Should I Rail a old JC Higgins

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Mark_Mark

Mark_Mark

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Ok, call me crazy but I might do this to my $150 Sears JC Higgins 30/30. You guys see any issues with this.


Not my photo but, my gun is similar

10929142_01_jc_higgins_model_45_30_30_leve_640.jpg

Here a video on how to

 

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Does the Sears use the same wood setup as the more popular ones? Id say do it but only if you can undo it easily. Seems like most of the lever m look rails are based around a Henry rifle or a Marlin
 
I think collectors would turn their nose down at J C Higgins branded Marlins as they would want the one with the Marlin name on the barrel. So putting a rail on will hardly affect any collector value. While I have two JM Marlin lever actions, I am not a collector, I am a shooter.

This M46 S&W probably had collector value till I had it drilled and tapped for an optic base. This is a rare pistol, maybe 500 made in 1968. But I wanted to shoot it.

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did the same for this early 60's target Mk1 Ruger

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and this Kimber

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I am sure collectors will cry at my estate sale, but I don't care. I got to shoot my guns..
 
The handgaurd he's using is specific to Henry .45-70 guns. Are you fabricating your own for that JC Higgins?
 
reddog81 said:
The handgaurd he's using is specific to Henry .45-70 guns. Are you fabricating your own for that JC Higgins?
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they make a Marlin version, but I’m going more extra homemade and putting a standard AR rail on it. Like a cheap $35 rail! I can get it to work.. I think. if I have time, I’ll put my 7.5’ rail on it tonight
 
Slamfire said:
I think collectors would turn their nose down at J C Higgins branded Marlins as they would want the one with the Marlin name on the barrel. So putting a rail on will hardly affect any collector value. While I have two JM Marlin lever actions, I am not a collector, I am a shooter.

This M46 S&W probably had collector value till I had it drilled and tapped for an optic base. This is a rare pistol, maybe 500 made in 1968. But I wanted to shoot it.

View attachment 1095066

View attachment 1095070

did the same for this early 60's target Mk1 Ruger

View attachment 1095067


View attachment 1095068


and this Kimber

View attachment 1095069

I am sure collectors will cry at my estate sale, but I don't care. I got to shoot my guns..
Click to expand...
My JC Sears 30/30 is a GOOD SHOOTER! but with a light crack stock (fixed) and probably never been cleaned. It’s not that I don’t care, it’s that I care enough to bring it back new life as a tactical classic lever gun
 
Mark_Mark said:
it’s s JC Higgins, probably older than you! lol Marlin put all their Second in a bin and told Sears to have at it
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I don’t turn my nose up at the store brands of the day, I grew up shooting an awesome Glenfield model 60 that still shoots very well. Im just not a fan of the “tactical” lever gun. Especially if your going to cobble together something but in the end of course I agree with everyone saying to do what ya feel. That said……….Booo hisss!
If it were mine I would put a peep sight on it and load a bunch of cast Bullets. Sounds like a better thing to do with such a rifle.
Good luck on your endeavor
 
Barbaroja said:
I don’t turn my nose up at the store brands of the day, I grew up shooting an awesome Glenfield model 60 that still shoots very well. Im just not a fan of the “tactical” lever gun. Especially if your going to cobble together something but in the end of course I agree with everyone saying to do what ya feel. That said……….Booo hisss!
If it were mine I would put a peep sight on it and load a bunch of cast Bullets. Sounds like a better thing to do with such a rifle.
Good luck on your endeavor
Click to expand...
I’m going to make it look very Good! might put some cedar wood on the Mloc rail too!

Love a cheap project, and don’t worry, it’s going to be reversible
 
Neo-Luddite said:
I'll bet there will be PLENTY of JC Higgins 30/30s around to put under glass at the museum! I hope you enjoy yours as you'd like!
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I love that Rifle! bought it at a country Latin pawn shop about 6 years ago, So smooth from years of working the lever. Great trigger! it really deserves a Bubba job once in it’s life

I can’t remember what I paid for it. Between $100 and $150
 
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