M-40A1

Manufaturer: Specially trained armourers at Quantico, VA.

Operation: Bolt action

Length: 44 in (111.76 cm)

Barrel Length: 24 in (60.96 cm)

Weight: 14.5 lb (6.58 kg) with scope

Caliber: 7.62 mm (.308 in)

Magazine Capacity: 5 round internal magazine

Range: 1,000 yds (914 m)

Muzzle Velocity: 2,550 ft (777 m) per second

Scope: 10 power Unertl sniper scope

Cost: $2,105.00

The M40A1 has to be the pioneer of the modern sniper rifle. The USMC has always had a leg up on the US Army when it comes to sniping (Remember, I am US Army, so it takes a lot to say this!) and the USMC realized that they needed a standard sniper rifle that could perform the job up to standard. After testing and reviews the USMC placed the initial order for 700 Remington 700/M40 sniper rifles in 1966. 550 of those had the redfield 3-9x accurange scope mounted. As time progressed, the weaknesses of the factory M700/40x rifles began to show. The all wood stocks were very prone to shifting in changes in the weather and other weaknesses were noted. So a process began to upgrade the M40 rifles. There is no "official" date (at least that I can tell) when the M40 was replaced by the M40A1, but the process happened in the early 70's. The wood stocks were replaced by McMillan fiberglass stocks, which are know for their ruggedness. The entire system is built by USMC armorers at Quantico, VA. The redfield 3-9x scopes were eventually replaced by a specially designed scope built by Unertl to USMC specifications.