Gunsmithing M40a1

[garrett4]

I have a questions are the #7contour barrel the same as an m40/m24 barrel? Thinking about building a m40a1 style rifle but I don’t like the Sondero light varmit barrel.

 

[RTH1800]

Just go with M40 contour. It’s a known quantity.

 

[smoothy8500]

Shilen #7 is almost identical to M40.

 

[kft101]

You could confirm with McMillan, as they should have the specs on hand, but I believe the exact details of an M40A1/A3 (if you just say M40 barrel, some might think you're referring to the original Vietnam era M40, which had a different contour) barrel is a Douglas #7 with a 4" cylinder. Not sure if the number nomenclature is the same between manufacturers.

 

[pmclaine]

Schneider barrels made the contract barrels and he still does.

M40 is Remington Varmint

M40A1 is much more robust than Rem Varmint.

 

[fender559]

Hello, when it comes to barrels how do you get it in black or does one coat the barrels these days?
Thanks

 

[kft101]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the Vietnam era M40s were parkerized. The M40A1s were black oxided.

 

[kft101]

ive seen mixed info....

Preview - M40A1 Renaissance

A Preview of C&H Precision Weapons' Classic Versions of the Marine M40A1 and M40A5

www.recoilweb.com

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/50/1566/excellent-scarce-remington-model-m40a1-marine-corps-sniper-rifle

looks like most sources are saying BO.....i dont know if some of the early M40a1s were Parked, or if the auction house is just mistaken.....

The early M40A1s that were built off Vietnam era M40 barreled actions probably just kept the original parkerized finish. Notice the green anodized Redfield scope and 40X base serialized to the action in the Rock Island auction. That leads me to believe the barreled action originally came off an M40. There are a few photos floating around of the same setup (early smear HTG stock with Redfield scope), and I think they were all either early production or test M40A1s, before the Unertls became standard.

So you could have a parkerized finish, but that would be more “correct” for early builds vice the standard issue M40A1 as it was during most of its life span, which had a black oxide finish.

But this is just nitpicking. Unless you had one of the rare shooting team or other “turn in” rifle, it’ll just be a clone or inspired build. Most folks wouldn’t even notice the difference between black oxide or flat black cerakote.

 

[fender559]

Thank all for their help on my questions…

 

[pmclaine]

M40s have a carbon steel barrel they were parkerized.

A1s have a stainless steel barrel they were black oxide.