M40A3 - My new member of the family!

tps50701

tps50701

Regular
Rating - 100%
124   0   0
Location
Toronto
Dear CGN guys,

Here's the newest member of my family. I scraped all my pennies together for the last year, and sourced all the parts for this build.

She's 100% USMC spec M40A3 all the way. Right down to the markings.

I'm so stoked about the build it's incredible.

Haven't had a chance to shoot her yet, due to a spinal injury - hope to try her out in the spring when I'm a bit more healed up.

I was like a kid at Christmas waiting to rip open presents, while I waited for her completion.

Now there's another M40A3 out there - only north of the border!

So without further wait, here she is:

044.jpg

043.jpg

046.jpg

045.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bravo!!! I love military rifle clones; there's another user here (Steve David) who's doing a similar project, only he's building a C3A1 instead (he even went with an S&B instead of a Unertl, like you did).

I'm impressed at how you managed to get all the parts - were they all available for order in Canada? Or did you have to order from down south/overseas? Either way well done.

Because it's so well done, I'm compelled to nit-pick on one minutia :p. I know that the USMC adopted the 3-12x50 PMII, which is the general model you got, but I see that you got the 3–12 x 50 PM II LP (see link here) model instead of the 3–12 x 50 PM II Military model (see here) that the USMC uses. The window-style second turn indicator on the elevation turret gave it away, since the USMC model uses a ring-type indicator instead. That concludes me being an ass.

So anyway, between you and me, there's a healthy spine willing to volunteer to test that awesome build of yours. ;):D
 
redman said:
Bravo!!! I love military rifle clones; there's another user here (Steve David) who's doing a similar project, only he's building a C3A1 instead (he even went with an S&B instead of a Unertl, like you did).

I'm impressed at how you managed to get all the parts - were they all available for order in Canada? Or did you have to order from down south/overseas? Either way well done.

Because it's so well done, I'm compelled to nit-pick on one minutia :p. I know that the USMC adopted the 3-12x50 PMII, which is the general model you got, but I see that you got the 3–12 x 50 PM II LP (see link here) model instead of the 3–12 x 50 PM II Military model (see here) that the USMC uses. The window-style second turn indicator on the elevation turret gave it away, since the USMC model uses a ring-type indicator instead. That concludes me being an ass.

So anyway, between you and me, there's a healthy spine willing to volunteer to test that awesome build of yours. ;):D
Click to expand...

The USMC did use this model - right at the beginning of the scope change over. They now use the MTC turret - suppose to be Marine proof!
This turret style is still in use today - no need to change out - nothing wrong with it. This is confirmed by a friend of mine who has connections in PWS at Quantico,VA.

newusmcsniperscope2.jpg

Gunnery Sgt. Paul Starner, platoon sergeant for Scout-Sniper Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, holds the new 3 x 12 variable-power Schmidt & Bender M-854155 DS Scout Sniper Day Scope, mounted on the M-40A3 sniper rifle, at Camp Mercury, Iraq March 9. He is credited with the first combat kill with the new scope, and his platoon has killed seven insurgents with it since the battalion arrived in the Fallujah area in January.


My scope actually came off of a C14 Timberwolf - dealer up here had a few that he couldn't sell, so he broke them up into parts to sell much easier.

Mine is in Cm's vs. Mrad - better up here on our metric ranges anyways!

I had help with getting all the parts from the USA - nobody up here stocks any of the required parts. This is an all Canadian built rifle - no GAP rifle here - this one is better in my opinion, and no wait time/customs BS!

Very awesome gunsmith up here built her! He'll be getting my business here on out!

Thanks for the comments!

Carl
 
Last edited:
tps50701 said:
My scope actually came off of a C14 Timberwolf - dealer up here had a few that he couldn't sell, so he broke them up into parts to sell much easier.

Mine is in Cm's vs. Mrad - better up here on our metric ranges anyways!


Thanks for the comments!

Carl
Click to expand...

I thought they were the same. 1 click = 1cm at 100 m which = 0.1 mrad. 10 clicks @100 should =1 mil which is the same as the USMC scopes.
 
redman said:
Bravo!!! I love military rifle clones; there's another user here (Steve David) who's doing a similar project, only he's building a C3A1 instead (he even went with an S&B instead of a Unertl, like you did).

I'm impressed at how you managed to get all the parts - were they all available for order in Canada? Or did you have to order from down south/overseas? Either way well done.

Because it's so well done, I'm compelled to nit-pick on one minutia :p. I know that the USMC adopted the 3-12x50 PMII, which is the general model you got, but I see that you got the 3–12 x 50 PM II LP (see link here) model instead of the 3–12 x 50 PM II Military model (see here) that the USMC uses. The window-style second turn indicator on the elevation turret gave it away, since the USMC model uses a ring-type indicator instead. That concludes me being an ass.

So anyway, between you and me, there's a healthy spine willing to volunteer to test that awesome build of yours. ;):D
Click to expand...

And I can thank Carl for several of the parts needed to complete my project.

Not 100% set on an S&B, if so it has to be an older one, but right now, would prefer a Kahles 10X but not easy to find.

Great looking toy Carl. I am still trying to get time to come over and see it.
 
tps50701 said:
Yup - 308 - as per USMC M40A3 specs!

She was one of my grail rifles - now she's minnnnnnnnnnnne!

She'll be stretching her legs in the spring - I can't handle recoil right now with my spine.

Cheers - Carl
Click to expand...

Thought they were 7.62mm NATO and used M118 ammo?
 
tps50701 said:
The USMC did use this model - right at the beginning of the scope change over. They now use the MTC turret - suppose to be Marine proof! [...]
Click to expand...

Wow, did I get the shaft here or what... Talk about a "picture being worth a thousand words". :D Cool find, then. Do you plan on getting a sling as well? Not sure how light that rifle is for offhand shooting.

Can you give some more details about where you got the action/barrel from? And are the latter two any different than what's found in factory Remingtons? We need some details/specs here!

Steve David said:
Not 100% set on an S&B, if so it has to be an older one, but right now, would prefer a Kahles 10X but not easy to find.
Click to expand...

Steve, I thought only the old C3 (before the A1 upgrade) used a Kahles, and a 6-power one at that. Why go for the 10x?
 
redman said:
Steve, I thought only the old C3 (before the A1 upgrade) used a Kahles, and a 6-power one at that. Why go for the 10x?
Click to expand...


I cannot build an exact C3A1 because it is next to impossible to find an M87 action, so I am going to build something like a cross between a few models with parts form a few different Parker Hale models.
 
redman said:
Wow, did I get the shaft here or what... Talk about a "picture being worth a thousand words". :D Cool find, then. Do you plan on getting a sling as well? Not sure how light that rifle is for offhand shooting.

Can you give some more details about where you got the action/barrel from? And are the latter two any different than what's found in factory Remingtons? We need some details/specs here!



Steve, I thought only the old C3 (before the A1 upgrade) used a Kahles, and a 6-power one at that. Why go for the 10x?
Click to expand...

Redman, I really did my research when I had this rifle built - even have my sources all the way to PWS as well - good friend has connections with USMC 2112's in Quantico, VA.

I actually have a USMC MRT sling that was used on a real USMC M40A1 - right from Quantico - thanks Steve! It's very much appropriate for my build, as the leather slings were still in use for the era of my build. This thing is a heavy pig - 17lbs - so not really meant for offhand.

The USMC actually considers this thing a target rifle, by the way it was designed by a rifle committee.

This rifle is a total custom, as remington doesn't do anything remotely close to it.

Spec's as follows:

Remington 700 SA, "G series serial #" lug sloted - pillar bedded
McMillan A4 Stock - USMC spec - with 6 flush cups and 1 sling stud
Schneider Match Grade Barrel #7 contour, 6 dx, 1/12 twist, 25\"(24\"+1\")
D.D. Ross USMC Recoil Lug
Remington M-24 series Triggergroup - mine is old style remington(M24 triggers are unobtainable unless you buy an M24 off remington)
DD ross +30 Moa lugged scope rail
Badger Ordnance rings, 34mm, 1" high, part#306-75
Badger Ordnance SIMRAD cap
Schmidt&Bender 3-12x50 PMII LP w/Premier Reticles Gen II metric MilDot - Mine is actually off of a C14 Timberwolf(Canadian tmr reticle - cm's vs. mrad)
DD Ross Steel Triggerguard
Harris bipod BRMS 6-9" with KMW Pod Lock

I can't wait to get better to try her out. Steve's gonna have to get his rifle finished - even if I have to kick his butt to do it. He'll be supplying the base rifle, and I'll be giving him all the needed goodies to put it together.

All the best, Carl
 
Last edited:
redman said:
My compliments on putting this all together; it doesn't get much better than that, short of enlisting. :cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks very much!

It's been a long haul in getting it together. Other then the reticle being different - this thing looks like it should be being used by USMC snipers!

Cheers, Carl
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom