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The Italian Carcano got a bad rap due to some extremely degraded WW2 or earlier manufacture milsurp ammunition imported from Egypt.
The propellent used for Carcano ammo was a high nitroglycerin content (60%) powder and when stored in a hot climate for years the powder seperated and clumped up forming a plug of gunk with high explosive properties as dangerous as sweating dynamite.
There were some late war production rifles with poorly heatreated studs on the cocking piece, these could shear through if a case ruptured and the cocking piece might hit the shooter in the face.
If a Carcano is in good condition its as safe as any 1890's bolt action design and safer than many of its contemporaries.
One should examine the cocking piece for signs of excessive wear.
The Finns did not like the Carcano, which added to its undeserved bad rep, but the Finns complaint was mainly about the non adjustable rear sight of the wartime production rifles.
Also the Cacano's converted to 7.92mm may not have held up well if fired using the extra hot heavy ball and AP cartridges for the LMG which were often too hot for a K98 and could cause lug setback.
Due to ammo shortages some Luftwaffe ammo ended up on the infantry lines. Some of that ammo was loaded to 60% higher chamber pressure, as hot as a proof test load. Some obsolescent Luftwaffe beltfed aircraft MGs were modified for ground use and their specially belted and extra hot ammo ended up on the front lines as well.
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