M40
Summary
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Sniper rifle |
| Manufacturer | Remington |
Technical specifications
| M40 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | Single shot rounds/min. |
| Caliber | .308 Winchester |
| Magazine | 5 rounds |
| Length | 1117 mm (44.0 in) |
| Weight | 4.08 kg (9.0 lb) |
| Range | 800 m (2625 ft) |
Description
During the Vietnam War, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) sought a standard sniper rifle. After testing, they ordered 700 Remington Model 40x rifles, designating them M40. Introduced in 1966, the original M40 was a military-type classified version of the Remington 700 with a one-piece wooden stock. Weaknesses, such as stock warping, became apparent. Starting in the early 1970s, USMC armorers at MCB Quantico began rebuilding M40s into M40A1s. In 2004, a search for a replacement began; however, the USMC decided to continue upgrading the M40A-series and retain the 7.62 NATO round due to cost and training considerations. In April 2018, the USMC announced that the M40 would be replaced by the Mk 13 Mod 7, chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum, to increase the range from 1,000 to 1,300 meters.
The M40 rifle is a bolt-action system built from a Remington Model 700 action, modified by USMC armorers using components from various suppliers. The original M40 had a wooden stock, while the M40A1 and M40A3 switched to fiberglass stocks by McMillan. The M40A1 and M40A3 feature a trigger pull of 3 to 5 lb. All M40 variants are based on the Remington 700 Short Action. Action trigger guards have varied, with later models using Badger Ordnance M5 detachable magazine systems. Barrel specifications also vary:
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the M40A1 used a 24-inch barrel
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the M40A3 uses a 25-inch Schneider match-grade heavy barrel
M40A3 stocks are McMillan A4 Tactical, fiberglass, glass bedded, with a floating barrel, adjustable length-of-pull, and cheekpiece. Bipods are Harris notched swivel type. The M40A3 employs the M8541 Scout Sniper Day Scope, while the M40A5 incorporates a threaded muzzle for a suppressor or other device, a Badger Ordnance detachable magazine system, and a forward rail mount for night vision optics.
The M40 series comprises four principal variants: M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5. The M40 was introduced in 1966, with the changeover to the M40A1 model completed in the 1970s. The M40A3 development concluded in 2001, and the M40A5 superseded the M40A3 in 2009. As M40A1s are serviced, they are upgraded to A3s and A5s, and new M40A5s are built. The M40 Modular Stock Program led to the M40A6, fielded in June 2016, with the resulting weapon planned to be designated M40A7 and fielded by 2017. The M40 series has seen many sub-variations in telescopic sights and smaller user modifications.
The M40 rifle has served with the USMC since its introduction and saw service in the Vietnam War. The M40A3 variant was placed into service during Operation Enduring Freedom and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and other subsequent conflicts. The Marine Corps plans to replace the M40 series with the Mk 13 Mod 7 rifle. During the Iraqi insurgency, M40A1 and M40A3 rifles were captured by insurgents; one captured M40A1 was later recovered.
The M40 series is used by the USMC. Other users include the Afghan National Army, which received USMC-issued M40A5s, PASKAL of the Royal Malaysian Navy, and the Philippine Marine Corps, which acquired M40A5s and converted Remington M700P rifles to M40A3 standard.