Pics of the Reising M65 USMC " rat rifle"

When the marines started moving across the pacific , they started to have vermin problems in thier supply dumps. Shooting the creatures with M1s or Tommyguns was not the answer. Not only for the damage , but any marines that had been pulled back from the front lines for a night or two of sleep and hot meals and dry beds would be disturbed. Indeed , a couple of fire fights erupted because of this:eek:. Enter the rat rifle.

A few M65 .22lr trainers were pulled and sent to the USMC armorers. There they were modified to take Maxim suppressors. These were shipped to the dumps to kill the rats ( ergo , it's nick-name). Some front liners found out about them , and decided it did not matter if the rats were two or four legged :D. They took some and thier ammo on patrols.

I bought this from a gunshow seller for $100. A few asiles later I ran into another seller who asked to see it. He was an ex-marine company scout , and HE CARRIED ONE!!!! :yikes:Told me what I had , his experiances , everything. I should have written it down , but I didn't know at the time how rare this was. The stock was cracked from trigger cut out to cocking slot ( only the butt and tip was holding it together ) and areas of the stock had a musshy , foam rubber feeling ( jungle rot?). I pick up a replacement stock and I fear I threw the orig. away:banghead: . I know---I know:crying:.

Looked long and hard for an orig. suppressor , could not find one , so I had this modern guts , kindda copy made. Enjoy , Chris

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSCF0007-1.jpg
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:sos:

If any one has any more info on use and/or numbers made , I'd like to know. I'd hate to see these fall into the unknown. They are a part of history. Thanks , Chris

What's the S/N on this one? I have 2, S/N's 1903 & 9874.

Jim

It's 2615. You've got two of these modified rifles? Are all the mods like mine ? Front sight set back and dewinged ? 9/16 sae threads? Any chance you've got the suppressor too ? Do the stocks show sign of heavy use , or stained from fungus , mildew, dampness ? Any " soft spots " in the wood?
Pics , please , lots of pics. Gotta go , talk later.
Chris

I'd say that was a helluva score for $100!

...is the lack of info on these. I've only meet the one marine that carried it , and only 2-3 others that have seen them and knew about them. With us loosing so many of these men every year now , I'd like to gather some history and stories on these before it's gone forever.
Chris


Oh yes , it was a heck of a deal. I was just looking for a .22 plinker , but I did not want a 10-22 , so this , being a semi and WW2 trainer to fit in my WW2 collecting theme , it was a no brainer. Hadn't shot .22 sense I was a kid , was good to get back into it. Was not a trainer collector , but after I bought this , word spread and I now have 10-12 of them. A lot came out of the woodwork when the youth groups stop allowing repeaters , so a lot of old timers that had held onto them for the kids came up and sold them to me cheep. I was not "into" them , but a good deal is a good deal , and I now only lack the Winchester to make a complete WW2 collection of trainers.

Oops...I only have 2 of the M65's, not modified to the rat spec's you mention. I wanted to know you S/N to see how close it came to either of mine.
Thanks,

Jim

BTW, Yankee Hill now makes a Maxim style offset suppressor that really works well. Its aluminum, though, not steel and has a matte finish.

Not trying to hijack the thread but since you were talking about the Reising M-65, was curious if you know of a source for original period mags for my WWII M-65? It just doesn't look right with the blued aftermarket mags I bought!

Thanks!

I picked up orig. GI type mags from Sarco and from Forrest Company. Sarco is still around , but I don't know if they have any orig.s left. Forrest , come to think of it , I have not seen thier ads in a couple of years now. They may have gone under or sold out to another. Anyone know ? Numrich / Gun parts ,I think , used to have them , too.
Chris

PS , still looking for more info on these " rat rifles". If you know someone who was in the 4th Marines during the fight up the slot ( Rendova , New Georgia , Bougangville ) , please ask them about these. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BDMerc1

Not trying to hijack the thread but since you were talking about the Reising M-65, was curious if you know of a source for original period mags for my WWII M-65? It just doesn't look right with the blued aftermarket mags I bought!

Thanks!

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Contact clipgrip@aol.com Dave should have them. 269-962-0214

Chris,
Unique gun and story, I like it. I have accumulated some unique M65 .22 example, some only as photos. I have made up some data sheets on these rifles, putting a story behind each one. I would like to do the same about your gun. May I have your permission to use your pics and story? I would like an overall pic of the gun from but ~ muzzle with silencer attached. This would be greatly appreciated.
Eventually I will have something published and would like your Reising to be part of the story.
Thank you,
Glen

Pics of original .22 Reising test rifle.
The tag on the firearm reads original test gun 1943 and that it has fired approximately 80,000 rounds. On the back side it is dated August-7 1944, property of H&R and a note stating it is to be held for inspection.

Note the mags only marking is a hand stamped "10"

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You are free to use the pics and the story with proper credit given and , in this case , a request that anyone with a knowledge of these contact us here , to be included in any published work .
Chris