Carcano Cavalry Carbine Conversion

[hunterj]

the beginnings of 2 more, these have gone by much faster and nicer.

[2nd Bat]

With repetition the results get much better and require less time and effort. The Carcano appears to be a real good choice for a VSR conversion.

[hunterj]

Your fibreglass Bondo method worked very well. And definitely repitition is key. I've got to make 5 for my Italian group, and then a few extras for people that wanted to buy them. The assembly line has begun.

[hunterj]

So on mobile, all the pictures of the completed one show up. However on the desktop they don't appear to be. So i'm going to post the couple other complete pictures of the finished product. 

[hunterj]

I built 6 more, for a total of 7 completed. The next batch are stained walnut, the appropriate color instead of the previous hickory. I won't post more pictures of the construction process since I feel as that is pretty well detailed.

Here are pictures of 3 of the 6 completed ones. These 3 don't have the metal pieces added as of yet, just a matter of ordering the original butt plates and sling swivels. 
Overall i'm pleased, i feel like they look pretty close. I'd love to hear some compliments/criticisms from you guys on what is done well and poorly, always looking for some constructive criticism. 

[2nd Bat]

Looks quite good. Your butt stock alterations are very convincing. It was no doubt nice having an original to go off of. Conversions that leave the action and feed systems unaltered are consistently the most reliable and skirmishable conversions.

[hunterj]

Thank you.
And yeah, I was trying to mess with it internally as little as possible. Once the metal pieces are on and the slings, it'll help.
Also in currently working on the folding bayonet, it'll be rubber and safe to fight with, functioning like a socket bayonet to extend and sheath it. I think that'll help hide the final inaccuracies.

[hunterj]

Here is my work on the prototype bayonet, it needs some work still but the concept is there. A "socket bayonet", i'll send it off to one of those LARP weapon makers that'll make a safe to fight rubber/foam one. I think it helps hide the length and some of the inconsistencies with my airsoft version.

I've made it more aesthetically closer, sadly forgot to take pictures of prototype #2, it's more about proportion than actual size, so when you see it alone you see the characteristic folding bayonet of the cavalry carbine.

[hunterj]

Got to use them in some combat!

[2nd Bat]

that's fabulous.

[volkssturm]

Good pics!

[hunterj]

Thanks!

[hunterj]

Here are two photos from a recent open play skirmish at a local airsoft field, this shows the current mock bayonet on the rifle. It definitely helps hide the overall length, but it's just foam/wood so it's survivability is low. One enemy combatant was bayoneted at the game, so it does work. 

I have made a few more now, totaling around 10-12 I think since our Italian unit is around 15 men now. We used them at my Gothic Line 3-day event back in June, and they all performed extremely well.

[hunterj]

Moving Forward: Working on 3D printing a few parts to get a few more features closer, most notably the barrel to the correct diameter and length, which will be a huge improvement I believe. I either need to order a smaller length barrel and replace it, or to figure out a way to cut down the current one. Most likely order a smaller tight bore for the VSR's. Then 3D print the bayonet lug, the sights, and possibly the top hand guard.

Here is a photo showing a completed one side by side with a real one, I don't think I've posted clear photos like this. Side by side you can see a few inaccuracies. However I have made ~8 I believe so far, and overall I am pleased. The recent addition of a 3D printer will just help me make them much better and more authentic I hope!

[CPL. Mills 2nd Rangers]

That's pretty sweet! Great job.

[hunterj]

I finally bit the bullet and sat down to fix the barrels. The last part of the conversions that was not as convincing.

I cut the barrel, put a copper pipe with spacers (45-70 government spent brass with the primer knocked out) and JB Welded it to the gun. Re gel-stained them walnut as over the last year they've had some scratches and whatnot. Performance has no noticeable change which is great. 

My last step is to 3D a more accurate front sight and bayonet lug, than the bulkier one previously used. Finally though they're now the correct length and overall just look leagues better in my opinion. I'm running out of things to tinker with them, we have mass produced 6 for my Italian squad at this point.