ihmsa forums

Hello everyone, I'm new here and was needing some help with a pistol I picked up at a local auction. The gentleman who consigned it was apparently a writer for a few gun magazines. The pistol is a Wichita MK-40 chambered in 6.5mm-IHMSA with a very low serial number. It appears to have an approximately 13" barrel with a globe front sight and an adjustable rear sight with 4 settings. The stock is a metallic silver, blued barrel, and stainless? action. It doesn't appear to be drilled for a scope. I'm not turning up much info online. Any info would be appreciated. When was it made? Is it still able to be competitive? What class would it shoot in (I've never shot anything competitively)? Is it collectable, or can I have it drilled for a scope and use it to hunt? Thank you for any help.

I can tell you some things about the MK40.

First the MK40 is an Aluminum action, not Stainless steel. they are capable of extreme accuracy when loaded right. they would be shot in the unlimited class for IHMSA. The wichita's though are known for their recoil because of the shape of the grip on the stock.

as for scope mounting, I have seen some MK40's with scopes but I do not know what needs to be done to mount the scope.

hopefully, you got the reloading dies for it. But if not, you can get the dies from CH4D. http://www.ch4d.com/

also, a person took over the company from Nolan Jackson and he still has parts (and will still build a gun). here is his contact info: http://wichitaarms.com/

I still own 2 wichita's (a wichita silhouette pistol and 10" international pistol) and I love shooting them.

as for value, they are listed in the Blue book of gun Values. my blue book is too old though (12 years old).

Thank you for the reply. There was no dies at the auction, but as luck would have it, someone listed a set on another forum. There was however a few hundred 300 savage brass which I believe is one of the options used to make 6.5 IHMSA brass. Heavy recoiling handguns must have not been an issue for this gentleman as I also pick up a 360 Imperial Mag hand cannon there also. (I purchased this thinking it was another silhouette pistol, and it seemed like a good deal.) Anyone with any more info? The barrel on the Wichita seems to be a 1:10 twist. What bullet would normally be used in this pistol to shoot silhouette?

Just a word of warning on adjusting the rear site.
If you haven't noticed, there is a locking set screw on the side
for each elevation adjustment screw. To access this locking set
screw, you must turn the dial setting most of the way down.
This set screw is VERY small !!!! You will be able to see it through
the access hole. You just have to loosen it a little, so the elevation
set screw will turn, and re-tighten when you are done with that
particular adjustment.
Also, the elevation adjustment is very course, and there is No clicks.
Good luck !!!!

the Bob