Sears Model 66 semi-auto? Keeper?

[swaits]

So I have this thing, handed down from my dad. I don't know much about it, and haven't fired it myself. The mag tube holds a whopping two shells.

Is it worth keeping? Modding? Or should I just bail on it, clean it up, and get what I can for it? I suspect it may not be worth the trouble of selling.

I ask because I think I'd probably rather have a Mossberg 500 combo or 930 combo. I already have a Mossy 20 ga. I use for the rare clay session.

All opinions appreciated! Thanks!

[bigthaiboy]

You have a Sears & Roebuck Model 66M Semi Automatic Shotgun, actually manufactured for Sears by J.C. Higgins thru one of several sub-contractors.(Currently cross referenced by Sears to a J.C. Higgins Model 66 ) This particular shotgun was mass produced and manufactured between 1946-1962..It's MSR at the time it was made was $219.

[swaits]

Thx for the info bigthaiboy. Any opinions on this thing?

[randy]

Your dad gave it to you. He thought enough of you to give you a gun? Sure sell it.

[bigthaiboy]

Thx for the info bigthaiboy. Any opinions on this thing?

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the shotgun. Just gave you some info I found online.

I have an interest in rifles/ shotguns sold under a house brand. Guns made for department stores, by existing manufacturers such as Marlin, Mossberg, Hi Std, Winchester, etc, but sold under a house brand and model number. These are easily cross referenced, and can often be a good way of picking up a quality rifle at a lower price, eg. a Sears 200 can be found for a lower price than a Winchester 1200, although they are basically the same rifle, with minor differences such as wood finish etc.

[swaits]

Your dad gave it to you. He thought enough of you to give you a gun? Sure sell it.

Well.. it was his, he moved and left it. It's mine now. I've no attachment to it.

[maxicon]

My theory on inexpensive guns is that they're more trouble to sell than to keep, so I put ammo through them or give them away. If you can figure out the age, it's a lot easier to sell or give away if it's more than 50 years old.

I'd bet yours has a mag plug that's limiting capacity. If so, it's probably a 5 shot like so many others.

If it were mine, I'd find a disassembly guide, take it apart and clean it, and put an assortment of ammo through it. Heck, you might find you like it. If it works well, you could sell it cheap, or give it away to a young shooter. If it doesn't work well or needs parts, keep it for the next gun buyback or give it away to a wanna-be gunsmith.

Here's one at gunbroker, up to $130 currently. That would be a nice start on a Mossberg 500 fund:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128168176

[swaits]

Thanks maxicon. How would I go about finding a disassembly guide?

[akjunkie]

Thanks maxicon. How would I go about finding a disassembly guide?

Same way BigThaiBoy found the info on your dad's shotgun.

"Power of the Internet"

Google is your friend, try doing a search for one.
It's your shotgun, you do the homework.

[swaits]

Thanks - I'd searched and found out everything BTB had found before. Suppose I should have mentioned that. Certainly not asking anyone to do my homework for me - just didn't know if there was perhaps some sort of commercial service out there that deals with this sort of thing.

Anyway, I'll search on..

[swaits]

Think I found the manual (http://stevespages.com/pdf/histandard_c1200.pdf). Now I'm looking forward to tearing this thing apart. Thanks all!

[CSACANNONEER]

Hmmmm, If you can get an exact date of manufacture and it's +50 years old, you could always convert it to a SBS, after jumping through all the right NFA hoops.

[11011500a]

e gun parts has parts & info

[jinggoyd1967]

Reliability might be an issue if you SBS it. Not sure if it'll have enough gas pressure to function properly.

[swaits]

Yah, don't think I'd want to mess with it, being gas operated.