Pics of the Reising M65 USMC " rat rifle"

[emmagee1917]

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. 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 . 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!!!! 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 . I know---I know.

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




















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

Information

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[JiminLE]

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

Jim

[emmagee1917]

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

[rondog]

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

[emmagee1917]

...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.

[JiminLE]

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

[jmoore]

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

[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!

[emmagee1917]

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.

[MK111]

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!

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