M40 experts needed

xarmor

xarmor

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 5, 2008
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Austin, Tx
#1
I am going to look at a Vietnam era M40 this weekend. The rifle has a six digit sn in the 186 range. From the pictures I have it has the REP proof, heart and triangle barrel markings. The barrel is also coded U W N 41 which would put it August of 66 build date. The rifle is parkerized, the bolt is black oxide and is electropenciled on the bottom with the rifle SN. The stock looks to be correct with the black aluminum bottom metal. Currently it has a satin black 2nd gen Redfield accu-trac that has a serial # that begins with Y. Base is 2nd gen with SN stamped on the left front. The sling is leather and marked MRT 1970. Is there anyway to tell for absolute sure if the rifle is real? I know some takeoff parts made it out and were installed on rifles. This one seems to match but I would like to know if there is anything that would be a dead giveaway that the rifle was built up from spare parts. Sorry this post is so long but I don't want to dump a pile of cash on a bogus rifle. Thanks.
 
#2
Re: M40 experts needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XARMOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is there anyway to tell for absolute sure if the rifle is real? I know some takeoff parts made it out and were installed on rifles.</div></div>

Short answer "no" unless it is listed on "the list" in "Death from Afar" or has documentation from the USMC. If you could list the full serial number, we could check the know list. The list is not complete, but offhand, 186XXX sounds a bit early. If I remember correctly (and it is early on a friday morning
sleep.gif
) there are a few lower than that, but most are in the 200,000 to 360,000 range.

Is "U.S." stamped on the reciever over the serial number?

Typically, the scope base had the serial number engraved, not stamped into it. A M40 should have a early square corner with "40X" stamped into the bottom and 4 screw rings. The clipped or "round" corner bases that are 700SA marked were used on the early M40A1 prior to the 10x Unertls.

Dave P
 
#3
Re: M40 experts needed

The main question I would ask is: How did it make it out of the arsenal? I may be wrong but I didn't think any of them were made available for the general public. Pretty hard to believe there's one out there for sale. I'm a bit of a skeptic but I liken it to people saying they have an all original WWII Garand that was never rebuilt... That's simply not true unless you personally stole one in 1945!... and there were a LOT more WWII Garands than M40's.

FWIW, I hope it is original. I'd like to see pictures if you get it!!!

It's not the one that was on GB last week... is it???
 
#4
Re: M40 experts needed

there are some folks that are EXPERT at doing replica of M40A1, and other historic firearms...right down to the vintage receivers ,mounting blocks for unert and all the correct stanpings......although i have yet to see the cartouche repos in the wood......but a determined guy can do anything.
you may wish to chat up Mike Lau at Texas Brigade Armory.

www.Texasbrigadearmory.com
 
#5
Re: M40 experts needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body">there are some folks that are EXPERT at doing replica of M40A1, and other historic firearms...right down to the vintage receivers ,mounting blocks for unert and all the correct stanpings......although i have yet to see the cartouche repos in the wood......but a determined guy can do anything.
you may wish to chat up Mike Lau at Texas Brigade Armory.

www.Texasbrigadearmory.com</div></div>

Maybe also give George a call at GAP??
 
#6
Re: M40 experts needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XARMOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry this post is so long but I don't want to dump a pile of cash on a bogus rifle. Thanks. </div></div>

Bet that it's a "clone" and not an actual Military Rifle. That being said, I have carried the real deal and I would have no problem with carrying a clone for my own pleasure.
 
#7
Re: M40 experts needed

Perhaps you didn't ID the scope correctly, but the M40 Redfield scope was an Accu-Range model and not an Accu-Trac.

The serial number may be in the correct range, as there is a photo of # 168346 on p.141 of Senich's book.

I understand that GAP might have some serial number records. You might call George.
 
#8
Re: M40 experts needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dave4201</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The list is not complete, but offhand, 186XXX sounds a bit early. If I remember correctly (and it is early on a friday morning
sleep.gif
) there are a few lower than that, but most are in the 200,000 to 360,000 range.</div></div>

Just got a check of the list. There are a few in the 160XXX range but none in the 180XXX.

Probably just a good clone built from a "take off" kit like mine.

M40left.jpg


Dave P
 
#9
Re: M40 experts needed

Thanks guys, I think I will take a pass on this one. To many holes in the story. BTW Dave that is a damn nice rifle! I have one of the Green scopes and hope someday to find a rifle worthy of wearing it. Appreciate the help, nice of you guys to share all of your knowledge, just saved me some serious cash.
 
#13
Re: M40 experts needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XARMOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Were all of the original bases marked this way? The other rifle had a 2nd gen base on it, the edges were rounded.</div></div>

the unertl style base ring lash-up had the steel rings welded to the base and there was a recoil lug .
MVC-007S-1.jpg
 
#14
Re: M40 experts needed

That really sounds like a rifle that was just recently posted on Gunbroker, 189XXX serial number, 2nd gen scope and base, leather sling dated 71. Rifle did not sell, auction ended early, I suppose one could call Remington for the history.
 
#15
Re: M40 experts needed

Anyone have a line on the Redfield 1" Medium Bottom screw rings, preferably in matte, but I'll refinish them anyway so finish doesn't matter.... Snagged a Redfield 3x9 Accu-Range w/tombstone reticle (gloss black) and found the correct Redfield Jr Base, just need the correct rings!! Any help? It is for my early smear M40A1 turn-in stock build. The MST's were way out of my current budget so I went with the Redfield which is semi accurate for this build....
 
#16
Re: M40 experts needed

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wild Bill C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone have a line on the Redfield 1" Medium Bottom screw rings, preferably in matte, but I'll refinish them anyway so finish doesn't matter.... Snagged a Redfield 3x9 Accu-Range w/tombstone reticle (gloss black) and found the correct Redfield Jr Base, just need the correct rings!! Any help? It is for my early smear M40A1 turn-in stock build. The MST's were way out of my current budget so I went with the Redfield which is semi accurate for this build.... </div></div>
Sending PM about rings...
 
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