project rifle

rodmkr

rodmkr

Temecula California
Does anyone know of any info on customizing a M91 Carcano rifle.
Am looking for info on maybe changing to a Mauser style magazine
instead of the standard below the stock style?
Was thinking of building a Manlicher style stock (blondy) for my Granddaughter.
Any help appreciated.

rodmkr
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
A few decades back I can recall reading articles covering Carcano conversions and alterations. Where? I dunno. Maybe old issues of the Rifleman, old gunsmithing books, maybe in Brownells "Gunsmith Kinks" series of books. I'd start using search engines to look for info.

FWIW, the Carcano is not a particularly popular platform for conversions/sporterizing. You are fighting an uphill battle on this one.
 
rodmkr

rodmkr

Temecula California
I know it isn't Brett but it is the rifle she wanted as she has fired it several times!
Decided to spruce it up as much as possible before giving it to her.
Decides with the Wuhan and virtual house arrest I need as many projects as
I can get.

rodmkr
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
I don't recall reading any either.
your probably gonna have to get pretty Khyber pass creative on this one.
I do have an older K-98/11 someone adapted what looks like to be some type of 3 shot magazine to, then they welded a plate under it.
it isn't finished, or pretty, but it works.
you could probably cut yours down and shuffle the bottom metal up to be a flush fit to the wood.
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
Watch out for clips , they aren't so bad .
Many will stick it to you . They do hold 6 rounds .
Huntingtons does have or did have a 6.5x35 Rem die set , the barrel is a 14 tpi but the thread is larger OD than a 98' .
Boyds has a stock , it fits the 41' Terni well enough .
I would recommend 308/30-30 length cartridges vs the 6.8/x39 length to remove feed issues . I think if I rechamber the 7RWH I'll go to a rimless 7-30 using either 30 or 35 Rem brass .

The specifics are poor but there were a few either made or refitted to 8×57 so with a little work I guess you could make one a 6.5 CM or anything else in the 300 Savage/ 308/ Mauser clans .
Mine vented 2 primer pockets in 6.8 Rem cases necked up to 7mm (7x6.8SPC or 7RWH) , the gas control is pretty good , appearently they will hold 75kpsi without any fan fare .

That's about all I have .
True faces , maybe lap lugs .
Trigger is basically a Mauser .IMG_20160903_163616683.jpg
 
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RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
I elected the scout arrangement to allow for clips .
The base is custom from a Weaver rail blank and d&t over the chamber . It's 4" I think but should be closer to 6" .
Scope is a Leatherwood scout 2-7×32 it was only about $125 when I bought it they're $200+ making a pistol scope or other EER type about the same money .
 
Bret4207

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I personally don't have an issue with the enbloc type clips/mags as used in the Carcano, Steyr 95 or '91 Mauser. Honestly, if the rifle is well balanced from the start, the mag isn't in the way. I think the '91, for example, carries like a traditional Pa/Ky muzzle loader. I don't think it would be that hard to mod a Carcano into a 2 or 3 shot blind magazine rifle. Making up the bottom metal ala Mauser 98 wold be quite a bit more fiddling. I'd also want to do some serious thinking on caliber. If you had a good shooter to start with, (my sole Carcano was horrible, you couldn't hit a barn shooting from inside it!), I'd consider just sticking with the original caliber and use decent bullets. I believe some did much better with the .268 jacketed than the .264s.
 
J

JustJim

Well-Known Member
For what it might be worth, there is a good thread over at nitroexpress.com with the subject line "little Carcano sporter project". It might give you some ideas.
 
rodmkr

rodmkr

Temecula California
Was thinking about using TI Arisaki bottom metal.
Have found everything except the floor plate available.
If I keep it 7.35 I am hopping it will work.

Joshua,
Thanks for the article on the conversion.
It gives me a lot of ideas as well as being a seemingly great web site.

rodmkr
 
rodmkr

rodmkr

Temecula California
The Tale of The Carcano Rifle.
The reason for me building this rifle begins with a call from my Granddaughter.
She and her sisters lived with me for 2 years after their mother decided God told her she did not want to be
married anymore and was going to Africa to take care of children with aids.
I taught them to shoot out in the Ca. desert when they were only 5-8 years old.

Fast forward to a month ago.
Oldest one became engaged to a young man in Minnesota.
Told her she could never see or invite her Grand Parents to their wedding as Grandfather
had and shot guns. Stated his parents hated guns and anyone that owned one.

Granddaughter broke off the engagement and told him to never contact her again.
Among all of the tears was a request that I build her a rifle of her own.
She had shot the Carcano with its makeshift piecemeal stock and asked if I would
fix it up for her.
Of course Grandpa said yes so over the next couple of months I will make her her first rifle.
Could not be prouder of her.
I do not do checkering so it will be without it but will have everything else.

Will try to ( if I can remember) to post pictures of the progress.

rodmkr
 
Spindrift

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
@rodmkr ;
Wow, that was quite a story. You have every reason to be proud of your ganddaughter, who obviously has backbone and a sound sense of judgment. It wouldn’t surprise me if she learned this from you.
I understand very well now why you want to build the rifle. I have absolutely no knowledge to contribute on the Carcano, but wish you the best of luck!
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
yeah she did.. wow.
let her know she has support for her [good] decision from the western hinterlands.
 
F

FrankCVA42

Active Member
Well you could always look for a type 1 Carcano made for the Japanese during WWII and chambered for the 6.5 cartridge. Has basically a mauser style magazine and trigger guard. So if you find one with a bad bore that would be a good start. Frank
 
glassparman

glassparman

"OK, OK, I'm going as fast as I don't want to go!"
Dang it! I just sold off some leftover Siamese Mauser bottom metals and such you could have used.

How about an '03 Springfield bottom metal/box magazine? isn't it basically a copy of the Mauser? I was going to mod one up to fit a BAR magazine but I'll never get around to it.
 
Bruce Drake

Bruce Drake

Active Member
You can adjust a Type I Carcano magazine and stock to a 1891 Carcano very easily since the actions are very similar. You can also adjust a Mauser floorplate and magazine but you'll probably need to make some adjustments to the action screws and how the carcano trigger goes into the triggerguard.

Good luck on the conversion. The efforts to make the rifle should make it priceless to your granddaughter.

B
 
F

FrankCVA42

Active Member
Or you could take the cheap way out and make up the Carcano in 7.62x39. Was going to to the conversion, but decided was cheaper to go ahead and buy a Ruger American compact in 7.62x39. Won't be shooting it anytime soon as all ranges are still closed due to covid. Frank
 
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