The M65 got me through a night where I underestimated how cold it was going to get down to and only brought a wool blanket. Lifesaver

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

mine has carried me thru a few of those

It’s pretty cool how knowledge gets passed down from guys who had experience in the field. They feel obligated to keep it alive. Like you just did. Thanks

Advanced common sense with experience pure genius love it

The M-65 jacket is an indispensable piece of gear,get one!

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

it is for me

@jesuschristiskingandsavior461

Жыл бұрын

I'm in love w it. I have my grandpa's

I'm a huge fan of the M65. I gave my O.D. M65 to a homeless kid in the rain cuz I had other stuff I could wear and he didn't. Anyway, I just recently bought an extra woodland camo one and a tiger stripe M65. I was able to put your advice to use in my first woodland camo M65 in Seattle in November I had a t-shirt, polo shirt ,and Levi Trucker jacket under that M65 and the layering kept me relatively warm. With the way the world is going this info you are sharing is more important than ever. Thank you!!!!!!

One of my Drill Instructor’s trick to staying warm was to wear long underwear, put the field jacket liner on, fold it over itself, tuck it into the long underwear, then put your cammies on. This got me thru the long winter in the field, and rifle range in February.

In my opinion, the "Hoodie" is one of the most under rated pieces of survival gear in history. I always choose a heavier synthetic fleece hoodie with a fur liner. What I always did, was to use that as a second liner for my M-65 field coat. Put the hoodie's hood over your head, and the M-65 hood over that. The combination of the two is really, really hard to beat.

Excellent advice. You have mentioned before about the "slickness" of the liner being a bonus and I absolutely agree. I usually always roll with a multi-layer sleeping bag system (cotton liner, bag, goretex bivvie) If you get in with cotton clothes its really easy to end up bunched in a knot as you wriggle around. Sleeping in slick/slidy layers really helps you sleep comfortably, and helps avoid that feeling of being in a five-layer straight jacket.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

exactly on this campout this past weekend i was using my liner as a sleep jacket while i was in the sleeping bad had no trouble moving around

@Geoduck.

Жыл бұрын

I never thought about that. You are correct I know from experience back in the day but never put that together.

Hello Blackie, thanks for the memories...the M-65 was always one of favorite pieces of gear in the Army. Spent many a cold nights with this jacket, liner, poncho liner and poncho and slept comfortably.

I’ve always loved the M-65 jacket. It’s a great system. 👍👍

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

It really is!

I always liked my M 65 back in '70 but had no idea all of the things you could do with it. Thanks for the info.

Thank you . That jacket was and is a lifesaver , it can be a carry along home in a cold cruel world

Sir been at basic at Fort Knox and believe me with this tips in basic things were been improved a lot of r us but it's a art of the sop Thanks a bunch Keep the good advices A soldier no matter what opening is it's always a soldier until we hit the permanent dirt nap Have a nice from Sgt Serrano sep

Thanks for the wisdom. Grunt Proof did a video singing the praises of this same jacket, may need to look into one

Hi Blackie, greeting from Australia 🇦🇺, thankyou for your time to make these videos, muchly appreciated Thankyou.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome

Hands down by far the M65 is my personal favorite..!! Again another great video blackie..!! Thanks again sir

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

my pleasure

Good solid advice that carries forward info so it can be properly shared and not lost to history. I've not worn my M65 in decades but it is as versatile and useful as you've shown. I've also my dad's great coat that's from the 50-60's that also can work as a sleep system, no hood on it, but my liner fits it fine.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing

M65 is a great coat. The shell is great for brisk weather and the liner is WARM. Plus the hood in the collar is out of the way. Awesome.

as usual, I enjoyed your video, now, that M-65 Field jacket is also one of my favorite coats, I use when camping and hunting, and also rolled my field jacket up like that to make it fit into my rucksack when on active duty. You can also use that field jacket liner inside of a utility / BDU shirt, which you probably already know how to do that. Kep on with keeping on with your videos Blackie, teach the ones who watch and want to learn those things which it seems you have mastered....." S.F!"

I bought one of these from propper and it did really well in the Ozarks during the hard freeze that came through. I ended up taking the jacket liner out and lining my m81 gortex top when it started to rain and sleet. Good piece of gear.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing

Hello Blackie- Really good points you spoke of regarding the best jacket ever made. While serving; I had heard of the jacket pillow, but never seen it made until now. I use my field jacket liners to lounge around in on cool nights. Ive got about 5 of them hanging around and have thought of sewing on front pockets made from the same material. Old school jacket liners are indispensable and a must have for anyone. Thanks again- You and Mrs Blackie be good-

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

Good useful information

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it

Outstanding!

Always great tips!

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks

Great advice Blackie, didn't know about that. I'll have to get a large M-65, all mine are medium (that's my regular size). Thanks for the video.👍

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

Great video. I also like to use the liner for the pants, makes for a nice pair of pj’s.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Yes it does!

What a great video. I use a surplus South African Defence Force bush jacket with a M65 for the cold weather down here and it is really a versatile piece of kit.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Sounds great!

@thomasmusso1147

Жыл бұрын

👍 .. yep, the 70's era SADF Bush Jacket is a useful piece of kit. With a Woolworths 100% Pure Lambs Wool Pullover underneath, ideal for those cool Spring and Autumn days. They also fold up small enough to stuff in or on to a day pack or similar.

Good ideas Blackie, thank you.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome 😊

Thank you for the advice

Awesome video. Thanks 👍

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Hi again Blackie, I mentioned my uncle's m65 in another post before. He served in VN, so I was mistaken. I just checked the first time in many years. The patent and contract dates are 1955, 56 respectively. I suppose it's an M 51 with the upgraded minor changes. One thing I love about it over my more recent field jacket is the pocket liner. The improvement in usefulness is X10. My hands are toasty warm in this jacket without gloves. The nyco alone isn't made for that. However, you can remedy the issue by sewing in a wool liner from a neck warmer, merino socks, or scarf that you might not mind sacrificing. The tag says 80% wool and 20% cotton. It is not scratchy like the issue gloves. It feels like merino. I've worn it in the cold rain and consider it essential. It's the softest warmest hand pocket which is very surprising. This is truly something you'll like to do as an upgrade to personalize your custom M65. PS: To your health and long life sir. 🪖🙂👍

I just found yah and I can already tell by that hat,beard and voice that imma need to subscribe

This wasy favorite jacket. I use to get drunk on Germany and find a corner hidden to sleep it off. I used this jacket to sleep.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

it was good for that

I've never thought of it as a sleep system, but I've spent hundreds of nights sleeping in them! Good vid, Blackie

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

when its all you got it will do pretty well

I have an M65 and during a particularly cold snap here in the UK recently I wore the jacket, a scrim net scarf with a thin tactical snood underneath, and a British army woolly hat (what the Yanks call a watch cap), and my god I was warm! (I wore the snood because if it gets so cold it hurts your throat when you breathe I can pull the snood up to cover my mouth & nose.)

2:14 yup learned that tip quick in Wisconsin my cloths may be a little baggy in Sumer but fall winter I was warm.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

correct best way to stay warm

Interesting 😊. Thanks 🙏 Blackie. ❤️🇬🇧

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

Very good!

@blackoracle69

6 ай бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

Love my 'smoking jacket' still wear it under my regular uniform when it's cold.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

they work very well for that

Once i threw my (a copy not an original one) m65 in the trash because I didn't like a cotton jacket outdoor because it's not waterproof and the jacket was to big for me. But the liner hold me so warm in wintertime that I kept it . I still like it very much

Love ur vids, love ur style! 👍 regards from Germany where things are bit different..... 😉

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

Blackie, Great Video and Outstanding Information. I've used my M-65 as a sleep system. Thanks Again for sharing your time and knowledge and wisdom. Tim L. Old Boy Scout ,U.S. Army Vet and Brother of The Woods .

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

@timlacy2284

Жыл бұрын

@@blackoracle69 Blackie , I'm back up and running again. My phone blew up and I mean blew up , I appreciate all your videos and teaching. Thanks again. Tim L.

Those liners are gold in cold weather. Layers work. I wore jogging pants under my BDU bottoms. I would also wear a Hoodie over my bdu jacket thenthe m65 . I was never cold

M-65 for “work wear” and a Navy Peacoat for “dress wear” were my go to for many many years!

Good video Blackie , thanks for sharing , God bless !

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

same to you

Blackie : if you can find them the Army used to issue a Fur trimmed Hood for the Parka which buttons into the M65 or they had a insulated Cap you could wear with Velcro Flaps to hold it down and pull out the Hood of the M65 and pull it over the cap. We used both options when I was in Germany before the Berlin Wall came down.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

sportsmans guide has them now

Cool!

i have had mine for a decade. best garment i own. ive used it as a tarp for piles off torn off shingles full of nails. not a single thread out of place. this jacket is tough as hell

Back in the mid 60's when I started hunting I had no hunting clothes. I was freezing and another guy had an extra M65 that was the warmest jacket I have ever worn.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

it has always been my favorite hunting jacket

Enjoyed the video Blackie, thanks... I have an M65-a good modern jacket-but have liked the look of the M43. To me, the collar/lapel area of the M43 is very handsome....I know, practicality trumps handsome.... .I do have it fitted with an M65 liner...

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Fair enough!

Good point to mention using natural insulation to insulate more

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

i will demo that soon

Those straps on top of shoulders to hold towel etc for pillow is fantastic. Living out of a RAV4 couple yrs, I never get comfortable leaning back in seat due to pillow sliding down between seat and door.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

they help hold for sure

Thank you much more to think about,useful ,I use a modern m65 replica jacket and find it wonderful .

Great video

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

Was lucky to get a new, never issued woodland camo M65 and two liners a couple years ago. I had one from my early teens till my 30s and finally destroyed it. Glad I found another as they are becoming rare, if not extinct.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Right on

👍👍👍. Sizing. Outdoor Gear .. agreed, get a size or two larger. Being in the Bush is not a 'fashion statement'. Function (and adaptability) takes preference over Form. I have a surplus German BW 'Nato' Field Jacket with cold weather fleece liner. Got it back in the 80's, used but in good nick. Still in use, am going to be wearing it this morning while walking the pooch. Currently a couple of degrees below freezing out there. Having buttons on the liner is a good idea. I'm going to put some on the BW Liner so I can wear it apart from the jacket. A good share .. thanks. Take care ..

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

65 is my Favourite 🧙❣️

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

mine to

Great timing. I found one at a thrift store for $7 just last week, one size larger than I usually wear (xl) in woodland camo. No visible wear, with the liner but no hood. I wear a hat with a brim similar to yours and a wild rag so I wasn't concerned with the hood. Now I want a hood, heehee. Great tip, keep them coming.

@DaddyStarbuck

Жыл бұрын

Hood is in the collar if you unzip it

@kentuckyace1068

Жыл бұрын

Hood is stowed in the collar

@rafterL78

Жыл бұрын

Ha, found it guys, thanks. When I seen the snaps around the collar I was thinking of an exterior hood.

Oooorah! Dropping some good know. My dad was a Vietnam veteran but never been taught any skills or anything like that. I'm a modern Era marine corps veteran so this type of stuff wasn't taught to us either. Thanks for sharing 😏👍

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

my pleasure

Hi from Syracuse NY brother and outstanding advice

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Hello there!

@earlshaner4441

Жыл бұрын

Hi my friend

Good stuff Blackie!

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated

Appreciate the video Blackie, the pillows cool, but I thought maybe you were going to use the top jacket to wrap around legs & feet since no sleeping bag available but once cold weather hits break out ye old mummy bag👍 That reminds me of the time me and a couple of buddies spent the night in a Mexican jail & we used a rock for a pillow, oh yeah it had a luxurious concert trouff for the restroom👍

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

As a Recon Marine often all we carried in the field for sleeping was a poncho and liner which was cold as shit so we had to do similar techniques to get any sleep shivering at night lol

M-65 I discovered when I was 15 . . . Had then on, shockcord, waterproof hood {never wet at Loews} and lg french pocket inside

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

cool

I combine my 90s era M65 with a garment of my own design based on a 17th century German mountain Cloak. It is nearly a full circle of cloth made up of 5 segments….. a wide and long back segments…. Two front segments that each hang down halfway between belt and and knee but can be folded up and secured to make a pocket on the inside or outside. These two panels also loop and toggle together into a vest like front. In between the front and back segments are two narrower strips that can be secured around the arms to act as sleeves left loose so that the arms can come out but be sheltered under them, or laced to either or both the front and back to form an almost teepee shaped poncho. The back is gathered into several overlapping folds such that if completely undone and relaced it can got around the feet and back up to the front panels into a sleeping bag or pegged out into a plow point shelter. The front two panels thread through the epaulets of the M65 or there are two straps that run at right angles to the epaulet to wear the cloak more loosely

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

very cool idea

Great tips! :) I wish I could get my hands on one unused jacket in good condition.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

You should!

Went through this 45 years ago in Germany, have no idea what happened to the hood liner .good stuff

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thank you for your service

@savageater57

Жыл бұрын

@@blackoracle69 back then I never thought of as "service" the men in my family had always volunteered. I thought of it as family tradition and adventure . A way to see the world .

I don't have this jacket but I watched the whole video and learnt some things

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks for watching

I used mine as my sleep system last week at the Louisiana annual bushcraft gathering.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

awesome

@stevenkuntryjones690

Жыл бұрын

@@blackoracle69 got really cold Saturday night after a storm moved through

@baronedipiemonte3990

Жыл бұрын

@Steve, Point of Contact for future gatherings...? Thanks !!

Jacket is awesome but that hat is killer, love to purchase one

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks

My friends go out and spend thousands on camo gear , I always every year tag out and all I wear are my m65 woodland camo pants,coat,and boonie cap, I tinned everything "waxed" and I'm pretty much bulletproof all of the hunting season and I'm from the North East Adirondacks. Love my m65. The only thing I don't wear are my m65 jungle boots 1968 era big lug. Just not warm enough were I go.

That neck closure is so often overlooked. It is your temperature regulation system. Close it when cold, open it when warming up. Good jacket.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

your correct

I wore them for decades before I retired to the Philippines. If I go back to the U.S. for a visit in the winter Id have one with the liner waiting on me.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

very nice

👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Lots of folks resemble you hereabouts.

You can still find these brand new with liner for under $100 delivered today in 2024. For almost 50 years these have been the best bang for your buck in cold weather gear in the USA that I have ever seen.

...using the liner is key!

I really need one of those jackets!

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

its my favorite

The vests from the 70' ski vest an hunters vest craze I'll bet we're spawned by the liner

Got one! Came from n handy at a very cold football game!

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

yes they do

Thanks Blackie

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

glad to do it

Basic training in Georgia was COLD, and they did not give us liners. The field jacket by itself is not very warm at all. All we had were BDU pants, T shirt long shirt and jacket. I never did find a liner, but once at my unit we did have the army issue brown sweater, and that made all the difference. The problem with army activities is that if dressed warm enough to hang out in the cold, we would sweat to death while road marching! Then when we stop, its right back to that old problem of the sweat making us too cold again! Otherwise, I'd say the M65 is ideally suited for the freedom of civilian life and the ability to add/subtract layers at will, which was not an option in my unit.

They taught me to pack 18° temp change clothing, difference. It's true even in winter. You do make alot of unthought untaught sence when you explain.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

thanks

Insert the jacket you have to work with. The lesson here is, large. You can always make a large jacket/coat smaller. Not the reverse. Layers and loose is key. Someone said hood, yes. Make all your clothes do double and triple duty. Wind breaking ability is a must. Even a light, constant breeze can chill you. Also, minimize contact with cold ground. Cardboard is a functional insulator for this. Mittens vs gloves. Mittens keep the fingers touching for warmth. A bandana or two can act as a faux turtleneck and be taken off when too warm. Old(clean) socks, cut off at the ankle used as wrist gaiters. Also removed when warm. Wow, that's a lot. Thanks Blackie.

@matthewgabbard6415

Жыл бұрын

I never knew that about mittens, but it makes sense. Thanks

Thxs

Yup I'm going to try and remember how we use to make a sleep ing bag out of them

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

i am sure you will find away

@tomritter493

Жыл бұрын

@@blackoracle69 it had to do with tieing the waist cord to the liner and zipping it up around your legs I think

Minnesotan here, haven't worn a coat in decades. I just layer up to four hoodies over my top.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

that works as well

Great presentation. It strikes me that, given how useful and popular this item still is after being discontinued, that it’s due for an update, making it even better for an exclusively civilian market. Some savvy “clothing engineer”needs to create a newer (maybe less military-looking) version of this practical garment, in even more modern materials and colors, and then make it for regular people like us.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree!

@barrymurphy1337

Жыл бұрын

You are so right, a slightly more slim, tailored update with the same great functionality would be a definite winner I think. It's such an iconic, well designed jacket. I got my first M65 today so this video was very informative, thanks Blackie!

@TheSaneHatter

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, guys; I was worried this suggestion would get sneered at. But this item seems to really be the precursor to the "3-in-1 rain jackets" commonplace today (and one of which I have). Not only might some of the advice here apply to *using* those latter-day garments, but some features (like the added pockets and epaulets) could be tried out, while some of the advancements in fabric, construction, and so on could carry back the other way. Interestingly, I found a "leather M-1965" on one site, so somebody may be thinking this way already ....

@colinhankinson7367

Жыл бұрын

m.kzread.info/dash/bejne/g356usSfc8zLj9Y.html Hope this helps. There is a civi company kinda like Crye in Europe that sells just that. See attached link. Takes the best of all the major forces coats/smocks / and puts em together in various subdued colors. Spoiler alert, it’s $500

@toiletpaper5770

Жыл бұрын

Check out Brandit M65 Field Jacket

My M65 was stolen years ago. Now I use a British SAS windproof smock. Same tricks work with it.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

those are good as well and they are often wind proof

thanks for watching th m-65 is my all time favorite filed coat for hunting and camping

It's good practical information, but in a way some of these things are little history tidbits that don't usually get told in the more dramatic stories.

Get yourself the old wool 5 button sweater to wear under the field jacket. Then add field pants with liner, cold weather parka and it’s liner, the long johns of course, the black leather gloves with wool liners, a cold weather hat with ear flaps, Mickey Mouse boots and 2 weeks in Grafenwoehr Germany 🇩🇪 Great times

I knew that I was getting a M-65 jacket two years ago for some reason!

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

awesome good field jacket

I still have my m65 i was issued. but its in ACU patter 🤢. Wish it was green like yours. Also the jacket liner was by far my favorite jacket. We called it the smokers jacket. we would put it under our ACU tops and it really worked well.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

i knew vets who did that would wear a liner under the camo shirt then a liner in the jacket

@LoneWolf051

Жыл бұрын

you can always dye the ACU with brown dye or OD green

@snappers_antique_firearms

Жыл бұрын

@@LoneWolf051 do you think it would make the scu pattern disappear. I was thinking of doing this. I love the OD green

@ianmurray4081

Жыл бұрын

@@snappers_antique_firearms blackie did a video on the subject maybe around summer time?

@snappers_antique_firearms

Жыл бұрын

@@ianmurray4081 really i must have missed it. thank you

When I bought mine it fit perfect for warm layers under, now, several years later, it's a bit snugger. Not tight, but not as roomy as it was. Guess it shrunk! Yea, that's it! 🤣

@baronedipiemonte3990

Жыл бұрын

My 1990 issue shrunk as well. Yes, that IS it. So I bought a Propper & can comfortably wear a British Military/USMC wolley pully sweater with it & the liner... but that's all. Great field jacket. Great video Blackie !

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

lol i hear that alot these days

Dang Blackie, you Always have great useful information. You offer more to us out here than any other channel.. Where do I get the M-65 Jacket? Army used clothing store? Are there different models of it?

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

correct that and yard sales ect they pop up on ebay from time to time and rothco makes repos

The USGI wool field shirt wears great under the m65. The 50's examples are supposed to be better, but I've been very happy with the 70's examples you can find readily available online unissued for about $30. I haven't tried the pants yet, but I might eventually

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

i have used the korean war wool shirts they are good but almost impossible to find these days

@TylerSnyder305

Жыл бұрын

@@blackoracle69 That's a shame, but I bet most people would be happy with the 70's examples. I wear mine all the time.

not a bad video, you missed one of the features that help when just curling up in a fox hole, or tucked in a corner. the sleeves of the M65 have a flap in them that you can pull out from the Velcro holding it that covers the back of your hand, or can be pulled in to help hold the warm air and body heat in at the wrist. also my liner has a small pocket on the inside, that can hold glasses, or something small. I used it to hold my flashlight so I could find it quick, and the batteries would be warm, so they worked better in cold weather.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

that is very true thanks for pointing that out

I just bought a M 65 field jacket about a month ago from tactical gear. It's from Men's Propper 3x large. Dam nice, I can't find a used one anywhere. And if there is one, it will be small.

@woodrowbrimm2805

Жыл бұрын

My old Issue M65 Med. Reg. got to be to tight due to my age so I bought the Propper 2XL but it is so large I swim in it but my Med. Liner will still fit. I'm thinking of taking it in a couple inches which should still gives me plenty of room also the Velcro Tabs on the cuff of the sleeves is poorly placed so I'll have to sew in more Velcro. other than that it seems to be well made.

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

i think it will work well once you make those adjustments

not forgetting the snood or headover a tube of fabric bikers use stretchy breathable ones mountaineers and the like have thicker insulation versions many years ago I had a surplus Bundeswher device it was a double layered 100% baumwolle (cotton) tube roughly 3 feet long about 2 feet of it was split and hemmed to sit down your front and rear torso the last section filled the gap from throat upwards and could be drawn up over the face, I wonder if anything similar is made today ? unless of course you are friends with a seamstress with a good sewing machine and access to thermal fabrics

@blackoracle69

Жыл бұрын

good point

Hi from Europe! There same imitation od M65 I guess. What is it made of originaly? What percentage of cotton, syntethic? Is it water proof?