I'm a 9/11 era scout sniper who used the m40a1, got out in 2002... My inquires were based on my own personal interest in having possession of something very dear to me. Having said that, I am indeed interested in the opinion of an actual 2112, retired or not, on what the suggestion would be on how to go about acquiring an A1... Having someone outside of quantico build it or have quantico build it...what would bring me closure on this pursuit? Consider that fact before providing your honest opinion... And any 2112 knows what that relationship between a scout sniper and his rifle is like so I'm looking for that same feeling when I open the pelican case to it...I wouldn't mind getting an A5, but first things first... My M40A1.
I hear you on all fronts bro, and I felt the exact same way when I was after mine. I have a GAP/Reid built M40A1 with a USO MST-100, purchased second hand here on the Hide last year. It is exactly what I was looking for - my old friend back in my hands. I don't care that it has a USO scope or a G series receiver, because it has the same feel when I get into position and the same view of the reticle I've burned into my retina over countless days of watching shitheads.
I believe so long as it's built by a 2112, current or retired, it will have that PWS/RTE touch a M40A1 requires. There's a certain something about it being built in the PWS shop though, a bit of an aura comes from that building. The very same tools, dies and punches to make the markings we all cherish on our rifles does have an impact on the perception of the rifle. My other thought is helping out a current AD Marine put food on the table and keep a better roof over his family's head. To me that is always a very important aspect because I remember those days all too well...
I would not hesitate from having another built by GAP or other builders though, provided it's being built by a 2112. That much I'm adamant on. I was fortunate enough to come across a Reid build, but I would be equally as happy with a Hall build from GAP. There's some other '12s out there plying their trade that I would not hesitate to have build me one, but I would first research what they're turning out now and what timelines they are keeping, along with ensuring they can keep it to what I carried.
If it were me doing another but this time from scratch, I would be hitting up the guys in Quantico. Just because, well, it's Quantico.
S/F Brother. "Compromise is Failure"