JC Higgins

[McNally M.]

Hey guys,

I've been noticing on that the Sears & Roebuck JC Higgins single shot 12 gauge shotguns are selling for pretty cheap. I did a little research and found out that these shotties were recalled by Sears. What was the reason for this? Are these shotguns dangerous to shoot?

[hcbr]

From what i've read, faulty bolt latch that could cause it to hit the shooter in the face. Here's an article i saved and found on google

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=183969

[Thefeeder]

From what i've read, faulty bolt latch that could cause it to hit the shooter in the face. Here's an article i saved and found on google

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/view...p?f=2&t=183969

Mmmmmm....This is also a post in the thread....so go figure


sorry guys but here's the truth.... I found some threads on another gunsite and here they are from a 35 year gunsmith who has dealt with these guns.... these threads are from.. gunandgame.com


The recall was baseless... sears was sued by an idiot that tried to use the model in question with a stripped and lose bolt stop screw. When he opened the bolt and pulled the bolt back, he pulled it so hard that bolt stop screw came out, the bolt came out and he hit himself in the eye . No, the gun did not blowup, it was not even a result of shooting it, it was the result of improper and carless use of firearms. Sears recalled them to protect them selves as the jc higgins model was exclusive sears product made for them by high standard manufacturing. Based on an H&R Riesing Patten which Sears bought and owned . The model in question is known as jc higgins model 10 it was manufactured from 1946 to 1956 I have owned several of them for many years one has been in family for many years it was bought new by my father in 1952 it and the other has fired thousands of rounds, they are totaly safe and one of the best bolt action shotguns ever made, period .These are the facts, so dont be afraid to shoot it or to buy one ,unless you are an idiot... aparently these guns can be hard on idiots


I have seen and read all kinds of stories about the bolts on these guns. Well I actully know what the problem is I am a real gun smith that worked on this issue, so here's the truth and I hope it puts an end to this silly mess. There is actually nothing wrong with these guns. The problem is Sears. The shotguns in question 583 12 to 583 22 are all gauges 20 16 12 all the guns were made by High standard between 1949 and 1954 Sears owned this perticular model and at that time a big piece of High standard as well. Sears had bought the rights to make these guns from H&R some time around 1948 all of the earlier versions of these guns 583 1 to 583 12 were made for high standard by H&R . Sears no longer sold guns did not have the ability to repair these guns so they decide on the recall. The problem has to do with with bolt stop screw has nothing to do whatsoever with the bolt lock up. These guns are completly safe to fire. However if the bolt stop screw is loose or not in the gun, there is nothing to stop the bolt when you cycle the bolt for next round, just make sure you have the bolt stop screw in place and its tight and you will be fine. With these old guns.. Note all guns 583 1 to 583 25 have the same problem as well as all H&R 120 &122 as well as 348/349 gamester and 351 huntsman bolt action shotgun all the guns are related .They are a very good gun, better than most of their compition. At that time but these guns are now well over 50 years old. So if you still want to ruin your old freind for 2 dollar screw, shame on you and by the way, 12 gauge has the lower chamber pressure than 20 and 16 20 has the highest .


I have said this in several posts there is nothing wrong with these guns except they are not idiot proof, check your bolt stop screw, if its good ( not striped or missing and stays tight) you are golden these guns are completely safe to shoot and better than a lot of the crap they make today and worth more than $50 of Sears funny money and lot better gun than pot metal chinese H&R pumps half mexican mossbergs out. There's no plastic or aluminium on these old guns. The fact that an awfull lot of the J C Higgins were in heavy use for 50 plus years and still are, says a lot for them. These guns are old 1945 to 1955. Some gunsmith made quick money selling the bolts I have made a lot more fixing them, selling them and supplying parts to people who need parts. I also get requests for bolts I am always buying up on these old guns. I own quite a few of them. Been a gunsmith for 35 years I would rather fix them and sell them. I would not get involved in Liberal Sears Gun buy back sceme. If you what to sell your bolt for 50 bucks email me I will pay more Than Sears. I will buy the whole gun as I have a good market for them.


Last edited by chucksniper on Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:31 am, edited 1 time in total.



Read more: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/view...#ixzz1eJedu7Sg

And yet another thread


another testimonial from irishmusket from this site....


I have been a gunsmith for over thirty years Have actually delt with the J C higgins issue the problem has nothing to do with the guns lockup it has to do with the bolt stop screw wich holds the bolt in the gun when you cycle the action . This is the same screw you remove to to take the bolt out of the action to clean it .However some people lost these screws put in some other kind of screw offten striped and some people even used these guns with out one at all .the result was somebody fired one these guns with above issue. after fireing it opened the bolt pulled back to pickup anouther round . But much to the hapless opperators surprize he pulled the bolt out the action and hit him self in the eye with his hand and the bolt. No the gun did blow open when these guns are locked they are locked by two locking lugs They are very strong .Owning and useing firearms requires a level of common sense. and some understanding of what one is doing . That has unfurtunately not allways been the case. If you are not sure of what you are doing with any gun you should not use it These guns were a old design even when Sears was selling them these guns were made by Sears ( They owned the design and the manufacturer High Standard )these guns were never sold by any body elseThe gun was based on an old H&R pattent wich sears bought in 1945 .H&R made thousands of these guns for High Standard /jC Higgins all of series 583 1 to 583 13 If you go to the Sears recall page you quickly notice that the series 583 13 to 583 22 are recalled that means not just 12 gauge but 16 and 20 as well . Sears no longer sells guns would like make think that they never sold guns. and really not happy with the fact that they actually owned a good part of a gun maker High Standard they at one time owned large amount of stock had two seats on the board of directors and Vice president of High standard they owned 60% of High Standards production all of rifle and shotgun production High standard made no shotguns or rifles with their name on them untill the early 60s and even then they had to pay Sears to make these guns as Sears owned the Designs High standard had little or nothing to do with origins of these early guns .thus since sear owned the J C higgins model 10 they recalled it. How ever the recall is as valid as liberal gun buy back The only thing wrong with J C higgins model 10 is some people should not have guns because they dont no how to take care of them or safely handle them even one as simple as the model 10.and in the 90s every body out there was sueing gun makers gun dealer s and gunsmiths I have worked on many of these old guns fixed about 50 bolt stop screws with above metioned problems but I have never seen one blow up and shoot the bolt into the shooters face . Though some of you out thier might be incensed by what I am about to say It comes from real experience and knowledge Bolt action shotguns are old fashioned things these days .But as bolt action shotguns go the J C Higgins model 10 was the best one ever made barring none




Read more: http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/view...#ixzz1eJf5rFQt