Milsurp After Hours

I bought a M41 Carcano in 1999 for a grand total of $62.50 including shipping from Springfield Sporters. 6.5 Carcano ammo was a bit pricey at the time, and still is, so I never fired it. Then, last time I got to ordering some ammo I decided to spring for a few rounds just to say I shot it. Well....Serbian ammo at $12.75 per 20 plus whatever the share of the freight was amounts to over .64 cents per shot. That means shooting less than 100 rounds would equal what I paid for the rifle.

Mission accomplished. Not much kick. Worked with only minor difficulty loading the clip that didn't want to really spring tight and hold the rounds firmly. And after firing a clip the clip didn't fall out the bottom like a Manlicher but I had to hit the magazine catch and push it out.

The 400 yard battle sight minimum short range wasn't all that exciting either. Had a hard time finding the paper at 100 yards. But of the 4o rounds I took I still have a dozen or so left. The rifle bore is pristine and the rifle seemed pretty smooth operating....except for the questionable clip.

My Russian SKS and the M1 Carbine functioned better and were a lot cheaper to shoot.

I like the M41 Robert, do you have anymore pics?

Joe

Sure Joe. No problem.

This rifle...for those who haven't seen one...uses a clip like a Manlicher. Six rounds of the 6.5 Carcano ammo. There is a release to drop the clip out the bottom of the assembly that surrounds the trigger. There are dual slings front and rear so a sling can be attached from the side or from the bottom. There is a safety lever to the rear of the bolt that can be pressed forward and swiveled with a thumb left and up to put the rifle on safe.

There are lots of proof marks of one sort or the other. One strange thing that the serial number is stamped into the barrel but etched...by hand it looks...into the receiver. The upper hand grip is obviously a replacement and there are some black marks on the stock that look a little like spray paint.....but for $55 plus shipping what's to complain. Ah yes... back in 1999 before there was much demand and plenty of supply.

Looks tidy Robert, what sort of money do they go for these days?

Two factories produced the M41, FAT, Fabbrica D'Armi R.E. Terni, 1941 till wars end. The other being Armaguerra which started production in 1942 until late in the war. Total production being around 820,000 rifles.

Joe

The boat loads of Carcanos of various discriptions, up until not all the many uears ago, used to be pretty cheap....under $100. But the boats are now empty and departed so it is a matter of supply and demand. Or should I say there is no end to greed on the one hand and dumb on the other. Look at this auction price.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/986387648/Gu ... 1_Rifl.htm

To me, I wouldn't pay much more than I paid for the one I got. But I'd imagine if you look around you could find somebody willing to part with one in the US for something not very much over $100 in a condition about like mine.

I have one of those. Mine is a FAT42. I paid alot more than $62.50 for mine, but they are uncommon in the UK. I have only ever seen one and I bought it. I have only shot reloads in mine and it is a very pleasant rifle to shoot.
Regards
Peter.