Took my USMC H&R 65 to the range today. It is not configured as the Marines used them. Not sure when it was modified, but it was a long time ago. Today I was shooting off the bench at 50 yards. I was using CMP Eley bulk box ammo. After I got the POA straightened out the POI was pretty good. I think it not bad for a rifle that is 78 years old and not meant to be a target piece.
H&R 65
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Thanks, I actually bought it as a parts piece. It was sitting all rusty and dirty in the local gun shop and I paid $50.00 for it. Once I realized that it was an actual USMC trainer (S/N: 3711), the focus changed.
I have another Model 65 that has the iron sights on it. However, it is not a USMC trainer, by S/N.
I have had my M65 since 1964 when I got it form a retired relative who in turn got from his brother who served in the Pacific.
It was and is in cherry condition, the wood is polished, barrel rootless. He supplied me with Lyman target sight
and the two (2) original Redfield 70AT-21 sights.
He believed as I in the old maxim "...backup, backup, and [ drum roll ].... backup".
He generously included a 20 round mag, 4 standard mags.
It was also drilled for a scope which he kept.
He had a smith embed his Combat Infantryman Badge
in the side which I still cherish as I remember him and his brother
both who served in the Pacific during WW2.
As above it indeed is heavy supposedly to condition
troops to the Garand's weight.
When I first shot it so long ago at 50 yards I was amazed at its tight group.
Major Dick Culver had a few of them himself, bless his soul., and he
said that mine was in particularly great condition.
Last year I added a target scope on it to shoot it at 100 yards and 200 yards.
One cannot fight nature's deciding that your perfect vision was only on loan to you
for a disgustingly short time.
Side note, his brother also had the 'Rat Rifle' which he said was 'entrusted' to him
by the Corps after the War. I was remiss in not taking measurement of the TPI.
From what I have read over the years it was the standard ½" x 20 that fit the Maxim .22 can.
If anyone has actual data please supply it.
Best.
It was and is in cherry condition, the wood is polished, barrel rootless. He supplied me with Lyman target sight
and the two (2) original Redfield 70AT-21 sights.
He believed as I in the old maxim "...backup, backup, and [ drum roll ].... backup".
He generously included a 20 round mag, 4 standard mags.
It was also drilled for a scope which he kept.
He had a smith embed his Combat Infantryman Badge
in the side which I still cherish as I remember him and his brother
both who served in the Pacific during WW2.
As above it indeed is heavy supposedly to condition
troops to the Garand's weight.
When I first shot it so long ago at 50 yards I was amazed at its tight group.
Major Dick Culver had a few of them himself, bless his soul., and he
said that mine was in particularly great condition.
Last year I added a target scope on it to shoot it at 100 yards and 200 yards.
One cannot fight nature's deciding that your perfect vision was only on loan to you
for a disgustingly short time.
Side note, his brother also had the 'Rat Rifle' which he said was 'entrusted' to him
by the Corps after the War. I was remiss in not taking measurement of the TPI.
From what I have read over the years it was the standard ½" x 20 that fit the Maxim .22 can.
If anyone has actual data please supply it.
Best.
That's very interesting, mine was not a marine trainer, it is the civilian model. Truthfully I never see these rifles out in the wild and when I do they are usually really beat up and on their last legs. Granted I've only seen three examples in gun stores, two were terrible and the one I bought was beautiful!
Having a genuine training rifle definitely makes it a worthwhile project!
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My civilian post-war Leatherneck has only the open/sporting sights and is nice enough that I will not be the one to d/t for a scope that I so badly need to really find a rifles potential. It has been a pleasant surprise with the open rear and frt bead how it seems to hit where its looking while that leisurely semi-auto action is clacking along, even with its horrible heavy trigger.
I like the look of yours with what appears to be a Mossberg M-4 scope. What is on for bases or are those rings combo base and ring?
I like the look of yours with what appears to be a Mossberg M-4 scope. What is on for bases or are those rings combo base and ring?
It is very comfortable to shoot this way. You will notice there is not a front sight on the rifle. The reason I first noticed it at the gun shop was the fact the front sight was on upside down. It took two of us to get it off, I had a friend that is a machinist make a cap to protect the threads. He also made the scope mounting screws for me as it only had two when I bought it.
Think this is Keeper!
The the M65 to the range on Thursday. The target is a 25 Meter Zeroing Target for the M16. The sight picture simulates a 300 Meter sight picture when viewed at 25 meters. I am using it at 50 yards, close enough...... I figure that simulates a 500 - 600 yard target sight picture. I can do better when using my Winchester 52D with irons. However, this rifle was never meant as a target piece. So, I figure it is doing darn well for what it is.
The the M65 to the range on Thursday. The target is a 25 Meter Zeroing Target for the M16. The sight picture simulates a 300 Meter sight picture when viewed at 25 meters. I am using it at 50 yards, close enough...... I figure that simulates a 500 - 600 yard target sight picture. I can do better when using my Winchester 52D with irons. However, this rifle was never meant as a target piece. So, I figure it is doing darn well for what it is.
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That is consistent with my Leatherneck as well. Not target rifles but great pieces of history and a quality rifle.
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congrats - that shooting would please me with one of those old scopes , always wanted one of these but havent came across the right one at the right time so far
The magazines with that rifle are as big a value as the rifle itself for some people. They are not easy or cheap to come by.
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Was given three original magazines when I was given my first H&R 65
Numrich or Wolf Springs, tried those?
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