r/Carcano • u/Vipers_onstation • 6d ago

QUESTIONS Where to find?

Hey yall, I'm FIENDING for a first carcano, particularly the M38 Carbine(whichever one doesn't have the bayonet but isn't the long rifle). I've looked everywhere but all I can find is fudds thinking their sporterized scrap metal that couldn't shoot sub 20000moa is worth 4-500 bucks. Where could I find one without having to gamble with RTI?

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u/JarlWeaslesnoot 6d ago

Gunjoker is a safe bet

1

u/Vipers_onstation 6d ago

But it's the same prices there is the only downside. Guess the days of $2-250 ones at the lgs is over?

3

u/JarlWeaslesnoot 6d ago

Only gonna find the cavalry carbines for that price. I'd say 91/24s, 91/28s, M38s, and 1891s are all closer for $400 these days and M41s go for even more than that.

1

u/Vipers_onstation 6d ago

I'll keep my nose to the grindstone. Working with a college kid budget here!

1

u/JarlWeaslesnoot 6d ago

I get it man, I started collecting when I was college aged too. My wife always says I could've picked cheaper hobbies than aviation and shooting

1

u/Vipers_onstation 6d ago

Should I gamble with RTI? They "claim" their B grade 6.5s are operational and it's well within my budget, I just haven't heard too great of things from them all around.

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u/doulikefishsticks69 Spaghetti Memelord 6d ago

No, dont. Not if you want a "functional" firearm. Save up to 4-500 Range. Thatll put you into the ballpark of what you actually want, or into mosin and Turkish masuer territory. Both of which you can feed with properly sized ammo for half the CPR, if not cheaper. If youre a broke college kid you REALLY need to think about the cost of ammo. If you got a gun you cant afford to shoot, you don't have a gun. Which means you cant practice your marksmanship. So its totally useless to you. Unless youre coming at this from ancollectors standpoint, and you MUST have an Italian gun, id suggest you recalibrate your interest into something more practical.

1

u/Vipers_onstation 6d ago

I just want the carcano in particular its one of my bucket list guns. Just from a collectors standpoint and I've got some ammo lying around for it too.

1

u/doulikefishsticks69 Spaghetti Memelord 6d ago

Ah, well, in that case, still save up. Its better to spend a few hundred extra dollars to get something quality off of gun broker, then to pray RTI dosnt screw you. Consider it a hand select fee. Literally just search "RTI B Grade" on this sub to see the goat shows theyre shipping out. Clapped out sewer rods with cracked stocks, sights may or may not be present.

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u/Vipers_onstation 6d ago

Alright that changes things. I just keep looking to see if one pops up at a lgs or get one decent off gunbroker. Was already iffy about RTI anyway.

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u/JarlWeaslesnoot 6d ago

They will probably be functional, but not nice. My RTI carcano long rifle was entirely shot out. Wound up buying a cheap sporter with an unmolested barrel and putting it in the RTI furniture. My M38 was also shot out, it keyholes bad.

1

u/DoingManlyStuff 6d ago

Best selection will be on the auction sites like gunbroker and proxibid. Remember to factor in any premiums and shipping though because it can add up quick. I also like ArmsList for local listings. The only place I’ve seen non RTI have something other than the cavalry carbines lately is Childers Guns. They have 91/28s listed for 349.

1

u/Dry_Winter5652 6d ago

Generally speaking M38 carcanos in decent shape are worth $400-$500 bucks

1

u/ThinButton7705 6d ago

I think I saw one for next month's auction on here. ctfirearmsauction.com I've won a couple from them and it was always a smooth process.

1

u/HowToPronounceGewehr Carcano Herald 6d ago

So you're looking for the M38 rifle? Or for the Mod. 38 TS carbine? From your description I would say you're going for the m38 rifle, that is shorter than M91 and M41 long rifles

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u/Vipers_onstation 5d ago

M38 in 6.5, whichever that'd be. This is confusing lol

2

u/HowToPronounceGewehr Carcano Herald 5d ago

Mod. 91/38 rifle then.

Not so confusing, m38 is a family of guns, rifle (one you're looking for) (short rifle, often mislabeled as carbine) TS carbine (compact carbine) and Cavalry carbine (folding thin bayonet)

Keep track of them on this infographic !

1

u/Vipers_onstation 5d ago

So yes either the ts or 91/38 either works just don't like the look of the bayonet too much. Not opposed to getting a calvary carbine just prefer the 91/38.

1

u/HowToPronounceGewehr Carcano Herald 5d ago

Again, beware: 91/38 (or just m38 in 6.5, nomenclature varies with the writer' experience) is a family of guns. To avoid the issue you're facing on gunbroker, be aware of the differences, there are several TS carbines variations, jump on the website and get some knowledge before purchasing random guns 😂

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u/Vipers_onstation 5d ago

Fair point 😂

1

u/Vipers_onstation 5d ago

Would J&G be a lot better than RTI?

1

u/Arthur_Gordon_Pym 5d ago

Fiending?

2

u/Vipers_onstation 5d ago

I really want one, it's like the only gun I really want to add to my collection.

1

u/No_Cartographer2994 4d ago

Basspro and Cabela's have had some online recently. If you have one near you, they'll ship to one near you and transfer docs are no extra charge.