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Posted: 11/10/2013 4:52:19 PM EDT
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I bought a gently used H&R Leatherneck .22LR rifle due to my former Marine status. (Marines = Leathernecks for the unknowing.)
I have no real plans for this thing other than the novelty of owning one for the name & might shoot it now & then just to say I did. But, the Marine & OCD in me demands that the gun be meticulously cleaned, at least once. 
Holy cow, this thing hadn't been cleaned properly since JFK was president, IMO. I took everything apart except for the trigger group. Had I had more time, I might've done that too. Except for a fairly decent looking bore, there was just gunk built up in several areas, such as under the peep sight base, the firing pin striker, etc. By the time I got done scrubbing, my solvent was basically solid black. 
For those who've done these models (165), you know what I mean when I say getting the recoil spring back into the channel so the guide rod would fit properly was nothing less than a PITA! Absolutely NONE of the spring sticks out that isn't supported by the guide rod. Problem was/is, the spring is about 14-16" long & the hole it goes into is only 3-4" deep. Ever try to compress a spring w/o something to keep it from flopping around? I'd rather put toothpaste back in the tube......... Good times! 
Using a bit of redneck engineering, I was finally able to get it back in. But once everything got cleaned, oiled & reassembled, the bolt slides back & forth with much, much less friction & noise. I felt like someone who had restored a fine old car or something. It may not compare to those folks at places like Turnbull Restoration, but given my majorly limited ability, it still felt like I had accomplished something. 
I look forward to running a mag or three thru it before too long. I wish this one could talk & tell its stories. |
I found one of the H&R/Reising M65 USMC .22 trainers this past Winter. The serial number puts it in the range of the WW-II Reising trainers. A later version was used post-war that had a M1 Garand/M14 type safety.
The Model 165 "Leatherneck" is a commercial rifle based on the M65. Some were even fitted with receiver sights. They are a attractive man sized rifle IMHO. Sadly many have been "cheezed" with scope mount holes. I've never found one that had not been dinked-with. 
Looking forward to pics OP. 
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Quoted:
Oddly enough, mine hasn't been. *I* wasn't even the one who found the rifle, my FFL LGS buddy called me & told me he took it in on trade. Wish I could find women that way..................  Quoted:
Quoted:
I've never found one that had not been dinked-with. Oddly enough, mine hasn't been. *I* wasn't even the one who found the rifle, my FFL LGS buddy called me & told me he took it in on trade. Wish I could find women that way.................. LOL...Yeah hard to find one that ain't had holes drilled in them or dinked with in some manner.
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