Carcano Type 38

[dfletcher]

I should say up front that no beers were consumed during the bidding process. It was a "bidding war" that ended at 3am.

When asked what I collect or accumulate my answer is "whatever happens to interest me at the time". And for some reason older scoped rifles have peaked my interest. Usually military like the Enfield T model and 1903A4 types.

Although this model wasn't used as a military sniper it does have a history, sort of:

Carcano Model 1944 in 6.5x52 with scope - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 1134826783

Everything is "period correct" including the "used to be crappy but very expensive 7/8" Ordnance Optics scope. Side mount is correct for original as is obviously the rifle. I know some put these together after the fact however am supposing (hoping, considering the $$$) that it's as shipped by Kleins.

[boris badinov]

Nice catch.


Now you need to find a range with a sixth story window.

[Mauserguy]

Very cool.
Mauserguy

[dfletcher]

Nice catch.


Now you need to find a range with a sixth story window.

Just picked it up at the LGS. Grey hairs knew what it was. A 30 something asked "Lee Harvey who - who's that ....?"

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Anyway, a few screws were almost stripped, had to be careful tightening everything down and used loctite. The magazine spring was missing, ordered from Apex for $7.00 so no big deal. The scope is not an optically centered type so moving the cross hairs literally moves the cross hairs. When I center them it shows way high compared to the sights - I think that means shim the rear of the scope, yes? There's room for that. Side to side looks good. Scope is 3/4" tube with plenty of eye relief.

I found something curious re loading the rifle with 6 rounds -the scope mount gets in the way, only 4 can be loaded via the in line stripper clip -

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BTW, the scope is clear and of the usual early 60's Japanese quality. Probably better suited for vintage 22 rimfire rifles though.

[Rogerbutthead]

The seller must be very happy. How much higher would you have gone?

I am constantly surprised at how other bidders are willing to spend more than me.

Currently, there seems to be a large number of people willing to pay more for a used Winchester M94 lever action rifle in 30-30 than I am currently willing to spend.

[dfletcher]

The seller must be very happy. How much higher would you have gone?

I am constantly surprised at how other bidders are willing to spend more than me.

Currently, there seems to be a large number of people willing to pay more for a used Winchester M94 lever action rifle in 30-30 than I am currently willing to spend.

For whatever reason I was building a "close as I could come" repro and put together two versions using a Weaver N4 side mount and Weaver 29S 3/4" scope. One was better than the other, so I sold it off. Then this thing popped up and I sold off the 2nd, netted just under $1K for the both of them. So the hit wasn't as hard as the bid price shows.

The bid I put in was my "best and final" and had the one other person upped it I would have been out. I'll admit this one got my interest more than most. I usually post whatever I'm willing to pay and leave it alone. With a (PST) end time of 3:00 am I figured no one else would be up that time. The other bidder was in FL - must have been an early riser.

When it comes to C&Rs I've been lately buying the less expensive stuff. And guns that may need a bit of rehabbing. I picked up these in Reno last few weeks -

Galesi 25 ACP
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Hi Standard Longhorn

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My favorite deal - SMLE No1 MkIII

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All 3 or just under $500.00 - the SMLE was $99.00 and had been "sporterized" with a well done side mount and scope. There was even a cutout for swapping out ejectors without removing the mount. I snagged some "take what you need" wood at a LGS and created a "Mk III T" rifle.


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[MajorSideburns]

Do some speed and accuracy tests to prove whether the actual supposed shots from the story were even possible. I've seen a couple such tests and one seemed to indicate the speed was impossible to reacquire the target so quickly for a second shot and the other only looked at accuracy.

[dfletcher]

Do some speed and accuracy tests to prove whether the actual supposed shots from the story were even possible. I've seen a couple such tests and one seemed to indicate the speed was impossible to reacquire the target so quickly for a second shot and the other only looked at accuracy.

Sorry for the late response. My log on ability with the site is about 30% -

I'm being a bit lazy and copying from my post on another site:

Last week I went through just shy of 2 boxes of Privi Partizan ammo (139 grain FMJ) and at 100 yds the gun does 2" consistently. Clay pigeons and 12 oz tonic are easy hits.

The trigger is on par with Mauser 98, Springfield 1903, Enfield..

Re the scope and the mount. The mount is as solid as any of the Weaver side mounts used on Savage 325, 340, 23 etc of the same era. The mount itself is solid so long as the screws are socked down tight. I applied loctite (blue) just to be sure re the 4 screws holding it to the rifle.

Re the scope, it's typical Japanese 3/4" tube of the early 60's with eye relief sufficient for high powered rifle. Optics are sharp and clear. 3/4" tubes are generally rimfire, but not always. I have a few old Weavers in 3/4" that do fine on 300 Savage and 30 WCF. I wouldn't put them on a 300 H&H, but being a tad careful to not get "kissed" during 6.5 recoil - should be OK. There were two surprises re the scope and mount.

The scope is not of the optically centered type. Moving the crosshairs actually moves the crosshairs. Very old school. Depending on alignment, you can end up with the cross hairs way off center in the tube. Works fine, looks odd as hell to modern eyes. Mine was windage right on, shimmed the rear up to 1" high at 100 yds with the cross hairs centered.

Re the turret orientation and top loading. I think the reason the turrets are left side oriented is to facilitate stripper clip top loading. I found that I could not load a full 6 round clip into the rifle as the scope got in the way. The most number of rounds I could load was 4 rounds. That allowed the clip to flex a bit and make it past the mount.

While it may look shoddy I'd say there is no issue with the mount and scope holding solidly in place, assuming the screws are socked down tight. That the scope is not of modern configuration - makes me wonder if that was taken into consideration when discussing its point of aim, ability to be adjusted and proper function. If one is used to moderns scopes I understand how this scope would be considered FUBAR'd.

Re shooting fast, having the bolt handle in the middle of the bolt body and doing a "slap and role" with the lower palm of your hand is pretty quick. Not "Mad Minute" fast but very swift.

1903s and Mausers, Enfields are certainly better finished. But ths rifle works as well as any of them.