Shooting the 6.5mm 91/38 Carcano Rifle 

My uncle kept his freezer full of deer and moose with one. He used to headshot ducks with it as ammo was cheaper than shotgun ammo.

I owned one and found it to be very accurate and I mean spot on! With practice you could pop off those 6 rounds with accuracy within seconds, I've done it. Found it to be a very good rifle. I did not find it to be "clunky".

I have one. Best rifle I've even shot or owned. I'm poor. It was given to me and I take care of it. Killed my first deer with it. Right through the heart, when I skinned it, the heart was gone, barley an exit wound and it ran 50 yards after being shot

People who say things like " the carcano is slow and clumsy" or " the carcano is a piece of trash" have probably never even fired a carcano, they're just repeating falsehoods they've heard on tv. My 7.35 carcano is my favorite mil-sur rifle hands down !

Really appreciate the extra angles on this one as well as the fact that you described the loading process. Good stuff. Looks pretty cold out there.

for those wishing to shoot a Carcano fairly accurately I can recommend either finding the proper diameter bullets being .267 generally and barring that using a 264 diameter round nose bullet extra bearing surface seems to help some at least in mine

If you ask me, the Mannlicher-Carcano was one of the sexiest bolt actions in history. Hell, most Mannlicher type rifles are pretty damn good looking.

I picked mine up back in the day at a gun show back in NY for right around 35.00 USD. For the price I couldn't pass it up. It sat in my gun safe for a long time until I got some ammo together for it and had a LTI/PFI performed on it. I was thoroughly impressed with the cartridge and the weapon for being a C+R.

Italian military wasn't a kind of large militia or para-military formation; it was a fully stablished force, even if less powerful compared to others. To say that the service rifle is a "piece of junk" is non-sense. I wonder how this good-looking, simple and easy rifle got such a bad fame.

It's a little bit surprise, but Carcano is very good rifle. Rispetto!!

Hmm, not bad. The bolt seems to run pretty smooth despite what I've heard. Although the recoil looks a little stiff that's probably due to the shorter barrel. Looks like a decent rifle. Probably accurate enough to do the job in the hands of a pro.

in a test carried out by Italian Army the Carcano proved to be more accurate than the Garand. Obviously the Garand is a far better gun than Carcano. But Carcano is not that worse of Nagant, Lebel or other similar ordnance rifles.

I agree, the Carcano has an undeserved reputation for poor quality and handling characteristics. Great angles and great shooting, a high quality production as always!

I like the Carcano. I think they are an underrespected weapon. The metallurgy is Czech, the Italians bought the rights. The rifles are pretty accurate. They are light. My Carcano carbine is a lot lighter then my Mosin carbine, so that makes for an easier woods hunting rifle. There is plenty of power to kill anything in my state, TX, including black bear, mountain lion and feral hog. Also, they are often quite affordable, especially if willing to buy one that was previously sporterized on import. The only real drawback is the lack of availability for cheap/plentiful milsurp ammo, like the Mosin has.

If the Carcano was as clunky as people think, the Italians wouldn't have used it; they'd have gone for a copy of the Springfield, Mosin-Nagant, or Mauser action, or something like that; they wouldn't have stuck with a rifle that they knew performed poorly. If it ain't broke, don't fix it; conversely, if it's broke from the outset, don't bother fixing it, just replace it.

Just picked up one at a local gun show. 150 bucks. Shot it yesterday and was surprised at the recoil! Mine is the carbine (6 inches shorter than my Carcano rifle). All of the experts on the Kennedy assignation say that Oswald had 3 shots in about six and a half seconds to hit Kennedy. (According to the Zapruder film). But if he was locked and loaded before he started firing, he could very easily get 2 shots of in 6 seconds. Not sure he could be that accurate though. After firing mine i find it hard to believe He could be so accurate with the recoil i experienced and also shooting this gun indoors! even with ear protection, I found it a very loud report! Just my random thoughts!

I have 5 carcano's. They all shoot brilliantly! But isn't the model you are shooting take 7.3 not the 6.5? Mine is marked on the rear sight 7.3

The worst thing about the Carcano that Oswald used is the rather junky Hollywood Ordnance Optics scope he had on the thing. There's really nothing wrong with Carcanos. I'd like to have one someday.

My favourite rifle!

I had a Carcano once i found proper sized bullets was a good shooter. The only reason i don't have it now is i gave it to a younger cousin. it was his first hi- powered rifle for hunting and reloading .

Great video. I can't wait to get a carcano for my collection.

Such a nice rifle I had seen this at the gun show for $400

Nice video really. Many of us do not know of such information. It would be good to give it a speed run. The scope is not necessary. Many people have told us that this was not a rifle that would work well enough, but in the hands of a professional, and at short distances, it appears to us that three rounds could be fired successfully. The power of the gun also was criticized, but bullet powder looks like enough.

Carcanos vary widely in quality as I learned by buying 6 of various models. Some are pretty smooth, most are clunky and rough (of the ones I own). It's kind of like Mosins. I have an M91 and some Finn 91/30s that are really smooth. But try a mid to late war 91/30 that was made under extreme duress and haste and they can be super rough.

I have took countless hogs with my 7.35x51 carcano all were in one shoulder and out the other the carcano was the first rifle I ever owned my dad gave it to me in 1970 when I was 14 years old I have took deer elk with my carcano in Alaska

I was shooting at a tin can with one of the many Carcanos I have owned. Distance was about the same as that fateful day in November. My 6.5 had the issue sights (no scope) which shoots very high at this range so I had to use Kentucky adjustment. I was shooting off-hand, no window sill rest. I shot at the can as fast as I could. Of the six rounds I kept the tin can flying or skipping five times. I was hitting it or hitting close enough that the dirt was moving the can. what did this teach me? No doubt in my mind that Oswald could have done this! He had a scope and rest. As to the sound of another shooter coming from the opposite direction. The answer is simple-echo. Perhaps some people who have not shot a lot have never experienced this? I have.

Dislikes are from Jackie Kennedy and all her alts.

Carcano is a good weapon. It is a shame it is linked to such a crime.

I dont know about you or anyone else, but when I get interested in a gun, its like I get bit by something because thats literally all I research or want for a long time (until I buy it or move onto something else haha!) Anyway, I recently have been weirdly obsessed with getting one of these. I think it started when I saw one for a ridiculously low price at a pawn shop, didnt buy it because I thought there had to be a catch, went home to research it and was gone when I went back, damn! And one thing ive noticed is that most ive come across have bolts that look exactly like yours! With that light rusting/freckling! I wonder if it has something to do with the steel or something? Oh ya, and the only reason I havent jumped on one of these is the cost of ammo. I have guns chambered in what I call 'dollar a round calibers' It sucks but I can deal with it.... The catch for me is availability. No where in stores, even sold out online at most places! And Privi is like the only modern manufacturer that I can find and they only produce it in 'runs'... Pretty discouraging so far. Im not one of those people thats like: I dont collect anything, all of my guns have a purpose/role!... I love history and collecting and im still considering one of these, ive just been discouraged by the ammo is all... Thanks for the review/video by the way!

Buon fucile. il sistema è Manllicher, otturatore ispirato al Mauser. non aveva niente di innovativo ma è stato progettato ispirandosi al meglio dei fucili dell'epoca. forse può sembrare rozzo, ma è fatto con buoni materiali (dovettero pagare il brevetto di un acciaio speciale cecoslovacco), la manutenzione è semplice e balisticamente è abbastanza preciso. forse il calibro è un po' leggero (era stato studiato un 7,35 mm ma la guerra ha bloccato la sostituzione dei 6,5 con il nuovo calibro). poco costoso e facile da produrre, è quello che serve in guerra. francamente preferirei un Carcano91 o un Mosin al Mauser, che se gela o è sporco non spara più.

Picking up one of these in a couple weeks to go with my full length 1891 Carcano. Produced in 1894 @ Torre Annunziata! I'm geeked to have a shorter version of a great rifle!

That M38 Carcano IMHO is the best of all the Carcanos, although I love shooting my 1895 M91 - it has a gain-twist, like the pre WW1 Enfields, still trying to notice the accuracy. BY THE WAY that 6.5 Western ammo you have there reeks of history. It was contracted by the CIA for a coup in communist Albania, an old Fascist Italian vassal state, lots of Carcanos. The plan was scrapped, & the 6.5 ammo was surplused..... Oswald bought a few boxes of it, & the rest is history. The US & USSR tested the M38s shooting ability w infantrymen & snipers. In either case, the rifle was accurate & fast. Oswald failed USMC sniping courses, no disgrace. I have been told the rifle he had came from Mussolini's guard unit, & was marked with crossed rifles over a target, a rifle chosen for its accuracy. To all the conspiracy theories I say "the truth is stranger than fiction"

I love this rifle. I got the one with the folding bayonet (missing of course) but from its size to using enbloc clips it is my favorite. I would like to get the model you got as I actually have the bayonet my great grandfather was issued when he was sent to africa. question, do you get a problem when you go to chamber the last round and it goes about halfway through the clip then turns up 90 degrees?

this is just one of my favourite bolt action rifles

I had a Carcano back in the 1960's. It keyholed badly. Got rid of it and never looked back.

I should have bought one of those, when Kleins sport store was selling them, they were 9 dollars, after the Korean war Kleins was selling M1 rifles for 80 dollars.

For advanced reloading just swedge down. .270 bullets to. 268 By using your reloading press and a custom sizer

beautiful rifle I need that in my collection

The bad reputation the Carcano had for accuracy was likely due to some of them having gain twist rifling. The were later shortened into carbines, resulting in them losing the gain twist portion of their rifling. The remaining rifling wasn't fast enough to stabilize the standard 6.5 Carcano projectile. Looks like the engineers who came up with the idea of converting the longer rifle barrels would have known that. And the diameter of post war bullets being too small to properly engage the rifling.

I kind of like how the Carcano can fire six bullets instead of five like most other bolt action rifles I hear about

The Carcano has the barrel a bit longer than the Springfield 1903 and, at least if there is not too degradation of the inner bore, progressive rifling, so it should be at least as accurate as the 1903 or the Garand, which have, as I know, a 24-inched barrel. Of course there is some trouble with the steel of the bore. in Italy, where I live, it has always been difficult to have special steels

Many tests have shown this rifle did Kill Kennedy and Oswald did pull off the shots and many test people had 3 good shots in 5 seconds and he may have even had seven seconds or more to do the three shots. With a scope it was totally feasible a lot of people just don't want to face it

Wait. You are going to have THAT box sitting there and not let us see those bullets? Ahhhh.

I'm glad to see you have some Western ammo for it. Unfortunately a lot of the Carcano's bad rep comes from the fact that pretty much all new 6.5 Carcano ammo is loaded with a .264 bullet when the bores are .268, because lord forbid an ammunition company have to make a new die to make a proper sized bullet.

people say it's clunky I don't really understand why, my Terni carcano has a really smooth bolt and it feels great

The Carcano works pretty well in Snipe Elite 4!!!

My gramps gave me his 1891 Calvary carbine today I've taken it apart 3 times and can't wait to find some ammo to shoot it. I figure it's gonna kick pretty well being so small. To be as old as it is , it's in good shape.

My absolute favourite gun of all time

Decent looking mil-surplus piece. Reading about it in Stephen Hunter's " Third Bullet ". Have never shot, or even seen one in the flesh.

is the action as smooth as rhe Argentine mauser? no, is it a light recoil, short and light brush gun? yes. it also has an incredibly strong action and the Italians carried them on bicycle and hour's on end of hiking. Id rather one carcano over two mosins any day. PPU amo is very cheap at cabelas and they usually have plenty.

great rifle

Had the chance to shoot a carcano once. I have to be honest, I was a little dissapointed because I was supposed to shoot the .303 brit, which I had shot before, but this was the one brought. Compared to the .303, it was clunky and not as smooth. But now i wish I would have enjoyed the opportunity a little bit more.

The carcano is not a bad rifle, people call it clunky because they've shot it 5 times and ditched it, you need to get used to the bolt before saying it's fucking clunky, plus you need to grease it and whatnot.

I love this rifle for the price and cartridge size.😊

I dont understand why people complain about slow operation on a rifle its a rifle not an mg nor an ar

nice rifle

Question.According to the Warren report, the FIRST bullet hit Kennedy through the neck, then through Conally's chest/damages some ribs, then goes through Conally's wrist, then lodged in his thigh. Conally disputes this. Anyway, photos of the alleged bullet found, show its slightly rounded at the tip, and the jacket intact. The bullet was a 1.2" copper jacket lead core. Knowing what you know about shooting and hunting, is it plausible that this bullet maintains its shape from 80 yards going through all these layers?

Nine Kennedys watch this video

In the early 60's I was going to order one (with scope) through the mail. Lots of my buddies ordered them and cut them down for deer hunting. They'd bring them to school and work on the wood in wood shop.

I feel like I’m loading the clips wrong, it seems like the bolt doesn’t want to pick up the next round

hey guys, italians start producing rifles since XV century

When I was in school, I bought one of these for $10... I sold it for $10 too.

my local gun shop is selling one for $189 should I buy it

Great video, the rapport was just what was heard in Dallas. Are those the same size bullets Oswald used. Thanx

It does appear to be slow and clunky. The No. 4 rifles I shot in the RCAF were far smoother.

The gun is very good

It might be accurate but it takes a while (I'm not a gun person) it seems to adjust the bolt, aim and then fire.

The brass en-block clips work better than the steel ones

Seems to have a smoother bolt throw than the Springfield rifle too.

I've wanted to pick up one of those for a long time.

Hornady and a company PRVI something. Most call it PPU make the 6.5 ammo. All though some have questioned the PPU accuracy of it's standards. Under sized bullets mostly. Hornady I have not seen standards checked by anyone but they claim it is suppose to be better. Ammo seems to be easyilt found at under a $1 a round. Even less if bought in larger quantities. Believe I seen some Hornady at $60.95 for 100 rounds. Have yet to fire mine with a good shooting bag and stand to check grouping but will before hunting season. Hope to add a scope to mine. Don't really care about historical value of the gun but whether it can replace any other caliper that most use since it is some what close to a .223 round. just a little bigger.

To make the bolt smooth in operation .many ground up graphite from a pencil lead to a very fine powder ,and applied it to the bolt .This made the bolt much smoother to use .Anyway there's no need to be nice to any rifle .Give the bolt a good yank back and up ,and likewise when loading .Carcanos suffer from terrible bad press ,and are compared ,to even the garand which was an automatic .While not in the German Mauser ,or Lee Enfield ,,303 bracket .it still did the job .To infer that Italy couldn't made a decent rifle ,is pushing this assumption a little bit too far .Makes like Beretta,franchi .and benelli are world famous for design X reliability.

I tried stoping my carcano it went through 6 logs 2 shovels and 1 4x4 and i could not find it

I would 've like to have seen you try shooting the Carcano at true assassination speed. I also noticed that there was alot of gunpowder residue after shooting the gun.If Oswald used this gun for the assassination he would have had a huge positive parrafin test.

I wonder what the firing characteristics would be if you bottlenecked that cartidge a bit more and used .223 bullet instead.

Reloads. I think they are pretty hot as the primers seemed flattened out.

thx

I own one. Pretty clunky on the bolt. Accuracy good enough (kinda). If he used the scope, very tough to pick up the target quickly enough for the 2nd and 3rd shots. Crappy air rifle 4x optics not sighted in. If he used the iron sights, pretty tough to be that accurate and from what I read it was not even bore sighted? Don't know if that is true or not, but supposedly they used the actual rifle and no one had much luck at Quantico. That said, we don't know what happened to it after (and if) it was fired by an assassin. Sights could have been thrown off by handling maybe? Doesn't seem likely, but maybe. I do not believe that the rifle, in and of itself, excludes a lone gunman. The terminal ballistics is another, more troubling matter. Cheers to all.

Nice rifle, I use to live in Alton, which is right next door to East Alton where Olin is located. Been to there shooting range a few times.

Why is it so damn hard to find pics or vids of this rifle's groups? No paper or reactive targets?.......

Oswald hat dieses Gewehr ausgesucht wegen der Monition, die , die verschießen kann , das Projektil ist Zylinderformig , daher fliegt es nach dem es , den Lauf verlassen hat viel länger geradeaus und fliegt keinen Bogen . Deswegen hat Oswald die Waffe ausgesucht.

They say it was a Carcano and the magic bullet. We know Better these days.

An interesting rifle, I always thought the rounded bullets were strange.

"Could it have been operated fast enough by Lee Harvey Oswald to have been used in the assassination? Decide for yourself." You don't have to decide for yourself. I have seen several recreations using the Carcano 91/38 where they show that it was very possible. I think the Italians are partially responsible for the reputation of this rifle. Soldiers like to complain about things, especially when you are unmotivated, poorly supplied, and fighting a war you know you will lose, for a Fascist government that you don't support anymore. It's no wonder the Italians were surrendering in droves.

Dang. That riffle must be fun to shoot.

That bolt looks a bit dry, perhaps a bit of oil would help? Also, Hornady makes a .266 bullet that should help. Just be sure to slug your bore first to be sure what you are dealing with.

Nice but it's not as smooth as the A3 03 or the jungle carbine. But I love this rifle!! Thanks for the video!

I have the one, it is hard to find the ammo but fun to shoot

Thanks for the video. I still believe the Carcano is clunky. By comparison, I shoot a Sig Sauer SSG3000. Super smooth, super fast, super accurate. Question: how is the empty clip removed? Does it fall out, removed through the top?

Il miglior fucile di tutti i tempi.

almost that time again

I’ll have to keep my eye pa open for one-just to shoot. No interest in owning. As a range safety officer, I have many opportunities to fire people’s rifles, etc. I try to keep my actual firearms calibers to a minimum for reloading purposes. Finding bullets can be problematic. Or, in this case, even the brass may be scarce. People generally stick with former military surplus firearms due to the easier availability of old ammo (generally perfectly safe) and brass.

I didn’t see any smoke, I saw his breath from the cold air but no smoke!?!?!?

Hello, interesting video. I've just bought a Carcano M38 cavalry, I am accostumed to WW2 bolt action rifles, but I really struggle to understand the fixed iron sights of the M38... I miss every time even at 50 yds ... Can eomeone enlighten me with the use of Carcano fixed rear sight (V notch)...

good vid

is there a way for you to load those rounds with a powder similar to the time? Another point I want to ask you is this rifle as as "smooth" as you shot it. Remember the rifle action did snooth out with wear from cycling that bolt.

Gracias.

i saw some carcanos forsale for like 125. how do i know i have a good one? how accurate are they? im hoping its like a highpoint, ugly as sin but reliable and accurate...ish im just looking for a cheap ww2 gun to get the collection started as i learn what to look for, i just want near mint condition stuff but have no idea how to verify it....i can grade coins, i cant grade rifles for mint, fine, circulated and cull....well, i could probably identify a "cull" rifle but you get the point lol great vid

I believe i have this rifle... i don't know anything about it, but my grandpa gave it to me when i first joined the marines.. can i send you or anyone pictures of it so i can get some info... id love to shoot it one day..

Lee Harvey is proud of you.