Military Surplus Firearm Myths: The Carcano is a Piece of Junk

This channel depends on your support, here are several ways to do so:
Patreon: / mikeb128
Bitcoin: 173Yu7hxmPeCExhFdVhShXVt12SckfLebP
Bytecoin:229Km4RndogNwKFY3w72Hr4icEkS11afbaZcGoJ5gvDwGQPKAnX4NqeFr6MNqj3PGR4PGXzCGYQw7UemxRoRxCC97rhRBP
Monero:4BrL51JCc9NGQ71kWhnYoDRffsDZy7m1HUU7MRU4nUMXAHNFBEJhkTZV9HdaL4gfuNBxLPc3BeMkLGaPbF5vWtANQuQxHHHVJekU3rP6yM
Also, if you like Military Surplus gear and collectibles, visit my online store HERE: www.mikesmilitaria.com

[@jcgarrett4605]

Your ventura impression is hilarious. 😂😂

[@cameronnorton5898]

Your Jesse Ventura impression is the funniest I have ever heard!

[@_major_2944]

In which Minute?

[@TingTingalingy]

@@_major_2944 0:22 it's spot-on

[@jackdavies7683]

Concur very good impression, love Jesse though 👌🙌

[@jeffgrey663]

He'll yea hahahaha

[@buttsexandbananapeels]

Jesse is a qualified marksman of bullshit conspiracies. He went into that “special” knowing he needed to fail, so he did.

[@scottbeck8127]

I got to say I agree with you Mike B. I have a carcano and was laughed at by some range people. They weren't laughing when I was hitting the steel plate at 200 yards with iron sights. Great video, thanks for posting

[@MikeB128]

Yep, if you decide to go back in my vids, I made one a couple years ago where I was hitting steel at 500 yards without really understanding how the sights worked past 100. Great rifles, let people think they're shit, it keeps them cheap.

[@A.Chp-Schweppes]

@@MikeB128 I've just found under the Xmas tree a Carcano modello 38 per cavalleria, but I really struggle to understand the fixed iron sights, I am accustomed to WW2 rifles (Mosin, Swiss K31 and Yugo Mauser), but I miss the target with the Carcano at 200, 100 and even 50yds...

[@grant9939]

@@A.Chp-Schweppesbury the front sight at the bottom of the V of the rear. It'll still be a 200 meter zero

[@grant9939]

Flipped all the way forward

[@thegael1996]

Carcano's aren't anything fancy but they're a simple reliable warhorses that was accurate enough to get the job done.

[@MikeB128]

Exactly. On the same level at the Mosin-Nagant. Just think, they were both designed and adopted the same year...

[@iac4357]

3

[@iac4357]

They're like the old Ford trucks. Basic and dependable !

[@FirstnameLastname-do1px]

@@MikeB128 It’s better than a mosin imo

[@cathanmccann1769]

Hi lad I'm Irish as well 😀 🇮🇪 and from Ulster as well

[@iac4357]

Regarding Accuracy- #1- The Carcano was designed around a long 162 grain round nose, flat open-base .2665" bullet. NOT a .264" 120 grain pointed boat-tail bullet ! #2- The Carcano is aimed by placing the Front sight tip into the BOTTOM of the Rear sight "V", so your sight alignment looks like this [\./] not this [\|/] !

[@MasterVideoStudios]

Well if people don't want them I'll take'm

[@lenking410]

I have three Carcano rifles. Two in 6.5 and another in 7.35. All three are solid. My old M91 is an absolute tack driver. I find the majority of the haters haven’t even fired one. The Carcano family is in my top 5 favorite classic rifles.

[@KowOneOhTwo]

I picked one up in 7.35 for $100 and knew about this myth beforehand, and was surprised at how handy and easy to use it was.

[@magadude9161]

I agree 100%! I have a 7.35 Carcano from 1938 and it's one of the best rifles I've ever had!

[@redharlaw2782]

The only problem I’ve had with my Carcano’s across the board is using soft points. It’s Italian, classy yet affordable.

[@cheerfulpessimist952]

I have two Carcano rifles and both of them seem to HATE soft points.

[@iac4357]

The Carcano needs the longest round, nose flat base bullets to shoot well. And forget the P. in the azz Hornady .267/,268 bullet.

[@deadfan-kl8xr]

Only thing in stock right now is soft point. I wish I would have seen this comment before I bought 200 rounds of soft point

[@Razatan99]

deadfan1976 i just bought 200 rounds too. Hopefully when they get here theyll shoot decent enough

[@mannequinfukr]

Mine seems to not care about which bullet type i feed it. I have fed it 100 grain FMJ (they're really short bullets) up to some surplus ones i pulled from junk rounds and it took it all

[@davidr2975]

Oswald had a 91/38 short rifle, he wanted the troup special, but they sent him the 91/38 instead, history might of changed, if they sent him the Troup special in stead of the the more accurate 91/38, no biggy i love your videos, great stuff keep it up.

[@andycraig6905]

The sectional density is insane with the 6.5mm pills. The 7.35 isn’t bad either but the longer 6.5 is an efficient little reaper of a round. Monster effect with mouse power.

[@bfgivmfith]

I just broke down, cleaned, oiled and reassembled mine. Bad ass carbine! I love it!

[@Carolina-ch2od]

Most idiots that say that have probably never even shot A Carcano, they're just repeating hear say. I have A Carcano and despite being 75 years old it is one of the best and most accurate rifles I ever had!!

[@Jonah9HexFan9978]

Love your profile picture.

[@nostrodelaantares8416]

Based Dixie, grazie amico!

[@onlinecommentator2616]

Beautiful and it sure as hell can drop some tommies. So there's that.

[@MikeB128]

Agreed.

[@lemmdus2119]

As well as Somalis and some Americans and deer.

[@theblacklordoffenrir6282]

Kind of like how everyone assumes all WWII German weaponry is master-crafted by default by virtue of it being German-designed, everyone assumes Italian weaponry must be shit by default by virtue of it being Italian-designed. Am I the only one who notices this?

[@MikeB128]

Yeah it's definitely an elitist bullshit way to think about things, but stupid people can think no differently than what they've been told.

[@billday7599]

Right? Even though Italians also make Berettas, not to mention Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Carcanos use Mannlicher systems, but they’re junk?

[@aussieoi1425]

@@billday7599 yeah true but germany does actully own Lamborghini but I get ur point

[@ramseypowell4345]

Love your channel bud. I don’t have any experience with the carcano chambered in 6.5 but do own a 1939 m38 chambered in 7.35x51. The only negative thing I have to say about it is ammo is rare and expensive as hell

[@marcusizayah]

Just ordered an m91 Carcano “Cavalry-carbine” , should be here in about 2 days! I’m so excited to pick it up! It’s my first bolt-action rifle, also first surplus rifle, and I’m stoked.

[@austinjames7160]

I got my M38TS in 6.5 for $165, I like it a lot. Started out having a lot of really hard extractions, but she's smoothing up with use and is shaping up to be a great rifle.

[@garysmith5781]

I'm 58, I have found that there is always, someone somewhere gonna talk smack about something. Be your own judge. Nice video..

[@erichirst2766]

I think that the Carcano is one of the most underrated rifle. I also believe that the myths regarding it are exactly as you say, user error.

[@sergemaster]

Back in the 1950's an article came out in Popular Mechanics magazine, which the author claimed that the Carcano rifle was unsafe to shoot, because of the heat treat regarding the bolt. He also wrote that he was able to correct this, by supposedly heat treating the bolt himself in his oven. Also written, was if this was not done, then the rifle would be unsafe to shoot, or even possibly blowing up in the operator's hands. This gun myth has been tied to the Carcano rifle since that time.. The funny thing is that no one bothered to ask, if this was the case, then why was the Carcano rifle in service in the Italian Army for over eighty years, through WW1 and past WW2? Looking back now, it's pretty obvious that the writer of the article, and so soon after the second world war had an animus against all things Italian used during the war. I'm not saying that the Italian Armed Forces we're at the top of their game during second world war, but what I am saying, is that the Carcano rifle and all of its variations, are far from being a piece of junk..

[@MikeB128]

Agreed 150%

[@dman486]

What sucks about the carcano is no being able to find ammo.

[@americankulak2294]

It's not 110 yards, it's 288 feet TO THE LAST SHOT. Go to Dallas, you'll see how easy it actually was, and that's ignoring the MOUNTAINS of circumstantial evidence against Oswald.

[@thomasmorgan9768]

Silence, please! I beg of you! I can afford these still!

[@MikeB128]

Meh not enough people will see this video to raise the price lol. They're still affordable.

[@nostrodelaantares8416]

In this world only the bad *coff coff* Breda30... stands out, especially when talking about the bad guys equipment. *coff coff* German tank transmissions... Thanks for this video, this rifle needed some justice!

[@Weyland86]

Really like the typ of camopattern you wearin'.

[@MikeB128]

Romanian M1994.

[@advancedcavemen4104]

We need people to think Carcanos are shit so we can keep buying them at cheap prices! Why are you spilling the beans? Lol

[@thewarrior4744]

I hate that documentary, they say the carcano is bulky, it’s the lightest and most mobile rifle in my collection 😂

[@mannequinfukr]

I've never heard that and when I first handled mine, that thing was so light that I could hold it one handed with my arm extended

[@woodsmith8439]

Bought one in 1966 for 15 bucks. Still got it today. Can’t find any 6.5, but they’ll be back.

[@mannequinfukr]

Im surprised i managed to find a 100 round pack of it made by FNM. Never heard of the brand but it was something

[@thetennesseegunguy2871]

I have a minty 7.35; it is super accurate with with my cast and jacketed loads. It has taken a few deer and elk.

[@portugal5698]

Carcano’s are amazing rifles when the right people know how to use and calibrate them. I don’t doubt that it was the gun used to kill JFK, but what I doubt was the number of assassins using that same weapon!!

[@Sedan57Chevy]

Years ago, my brother picked up a sporterized Carcano in 6.5 Mannlicher Schoenauer, and I was really impressed with it. I'd love to pick up a non-sporterized one someday in the original 6.5 or 7.35.

[@curtiskrueger3504]

I got the same carcano same look, mines a 7.9x 57, they said its a peace of junk, my rifle has never failed me yet and my favorite hunting rifle

[@Drexus88]

do you modify clips for it or what? Been interested in the 7.92 conversions for a while but can't find answers on loading, I don't want a single shot one.

[@FargoMarc]

I just ordered one this morning, thanks for the great videos and your honest thoughts on them

[@jamesgretsch4894]

Love your military helmets in the background.

[@thewarrior4744]

And the elf😂

[@vertebralremains379]

Dude your opinions on every video I've seen are 100% spot on. I got addressed at a local indoor range while firing a buddy's M44 Nagant rapidly by some old timer thinking it was an SKS. If you know what bbn yoyre doing with a bolt action, you can have the next round in the chamber locked in close to the same amount of time youd be getting your sights realigned or a different target acquired with a full power semi auto. Obviously not AS fast, but it does come down 100% to operator competency like you said.

[@GonzoPrice]

I just got 2 carcanos, the 91 ts and the Calvary carbine. I actually love them

[@franknbeanz147]

Until I watched videos on how it feeds I always assumed something was missing off the gun when I seen a few at local gun shops. also the lack of ammo played a role in me never owning one.

[@carcanoM9138]

He dry fired the bolt on his M38 short rifle (Klein's sent him the wrong gun from thier ad) like Forest Gump on the porch some evenings according to Marina Oswald.

[@gregoriodraghicchio1716]

I appreciate your opinion on Carcanos

[@paul_reislaufer]

This video reminded me that I really need a Special Troops carbine to round out my ww2 collection.

[@Joecole1970]

Mike B is totally right with everything about the Italian Carcano I grew up with the carcano along side Springfield model 1898 krag jorgensen so I'm use to the style and unicness of the gun I'm 90 percent italian and my italian ww2 grandfather and uncle will tell you it was the best rifle anynation could have my uncle Antonio told my once that the carcano save his life in Tunisia and el alamein my and my cousin use to get pick on because of our Italian descent and about Italy's defeat in ww2 and do not ever put the carcano in the same category as the Japanese Arisaka rifles

[@stansfieldmcelroy]

mike b is the jester of the milsurp world

[@dwaynewalker986]

😆 I bought the gun you're holding for $25.00 in the mid 90s. Norma ammo @ $1.00 a round for twenty cost almost as much as the gun. Frankly, I agree with your statements made in the video 100%.

[@waynereece9068]

Got one here in Aussie and once you work out the sight picture they are very accurate rifle

[@johnself3408]

Only issue I've had is the brass en blocks are junk.. Spend the money for the steel en blocks. Mine was made late war with fixed rear sight. Baseball size groups out to 200 yards with PPU

[@jbraavo24]

I'm actually glad there are so many myths about the carcano. It's kept the prices down, at least in my neck of the woods. I look for them at gun shows and snag them up whenever I see them reasonably priced. I've picked up several original non sporters for $100 -$200, and almost always got a story about what a piece of shit it is, or how nobody likes them. That always made me chuckle, hey this rifle I'm selling you is a piece of shit. Way to make that sale guy. Lol. I figure eventually they will skyrocket in price like everything else ww2 has. Seems like they're on their way up already. Great video, the Jesse Ventura impression had me snickering.

[@MikeB128]

Agreed but now they're creeping up in price.

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

@@MikeB128 how about that ammo price though, jeez

[@jeffgrey663]

Subscribed because of the info and the ventura bit

[@gradyhernandez4699]

I have carcano rifles and they're surprisingly " powerful"!!!

[@Boomhower89]

The Carcano’s mass produced were not of the same quality are they? The 91 was a great rifle for the day. It didn’t stack up against the Mauser, Remington, or Enfield. But a decent gun. The ones in the 60s that were being pushed here might not have been in the best shape. The scope was way off also on Oswald’s. I’m about to get a 91 I don’t know if I can find any ammo for it but any gun that shoots and doesn’t blow up on you is a good gun in my opinion.

[@hobofactory]

The Carcano is certainly not shitty but as usual, there’s a few truths behind the myth. The reputation for shitty accuracy comes from the Carcano 91/24 model...these were full length 91’s cut down to carbine length. Because of the gain twist rifling used in the 91, cutting the barrel down had a pretty negative effect on accuracy. The Italians were fairly quick to realize this and introduced the 91/28 which was the same length as the 24 but had a barrel actually made to be that length. So it may be this uncommon variant that informs the myth. As far as poor quality, that probably comes from dangerous caliber conversions... either those done stateside or the 8mm Mauser conversions (they do exist, aren’t even all that rare or hard to find, and considered NOT safe to fire).

[@googlepissoff5776]

I always assumed the myth started when Cletus hacked down a 91/41 ruining the rifling and being surprised that it can't shoot for shit anymore.

[@hbowlan]

Yeah that Ventura impression is totally on point. Lol

[@slowbutsure504]

2 shots in 6 seconds from a bolt gun? thats pretty easy to do really

[@robs2747]

I still think your alex jones impression is the best but the Ventura is still funny

[@MikeB128]

For whatever reason I was off my Jesse game when I made this video. Will have to incorporate more of him to get some practice :)

[@randyjohnson3412]

lol I love the Carcano. It just looks like something Italy would make.

[@jaydendrennan9567]

If you watch the video of Jesse Ventura shooting the Carcano, you can tell how uncomfortable and uncoordinated he is with a bolt-action rifle. It’s so bad that he may have even done it on purpose.

[@Carnyx_1]

I now live in Fort Worth and I used to doubt he could have made the shot... until I went to Dealey Plaza. From all the pictures and videos I'd seen I thought it was a stretch that he could have landed a head shot. When I got to Dealey Plaza i stood on the X's in the street where the hits happened. I could make that shot on a bad day. Admittedly, I am probably better than most at shooting (I practice a lot, shooting is a hobby) but I'm not a world class shooter by any means. But, I tell you that to qualify my opinion that most people who can hit a grapefruit at 100 yards consistently could make that shot. As an ex-Marine Oswald would have had at least a basic understanding of the fundamentals, and I am certain anyone with a minimal amount of training could have done it. Whether or not he actually did I don't know, what I am saying is he was absolutely capable. The shot is made out to be some kind of crazy hard shot from a long distance. It's not. It looks like less that 200 yards in my estimation (I actually think it's bit shorter than that from being there a few years ago). In retrospect, I should have waited to comment until after I watched the video.

[@richardzion1828]

It was 88 yards!

[@lunabluevinemassacre6182]

Jesse impersonation on point

[@JohnnyJPatt]

At first I couldn’t make the connection with the impression until I remembered the show conspiracy theory and then laughed my ass off 😂

[@axtondragunov1784]

Bruh Mike B has a great voice for a narrator id love to hear him as an armorer in like a ww1 or ww2 game or tv show

[@eastexxxan]

Lmao your Jesse Ventura is spot on, fuckin hilarious

[@dieterkopf9313]

Nice looking carbine. I’m not familiar with that rifle. I have to research it.

[@weeksey49]

Carcano is a great rifle have always been affordable on the surplus market some the 1st one I had was black bored and at 50 yards you could not hold paper but have had 2 more over the years that would hold the black at 300 yards thru the iron sights much like Arisakas people love to hate them mostly people that have not shot them

[@MilitarySurplusWorld]

Nice Romanian leaf pattern camo shirt! We also have plenty of those :)

[@MikeB128]

Well technically it's "Dalmation" pattern, the leaf pattern was the 1990 pattern whilst this is the m1994.

[@richardperkins8453]

Thats what they said about the Moisn Nagant back in 1990.

[@timnavarrette3274]

I enjoy this round and little carbine. I have one . And it shoots great. Who ever says this round is junk,, doesn't know what they are talking about. Mine is open sight like this. No adjustment. But ,,I scoped mine. Fn great shooter. Got rid of the bayonet. No need for it. Kept the wood stock. Refinished it and glassbedded the action. Helped tons for accuracy. Good hand loadS for it .

[@davidr2975]

Get a m38 7.35 m.m. carcano short rifle, very accurate with the steinel 128 grain pointed soft point bullet.

[@jordangreenwade2931]

Yeah Carcanos aren't that bad I have a M38 TS 7.35x51 made by Terni and it was sold to Finland I bought it couple years ago for 250$ now i'm looking for a bayonet for it and the damn bayonet it more than the gun

[@constitutionalrepublican1611]

in canada theres a place that has them cheap.... if your interested i can look for their business card and pass you the info. i bought mine and it was in pristine condition i was stoked, considering i cleaned up my carcano after getting it.

[@coachbill5544]

I own a model 38 in 7.35 it’s a nice round once you get your sights adjusted. It rings a 10inch steel plate at 200 yards no problem. Id compare it to a 7.62x54 in terms of accuracy but thankfully it has considerably less recoil.

[@marcuswagner1396]

If im not mistaken the italians werent very good at keeping track of ammunition production, so youd have cartridges from different batches loaded in the same clips, probably to the detriment of accuracy

[@federicobiondi431]

no the deteriment of accuracy comes from modern ammunitions, there're different 6,5 ones and using the wrong types ends up ruining the barrel

[@johnsalazar245]

I don't care, I am taking the carcano deer hunting.

[@StewCrew72]

Lol have fun finding ammo

[@TexasLonghornRanch]

Carcano = USE THE CORRECT SIZE BULLETS = Shoots Great! Use the wrong size bullets = Shoots like crap.

[@MikeB128]

AS I said in the video, I used .264 diameter bullets (undersized) and was hitting targets just fine at 500 yards. Haven't ever had a problem with PPU.

[@TexasLonghornRanch]

I shot mine with undersize bullets 7 inch group at 100 yards. 1 out of 10 keyhole. PPU Makes the correct size bullet. 6.5mm .268 SP 123gr. -Graf & Sons sells them # PPB268SP123 I guarantee your rifle will shoot even better with these bullets!

[@phillinggood9881]

Amazing video about one of my favorite rifle, please do a video about Arikasa rifle myths

[@jeffdwyer6105]

If you tried to cycle that rifle with ammo and clip , it would not be so fast and probably jam .

[@MikeB128]

I have literally done videos on me actually shooting it and it cycles just as fast as any other milsurp bolt gun.. do research before you make yourself look like every other dumb Fudd online....

[@jaydendrennan9567]

5:19 - Also that made my day

[@NoirChat138]

No, when someone says Carcano I think Hill 33 near Tobruk, the bersaglieri, and a good rifle

[@NoirChat138]

I think Italy kept the Carcano until the end of the 60' like the French did with the MAS 36

[@jessedavis3196]

If you can sit through the last Godfather movie you'll see this one in the opera house scene. With a scope though, but the folding bayonet is very noticable.

[@jerseyfaranginthailand8134]

nice Rifle Mike, how many guns you have all together ?

[@MikeB128]

That's not something I like to spread all over the internet. I have enough to make me happy.

[@dereklent13]

Mike B you and me both know that your never completely happy when your a collector. Always look for that next one lol

[@1218russ]

My first rifle was a carcano. Bought for 25.00 Killed many deer with it even though I could only get Norma ammo and a box cost more than the rifle.

[@Squarebody1994]

I dont know why but my m91 ts is super hard to cycle the bolt it's super stiff. But once the bolt is in the firing position it's nice and easy to cycle it. Even to use the safety I have to push hard as hell to turn the safety on and off it's like it has a super stiff spring in it. I took the bolt apart cleaned everything oiled it and it's still the same... dont have much experience with these rifles.

[@CborgMega]

Nice camo jacket! :)

[@critterjon4061]

I feel like our 35th president can attest to the accuracy of a carcano

[@secrityforcemarine]

I trained on the world famous bravo range like Lee Harvey, everyone knows its do able and an amazing rifle

[@revnexlazar9646]

My grandpa had the long version and a calvary one with a ass load of ammo plus a bunch of other guns even hand a arisaka that he brought back from the war when my grandmother passed my cousin's snuck in there house behind are backs and took them 2 weeks later i seen them at pawn shop if I would of had the money I would of got them back

[@iac4357]

A number of years ago, I missed a chance to pickup a 3rd Carcano, for an entire $50⁰⁰. Penny wise & stupid me foolish 🤯❗

[@HolyOrtho]

I'm looking to getting (hopefully) a Carcano long rifle. They are surely beautiful and even I heard always that they were "crap" rifles, I knew they could not be if they were used by Italy for a long time and others like Finland. Common sense is unfortunately never that common.

[@420Kyle1620]

They're around $200 (pretty sweet)... wish 6.5x52 was similarly priced to 7.62x54

[@timblack6422]

This grunt likes his Carcano TS

[@pgtmg624]

I want you to know I bought a Tech-9 because of " Big Trouble in Little China". :)

[@MikeB128]

I bought one because of "Columbine".

[@sleestalk]

I mean I own a sporterized carcano and yeah.. 110 yards isnt far at alll and i can cycle the strait bolt on mine easily especially 2 rounds in six seconds, without actively trying probably just from being happy to be out shooting

[@nicholasmaugeri759]

Just got my first one.

[@shootermcdabbin5876]

Yeah people want to replicate Oswalds Carcano even though the scope was absolute garbage 😂

[@venomousrecon7450]

I have a question, do these rifles get sticky bolt after firing a couple rounds like the mosins do? I’m thinking about getting one and was just wondering

[@A.Chp-Schweppes]

I'm in the midst of a dilemna : in my club two fellow shooters sell their milsurp rifle : an Italian 1943 Carcano modello 38 per cavalleria for 370€ and a Swiss Schmidt Rubin K11 of 1927 for 385€ (it's in € i'm in Europe, and I know milsurp rifles here are way more expensive than in the US market). I'm not rich and can't afford to buy both, Which one would you buy ?

[@MikeB128]

The k11. Easy choice.

[@A.Chp-Schweppes]

@@MikeB128 thanks for your point of view. I made an error, it's a 1917 K11. I still wonder what's the good choice, Carcano are scarce here (they have flooded to the US) but G11, K11 and K31 are a little more expensive , but still very common here.

[@got2kittys]

110 yards? I was doing better than that on the practice range when I was 12 years old.

[@bigstick66wood47]

Hey fucker I'm middle-aged and I love your Jesse The body Ventura impression....lol.. and your bolt manipulation skills are without question upper 1%...lol..

[@MikeB128]

Excellent. Thanks for the compliment!

[@alexp2608]

We have one it’s got a hair trigger on it

[@imbluz]

Mike I have a question: When you research Carcano rifle Ammo and the manufacturer lists the ballistics, for instance, 123 grain @ 2690 FPS. Does this figure represent a Carcano long rifle w/ 31" barrel, the 21.5" barrel or the 18" barrel?

[@MikeB128]

You're going to have to ask them......

[@StewCrew72]

Was about to buy one but I couldn’t find ammo anywhere

[@MikeB128]

That sucks.