Carcano Essentials

[HerrdoktorSchuetzengruvin]

I'll keep this at the top of the forum.

[HerrdoktorSchuetzengruvin]

Open this diagram in a seperate window so you can see which parts I'm talking about:

http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~glibera1/carcano/images/blowup.gif

To strip the bolt, leave it in the receiver uncocked. Then press in the detent pin (#5) at the back left of the cocking piece (#6), and unscrew the retainer nut (#3) and remove it. Then remove the cocking piece (#6). Now pull up the bolt handle and remove bolt (depress trigger while you pull back). Now hold bolt and depress safety, turn left and back until it hits a stop and then push it in, turn left and back again, and the safety/bolt collar should come right out with the spring.

When reassembling, reverse procedure, but don't push safety past the first catch to the right. Then twist the firing pin by hand until the little flat area in front of the threads is aligned with where the bolt handle joins the bolt body. Now slide the cocking piece with the long part 180 degrees to the bolt handle, and it will slide right on. Now replace the retainer nut, to where the back of firing pin sticks out just a little, and cock it by grabbinng the cocking piece and pulling back and to the right.

I know that sounds complicated, but after you've done it a few times, it's a piece of cake!


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[HerrdoktorSchuetzengruvin]

Also, all Carcani are tough to open - that is normal (your spoiled from too many SMLE's lol). When operating the Carcano, the Italian Military Manual, as well as every Carcano collector will tell you - RIP IT UP FAST AND "ENERGETICALLY", with the butt of your palm! When you master that maneuver, you can rapid fire it as fast as an Enfield, as it has a short bolt, just like an Enfield ( I can dry fire mine - 3 aimed shots in 4.5 seconds!), so you don't have to lift your face from the buttstock at all. This is exactly what Marina reported seeing Lee Oswald practice on many an occasion, btw.

Also, when aiming it, the Italian Manual recommends keeping the top front sight IN THE BOTTOM of the V rear sight notch! This is important, as it will shave inches of overshoot off your target at 100 yards.

The whole principle of the battle sight is that if you aim at an enemies' torso between 0 and 200 meters, he's going down. It doesn't make for the greatest target sight, but it wasn't designed with range jockeys like me in mind, lol. But I have been good at compensating since I was a little brat who was too lazy to adjust his Daisy BB gun when shooting birds out of my neighbors trees!

[neilwest]

1. I have posted on many threads how to get the stock to show its original color without destroying the cartouches or stamps. I will be happy to help any that need to restore their old beauties and desire hints, help or direction.:D

[HerrdoktorSchuetzengruvin]

I have never headspaced a Carcano, myself, but for those who absolutely must, here is a place to buy the dies:

JGS Precision Tool Manufacturing, LLC
100 Main
Coos Bay, OR 97420
USA
Voice: 541-267-4331
FAX: 541-267-5996
Hours: 7:30-4:00 (PST)
E-mail: jgstools@harborside.com
Note that these are SAAMI specification headspacing gauges, which means the GO gauge is a tad bit longer than military spec. One could have a rifle that fails with a SAAMI spec GO gauge, but passes with a military spec.

[dontknowmuch]

neil I used purple cleaner to degrease and the stock looks cleanbut brown like a darker stain was under neath. could you please tell me what you do for your stocks

[neilwest]

1. Most Carcano's Ive worked with had stocks made of Beechwood. If it is a brownish color you might be correct and it has been stained. I would purplepower again using course steelwool to scour and rub the stain off.

2. If you can post of pic so I can better give you an idea of what to do.

[az_paul]

Gents,

Thanks much for this information. I'm here because a Carcano 91 followed me home today. Some rust and much dirt, but it seems solid.

Does anyone know where to get the 6.5 Carcano ammo and some clips? Is there an english manual available?

az_paul

[scarpucci]

Clips: Numerich Gun Parts Corp

Ammo: Military Shooters

[unkster]

I am looking for a reliable source of parts for my Mannlicher-Carcano M-91 Carbine. I am 90 % into restoring it, and need the front band & screw, and the handguard. I'm going crazy trying to find these parts. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I have tried Numrich Arms, among many others, and Springfield Sporters, which list the parts (I think), but they have no online schematic. They also do not respond to e-mails, faxes, or answer the phone. I would love to post a picture to show what I have but I need 50 posts.

[unkster]

Is anyone here??

[gunguy123]

Is anyone here??
try Ebay, I just bought some stuff off there and restored a badly bubba'd M-38
I have some extra parts here I'd sell you

A perfect trigger gaurd with the springs levers and catches, a rear sight and front, and a rear sling attachment piece (M-38 parts) prolly don't help- but go onto Ebay and type "carcano" thats how I restored my M-38.