In 1996 the USMC started on the design for the replacement of the M40A1, the result was the M40A3. It uses a Remington 700 short action, with a steel floorplate assembly and trigger guard built by D.D. Ross. The Unertl rings and bases have been replaced with D.D. Ross base and G&G Machine rings. The rifles also come with a harris bipod and an accessory rail, also built by G&G Machine. The stock is a new McMillan A4, with adjustable cheek and length of pull.
As the M40A1’s rotate in for service and repair, they are replaced by M40A3’s. All M40A3s are built by USMC armorers at Quantico Virginia. The M40A3 is an outstanding replacement for the aging M40A1’s. The rifles are extremely accurate, very rugged, and are designed from the ground up to be a superb sniper rifle. Combined with the new M118LR ammo, it makes a system that is ranked with the best in the world.
[…] USMC has replaced the aging M40A1’s with the new M40A3’s. A rifle that has been in the developement stages for some time now. The M40A1’s have served […]
Mel,
Have you had a chance to put the newer M38 DMR through it’s paces? I know 5.56 isn’t typically considered a sniper round, but it would be interesting to see the reviews on that platform.
We have not yet, but would like to. The 556 works in an SPR role and a light DMR, so we do mess with them a bit.
MEL