Stevens 22cal Ranger Model 87M 101.16 semi auto military style rifle update/info

[1911crazy]

I found this Stevens 22lr Ranger Model 87M 101.16 semi auto military style training rifle today.  She looks like a m1 carbine / m1` garand mated.  I'm really not sure exactly what it is yet but it surely looks interesting. I been wanting another 22cal semi auto rifle and for $295 i think its a great buy.  I've seen these up to $1,500.  I believe its a military training rifle.  Its not the normal looking semi auto rifle. Its got the garand peep rear sights.

[Victor3]

 They look as though they were made to be a Garand or carbine trainer and I've seen several guys claim they are. I've never found any evidence that they were used by any branch of the military.


 Cool guns though. I like the way the bolt stays back until you let the trigger go. I have a Montgomery Wards marked Savage Mod 6 (tube fed). Jams often when it's dirty.

[1911crazy]

I was just told there is a bbok about these 22cal trainers,  its called; US Martial RF Rifles  by Thomas Bartha    i got it on amazon.
These rifles are showing up all over the place now.

[1911crazy]

From what i understand with no book on them here yet there is a military trainer version which is the "springfield M87" and the civilian version is the "ranger 101.16"  I think but i'm not sure yet.
The rifle arrived today and its unique.  It takes 22 shorts, 22 longs and 22 long rifle bullets which i perfer.  It only operates on semi auto with the 22 long rifles. To shoot the 22 shorts and 22 longs the bolt knob pushes in horizontally to lock the bolt similair to a bolt action.  Then you fire it and pull the bolt knob to the right and pull back the bolt to extract the fired casing and load another one.  It looks sililair to a garand with its stock, rear peep sight and front sight.  These trainers are neat little 22's.  I can't wait to try its accuracy out.
I just want to point out there is life after the surplus military big bore rifles.  We have so many different directions we can go with these. Either way there a hoot to handle and shoot too.

[1911crazy]

This book is a must have for the 22cal military training rifle collectors.  I think they did miss some models.  But there is lots of info in this affordable book.
It doesn't mention about the military training rifle the  springfield  model 87M and its after market civilian version the ranger 101.16 at all.  This semi auto with its gills on the receiver is definitely a garand look a like.  But there is more models in this book i was surprised to see.

[1911crazy]

Over at parallaxbill  C&R forum this stevens/springfield 87M and sears ranger 101.16 has a cult type following.  There's a 20 page post with lots of info.  I guess I got lucky on this one for $295 this proves even a blind squirrel can find a nut sooner or later if he keeps on searching.  I find it odd the way these treasures speak out to me.