M40A1 or M40A3 or M40A5
- Thread starter ChanceDoane
- Start date
Out of those 2 choices, I’d go A1. It’s the OG. To me, the A3 is a bit like a gender confused idiot in Berkeley, with the variations of scopes and bottom metal.
Now, if you included the A5, I would choose that then A1.
Now, if you included the A5, I would choose that then A1.
I did three flavors, but it took over 4 years, a bit of luck on the A1 parts, and lots of $ along the way.
For ergonomics and actually shooting at distance, the A5 is the hands-down winner. I skipped the A3 as I found a A5 replica already built, but I like A3s.
For those that have patience to find a real M40A1 "return stock", an A1 replica is a true USMC classic, but it requires luck (& $) to find a return stock.
For those that like wood stocks and have limited budgets, the original M40 with a repo scope is a fun build. Its light and you feel much more of the recoil.
Good luck with whatever you do.
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The McM A4 is significantly more ergonomic to me than the HTG. I've had several A4s on various builds in the past, and really liked them.
Still, if I had the coin I'd build an M40A1 in a heartbeat.
I did what a 'poor' could do...I went with an FN SPR A2 as kind of a clone-ish knock off on the M40A3. It is nothing like the original, but dare I say that the rifle itself is probably just as bombproof...if not even a little more. With a (nowhere near as good) Burris XTR II, I'm all in at about $2,400 spent, which is a fraction of what the real deal will set you back. Paper targets can't tell the difference either.
Still, if I had the coin I'd build an M40A1 in a heartbeat.
I did what a 'poor' could do...I went with an FN SPR A2 as kind of a clone-ish knock off on the M40A3. It is nothing like the original, but dare I say that the rifle itself is probably just as bombproof...if not even a little more. With a (nowhere near as good) Burris XTR II, I'm all in at about $2,400 spent, which is a fraction of what the real deal will set you back. Paper targets can't tell the difference either.
The A5 is probably the most well rounded out of the m40-m40a6 line. Overall package i think the (get ready for unpopular opinion) A6 takes the cake but no great place to put your thumb is irking me.
In the process of building the m40 through A6 line minus the A3 (no sense if you have an A1 and A5) and have various parts to complete all. Snuck in the Darpa XM-3 also and it will be one hell of a series to own.
Its an addiction
In the process of building the m40 through A6 line minus the A3 (no sense if you have an A1 and A5) and have various parts to complete all. Snuck in the Darpa XM-3 also and it will be one hell of a series to own.
Its an addiction
M40A1 is almost complete, I think I will head towards the M40 build in the near future.
I have the action, just have to find the rest...
I have the action, just have to find the rest...
I have or had a M40, m40A1 clone, m40 A5 clone.
The A1 with smear pattern stock was hands down my favorite. Only firearm I can recall that I regret selling. I made some amazing shots on running game at long range with it.
A5 was a pig.
M40 is nice but not up to A1 for shootability.
The A1 with smear pattern stock was hands down my favorite. Only firearm I can recall that I regret selling. I made some amazing shots on running game at long range with it.
A5 was a pig.
M40 is nice but not up to A1 for shootability.
The A1. Selling mine was my only regret in life. But hopefully today is the day, I get the call from my FFL and I can go pick up my baby and that regret will be forgotten about!
My favorite is the M40a1. Been trying to get pieces for one when I can but it has a been a very slow endeavor but one if these days I'll have one. It is by far my favorite out for the m40 series of rifles.
Its not a return stock, haven't been lucky enough to get my hands on one yet... but its my favorite rifle.
40X .22lr built to M40A1 specs:
Oh man that rifle is a thing g of beauty
Out of all the M40 series of rifles the A1 is by far my favorite... I can tell because it goes to the range way more than the rest of them.
Build the A1 first ChanceDoane ; )
DW
Build the A1 first ChanceDoane ; )
DW
And just like that thre cost of A1 parts just rose 10%.....
This guy tricked us... he must have a horde of a1 parts lying around.
This guy tricked us... he must have a horde of a1 parts lying around.
Ive always liked the M40A1. I have two varmint rifles in HTG stocks that are similar looking and feeling. I really like the stocks.
If you all like the A1 so much you should build a XM-3 keeps the essence with a bit of user friendly tech. Suppressor ready and normal scope. Very fun rifle
I favor the M40A1. As a young Marine training at the Weapons Training Battalion-Quantico, VA , a 8541 instructor brought out the M40A1 for us to look at and handle.
I love it and always wanted it. One nice rifle.
I love it and always wanted it. One nice rifle.
If I was in your shoes and had both HTG and A4 stocks coming to build either, the one that gets built first is the one I get the proper parts for first while looking for both. Each requires specific parts not easily obtainable. Besides the stocks, do you have anything else?
And if you decide an A3, then what era? Different eras require some different parts.
And if you decide an A3, then what era? Different eras require some different parts.
I have Remington 700 Short actions with 6 digit and E and G serial numbers.
Marty, the owner of Badger Ordnance posted the attached pics a few years ago on the m40 forum, and I thought it might fit on this thread. I think a smear stock is needed for his early A1 with green Redfield, but otherwise his collection is most impressive. I don't have the means to do this, but I do like these pictures.
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I like them all. I’ve got a late model A3 not pictured also with pgw/ddross which is prolly my favorite but I haven’t gotten a scope for it yet.
I like the early A3 after the A1. Once they went to the dbm, I kinda lost it after that.
I fell in love with the "USMC Sniper Rifle" after watching Sniper with Tom Berenger in theaters as a kid. Wanted one ever since. Found a "clone" build and snapped it up even though it was pricey ($5000 CDN) which included the MST-100 (these scopes go for about $3500-$4000 on their own).
That being said, I wouldn't mind having an A3. They are even more expensive though, about $5000 for the rifle without an optic. But the ergonomics of the stock is better for the longer range shooting I find.
All in all though, the A1 is a rifle that everyone knows. They see it and know it's the "USMC Sniper Rifle".
That being said, I wouldn't mind having an A3. They are even more expensive though, about $5000 for the rifle without an optic. But the ergonomics of the stock is better for the longer range shooting I find.
All in all though, the A1 is a rifle that everyone knows. They see it and know it's the "USMC Sniper Rifle".
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It's the Blackhawk Long Gun Drag Bag! Picked it up used from a kid getting out of airsoft for about 1/4 of it's original price.
I bought it originally for my Tikka Mcmillan but decided to keep it for the A1... seemed to just suit it.
Buy Long Gun Sniper Drag Bag And More | Blackhawk
Shopping for the Long Gun Sniper Drag Bag? Learn more about the latest Clearance and more at Blackhawk.
blackhawk.com
It's the Blackhawk Long Gun Drag Bag! Picked it up used from a kid getting out of airsoft for about 1/4 of it's original price.
I bought it originally for my Tikka Mcmillan but decided to keep it for the A1... seemed to just suit it.
Buy Long Gun Sniper Drag Bag And More | Blackhawk
Shopping for the Long Gun Sniper Drag Bag? Learn more about the latest Clearance and more at Blackhawk.
Yea.. that looks like a perfect fit. Thats why I asked. I need one for mine. Thanks
The more photos I see of the original patterns makes me want to pull the paint off and reveal whats underneath... but then I don't... but I do.. but I don't...
I had a chance at buying a return stock M40A1 clone build for $2000 CDN ($1440 USD). Missed out on it and still kick myself.
If you choose to do an M40A1 build, I recommend that you start by hunting down the four key ingredients seen in the 1st pic (barrel, mount, scope, and stock).
After key parts are collected, then find an inexpensive C-prefix M700 hunting rifle - see 2nd pic (an E-prefix works too, and 6-digit of course - but that will require patience). Then you decide on your builder, and get your complete parts set in the que...and patiently wait for the metamorphosis to transpire...
Third pic shows the final build w/ some accessories, which took a while, but my advice is to get the 4 key ingredients first, and then go from there. My 2cts.
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