How The Carcano Rifle Works 

Excellant video. Thank you for explanation of non-typical bolt face unique to Carcano rifles. Very large numbers of Carcanos imported into US with some interesting situations that resulted. In no real order: 1) A Modelo 38, in 6.5mm was used by Oswald to shoot President Kennedy. The ammunition was was produced in US by Western Cartridge Company in early 1950's for an eventually aborted plan to remove the Communist government in Albania. About 5 million rounds of contract sold on civilian market. The bullets had correct 0.268" diameter, unique to Carcano, as opposed to the more common 0.264" diameter of other 6.5mm rounds such as Mannlicher, Arisaka, Remington non interchangeable loadings. More on this later. The M38, more than capable of shots by Oswald when proper ammunition and acceptably skilled shooter. 2) Carcanos given 'junk' rap by so-called experts in part because a) commercial and reloading bullets were .264 rather than correct .268 b) many had corroded bores from improper storage c) Original pre-1918 M91s had progressive rifling, and when barrels cut for 'sporterizing' by importers, caused bullet to yaw, resulting in 'key holing' and poor accuracy. d) So many 'expert' gun writers of era erroneous claimed only small pin held mechanism, in bolt that would result in it flying back into shooter's face in even of gas rupture. An extremely quick look at bolt clearly shows safety flange resting in receiver creating a 3rd lug, strongly holding mechanism in place. e) Many M1871/87/14 Veterrli-Vitali rifles also in 6.5 Carcano imported that did have some failures when fired, causing confusion with "Italian Rifles are junk" myth 3) National Rifle Association in late 1950's, did destruction testing of Carcano action, resulting conclusion that Cacano actions were actual as strong as US Enfield I may add more as i recall them. Several Carcano collectors in my area who are quite factually literate in subject.

I never really understood as to why specifically Carcano rifles have such a horrible reputation, when it's obviously performing quite excellently. The carbine rifle concept was first put into practise through a Carcano (One that wasn't specifically made for the cavalry), and it is even a popular pick for certain German units in the second world war. It shows that Italy and Austria can bring some very solid firearm concepts on the table, and the Carcano is a good example of that. I own two M38 rifles, One in 6.5x52mm, the other in 7.35x51mm. Very accurate for me, even with the fixed sights and the oddly sized commercial ammo. I'd only wish the ammo wasn't so hard to find! Glad I found your channel, it's good to see we got some very well informed neighbours. Greetings from Austria!

I really don’t understand how such an informative and enjoyable channel only has 5.1k???

I believe the hole in the bolt you asked about is for venting gasses away from the shooter's face in case of ammunition failure. I've seen a similar system in a Remington rifle and also a Mauser.

One interesting version of the carcano was the one made for the Japanese navy, it had a stripper clip fed 5 round magazine and was chambered in 6.5 arisaka, it was made just before ww2, an interesting variation

My new favorite gun operation noise, the "Carcano clink/ping"

You are an expert on many things, your amazing and your crew. Please don't ever forget that,we all love you very much

Awesome review

You want photos of blown up Catridge from wrong bullet/powder let me know !

You helped me so much thank you I bolt had a problem I couldn’t fix for 6 months thank you so much

If you’re referring to the hole just behind the locking lugs on the bolt, that’s another vent hole. It was put there to manage punctured primers. Numerous soldiers and commanders noted bolts that would send the firing pin flying backwards into the shooters face with a punctured primer. This vent hole was to prevent that from happening by releasing the gases before enough pressure could be built up to shear the little nub on the de-cocking sleeve. That’s the only piece of metal you have to stop the entire firing pin assembly from hitting you in the face when you fire the rifle. Even without the vent hole this event was very rare. Others have said that they were put there to lube the inner bolt parts without taking it apart but why would they do that when it’s so easy to take the entire firing pin assembly out in one piece? Punctured primers have been a problem since the introduction of the metallic cartridge case. This event is very rare as military primers are made to be very hard as to prevent slam-fire and punctured primers. I would worry more about softer reloading primers. Most notably the ones made for competition and precision as they are very soft and puncture easily in military rifles. This is how I understand the carcano per my years of research and reading on them.

I love my carcano rifle. I have several steel clips but I need to get my hands on a brass clip

While nobody asked me, I must say: For some reason, people often mistake my Mannlicher 1895 for a carcano, and it never fails to piss me off.

Just One question are you Italian ?

Good

I have 3 cavalier carcano rifles, in 6.5. 2 got chopped into sportter trash style, but I found one in incredible shape.

The hole in the top of the bolt is there for additional gas relief. The idea is that it shoots the gas upward away from the shooters face. Not a very useful idea but if you know your ammo is going to be over pressure you might as well engineer for it.

Do you think that carcano could be better if it has a gewer 98 magazine?

I have 2 carcanos a m91 /24 trupp special and a m41 ts both rifles barrles can be unthreaded by hand is that normal ?

Hi, I'm a firearm cleaner/restoration tech in a gunshop here in MS..had trouble after disassembling the bolt body/firing pin assy. on one of 2 surplus 6.5 M91 Carcano carbines we took in for me to clean, derust, take all the cosmoline out of action & bore. Had to get my gunroom mgr, ex-Marine, to help me re-assemble bolt, re-set, slip back into receiver, so it would function. Could you please brief me on how to set/reset bolt assy, so it will re-seat/actuate once back into the rifle? These guns were badly neglected, somehow wound up in storage, drenched in cosmoline, corroded/rusted. Would like to be re-indoctrinated for future projects, should we receive more of these Carcano rifles. Loved your video..you're kindof hard to understand, since I'm almost deaf. Your accent sounds pt.Italisn, pt. Indian(India)..Thsnks..You have some nice examples there of 6.5 Carcanos!!

Can you please do a video about italian military shotguns? Like Franchi Spas 12/15; Benelli M4 super 90; Franchi PA7/8.

Notifications squad😀

One of the greatest snipers of our time used a Carcano as well

Curious can you hand load a carcano or are you required to use the stripper clip it uses?

Why do some M91/38’s come with a straight bolt as apposed a bent bolt?

the most beautiful is the m91

Forgotten weapons made an indepth video about the history of the carcano

The oldest one is the paper cartridge Carcano from the 1860’s

From what I heard, the main complaint about the innaccuracy of the WWII-era Carcanos was because the armorers just sawed off the barrel to the designated length instead of making a new barrel.

Forza Italia, onore ai caduti.

Gas venting hole?

You collect the Carcano and are into reloading. I feel like these things are connected

The carcano has a small, funny place in United States history. That is to say someone less notable did something very notable to someone more notable with a carcano. 🏢🚙

fixed Magazine fed , mannlicher enbloc clip loaded, turn bolt action, cock on open, gain twist rifling, manufactured in two calibers

So the firing pin is in the bolt, that's so neat.

I have one in 7.35 and I can't find any ammo

Oh Christ... why you making me want to buy a Carcano? Im already looking into a Mauser and a Swedish Straight-pull.

I want one, what is the cheapest gun in the world? History wise

During the Arab Spring, a surprising number of these started showing up in Libyan rebels' hands.

Red Dead Redemption gang gang

It is a striker, not a firing pin, if you want to talk technical about the weapon.

Why do you shake so much? Just a question at most and I hope you are well

G A S V E N T S

If not for A. Hidell owning one of these rifles, it would be long forgotten unless your great grandfather fought with one in WWI.

The only reason the rifle is famous (or infamous) is because of Lee Harvey Oswald. Other than that, I'd rather pick a Mosin-Nagant. And this is coming from a Mauser Kar98k fan.

How many CIA agents are here reminiscing about the good old days?

If youll speak slowly would be great for my mind xdddd

How carcano works? IT DOSENT WORK