M40 rifle

M40
M40
	The M40 sniper rifle
Type	Sniper rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1966–present
Used by	United States
Wars	Vietnam War; Lebanese Civil War; Invasion of Grenada; Gulf War; War in Afghanistan; Iraq War
Production history
Designer	Remington Arms
Designed	1966
Produced	1966–present
Variants	M40A1; M40A3; M40A5
Specifications
Mass	M40A1: 6.57 kg (14.48 lb); M40A3: 7.5 kg (16.5 lb)
Length	M40A1: 1,117 mm (43.97 in); M40A3: 1,124 mm (44.25 in)
Barrel length	635 mm (25 in) (1:12 right hand twist); M40A1: Hart (6 lands and grooves); M40A3: Schneider Match Grade SS No. 7 (6 lands and grooves)
Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO
Action	Bolt action
Muzzle velocity	777 m/s (2,550 ft/s) (w/175 gr. M118LR)
Effective firing range	800 meters
Feed system	5-round integral box magazine (M40, M40A1, M40A3); 10-round removable box magazine (M40A5)
Sights	Scout Sniper Day Scope (SSDS)—Schmidt and Bender PM II 3–12×50.

The M40 rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle used by the United States Marine Corps.^[1] It has had four variants: the M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5.^[2] The M40 was introduced in 1966. The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s, and the A5 in 2009. ^[3]

Each M40 is built from a Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle, and is modified by USMC armorers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, using components from a number of suppliers.^[1] New M40A5s are being built, and A1s are upgraded to A3s and A5s as they rotate into the armory for service and repair. The rifles have had many sub-variations in telescopic sights, and smaller user modifications. The M40A5 incorporates a detachable magazine and a threaded barrel to allow for the use of a sound suppressor or another muzzle device.

The original M40 was a military type-classified version of the Remington 700; it was factory-made, and had a one-piece wooden stock.^[1] The M40A1 and A3 switched to fiberglass stocks made by McMillan, with new scopes.^[1]^[4] The trigger pull on both models (M40A1/A3) is 3 to 5 lb (1.4–2.3 kg).^[1]

The Marine Corps plans to replace the M40 with the Mk 13 Mod 7.^[5]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Senich, Peter R. (1988). Complete Book of U.S. Sniping. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-58160-610-2.
^ Keene, R.R. (April 2009). "Precision Weapons Handmade by Marines, for Marines". Leatherneck Magazine: 37. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2009.^{[dead link]}
^ "M40A1 Sniper Rifle". USMC Fact File. U.S. Marine corps. Archived from the original on 25 February 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
^ "M40A3 Sniper Rifle". M40A3. United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper Association. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
^ Snow, Shawn (2 April 2018). "Marine snipers are getting new Mk 13 rifles". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2022.

[Senich88-1] Senich, Peter R. (1988). Complete Book of U.S. Sniping. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-58160-610-2.

[LN-2] Keene, R.R. (April 2009). "Precision Weapons Handmade by Marines, for Marines". Leatherneck Magazine: 37. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2009.^{[dead link]}

[M40A1-3] "M40A1 Sniper Rifle". USMC Fact File. U.S. Marine corps. Archived from the original on 25 February 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2009.

[USMCSSA-4] "M40A3 Sniper Rifle". M40A3. United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper Association. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2009.

[marinecorpstimes2april18-5] Snow, Shawn (2 April 2018). "Marine snipers are getting new Mk 13 rifles". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2022.

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