M40 bottom metal question

[BarlowL]

Howdy Folks,
Was the bottom metal on the 1960's M40 steel or aluminum?
Thank you,
Barlow

 

[USMCSGT0331]

Smooth finish dark grey anodized aluminum

 

[BarlowL]

Thank you Sarge.
I'm not familiar with the 1960's Remington's so wasn't sure. I probably will not find one local but I do have a
Anodizing setup in my home shop. I believe I may even have some left over Brownells Alumahyde in dark grey.

Again, thank you,
Barlow

 

[RIGREG]

Did you say “Anodizing setup?”

Are you planning to venture down the green anodized scope rabbit hole?

Asking for a friend.

 

[BarlowL]

Well, I'm not claustrophobic, and I've been down a rabbit hole once or twice. The thought has crossed my mind for my own.
Since I actually want to shoot this rifle when done, my thought is to contact a couple scope rebuilders and see if I was to disassemble
and anno the body, if they would reassemble it correctly.

 

[RIGREG]

Have you gotten a scope and mount yet for your M40, yet. I won’t be getting into anodizing, but I’ve bought a few random cheap Redfield “parts” scopes from eBay to play with rattle can finishes to get the look. I think to disassemble one, I need to get some type of lens wrench to unscrew some of the retaining rings.

There’s probably a learning curve. Some of mine have been steep. Good luck if you go the anodizing route. If you havent seen it yet, there’s a thread by user tokiwartooth all about his Redfield greenie anodizing.

Greg

 

[capthook]

I've taken a couple of these scopes apart. There was a pretty good youtube video that helped me out...Need to find it again. The disassembly did require a spanner (Like pictured above) and a little heat. Let me know how it turns out, my green anodizing project has been placed on hold for now but will get back into it

 

[BarlowL]

I have not bought a scope yet. I have a mount coming, photos were vague. Not sure if it is the right one. it was cheap enough if not.
I'm going to a gun show this weekend 3 hours away. Hoping for fresh fish. It's been the same stuff at my local shows for several years now. LAst show last month was $15 to get in, did not find one thing I wanted to take home. Decided the get a order of fries for lunch, $8 bucks, I left.

 

[RIGREG]

@capthook

“and a little heat”

Is there a bonding agent that needed to be released? If this, is there a reassembly “glue?”
Or is it a matter of parts press fit and expanding the outer tube section?
Third choice, years of accumulated gunk?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[BarlowL]

So my 13 hour quest yesterday driving from Smithfield to Fredericksburg back through Tappahannock and Gloucester going to a gun show and hitting gun and pawn shops along the way only yielded three nice Vietnam cotton slings, 2 lbs powder, some M118 ammo and a wife with a headache.
So I ponder this, how frowned upon would it be to modify existing wrong parts into aesthetically correct wrong parts, example, shortening modern bolt plug/shrouds, rewelding newer scope mounts etc.? One of my most enjoyable things in my home shop is making machining jigs and fixtures to make things, even a one off.

 

[Redmanss]

So my 13 hour quest yesterday driving from Smithfield to Fredericksburg back through Tappahannock and Gloucester going to a gun show and hitting gun and pawn shops along the way only yielded three nice Vietnam cotton slings, 2 lbs powder, some M118 ammo and a wife with a headache.
So I ponder this, how frowned upon would it be to modify existing wrong parts into aesthetically correct wrong parts, example, shortening modern bolt plug/shrouds, rewelding newer scope mounts etc.? One of my most enjoyable things in my home shop is making machining jigs and fixtures to make things, even a one off.

My own opinion: If it's for yourself and not being misrepresented as being something that it's not, then rock the hell on. IOW, don't Frankenstein build an M40 out of the wrong stuff and still call it an M40.

However, I'd personally keep the search on, it's half the fun and experience.

 

[RIGREG]

I second the above.
Are you starting with a six digit receiver? They pop up in BDL .243, 22-250, and .308 with some regularity at used rifle prices. That gets you receiver, trigger, bottom metal and checkered buttplate in one purchase. You’ll need to buy a barrel regardless, Remington didn’t offer the .308/7.62 mm varmint profile barrels in those years. Beever156 on eBay sells a decent stock. You’ll need to work it a bit for the correct profile. You’ll likely pay for parkerizing, so why not build period correct and make the cost of that barrel and additional services yield a better M40 clone.
Period Redfield bases and scopes are available that will complete the look.
Again, it’s your rifle, build away. Just offering some encouragement to stay the course and savor the process.
Good luck,
Greg

 

[capthook]

@capthook

“and a little heat”

Is there a bonding agent that needed to be released? If this, is there a reassembly “glue?”
Or is it a matter of parts press fit and expanding the outer tube section?
Third choice, years of accumulated gunk?

Thanks,
Greg

It didn't appear to have any glue or gunk...I'm thinking just a really tight fit...Anybody else want to chime in?