Category: War

There are few manufacturers that have a long-storied history in the defense industry as Winchester. Undoubtedly, few things are more formidable or reliable in battle than a 12-gauge pump action shotgun. Winchester’s Model 1897 has proven over time to be a reliable firearm for protection of America’s finest.

Eddie Mangione had grown up with literally nothing on a rural farm in Tennessee. Now he was a world away squatting in the fetid trenches of war-torn France. For Eddie the summer of 1918 had become surreal and otherworldly.

Eddie had joined the U.S. Marines for all the timeless reasons young men join the Marines. He wanted out of his drab familiar world, and military service overseas promised adventure, exotic locales, and camaraderie. Like so many others before and since Eddie found that reality differed from the lies the recruiters peddled. The adventure was horrifying, the exotic locale was dank, rotten, and miserable, and the camaraderie involved watching his friends get torn to pieces by artillery. He had only been in the trenches a month.

His fellow Marines clutched their 03 Springfield rifles. These instruments turned the Marine rifleman into a deadly agent of chaos. Their French Chauchaut light machineguns were utter rubbish, but these beautiful Springfields were perfected tools of the riflemen’s art. Eddie’s backwoods Southern upbringing had ultimately put a different weapon in his hands. Eddie’s stiff terrified fingers curled around the walnut stocks of a Winchester 1897 Trench Gun 12-gauge.

Eddie’s mission was to knock incoming German hand grenades aside before they could land in the trenches. Pushing nine OO buckshot pellets per round and carrying five rounds on board, Eddie’s shotgun had successfully accomplished this feat twice already. Eddie’s reputation as a backwoods wing shooter had been well founded.

The enemy artillery barrage finally lifted after what seemed an eternity. Several ears were bleeding from the overpressure, but the Hun artillery had not adequately ranged the thin linear targets that were the Allied trenches. Everyone in Eddie’s platoon still drew breath.

From 1897 to 1957 over 1 million of these shotguns were produced and notably during World War 1 and trench warfare. Eddie’s story is not unique. It’s a small glimpse into the reputation that makes a Winchester shotgun a legendary trench warfare tool.

Hunting Arm, Combat Tool, Gangster Gun

The influence of John Moses Browning on the world of firearms cannot be overstated. He designed several familiar lever-action Winchester rifles, some of the most influential handguns ever built, and all of the successful repeating shotguns available in the first part of the 20th century. At the time of his death, the man held 128 patents for various firearm-related inventions. His repertoire spanned the spectrum from .25-caliber pocket pistols to 37mm aircraft cannons. His 1897 shotgun ushered in a new era in scattergun technology.

The 1897 was itself an evolutionary development of the previous model 1893. The 1893 slide action gun bears an esoteric similarity to its later sibling but came up in the era of low-pressure blackpowder shotgun shells. The Model 1897 incorporated a stronger steel receiver that better surrounded the gun’s bolt. The resulting weapon was proofed for higher-pressure smokeless rounds. The 1897 was available in both fixed and takedown variants.

As a sporting arm, the 1897 was fabulously successful. The gun cost $25 new when originally introduced and could be had with barrels reaching out to 36 inches. The external hammer served as a manual safety, and the American walnut stocks exuded a lithe almost effeminate vibe. However, the lack of a manual disconnector meant that the gunner could hold down the trigger and empty a five-round magazine as fast as he could cycle the forearm. Extending a tab on the far end of the magazine tube and rotating the assembly allowed the gun to break in half at the front of the receiver via interrupted threads. As a result, the 97 could be tucked into compact spaces for storage or concealment.

The militarized version of the weapon was universally referred to as the Trench Gun. This variant started as a 20-inch barreled 1897 to which was affixed a sheet steel heat shield-cum-bayonet lug and sling swivels. In this configuration, the Trench Gun saw action in both World Wars as well as a variety of brushfire conflicts in between. Though the guts of the gun resemble a sewing machine for their complexity, the 1897 Winchester rendered reliable service and was well-received by the troops who wielded it.

Resurrecting the Dead

If your gun collecting proclivities wander toward rarefied stuff like period Western guns or, Lord help you, transferable automatic weapons then you’d best be shaved and prepped to hock a kidney to pay for your habit. However, in the case of cool old shooters like the 1897 Winchester, getting into a facsimile of the guns used by J. Edgar Hoover’s G-Men to bring down Dillinger and Capone need not be spendy. A million of these old scatterguns rolled off the lines before production ceased in 1957. That means high mileage used versions are plentiful and cheap.

I found a shopworn 1897 that sported an absurdly long 34-inch barrel, little remaining finish, and an ugly home-built stock extension for a cool $250. While that was indeed a good deal, these old guns float around auction websites for a bit more than that all the time. Given the gun’s advanced age I could transfer it straight to my doorstep via my personal Curio and Relic FFL. Where others might see dingy, tired, and ugly, I sensed a diamond in the rough.

The gun was mechanically intact, and the takedown feature works as well today as it did when the gun first rolled off the Winchester line in 1907. The freckled brown patina lends the gun a pleasant been-there done-that ambiance. The inimitable American Walnut furniture ages better than Christie Brinkley.

Chopping the Tube

I have shortened a lot of shotgun barrels in my day and have found that all you really need to do it well is a table saw, a drill press, and a little patience. Run a cleaning rod down the barrel and mark the point where it meets the muzzle. This is the initial barrel length. If you want a fixed point like 18 inches for legality or, in this case, 20 inches for historical cred, just subtract that from your measured barrel length and make a mark with a Sharpie marker that far back from the muzzle. Wrap that spot in masking tape for a precise cut.

Mount up a fiber-reinforced cutoff wheel on your table saw and cut the barrel a time or two near the muzzle to get a feel for things. Tape an old towel over the top of your saw to protect the finish on the barrel. When you are comfortable with your technique, make your final cut in a single smooth motion. You can then dress the cut end with a Dremel tool and a sanding drum. If you are careful the pruned tube will look factory perfect.

Brass front sight beads are available online, but I’m cheap. I typically chuck a machine screw into my drill press and grind the head down into a ball with a file. Carefully spot the hole for your new front sight with a spring-loaded center punch, drill it meticulously with your drill press, and thread the hole with a hand tap. Seat the new sight with red thread locker. Then go back with the Dremel tool sanding drum to polish the stubby end of the new sight flat from inside the bore. If you want real performance from your new shortened barrel you can have the bore threaded internally for a choke tube.

Cogitations

The end result looks like something Elliot Ness might wield on his late-night raids against Al Capone’s Speakeasies yet set me back a whopping $250. Should you be in the market for a really inexpensive hunting arm, these old shotguns really never wear out. My resurrected 1897 runs birdshot like a champ as fast as you can cycle the action even at 110 years old.

The 1897 Winchester armed generations of American hunters, Law Enforcement Officers, criminals, and soldiers on their enterprises of sustenance, peacekeeping, crime, and combat. The gun’s takedown feature brings a capacity for

stowage or concealment not rivaled today. The restoration project also represents an inexpensive and fun way to kill an otherwise lazy Saturday afternoon.

For more information about Winchester shotguns, click here.

The M40 rifle might be the most recognizable of all American sniper rifles. Its birth coincided with a need for a precision instrument in the steamy jungles of Vietnam, and its legacy was built by those who relied on its performance. Its accuracy, reliability, and endurance have given rise to a generation of precision rifles that ultimately pay homage to its design.

While a whole book could be dedicated to studying the rifle’s impact and history, this article seeks to provide context and understanding of the M40 rifle’s origin in Vietnam.

Cold War Heats Up

The United States entered Vietnam to preserve democracy and fend off a growing communist threat — a common theme of the Cold War-era. However, this was a new kind of war for the United States, fought against an unconventional enemy.

Unlike the Korean War, which was largely fought against a conventional force, the war in Vietnam was unconventional. New military stratagems, including a rapidly growing intelligence and special operations apparatus, were emerging. Among these were expanded use of specially trained hunters: snipers.

This certainly wasn’t the first time in United States history that snipers were used. Marksmen of various kinds have been used since the Revolutionary War. However, they were never a permanent peacetime unit like those we see today. They were temporary, which meant that a consistent curriculum and armaments were not properly maintained. But as warfare changed, so did the role of the sniper, or rather, the need for one.

That brings us to the M40 sniper rifle and its place in history. Early in the Vietnam War, military leaders and strategists quickly realized the need for snipers. The dense jungles and the unconventional opponent proved difficult for a standard military. The North Vietnamese Army (NVA) knew this and, early in the war, exploited it. The NVA benefited from using the Soviet Union’s WWII sniper training doctrine and rifles to engage American troops from a distance.

American military brass soon realized they needed a counter to the NVA threat with specially trained soldiers to carry out very specific missions. These missions involved gathering intelligence, disrupting supply chains, protecting military units, and, in some cases, eliminating high-value targets.

While sniper-specific training at this time was rudimentary and ad hoc, the rifle situation was worse. Early sniper units relied on rifles and training developed during World War II. A new rifle and training regime were needed.

The training came first — largely due to the efforts of Maj. Jim Land. If that name is familiar, you’ve probably read Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills by Charles Henderson. This book depicts the life and actions of Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Hathcock.

Maj. Land was responsible for shifting the Marine Corps’ emphasis on sniping. He established the first organized sniper training school in 1961 in Hawaii. This laid the groundwork for additional in-country sniper schools used by the 1^st and 3^rd Marine Divisions. Ultimately, this was the predecessor to modern-day sniper instruction.

What About a Sniper Rifle?

Leftover rifles from World War II and the Korean War, including the M1C/M1D Garand and modified 1903A4 Springfield rifles, no longer met the United States Marine Corps’ grueling demands. By then, these rifles were practically historic artifacts.

Early in the war, sniper units drew on the inventories of marksmanship units for Model 70 target rifles. While the M70 was an excellent rifle, its .30-06 chambering and inherent engineering changes made it a logistical nightmare. There were three different Model 70 variants were in use, and parts interchangeability was a major issue. However, the rifle had its supporters including the aforementioned Gunnery Sgt. Hathcock.

In 1965, Marine Headquarters instructed the Quantico Marine Schools Weapons Training Battalion to issue verbal orders to the Marksmanship Training Unit to procure a rifle, telescopic sight, and mount suitable for use by snipers.

Soon after the initial order, the officer in charge of the Marksmanship Training Unit responded on February 9, 1966, to the Marine Corps Commandant, stating, “The indicated urgency for an early recommendation dictated that evaluation be limited to presently available commercial items.” A military rifle hadn’t yet been developed in the United States for use as a sniper rifle. Thankfully, the United States has a rich tradition of rifle building.

In the same response, a subsection titled “Self-Imposed Assumptions” listed several rifle requirements. “…the selected sniper system to use the standard 7.62mm NATO ammunition and be simple, sturdy, and explainable with a minimum amount of instruction.” Five rifles were tested, including the Winchester Model 70, the Harrington and Richardson Ultra-Rifle, and three Remington models. In addition, seven telescopic sights were tested.

The Model 70 was quickly disqualified because it was chambered in .30-06. The Ultra-Rifle was also discarded because its construction used components from several manufacturers. Likewise, the Remington Model 600 and 700 ADL were deemed “too light” for military sniping operations. Only the 40X passed all requirements and testing.

Along with rifle and optic requirements, the MTU letter’s final paragraph added, “Thus, along with the M40 sniper rifles, came special ammunition manufactured for the marksmen’s use on the range and the battlefield.” This line presents a form of unification within a specific weapons system.

For the Marines and the rest of the U.S. Military, this was the first time a precision rifle was viewed as a system. Rifle, optic, case, ammunition, sling, and all ancillary gear and components were streamlined into one system. (As for the ammo, this was the birth of the famed M118 7.62X51mm Match ammo.)

The Marines contracted for an initial batch of 700 M40 rifles (though over 900 were delivered). They were shipped in plastic cases designed to hold the entire system.

An important part of that early sniper system was the Redfield Accu-Range scope. Its 3-9X magnification range and compact size were state-of-the-art in 1966. A distinctive feature was its ranging reticle, which could range targets out to 600 yards. The package was held together by mounts that were near facsimiles of those used on the 1903A4 Springfield rifle.

One important distinction between the prototype and the production M40 rifle was the inclusion of a clip-slotted bridge on the 40-X receiver. The slot allowed quick loading of ammunition via stripper clips. All production model M40 rifles were built on the standard 700 short-action, with no slot for stripper clips.

M40 Rifle Evolves in Vietnam

The M40 proved to be an accurate rifle. It was quickly deployed in the harsh combat in Vietnam, and Marine Snipers were able to confidently engage the NVA and VC (Viet Cong). However, Vietnam was a bit different than Quantico, VA.

Early rifles shot well but weren’t necessarily ideal for humid jungles. The wooden stock was the culprit behind questionable serviceability. Vietnam is tropical; it rains a lot. Wood, such as the stock of an M40 rifle, reacts to moisture. High humidity causes the wooden stock to expand and contract. Conversely, swollen wood creates pressure points along the barrel, affecting accuracy.

The only solution is to remove the barreled action from the stock and sand down the high spots. An annoyance, to say the least. Harsh conditions further sidelined many of the original contracted rifles. Rust, cracked optics, broken triggers, and a lack of parts led to the rifle’s evolution into the M40A1 in 1973.

Modifications to the M40 included welding the recoil lug and internal magazine box to create a solid one-piece body. Next, the original aluminum trigger guard and magazine floorplate were replaced with a modified steel version borrowed from Model 70 rifles.

The chrome-moly barrels, which were prone to rust, were replaced with Atkinson stainless-steel tubes finished in black oxide. Finally, the dated wood stock was replaced with a fiberglass one from McMillan and had an integral camouflage finish.

While these modifications were significant upgrades over its predecessor, the gun weighed 12 lbs., 3 lbs. heavier than the M40. Fielded from the 1970s into the 2000s, the M40A1 is the Marine Corps’ longest-serving sniper rifle.

The Legacy of the M40 Sniper Rifle

The Vietnam War marked a change in warfare, or rather, how warfare was conducted. Unconventional combat and the soldiers skilled in this action, such as snipers, rebalanced the playing field. Their surgical use laid the groundwork for future warfighters. As a result, the famed M40 they used is often the sniper rifle to which all others are compared.