CMP releasing M40s?

[Father Knows Best]

I just read an article in a gun rag about Remington releasing a commemorative model 700 that is a replica of the Vietnam-era M40 sniper rifle. It got me thinking, which is always a bad thing. CMP has had 03 and 03A3 Springfields for some time now, not to mention M1 Garands and M1 carbines (long gone). I know the M14 and M16 will never be available through CMP because of the selective fire capability. What about post-WWII bolt actions like the M40? Have they ever been available? Do you think they ever will be?

 

[Lone_Gunman]

There were some Winchester Model 70's available recently.

 

[Father Knows Best]

AAAARRRRRGH! Model 70's? Really? I missed them!?!? :banghead:

 

[ocabj]

You'll never see M40A1 rifles surplus'ed because the Marine Corps reuses the actions for the M40A3.

Dick Davis of McMillan stocks posted on Snipers Hide that they are selling some M40A1 stocks that were returned to them by the Marine Corps for credits towards A4 stocks (which is what is used on the M40A3). I'm guessing that they're already sold out.

 

[ChestyP]

The M40s are made

in such small numbers, and as noted are generally rebuilt. It is unlikely you will ever see them on the surplus market, CMP or otherwise.

In the late 1980s, Remington marketed the Model 700 Police, which was very close to the original wood-stocked Vietnam-era M40. The stock had a tung oil finish, and the metal was parkerized. (Another one I should have kept.)

DoD had a ton of pre-64 (both pre- and post-war) Model 70s, all in /06. The Marine Corps had several for match shooting (I had two issued to me when I shot with a field rifle team -- one iron-sighted and one scoped). Most were pre-wars with the clip slots, Marksman stocks and heavy barrels. DoD (all services?) also had a few thousand post-war sporters for special services (recreational) use. When I was stationed in east Africa in the 60s my embassy guard detachment had one, and we had another checked out from the MAAG (Military Assistance Advisory Group) (they had at least a dozen). We also had a handful when I was stationed in Alaska.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

AAAARRRRRGH! Model 70's? Really? I missed them!?!?

CMP has a emailing list where they let you know when they have something new and/or in limited supply. They were auctioning the Model 70 with DoD markings a few months back.

 

[MrTwigg]

No M-40's but

they did just get some nice Enfield's in.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I would imagine if any large number of these came in to the CMP the price would be astronomic.

 

[ChestyP]

Actually there's nothing

really unique about the rifle. It's the 10x Unertl scope that's impossible to reproduce! It was never offered on the civilian market. I understand they're using a new scope now. When I retired 14 years ago it was still the Unertl.

 

[No_Brakes23]

You'll never see M40A1 rifles surplus'ed because the Marine Corps reuses the actions for the M40A3.

The Marine Sniper I talked to in '98 said his action was Vietnam era. He had the Unertl scope as well.

 

[226]

From the 6/30/06 CMP news update.

WINCHESTER MODEL 70 30/06 Cal. ON CMP AUCTION: For the next two - three months CMP will be listing some Pre 1964 Model 70 rifles on our auction site. Please see http://auction.odcmp.com.

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