M40a1 Sniper Views
During the Vietnam War, the Marine Corps decided they needed a standard sniper rifle.[2] After testing several possibilities, they ordered 700 Remington Model 40x rifles (target/varmint version of the Model 700 bolt-action rifle), and gave them the M40 designation.[2] Most had a Redfield 3–9 power Accurange variable scope mounted. With time, certain weaknesses, primarily warping of the all-wood stock, became apparent.[2] Sometime in the early 1970s, the USMC armorers at MCB Quantico began rebuilding the original M40s into M40A1s.[2] The process involved, among other improvements, replacing the original wood stocks with McMillan A1 fiberglass stocks, as well as replacing the original Redfield scopes with Unertl scopes.[2] The M40 was originally designed by Jack Cuddy and Neill Goddard.[2] The stock featured Wichita sling swivels and a Pachmayr buttpad.[2]
The M40A1 sniper rifle was used by the United States Marine Corps and was the first notable large scale production of any sniper rifle platform by any branch of the US armed forces. The rifle began to take shape in late 1965 with a purchase order to Remington Arms Company for some sniper rifles. These original rifles were based on the best target bolt action rifle available from Remington at that time
As with all things mechanical, the rifles began to wear out. Instead of asking Remington to make up some new rifles, the armorers at the Marine Corps Marksmanship Training Unit (MTU) at Quantico, Virginia decided to make their own version of a sniper rifle. The M40A1 was created out of a desire to make sure that Marines had the most accurate rifle that could be made. Also, the improvements to the M40A1 over the M40 were due, in no small part, to the commentary by the Marines that used them. Through constant feedback and a great deal of accuracy testing (something taken nearly for granted today) by the armorers, the M40A1 was put into full production.
As the old M40 rifles made their way back into the armory, snipers were then issued the new M40A1. This began in 1970 and the M40A1 was the sniper rifle issued by the USMC for the rest of the Vietnam war. One of the most famous USMC snipers of the time (and one of the most famous snipers in world history), Carlos Hathcock, did not use this gun. He opted for a Winchester rifle instead. I don't think this is an indicator of the Remington's quality; rather, when you are one of the best, you get to use what you like and with which you are comfortable.
M40a1 Sniper Images
