Target shooting is very popular in Norway, and stocks of the Krag–Jørgensen M1894 were scarce after the end of the war.

The M59, M67 and the Krag–Jørgensen were the official target rifles of the Norwegian DFS until the adoption of the SIG Sauer 200 STR in the 1990.

It was also used as a civilian target rifle, having the advantage over the Krag–Jørgensen M1894 that it did not suffer from changing point of impact in rainy weather.

Old markings were removed, and the front receiver bridge was opened to accommodate loading of the somewhat longer (compared to the 7.92×57 mm Mauser) .30-06 cardridge,

A civilian M59 (top) in .30-06 and the army issue M59F1 in 7.62×51mm NATO (bottom, with a side-mounted scope).

The M59 was redesigned in 1967, hence the M67, and was made using a captured World War II German M98 action, fitted with a heavy target stock and barrel.