers.
Bill
Mine doesn't have the scope, but I've hit a pumpkin 3 times at 100yds in less than 6 seconds, granted my pumpkin wasn't moving, but I was also using open sights and firing 22yds farther than he was.
My point is, accuracy asside, the rifle is quite capable of firing 3 shots in Oswalds window, despite those who claim that it is too clumbsy a rifle to be capable of that rate of fire.
Same on a 10 inch gong @ 100 yds with my M41. Not hard to do with a little trigger time beforehand.
1938 Carcano
Hi Eos ans Skippy,
Although I have never fired my 1938 "Oswald Carcano Clone" I do agree with both of you regarding the ability of the Carcano rifle to get the job done.
I have fired other Carcano rifles and found them to be accurate and functional. While they do lack some of the refinements of other military rifles, they do not deserve the unfavourable reputation that they have been given. The 6.5mm cartridge is an accurate and potent cartridge for which it was designed.
I am left handed and because of this I do not feel I can test this rifle in the maner that it should be to duplicate Oswald's alledged shooting. The scope is cheap but can still provide a much aiming than the open sights.
I have always been interested in the contrivercy that surrounded the JFK shooting.
Cheers !!!!!!!!
Hi Eos ans Skippy,
Although I have never fired my 1938 "Oswald Carcano Clone" I do agree with both of you regarding the ability of the Carcano rifle to get the job done.
I have fired other Carcano rifles and found them to be accurate and functional. While they do lack some of the refinements of other military rifles, they do not deserve the unfavourable reputation that they have been given. The 6.5mm cartridge is an accurate and potent cartridge for which it was designed.
I am left handed and because of this I do not feel I can test this rifle in the maner that it should be to duplicate Oswald's alledged shooting. The scope is cheap but can still provide a much aiming than the open sights.
I have always been interested in the contrivercy that surrounded the JFK shooting.
Cheers !!!!!!!!
Honestly, at 88 yds, which was Oswalds distance, the open sights would be just about as good on a moving target like that. I'd imagine Oswald was just trying to put as much lead as possible into Kennedys side of the motorcade and was probably not expecting a head shot like he got. I imagine if the 3rd shot wasn't so devestating he would have put three more into the car before having to reload.
Well, I sold my M-38 on the EE a couple weeks ago but still have 1 Bubba'd( not Bubba'd by me, before someone flays me alive!) TS carbine I hunt with and an extra TS carbine and also an unissued new long rifle stashed away. My TS is at the local gun smith now having a scope mounted on it. I'm anxious to see how it shoots next week with optics on it. They are a good shooting little rifle. Not a Swede by no means but they're good.
Al
Al
