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Harrington and Richardson H&R MC-58 Model 65 Modified (USMC .22 Trainer)

183K views 425 replies 86 participants last post by  Cass 
#1 · (Edited)
I had posted some pictures and a request for information on the old boards, looking for any information and data on the H&R MC-58 trainers that were used by the USMC. A lot of people have contacted me with questions and information because of those posts, so I thought I would transfer some of the info over to the new Boards.

I'm specifically looking for information about the serial numbers and markings for the MC-58 rifles.

Most sources indicate that there were less than 3500 of these rifles made for the USMC with serial numbers running from about 6,000 through 9,500. They were an update of the MOD 65 H&R Reising procured for the USMC during WWII. The most noticeable difference was the relocation of the safety from the right side of the receiver to the front of the trigger guard to better simulate the operation to the M1 and M14 rifles.

I'd like to hear from any of you that have MC-58's.

Thanks,
Cass


There were two different types of receiver markings on the H&R MC-58 receivers. Both types are different from the earlier WWII era H&R Model 65 Reising trainers.

The two types are:

USMC PROPERTY, MODEL MC-58
H&R MODEL #65 MODIFIED
HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON, INC.

and:

U.S. MODEL MC-58
H&R MODEL #65 MODIFIED
HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON, INC.

The earlier WWII trainers were marked:

MOD. 65 - H.& R. REISING 22 CAL.
HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON ARMS CO.
WORCESTER, MASS. U.S.A.

The USMC marked MC-58 rifles I have recorded seem to run in the earlier serial number range and the US in the later numbers.

I have US and USMC marked Remington 40X's from about the same time period, so they had apparently begun to require different marking around that time.

The first picture is of the USMC PROPERTY type marking.



The second picture is the US MODEL MC-58 type marking.



For comparison the third picture shows the WWII era Model 65 Reising markings.

 
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#6 ·
I was asked about the differences between the Mod 65 and the later MC-58. The biggest difference is the M1/M14 type safety. Here are a few differences I have noticed in the MC-58:

- Safety location including lever, slotted trigger guard, and indents and safe/fire markings on receiver
- stock shape thicker with flatter areas along edge of receiver and DoD stamp
- bolt "in the white" rather than blued
- magazine release tab is flat rather than curved shape
- disconnector that engages sear is two piece with a "beak" shaped end piece added
- parkerized finish is rougher and darker
- receiver and barrel legend

There may be some others.

Cass
 
#8 ·
Cass, I have the H&R, also the civilian verion "Leatherneck" both are a pain in the a** to
shoot, the bolt retainer is complicated and seldom can I finish a magazine without stops-I've changed the springs in the USMAC one but it keeps giving me trouble, its a pity because when it works plinking with it is like a Nintendo game, the peep sight is IMO the easiest way to aim, but does not happen with some of my friends who find difficulty in finding the proper alignment-This sounds stupid, specially for shooters with experience, if I pull the trigger lightly most probably the thing will jam, if I do it briskly most shots will work fine and cicle the action-
 
#9 ·
Not a usual thing

I agree the bolt hold open is a pain - mostly because I never use it so I have to study it when I do. I do not have any of the later or commercial ones , so I cannot comment on those. I do have 3 M65s from the 1200 , 2600 , and 14,000 ranges and they have never jammed or misfired unless extreamly dirty , and a few passes with an AR-15 toothbrush and they are up and running. I have a shooting companion with another M65 and it works perfect too. I have run subsonic and regular HV stuff , never any super-speed HV , lead and copper , RN and HP , Federal and Remington and Winchester and others. No problem.
I am sure you have cleaned and oiled the gun , disasembled , clean and dried you mags and given them a light coat of WD-40 and let them drain overnight before reassembly,etc. You said you put new springs in , were they new-new and orig H&R mfg? Have you checked the bolt and hammer and slide for free play? Any burrs?Extractor not chiped or spring weak? Ejector OK? Burr on feed ramp?
I am sure your problem is simple and easy to fix , we just have to find it. What exactly is it doing?
 
#10 ·
Hello emmagee1917, welcome aboard! This forum has been a little slow since the new forum software change, but has been pretty lively for the prior 10 years or so.

I haven't had much problem with the feeding on mine. I have had the extractor stick on some of mine. That seems to be a fairly common problem. I usually take the entire action apart and let the parts soak in a solvent, then re-oil with a very light oil.

Cass
 
#412 ·
ammo3333: I sent you an e-mail. Cass
Hi Cass, I too just acquired an H&R model 65 with 3 digit serial#. Blued, civilian right side safety in excellent condition 2 mags. Unable to figure out how to attach pics. The sale prices I‘m finding on Gun Broker and Guns International very from $250.00 to $2500.00. Anyway to get a more accurate value? Thanks in advance, Scott Phillips Franktown Colorado
 
#22 ·
Hi Charlie:

Orest told me that they had received 70-75 of them. They auctioned most of them and were planning to save one or more for their planned museum. I saved the auction info on a number of them.

Which type of markings does your rifle have? Could you send me the data?

Thanks,
Cass
 
#23 · (Edited)
Hi Cass:

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I would be happy to send you the data. Don't have it handy here at work but will try to get it for you tonight.

BTW, do you (or anyone else here) have any ideas on where I might be able to secure TM-ORD-2000 which I understand is the Tech Manual for the MC-58?

Regards,
Charlie Flick
 
#25 ·
Hello again, Cass:

My MC-58 rifle has the following markings:

USMC PROPERTY, MODEL MC-58
H&R MODEL #65 MODIFIED
HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON, INC.

It is serial numbered 8868.

Hope that helps you. I am searching for the TM-ORD-2000 and if I can find more than one the second one will be for you.

Best regards,
Charlie Flick
 
#27 · (Edited)
Great looking rifles! I am currently working on a M165 that needed alot of TLC.
I found an NOS MC-58 stock and decided to do a replica.
I removed the front sight ramp and modified an original sight to fit the slightly thinner barrel.
I have mocked up out of aluminum a safety to see how it functioned.
My questions are, Is the safety held on/off by a detent?
How long is the MC-58 trigger from the pin to the tip?
Any info would be greatly appriciated!
Current and before pic.
 
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