M40 Family - Who owns one?
- Thread starter ArmedGinger
- Start date
No problem, Senich wrote several volumes on US sniper rifles and one on German WW2 snipers as well. I have them in my collection so let me know if you need anything else I can always snap a quick photo of the page, or get you a scanned copy if you need something better quality. I also have most of the Chandler books as well if you need something more on contemporary M40A1 type details.
I found reasonably priced copies of The One Round War, The Long Range War, and The Complete Book of US Sniping so soon I'll maybe stop pestering for details like this
Just ordered "The Complete Book of US Sniping" off Amazon, hardcover for $17 with free shipping.
The project is underway, I have a 24" barreled SPS en route. I took the suggestion and ordered the Hi Lux greenie from Wolverine. Obviously not going to be 100% clone correct. Going to try for a reasonable facsimile of an early rifle, but taking a few liberties for ease of sourcing the parts. I'm using a blued windage-adjustable Leupold base with rings, and am currently trying to find a stock that will be suitable. The Boyd's Heritage might get me close but I don't like the cross pin reinforcing or the flat to flared fore end.
Ideally I'd use an old plain ADL and cut it for the bottom metal but not having any luck finding one.
Will finish it off with a web sling (as suggested), aluminum buttplate, and a set of whatever basic swivels I can get my hands on. Then keep it handy in my truck so it picks up a bit of wear over time
. Also going to experiment with the scope when it arrives to see if I can get some fading on the anodized color. First thing I'm going to do is re-purpose my wife's grow light/herb garden to see if it makes any difference. Not sure how the color will be affected but figure its worth a shot.
Two other things I want to do are fitting an older square style thumb safety to it, and shorten the bolt shroud. Strictly for looks, but one of the details I want. If anyone has these pieces they would be willing to part with it would be a lot easier......
Receiver/barrel finish I will leave in the current state for now.
Ideally I'd use an old plain ADL and cut it for the bottom metal but not having any luck finding one.
Will finish it off with a web sling (as suggested), aluminum buttplate, and a set of whatever basic swivels I can get my hands on. Then keep it handy in my truck so it picks up a bit of wear over time
. Also going to experiment with the scope when it arrives to see if I can get some fading on the anodized color. First thing I'm going to do is re-purpose my wife's grow light/herb garden to see if it makes any difference. Not sure how the color will be affected but figure its worth a shot. Two other things I want to do are fitting an older square style thumb safety to it, and shorten the bolt shroud. Strictly for looks, but one of the details I want. If anyone has these pieces they would be willing to part with it would be a lot easier......
Receiver/barrel finish I will leave in the current state for now.
Fire off a message to Corlanes. They generally keep the old stocks after swapping a gun to a new stock/chassis and may have what you're looking for in the back. You can also try Blue Mountain Gunsmithing where I used to work as well, I know they had a large selection of stocks when I left and may have what you're looking for.
Try Numrich Gun Parts. I’ve bought small pieces from them and they shipped to Canada no issues. They have swivels, I think you want either 40XR or 514T swivels for a 1 1/4” sling. They have stocks there as well like a plain vanilla BDL stock for $150 USD. The items all have good photos for you to review and decide.
BlackPatch
Member
- Location
- Sherwood Park. AB
Hey guys.
I’ve separated the stock
Will sell or trade for the listed items on the ad.
Same with the Badger bottom metal.
I have many pics if you want them.
Text 7805667096
I’ve separated the stock
Will sell or trade for the listed items on the ad.
Same with the Badger bottom metal.
I have many pics if you want them.
Text 7805667096
So I think I just found out a cheap way to clone yourself an M40A1'ish rifle without going overboard. It's called the M40A2. After reading up on the rifle, it seems it was never fully adopted by the USMC although some were in the USMC Sniper School. It seems the main differences were; Used a Leupold 10x scope instead of the Untertl, used standard two piece bases, had a black recoil pad (medium thickness) instead of the skinny brown, and had a spot to attach a bipod. Didn't even know this thing existed, although I did wonder why they went from A1 to A3....
A lot easier to clone one of these not have to worry about the Unertl/USO
Spotted the picture and somewhat description in the book "The Complete Book of US Sniping"
A lot easier to clone one of these not have to worry about the Unertl/USO
Spotted the picture and somewhat description in the book "The Complete Book of US Sniping"
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Just got my copy of that book in the mail today. Is this the pic you are referring to?
I thought the A2 was more like an early version of the A3, this pic looks like a standard (although now a highly desirable smear stock) early A1 with a different scope/recoil pad and a bipod added.
I thought the A2 was more like an early version of the A3, this pic looks like a standard (although now a highly desirable smear stock) early A1 with a different scope/recoil pad and a bipod added.
Just got my copy of that book in the mail today. Is this the pic you are referring to?
I thought the A2 was more like an early version of the A3, this pic looks like a standard (although now a highly desirable smear stock) early A1 with a different scope/recoil pad and a bipod added.
Yeah that's the rifle. It's also slightly referenced in the book "The Ultimate Sniper" by John Plaster and shows the same rifle. After doing a little more research online, this A2 rifle did make the rounds of the USMC, mostly in Quantico. It was never made in numbers and never of course used in Combat.
That is a good substitute for sure, in fact when I purchased the stock on AG’s rifle back in the 90’s, McMillan included brochures with that rifle for sale. A very similar rifle was issued to NSWC snipers in the 90’s as well, only identified as “bolt rifle” This was the some time period that Seals had the M86 which was a product of the ill fated business relationship between Gale McMillan and Harris Gunworks in what would become G.McMillan and Co. rifles like the M86 series.
And some photos from an early version of the NSWC sniper training manuals
And some photos from an early version of the NSWC sniper training manuals
Attachments
Sorry to see you are parting ways with it, it looked like a well detailed and built rifle. If I wasn’t busy collecting pop cans for a Unertl I would be all,over that rifle. Good luck with your sale. Be patient they are a small market sale.
Tarrantula
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Parts unknown
So is the good old M40A1 still available from McMillan? Or am I late to this party!
You have to have one built. Mcmillan will sometimes make the M40A1 stock, otherwise you go for one of their HTG stocks. Then you have to take a Remington 700 receiver, the proper profile of barrel, and a few other hard to find parts. But you can sort of "fake it" with similar parts without going all out
Tarrantula
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Parts unknown
Great stuff, thanks AG! guess I should have specified, I was referring more to the non-HTG stock itself. FYI if anyone is interested, I inquired with ATRS and they said they have ordered 3 in the last month from McMillan so they're definitely available. However I have put a pin in the M40A1 because....
I have also procured a 90's vintage clip slotted 40X repeater. I have been looking for a 6-digit receiver for some time but this will do for now. I have an appropriate accu-range Redfield, aluminum BDL bottom metal, 1.25" sling swivels, aluminum buttplate, short bolt shroud. Also scored a trigger assembly that allegedly falls within the original 6-digit M40 range, tombstone safety etc. Will likely go with the Badger repro base/rings.
I am curious what people have used for barrels for M40 builds. Is there anything easily available up here that is closer to being "clone correct" or am I just as well off with IBI or another more off the shelf brand? I understand the M40 was a Rem varmint contour, 1.20-1.25" and around 0.83" at the muzzle, flat crowned. Slap an SPS barrel on and hope for the best?
Just be aware as Mcmillan calls the HTG stock the M40A1 but it isn't.
https://mcmillanusa.com/stock/htg-m40a1/
They used to have separate pages for them. Mcmillan does do runs of the actual M40A1 stocks with the Wichita swivels instead of the sling swivel studs and with the correct recoil pad. But they are usually only done when they have a specific amount of orders/interest. So clarify that with whomever you will be getting your stock from.
