Make: Remington
Model: U.S. Property 40-X. U.S. Marine Corps Contract
Serial Number: 6430
Year of Manufacture: October, 1959
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Bolt Action Single Shot Rifle
Barrel Length: 28"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Redfield Olympic globe-style sight with aperture insert mounted to a sight block screwed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a Redfield Olympic aperture sight adjustable for windage and elevation mounted to a rail screwed to the left-rear of the receiver. The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped for an optic mount. A one-piece optic base is included as well as two additional sight blocks.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece smooth walnut with a pistol grip, straight comb, serrated black rubber Pachmayr Sure Grip buttpad and inlaid 2.5" accessory rail in the forend with handstop/sling swivel installed. There is a hole in the belly for a sling stud, none present. The top-front of the comb is relieved for clearance of the bolt. The front edges of the forearm are drilled for 2 screws which are part of the adjustable barrel bedding system. The screws bear against the free-floating barrel. The stock has a few scattered nicks and scuffs. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The pad has light wear, mostly around the edges and screw-holes, with well defined serrations. The stock rates in Very Good-plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original, the bolt is serial-matched.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9+/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in minor oxidation on the floorplate. Otherwise, there are only a few minor marks and faint operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a signed letter from Gunnery Sergeant Brian H. Zins of the USMC Pistol Team dated 22 May, 2007 stating that this rifle was awarded to him by the Secretary of the Navy for a winning score at the NRA National Pistol Matches, listing the rifle by serial number.
Our Assessment: Since the beginning of breech-loading service rifles, militaries had been looking for more affordable marksmanship practice. Some of the solutions they devised were light loading regular ammo or converting service rifles to .22, both of these options not being ideal. In WWI a solution was devised, to buy commercial .22 rifles for marksmanship and then use standard service rifles for drills. The idea was a good one, in WWI over 200,000,000 rounds of .22 RF were acquired for training. This freed up supply of .30 cal and also let more service rifles get into the theater of war instead of training use.
This Remington 40-X was built in 1959 for the same purpose, though it appears it had a more gentle life. The 40-X was introduced in 1955 and military procurement started just after its introduction. The 40-X was shipped with quite a few variations in the markings. This rifle is part of the 1959 Marine Corps contract of 40-X rifles that specified the words "U.S.M.C. PROPERTY" needed to be stamped on the receiver. Other contracts have "U.S. PROPERTY" markings, some are simply marked "U.S.", and others had no extra markings.
This example, according to the included letter, did not see heavy use in target practice, but was rather awarded as a Trophy Rifle for a winning score at the NRA National Pistol Matches by Gunnery Sergeant Brian H. Zins. For this reason, the rifle is in quite outstanding condition, appearing to have seen very limited use. This is a great opportunity to add a premium trainer to your collection, especially with its U.S.M.C. marked receiver and rare status as a Navy Trophy Rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!
