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M40 Build Guide

DVTactical said:
Does anyone here have an actual original picture of the clip slotting on the M40 (NOT THE M40A1 or A3) ??
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Several pictures in Senich's book as well.

Looking at those pics it really does seem to me that Remington altered their specs on the thumb relief in the rear bridge. The Senich's book shows most of those cuts as being more rounded than compared to current 40X rifles. I wish I would have taken a pic of an old 40XC I used to have but there really was a noticeable difference.
 
if anyone is interested, I've done a number of re anodizing on Redfields for myself and a number of people. I'm playing around with different colors. The simplest approach is doing them in OD Green, but I've used Gold/OD mixes too to try and get the right patina. I am going to experiment a bit with brown and brass colored dyes.
If anyone is interested, I would love to consider trading my services. I'm now looking to do an M40 build, ground up. Looking at the Brownell stripped receivers..

Some examples of my ano jobs. I also completely dissasemble the scopes, clean, AND PURGE with a nitrogen purging system I built myself.
[

The following is all MY WORK.






TOO SHINY... BACK INTO THE ANO TANK

\


CUSTOMER BEAD BLAST VERSION










Gerry Rigged from spare parts.....;)
 
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What he does is cool

I just wish he would have answered my PM on the forum where he has one of these posted for sale. It's too late now to purchase it because I found something else.
 
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What is the value of an Accurange Redfield in black? I found one in a lgs with a 70's, Model 70 Winchester bolted to it, whole package $399.
 
I am thinking about building one of these rifles. In this topic it was stated that the receiver and barrel are parkerized green. The same thing is stated in the book The One Round War. So why do all the pics of them they look black?
 
Anybody make a repro old-style flat safety that works like the new safety (allows bolt to open in 'safe' position)?
 
Scoop said:
Anybody make a repro old-style flat safety that works like the new safety (allows bolt to open in 'safe' position)?
Click to expand...

Simple fix if you find an old style safety is to just remove the tab that locks into the bolt body. Two seconds with a dremel and then a couple minutes with a file and paper to smooth it back out and look pretty.
 
afsp said:
Simple fix if you find an old style safety is to just remove the tab that locks into the bolt body. Two seconds with a dremel and then a couple minutes with a file and paper to smooth it back out and look pretty.
Click to expand...

Thanks afsp. Been reading more about the old-style safeties and was thinking that would be possible. Scouring the online world for one now.
 
para1505 said:
I am thinking about building one of these rifles. In this topic it was stated that the receiver and barrel are parkerized green. The same thing is stated in the book The One Round War. So why do all the pics of them they look black?
Click to expand...

Parkerizing on the original M40 has a greenish tint to it. That's why they say 'green'.
 
Scoop said:
Anybody make a repro old-style flat safety that works like the new safety (allows bolt to open in 'safe' position)?
Click to expand...

If originality is of no concern, you can grind the safety thumb lever flat. 5 minutes on a belt sander, or grinder. Modern safety with vintage look.
 
tokiwartooth said:
if anyone is interested, I've done a number of re anodizing on Redfields for myself and a number of people. I'm playing around with different colors. The simplest approach is doing them in OD Green, but I've used Gold/OD mixes too to try and get the right patina. I am going to experiment a bit with brown and brass colored dyes.
If anyone is interested, I would love to consider trading my services. I'm now looking to do an M40 build, ground up. Looking at the Brownell stripped receivers..

Some examples of my ano jobs. I also completely dissasemble the scopes, clean, AND PURGE with a nitrogen purging system I built myself.

The following is all MY WORK.
Click to expand...

I must say that I am impressed. I know of only one company that does Redfields, the turn-around time is very long, and their interest in doing it seems low....

Did you do 2nd gen Redfields as well? These are satin black. Not sure if they are anodized satin black, or just roughly finish...
 
MescaBug said:
Parkerizing on the original M40 has a greenish tint to it. That's why they say 'green'.
Click to expand...

Planning on coating mine with Norrell's Moly Resin in their Grayish-Black Flat (a good match for the early Colt SP1's) color. According to them, you can cure it a little longer and at a little higher temperature while occasionally opening the oven door and it will end up with that greenish tint. I have used it several times on "retro" AR's and my Vietnam era Savage 77E clone. Easy to apply and a great looking finish. Just found out about the special curing instructions for getting that green tint. Can't wait to try it.
 
Yeah, just finished my own 2nd gen, satin black version. Used a scotchbrite on the metal to get that satin look then another dunk in the lye. I actually converted the reticle in this one, and harvested the tombstone from a 4x12, and checked ranging to my gen 1.

Looks a little shinier here than it actually is, right out of the sealing bath.



This is how the black ano looks if I just beadblast. Now, I don't have an original gen 2, so what do you think looks closer? I was thinking about bead blasting THEN doing the scotch brite to give it that scratched surface look I notice in pictures of originals.

 
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Looking good. I gave my first gen Redfield a distressed look by painting it and then knocking the paint off. It was a black gloss finish to start with. Man, they put a durable finish on those old scopes. I used a gold laquer stick to fill the stamping back in. I'm back in town so I will get those part scopes out to you soon.
 
Anodizing is impossible to get off unless you use lye, and then it "melts" right off without harming the metal. The only caveat is you need to take the scope apart. :)

If you tape up the lenses, giving it a bead blast may dull it up a bit to give it a gen 2 look. I will give it try see what my results are like.
 
tokiwartooth said:
Anodizing is impossible to get off unless you use lye, and then it "melts" right off without harming the metal. The only caveat is you need to take the scope apart. :)

If you tape up the lenses, giving it a bead blast may dull it up a bit to give it a gen 2 look. I will give it try see what my results are like.
Click to expand...

What is the different between 1st gen and 2nd gen. I just call mine 1st gen only because it is from the mid 60s.
 
1st gen is "redfield 3x9 1" tube" marked scopes with removable objective bell, flat turret caps, done in OD Green
gen 2 are Redfield 3x9 marked tubes, I piece unit, italics "Redfield" on eyepiece done in satin black. The Gen 2s are exactly the same scope used for AR TELs.
Few variations in between.
 
Okay, mine is "redfield 3x9 1" tube" with the little handle for magnification adjustment. One of the part scopes is one of these as well but without the little handle (I don't know what else to call it). Both have fine cross hair reticle but no tombstone.
 
Great work sir, I have ab original Green Redfield, although apparently over time someone had lost the caps....Hey wartooth what's the chance in possibly getting you to ano some turret caps for me? Thanks regardlesss sir
 
Here is someone's Widefield I just finished in OD Green

DF5109D8-114A-4401-BD9C-A957B1276948-4636-000007F52A90484B_zps51da9233.jpg


8A9A6981-5CA4-4583-933B-B93FCF7CDF7A-4636-000007F69447C0C0_zpsbc44082a.jpg


85EC9205-74AC-479C-B174-752EC64662EC-4636-000007F6954249E2_zpsdacba1fd.jpg
 
I have a few of those. The eyepiece is a bit narrower, but they are pretty much the same scope.
Top 1 is a gen 1, middle is a gen 1 scope with a narrow eyepiece no zoom bar
Bottom is a gen 2, hence why I did it satin black. Middle one is actually a dark OD Green. I use the same exact finishing process and dye on the Widefield, but notice how its a little greener and shinier. It's differences in the actual aluminum alloys they used in making the scopes. The turret caps always seem to be real low grade material as they smut up, while the tubes, eyepiece and turret housing are very high quality metal.

62112420-3A2C-46F5-B007-406DF3A5CB69-4636-000007F97922E345_zps24a7e885.jpg

418121BC-8515-4C38-BF90-D5E8A5EB686B-4636-000007F97824D39A_zpscb355fc4.jpg
 
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I love that purging machine. I know nitrogen is not cheap. Does it have to be nitrogen. Seems like there should be some cheaper alternative. What is in those cans of compressed air for cleaning out keyboards?
 
Update on my build.
Had a forum member cut back my bolt shroud. Came out great.
Scored a vintage Redfield mount (squared corners and Redfield stamp) and vintage 4 screw slot head rings for about $100 combined on EBay.
Got trigger guard, plate, and the rest on EBay for about $35
Got correct aluminum buttplate on EBay for $19.

Ordered a bedding block from Midway, and waiting on my Silverhill stock. May email Rob and see if he can toss a pair of swivel slings in that order.
Mounted the base and rings on the receiver last night, lined and lapped the rings, test mounted my green/gold Gen1.
Gonna put it all together and shoot it. I'm building off a Dicks Sporting 700 ADL Varmint.
One thing: I cannot find any info on that Varmint barrel and what the twist rate is on those Dicks specials. It's about an 1" too long, but I want to shoot it first.
If I find out its a 1:14 twist rate, I'll probably rebarrel it, send it out for blueprinting and clip slotting. If I get sub MOA out if it as is, I may just leave it alone.

Post some pics tonight.
 
Glad to see its coming together!

The Dicks specials (Varmint) are SPS Varmint barrels, so 1:12 in .308. The M40 was 1:10.

Just stick to 175gr pills and you're good.
 
MescaBug said:
Glad to see its coming together!

The Dicks specials (Varmint) are SPS Varmint barrels, so 1:12 in .308. The M40 was 1:10.

Just stick to 175gr pills and you're good.
Click to expand...

Got over 1000 175SMK and about 500 168s.. Anyone have a pet load using IMR4895, RL15? Can I use a M118LR clone load?
 
Thats what I use, good old 4895 and SMK 175gr. Same as the M118LR.

Federal Match primers, Lapua and Lake City brass. Start low at 40gr, and work your way to 42gr MAX, see what your rifle likes. I use 41.3, very consistent load up to 600yards, which is the length of the range I go to. Same recipe for the 168 grainers.
 
Went on ebay looking for scopes for a M40 and damn. I think I would be better off getting the commemorative scope Redfield has for sale. What are your opionions on them?
 
para1505 said:
Went on ebay looking for scopes for a M40 and damn. I think I would be better off getting the commemorative scope Redfield has for sale. What are your opionions on them?
Click to expand...

Keep looking. The Accu-Range models are pricey (250-500$). A lot of people bids on them. But keep an eye on the standard reticle models. Do you really need an Accu-Range? Or course it depends on how correct you want your M40 to be. Even if you are ready to spend 2000$ on a correct 1st gen green Redfield, your M40 WONT BE THE REAL THING ANYWAY.

I scored a duplex reticle Redfield for 130$. Its in perfect shape. It just need the green anodizing. Nobody knows its not an Accu-Range. Why should I care.

The new commemorative scopes dont even look the same... The color is wrong, the shape is wrong... In my honest opinion, I would use a real vintage Redfield in gloss black instead of a new 'green' scope that looks bad.

Celtic Rifles and member Tokiwartooth found a way to anodize the Redfields. A lot harder to spot its fake.. The commemorative screams fake. I mean, if individuals can anodize them correctly, why in hell a corporate business with R&D cant even make it look correct...?
 
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MescaBug said:
Keep looking. The Accu-Range models are pricey (250-500$). A lot of people bids on them. But keep an eye on the standard reticle models. Do you really need an Accu-Range? Or course it depends on how correct you want your M40 to be. Even if you are ready to spend 2000$ on a correct 1st gen green Redfield, your M40 WONT BE THE REAL THING ANYWAY.

I scored a duplex reticle Redfield for 130$. Its in perfect shape. It just need the green anodizing. Nobody knows its not an Accu-Range. Why should I care.

The new commemorative scopes dont even look the same... The color is wrong, the shape is wrong... In my honest opinion, I would use a real vintage Redfield in gloss black instead of a new 'green' scope that looks bad.

Celtic Rifles and member Tokiwartooth found a way to anodize the Redfields. A lot harder to spot its fake.. The commemorative screams fake. I mean, if individuals can anodize them correctly, why in hell a corporate business with R&D cant even make it look correct...?
Click to expand...
Because of lack of demand. There is just not a big enough market for them. I said the same thing about the AR TEL. Easy to repro, given I had a few parts. I get alot of emails "Can you anodize my scope?" I tell them how much, and never hear back. And mind you, I'm doing it $100 less than the other guy as I'm not making a business out of this, just covering cost. I've spend over $1000 on equipment, chemicals, experimenting.
I literally takes me about 5 hours from start to finish, and I have to monitor temperature in the electrolyte tank. I can get through the whole process, seal and then notice a flaw... Back to the beginning. And then grease/glue, clean lenses, purge and test. It's quite an affair.
 
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Looking forward to some pics on the Dick's special M40! I think you are on to something here!

As for old Redfield scopes. It is worth it because after all you are looking for vintage style shooting. I have the Leupold/Redfield one and it is just a Rifleman model for the M40 SSA. I also have the Badger retro mounts. I wished I had been patient like toki because he got actual redfield mounts at a fantastic price. BTW, the M40 SSA is a 1:12 barrel.
 
Culpeper said:
Looking forward to some pics on the Dick's special M40! I think you are on to something here!

As for old Redfield scopes. It is worth it because after all you are looking for vintage style shooting. I have the Leupold/Redfield one and it is just a Rifleman model for the M40 SSA. I also have the Badger retro mounts. I wished I had been patient like toki because he got actual redfield mounts at a fantastic price. BTW, the M40 SSA is a 1:12 barrel.
Click to expand...

Some pics...
Gotta few options on the Accurange...
Was thinking about milling the 722 mount back to mimic the 40x.
null_zpsba70835b.jpg

null_zpsa2e800ae.jpg



null_zpsf42fb0aa.jpg
 
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Bedding block..
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Out of pocket so far
1. Action/barrel/bolt/trigger $400
2. Scope $169 + labor to ano
3. Base/rings $110
4. Butt plate $25
5. Barrel shroud work $25
6. Stock (if it ever comes...) $187
7. Swivels $30
8. Trigger guard assembly $65
Already have a bunch of slings from my m14s and Garand collection
May teach myself how to parkerize and do the base and rings.
 
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One other thing.... I made a "bolt tool" out of a .30 Carbine casing. Drilled out the primer pocket, cut it back. It you stick it on the front of the firing pin, and insert it into the bolt body, you have a disassembly tool.
 
Just curious. Why did you have the bolt shroud cut back and how much was needed to be cut?
 
Oh, it never occurred to me that the bolt shroud is too long on the newer 700. Now I know why another 700 of mine looks different when chambered.
 
Culpeper said:
Oh, it never occurred to me that the bolt shroud is too long on the newer 700. Now I know why another 700 of mine looks different when chambered.
Click to expand...

Remington changed the design to a long shroud because of an Australian law/accident in which the weapon fired when the exposed part of the bolt was hit from 'behind'. I think the change occured in mid 70's... not sure..

I wouldnt cut a J-Lock equipped Rem 700 though...
 
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Glad to see this forum 'up' again. Personally, I took MescaBug's advice and picked-up an original Gen.II Accu-Range and stayed away from the new 'offerings.' I do like what I'm seeing with these scope finishes. It takes a considerable 'passion,' to pursue that level of work. If anyone is interested in a 'as-new' Silver Hill M40 stock, contact me. My project is on-hold for awhile.

Q. Is any action/stock bedding going to be allowed in M40's being used in the Vintage Sniper competition at Quantico?
 
Bolt_Trash said:
Glad to see this forum 'up' again. Personally, I took MescaBug's advice and picked-up an original Gen.II Accu-Range and stayed away from the new 'offerings.' I do like what I'm seeing with these scope finishes. It takes a considerable 'passion,' to pursue that level of work. If anyone is interested in a 'as-new' Silver Hill M40 stock, contact me. My project is on-hold for awhile.

Q. Is any action/stock bedding going to be allowed in M40's being used in the Vintage Sniper competition at Quantico?
Click to expand...


Send me a PM about your stock, I've been looking one.
 
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