Antone know anything about JC Higgins?

[arinvolvo]

I inherited a JC Higgins Model 66 12 guage autoloading shotgun with built in choke/compensator from my grandfather.

I think he shot it once. Like new condition.

This is what I DO know about JC Higgins and this particular model. I know that JC Higgins is the brand name the Sears sold many rifles and shotguns under, back in the day....I know that this particular model (66) was made by High Standard FOR Sears to be sold under the JC Higgins name.

My question is...Is this an ok shotgun? Is it collectible or valuable? I dont want to be out shooting it every weekend if it has some sort of high collectible value.

I have shot it a few times...It seems a bit picky about loads...but federal birdshot seems to run through it quite well. I am pretty happy about it.

Anyone have any opinions or other info?

 

[Dave McCracken]

I doubt there'e ever gonna be much collector value for H/S shotguns. Go ahead and shoot it, keep it clean and well maintained.

These aren't great shotguns but are OK, and it was your Grandfather's.

This may be less picky about loads after a few boxes. It sounds like it's still breaking in.

HTH, and enjoy...

 

[foghornl]

As I sort of vaguely recall, ex father-in-law had a JC Higgins Mdl 66.

He didn't shoot it a lot, but it always seemed to function better with Federal ammo than with Rem or Win. It would also work well with some sort of all-plastic round...Alcan brand of ammo maybe ? ? ?

As I even more vaguely recall, that Alcan(?) ammo was a light load, sort of a red tanslucent hard plastic, and it wasn't crimped, but had a "plug" that sealed the round.

 

[aerod1]

I have a J.C.Higgins shotgun and I am holding on to mine. It has been years since a shotgun was produced for Sears under that name. They may never be worth a lot of money but some collectors seem to be looking at them under a little different light lately. Were I you, I would keep it for my children to inherit. After all, it did belong to your Grandfather. I would consider this gun a family heirloom.
Just my honest opinion,

Jim Hall

 

[JohnBT]

"Anyone know anything about JC Higgins?"

He was an accountant for Sears & Roebuck and they liked the sound of his name so they put it on their guns.

Really.

John

 

[prohawk]

prohawk

I have a JC Higgins Model 28,semi-automatic 22 long rifle in New Condition.

My dad bought it back in the late 40's. It shoots very well and looks similar to the Remington semi auto of that era.

It never jams,and is a tube feed.

 

[BSlacker]

I have a couple of Model 66s and they are great shooters. Becareful about steel shot at full choke it can break the comp. And the action bars are weak and can break if the stock has been removed, the little piece that goes in the reciever that the stock screw goes into shifts to the left and it hits the rear of the bar and it breaks. There are two types of bars one piece and brazed from a couple of pieces. Good shooting. I think they were made by High Standard and the gas system patent is held by a person with the same name as me(my real name not screen name).

 

[bakert]

I don't know much about the autos but my son has been using an old 12 ga., I believe it's a model 20 pump for years. Pretty slick working old gun.