My M40 Sniper

[chuckindenver]

built from parts and bits,
i couldnt afford 50 grand, so i put this one together.
i was thinking on selling it, but every time i hold it, or shoot it, im glad i still have it.

[Mike in Wis.]

Nice Chuck... here's mine.

[Gunner]

Hi Mike,

wich kind of recoil pad do you use for the left round ? :banana100::banana100:

Chuck and Mike, nice rifles !

Regards

Gunner

[Liam]

For those, like me, who lack the skills to put one together, this comes pretty close. For sale at BDL LTD. for $2195.00

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u23/Liam_068/M40.jpg

[cmbtinfantry]

Very nice rifles. I always pause a minute to look at them when I see them. I suppose its the fact it is off a 700 action. Kinda an interesting use. Thanks for the pictures. :icon_salut:

[Sgt Rock]

Chuck,

Tell us about the parts you used to put yours together. It looks darn good! Are any of the parts US issue, barrel, receiver, scope, stock?????

[chuckindenver]

receiver may be genuine, i picked it up at a pawn shop in Cheyenne as it sits.
other then the finish, scope base, and rings are numbered to the receiver.
the barrel, stock, bolt, scope ect, were added by me.
a note.
i always thought someone added the hand written US PROPERTY.
but after grinding it off, and the beadblasting, and parkerizing, it came back hard.
the other is a Remington Roll stamp.
i asked Remington about the serial number, only thing they would say,
is it was sold to a Gov contractor in 1968. didnt say if it was military, or other.
i know of some M40,s sold to US Game and fish, FBI , CIA, ect, that wernt military issue, that were roll stamped USP.
when i found the rifle.
i walked into a pawnshop in the South end of Cheyenne Wy,
looked at a couple 03,s , shotguns ect, then i see this clunky ol 700 with no bolt, and a non original barrel, in .243 winchester, was real rough, rusty, and standard weight, stock looked like homemade POS.
and had what i thought at the time somebodys personal markings.
as it wasnt anything iv seen before in the military rifles.
i picked it up pretty darn cheap, had to sign a letter saying i wouldnt fire the rifle..lol.
that was many years ago, i took the action out of the stock, tossed the stock in the trash...ill touch on that in a minute.
removed the barrel, that was bent by the way.
and started the hunt for parts.
at the time i didnt really know much about the post WW2 sniper stuff,
and when i got real seriuos about doing the rifle.
i figured i tossed the original stock...!! doooup.
it was just so darn rough, and had about 3 pounds of acraglass in the barrel channel, i figured it was a hack job like the barrel.
another note, the recoil lug was numbered to the receiver as well.
i at least kept the original swivles, one is correct, the other is not.
i also learned the GI rings only twist on one way.
right to left on, left to right off, i know cuz i snapped the front one off, trying the other way,,doooup!
the barrel is a early 70,s take off i got from another gunsmith buddy of mine.
stock is a factory ADL stock, i sanded the pressed checkering, and modified for the mag box.
mag box is the one that came on the action, and is matt finished, not serialed.
bolt is from a gunshow parts box, and works nicely.
Scope is a gunshow find, and a commercial late 60,s 3x9 without rangefinder.
i dont like the rangefinder, and i shoot the rifle.
last real complete M40 i saw sell at auction, sold for over 50 grand.
i see poorly done replicas sell for over 6 grand,
i had this for sale a few months ago for 5,000.00 to pay for knee surgery.
no real bites, not even an offer, so i made payments on the first knee surgery,
second knee surgery is after the holidays, hopefully ill get rich before that.
i sold my Winchester M70 sniper in March, that about payed off the first knee.

most likely this is a M40 used by the Game and fish, or USAF, they do a lot of missle sight work in the WY area down into Nebraska, Co.
i remember seeing a M40A1 in a Dodge military truck about 15 years ago when i was Antelope hunting..
thats a whole nother story for another time..
thats my M40 story in a nutshell...its not perfect, but its mine:icon_salut:

[GregV]

Great story, Chuck. Thanks for taking the time!

Greg V

[GregV]

Hey Chuck, is that a USGI leather sling on your rifle?

[chuckindenver]

yes,
i have a few 60 to 70 vintage slings i use on my hunting rifles, and pick the, up every time i see them at shows.

[GregV]

Thanks Chuck. Are they dated at all? If not, how might I tell what vintage a sling is? I am actually looking for mid 80's.

[chuckindenver]

all the ones iv seen are dated.

[Badgerord]

If they are not dated they are not GI.

There are a bunch out there that are fakes.

Also, if they are marked "MRT" only, its not a fake but a blem not sold to Uncle. usually poor leather quality.

The "MRT" only slings always have the writing parallel with the sling, a correct one will have the writing across the sling along with the date.

[GregV]

Thanks again!

[Critch]

What about the left side of the stock, does it have a cheekrest or is it plain?

Very nice rifle...

Edited for not looking: Well duh, I must have been tired last night and didn't see all the pictures you posted....very nice rifle...

[GregV]

So then this one would be either a repro or a blem????

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=143244072

[Badgerord]

Greg,

That is a blem from the contractor, no date.

It a company called Cathay Leather.

Just when you figure you have the markings figured out they change it up.

[GregV]

Badgerord,

Thanks again, I do appreciate the help. I'll save the pictire of that one in my reference file.

Greg

[mp_tx]

Wow, that rifle is a beauty. If you do wind up deciding to sell, please let me know!

[DaveHanna]

Chuckie sure can build 'em can't he?:banana100: