Parker Hale M85

[The Gun Pimp]

When the Hungerford massacre killed-off the semi-auto in 1989 and with it Practical Rifle.

The M85 was much sought after by those who attempted to revive Practical Rifle shooting as they were the only rifle around with a large-capacity detachable mag. and they were pretty accurate as well.

The Steyr SSG was also popular - if you could geth the ten-round mags.

Then the AI appeared but few could afford them.

The straight-pulls made the 308 obsolete for PR and with it the M85 though a few die-hards still use them and they still command a good price with acceptable accuracy.

Cheers
Vince

[ovenpaa]

That is Norman Clark selling a couple off then, now that is a coincidence!

http://www.gunmart.net/guns_for_sale/20 ... e-M85.html

[Sim G]

I nearly bought one!

Ah, the M85....... the rifle that should have been! Allegedly, in the original trials against the AI, Walther WA2000, SIG 2000 and a Remy variety, the M85 actually won, but the contract was awarded to AI! Politically/business orientated supposedly, but no doubt the real death knell for PH, even though the M85 was "passed as fit for service".

The rights to produce the M85 were bought by an American firm, the Gibbs Rifle Co, but they never made full production for why, I don't know. But last year there were a load of M85 actions for sale on the US gun auction websites, which I seem to remember were Gibbs.

Supposedly, Sabre Defence said four or five years ago that they had bought a licence to produce the M85 in the US, it never materialised and I can't imagine they'll let Mr Savage make them in the prison workshop!!

A fella in our club had one. His second in fact. I had several go's on it and really liked it. When it came up for sale, I was sorely tempted, but bought an RPA instead. I just couldn't satisfy myself that the M85 had a great deal of life left in it before I would have to "renovate" it.

[Jenks]

I once owned a Parker Hale M81 classic in 308win. it was my first stalking rifle. It had classic lines but was rather crudely finished, when compared to the Sako 75 that replaced it. Having said that i do wish that I had kept it. I must have a photo some where, if i can find one i will post it. Now there's a surprise, wot!

Jenks

[Jenks]

Well, I found just the one Photo of my old Parker Hale M81 Classic that isn't surrounded by dead 'critters'.





Jenks