Jump to content
Military Firearm Restoration Corner

Carcano Action


Nelsdou

Recommended Posts

Anybody re-barreled a Carcano?

 

I was musing over cartridges with similar dimensions to the Carcano's to see what might work with the clip system without too much difficulty and came across the 35 Rem. 9 thou difference on the rim, 5 thou difference on the shoulder, .147" difference in cartridge length; should be doable to feed. Marlin is still making the 35 Rem lever action rifles so brass should be available. Power-wise the 35 Rem is less than the 358 Win but looks plenty potent for most game, and within reasonable limits of the Carcano action. Looks ideal for a short carbine, easy to carry and moderate recoil.

 

A poor man's Mannlicher-Schonauer comes to mind if one could put a 20 inch barrel, folding leaf sights, and a full length stock on a Carcano. The bottom metal would be a dead give away though, much like a Mosin.

 

Given that I've got a Carcano short rifle in good working order except for a shot out pitted barrel, looks like a possible "project" would be a 35 cal barrel, 35 Rem reamer, and machine work to cut threads to Carcano specs. Possible obstacles could be needing to make an action wrench to fit the action to get the old barrel off and the usual fun of pulling a barrel that's been torqued since 1939.

 

Assuming I get that far, my guess a Mannlicher type stock for this kind of frankenstein would be a custom affair and could get pretty pricey unless I do alot of my own whittling.

 

Anywho, I've put a lot of rounds through this particular Carcano and the metal is in excellent shape except for the bore. Hate to toss it into the wall hanger category. Looking for some feed back from anyone thats been there done that or if I'm overlooking any major gotchas.

 

Nels

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nels

 

Are you referring to a 6.5?

 

If so please document well what you do .

 

I have a 6.5 Calvary carbine.

 

If you have luck making it into something semi accurate, I may be inspired to do something with mine.

 

I've never fired mine, I understand that the 6.5 carcano is none too accurate.

 

Tinker

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the M38 short rifle in both the 6.5 and 7.35mm. The 6.5 was pretty accurate using the .268 Hornady bullets but the throat wear has become severe.

 

$80 A&B barrel is pretty reasonable; I've used one in a Tweed that shoots very well. I've got some more homework to do in trying to figure out what to stock this thing in.

 

Nels

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guys,

 

Are Carcano's considered a "safe" action? Seems like a read somewhere where they're gas handling ability was questionable. Any ideas?

 

This does sound like a cool project.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guys,

 

Are Carcano's considered a "safe" action? Seems like a read somewhere where they're gas handling ability was questionable. Any ideas?

 

This does sound like a cool project.

 

I've read "DO NOT SHOOT" artcles about Carcanos that were rechambered to 8X57 by the Nazis.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...