Pre-owned Smith & Wesson Model 40 Light Rifle MK1 in good condition as pictured. This rifle is *NFA EXEMPT* and is C&R eligible

This rifle comes with the original leather sling and one original 20 round magazine. This rifle does have a crack in the stock at the wrist on both sides, a blemish on the right side of the receiver, some small surface rust spots on the top of the recevier, and pitting on the bottom of the trigger guard.

Developed in the late 1930s and early 1940s, the Smith & Wesson Light Rifle, aka the Model 1940, was conceived in response to a request by Great Britain for a lightweight semi-automatic rifle during WWII.  Featuring a fluted 9.75” barrel, fully ambidextrous magazine well/ejector chute, blued finish, 20-round magazine, black molded plastic stock, fixed front sight in a blade type, rear sight is a micrometer adjustable type, semi-auto fire only from open bolt, it was generally outclassed by other carbines and submachine guns on the market, particularly the U.S. M1 Carbine.

Testing at the Royal Small Arms Factory revealed the rifle had been designed for cartridges as loaded by United States civilian cartridge companies, and the higher pressure British military loads caused broken receivers after as few as 1,000 rounds. The British government required redesign so rifles would withstand firing 5,000 rounds without failure. Most Smith & Wesson Light Rifles were destroyed by the British government. It is recommend to NOT FIRE THESE RIFLES because of this. These rifles are considered just display and collectors firearms.