Can you guess what it is?

[Blackdog F4i]

I bet there are at least one or two of you who can guess what this is, and what it's significance and value is:

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh235/LoneWolfUSMC/return_1266.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh235/LoneWolfUSMC/return_1268.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh235/LoneWolfUSMC/return_1270.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh235/LoneWolfUSMC/return_1271.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh235/LoneWolfUSMC/return_1273.jpg

The Mailman left it on my doorstep yesterday. Since that time I has been caressed more times than I care to admit.

[FiremanMike]

You just got a new frame for one of your rifles, is that the old one?

[Sabre]

Is that a stock for an M40a1?

[Phreaxer]

a long cylindrical piece of fiberglass...

[Chit2001]

Tactical (issued/sniper) stock for the M40A1.

[farrellsm77]

I will venture a guess that is an ACTUAL M40 stock. You must be very proud!! :D

[Hop]

I'll be different. M24 stock from Vietnam era??:confused:

[sert115]

that would be a McMillan M40A-1 stock that I would presume would also have a letter of authentication that it was used by a US Marine Scout Sniper before replacement. Do I win a cookie:D good snag Dog.

[Sabre]

I was first. I should win the cookie.

[jwise]

I agree with the peanut gallery...

[Blackdog F4i]

Yep, it's a M40A1 "return" stock from an issued M40A1. It dosent have a certificate of authenticity but it IS an authentic stock.

And yes I am about as tickled as can be. This is the start of what will be my favorite rifle. I may be a bit biased, but I feel that the M40A1 is the best of the US Sniper Rifles.

This is what it will look like when it's done:

http://www.texasbrigadearmory.com/images/m40a1standard.jpg
http://www.texasbrigadearmory.com/m40a1.htm

[JTShooter]

That's awesome, congrats on finally getting it!

I agree, the M40A1 is probably the best military sniper rifle out there today.

[Blackdog F4i]

Too bad I have to start saving for the $2500 Unertl for it. I can't even afford to start the build until after I have the Scope. That is the one other part of the build that is no longer avaiable new. The Corps is sitting on a boatload of them, but last I heard they have not decided what to do with them.

[Sabre]

That's awesome, congrats on finally getting it!

I agree, the M40A1 is probably the best military sniper rifle out there today.

It's excellent for the application it was designed for. I believe that the M40 is often out of its element in modern urban environments, though.

Here is a thread on another forum by a Marine that used both the M40a3 and SR-25 in Iraq. He has a few good insights: http://longrangeinternational.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=128

[Chit2001]

I may be a bit biased, but I feel that the M40A1 is the best of the US Sniper Rifles.

That's because it is...

But....

It does come close....if not equal the [Carlos Hathcock's] White Feather M-25 (better-known as the M-14 or M1A).

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/springfield/SA9502.jpg

(I dare you to argue that) ;)
_________________________

I do believe that in this famous picture of Hathcock, he is posing with the M40A-1, though...

http://www.marinedevildog.com/mclinks/hathcock.jpg

[JTShooter]

It's excellent for the application it was designed for. I believe that the M40 is often out of its element in modern urban environments, though.

Here is a thread on another forum by a Marine that used both the M40a3 and SR-25 in Iraq. He has a few good insights: http://longrangeinternational.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=128

IMHO, It depends entirely on the shooter.

The SR-25 is nice, but hard to get a hold of.

[TooYoung]

uhhh... Carlos Hathcock....my IDOL!!!!!

[Blackdog F4i]

But....

It does come close....if not equal the [Carlos Hathcock's] White Feather M-25 (better-known as the M-14 or M1A).

Take the M-25, throw it off a 5-Ton. Drag it through the mud, submerge it through water, shake it out, then engage a 1000 yard target with it.

Tell me how you do.

I can tell you how the M40A1 will do.

I do agree that the M40A1 starts to have issues in close in multiple target engagements, but that is where pinpoint accuracy gives way to high ROF. Under 300 yards I would rather have a magazine fed semi-auto due to the fact that I can use it as a multi-role weapon. A Noveske Leonidas is still accurate enough for 300yard sniping, but work VERY well for building searches. When we entered an urban hide with the M40A1, we slung or bagged the weapon and cleared the hide with the M9 pistol and the spotters M16. We were generally not in a situation where we needed to fight TO our hide.

One thing to keep in mind is that close in fighting is the rule for THIS engagement. If we end up in Korea again, you will run the ranges back out and suddenly long range marksmanship will again rule the day. In that arena the bolt gun dosent lose anything to the semi-auto.

[Blackdog F4i]

I do believe that in this famous picture of Hathcock, he is posing with the M40A-1, though...


That is kind of an M40 and a half. It's got the Redfield scope with the M40A1 stock. I believe that was probably one of the prototype M40A1's before the Unertl was adopted. It looks like a M40 dropped in the McMillan stock. I don't know enough about the time period of that picture of of the weapon he is holding.

Gunny Hathcock was an amazing man. I am sad that I missed my chance to meet him when he spoke to the graduating class at Stone Bay. IIRC it was the class after mine and I was deployed at the time. I heard that the ceremony was standing room only in that little gym.

I am learning a TON about the M40A1. Some folks don't understand that, but it's kind of like asking an artist what type of wood his paint brushes are made of. Or the chemical makeup of his paints. He will generally tell you he dosent care. He just knows "brand X" works for him and that's all he cares about. For many years all I knew is the general parts manufacture of my rifle and that if you handed me match ammo I could kill anything I could see.

Now I am planning a build I am learning tolerances and HOW things were put together. That was dangerous knowledge back in the day because turning the wrong bolt on your rifle could result in you losing a stripe if it wasn't a life and death situation.

[Chit2001]

Take the M-25, throw it off a 5-Ton. Drag it through the mud, submerge it through water, shake it out, then engage a 1000 yard target with it.

Tell me how you do.

I can tell you how the M40A1 will do.

I do agree that the M40A1 starts to have issues in close in multiple target engagements, but that is where pinpoint accuracy gives way to high ROF. Under 300 yards I would rather have a magazine fed semi-auto due to the fact that I can use it as a multi-role weapon. A Noveske Leonidas is still accurate enough for 300yard sniping, but work VERY well for building searches. When we entered an urban hide with the M40A1, we slung or bagged the weapon and cleared the hide with the M9 pistol and the spotters M16. We were generally not in a situation where we needed to fight TO our hide.

One thing to keep in mind is that close in fighting is the rule for THIS engagement. If we end up in Korea again, you will run the ranges back out and suddenly long range marksmanship will again rule the day. In that arena the bolt gun dosent lose anything to the semi-auto.


HAHAHA!

Ok ok ok....

First off, let me start by saying that the M40A1 beats all. I know that. I shoot it's identical sister (Remmy 700) with a Leupold.

However, I thoroughly enjoy the M1A. I was going to call you on the close-range, multiple targets point..... but you covered it nicely ;)

Besides that, the M40A1 is the most accurate, durable, and reliable sniper rifle.... hands down. I'm not arguing it.... I'm merely stating my admiration for the M1A/M14/M25.

[Bronze]

I am just curious as to how you found this stock and where you can get the unertl. I havent been able to source one for years. I have been trying to build a copy of my service rifle for a long time but 2 items I could never find 1)stock 2)optics.

Semper Fi.

[Blackdog F4i]

They are out there, you just have to be constantly looking and be ready to pay for it.

I have seen two "Return" stocks go up for auction lately. One was on Gunbroker and IIRC it went for almost two grand. The other was on eGay and went for $1500. Both had matching metal I believe. The Unertls also appear from time to time and go for around $2500-3000 unless they are USMC marked, then it all depends on how bad someone wants it.

[Bronze]

I'll have to keep my eye on gunbrocker.com. I didnt know eGay was alowed to sell anything that had to do with guns....guess I'll have to start watching there also.

[Blackdog F4i]

I guess it all depends on how they list it.

I know they barred ammunition components, but you can still find reloading equipment.

[Blkside]

Ok so who wants to school me on the good ole long gun. I am okay in the semi-auto world but bolt action is going to be new to me here real soon. Not the shooting but the finer points