Bolt-Action Shotguns!?

[Panzerschwein]

Who has a bolt action shotgun? I'm talking about the old Sears Roebuck, Mossberg, J.C. Higgins, Glenfield, etc. bolt action shotguns that could be found for sale at various stores and were popular in the 50-70s era as a low-cost repeating shotgun.



I've handled a few of these old guns and they often sell for not much more than $100 dollars these days. I think they are very nifty, and the one I've handles in 20 gauge seem very light and offer 3 shots or more. I'm in the market for a squirrel/rabbit gun and I don't have a great deal of money to spend. I like these guns because they just sort of have an "end of the world" or "zombie apocalypse" type charm going on. I just like unusual, and inexpensive guns. IDK, I just think they are cool!

Would something like an old bolt-action 20 gauge shotgun by a good idea for me? Or are they pieces of junk that I should never seek out? Is there anything I should keep in mind, are they safe to shoot? I'm just looking for a little feedback on this before I go commit to buying one.

Thanks!

 

[Claymore1500]

I have one, just like in your post(pic) it is a Mossberg (can't remember the exact model number).

I got it, and a CVA front stuffer, (I gave that to my brother), from a friend years ago, I like them too, just for the cool factor, You don't see many of them around any more.

Mine is a 16ga. and although I don't shoot it a lot, I have found it to be fairly accurate with slugs, and throws a good pattern with bird shot. At one time I had it's little brother, a 410 mossy, in the same configuration, it had a broken mag spring, I loaned it to another friend and he gave it away, (I don't hang out with him anymore).

I wouldn't call them "junk" they fell out of favor (I think) due to lack of second shot "speed", A pump gun is very much faster.

 

[mesinge2]

I had a chance to buy a bolt action Mossberg 12ga years ago and passed on it. Been kicking myself since as I have yet to even see another one.

 

[DIY_guy]

Ive got an old Mossberg Model 185 DC. The 185 DC was made from 1955 – 1958.

Back in the day it cost $26. This is how it came to me.



There is no finish remaining on the wooden stock and it has some stains.









Then I brought it back to life.

 

[improperlyaged]

I have a marlin 55 (not the goose gun). I have used it for everything. From Crows to squirrels to hogs. Great gun and I believe that the old bolt action shotguns are extremely under rated. I can work it about as fast as a pump and I like it more than my pump in some ways.

 

[Panzerschwein]

DIY guy, your name sure shines through! What a great job you did with that wood!

I can't wait to grab up a classic bolt action shotgun when I can find one in 20 gauge, I already have two 12 gauges, a Winchester Model 12 and an H&R single shot job.

As I said, I'm looking for a 20 gauge for small game hunting and heck maybe even deer hunting with slugs.

 

[MikeJackmin]

My brain is foggy on the details, but there was one batch of these (sears?) that underwent a recall. I also know that extractors for some of these guns are currently unavailable, explaining why examples with broken extractors can be had for unusually reasonable prices. Perhaps others here could fill in the necessary details.

That said, I like this platform a lot. I think any of us who grew up on them will always appreciate their utility and charm. I also think they make fine house guns for people who are not gun enthusiasts.

I might have a 16ga for sale soon if anybody is interested.

 

[gamestalker]

I've had a few of those over the years, 12ga, 20, and .410, I thought they were really niffty. I never had any problems with any of them other than one broke a firing pin, but it was a simple and inexpensive fix.

Hope this helps

GS

 

[Virginian]

Nice job DIY_guy. But to me it is like lipstick on a pig.
My first shotgun was a Mossberg 20 with a C-Lect choke. I hated it, and it hated me back. The choke and about 2" of barrel are still out in the marsh. Mossberg fixed it and I sold it as fast as humanly possible. I do not understand the fascination with bolt action shotguns. As soon as they got the manufacturing costs down on pumps they died out; deservedly so in my opinion.

 

[newfalguy101]

I have one very similar to the one posted in the first post.....given to me by my dad, who is gone now.

One of the very few guns I own that are not for sale at any price

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

i had two of them a 20ga and a 12ga with a 32" barrel goose gun
my dad gave me when i was a kid he gave my brother one in 16 ga
he still has his i sold mine and bought a new winchester super X model 1
and have not look back

 

[GRIZ22]

I have a Marlin 12 ga with adj choke. I bought it a few years ago for $50 in used not abused condition. I always wanted one seeing them in Sears and Montgomery Ward catalogues when I was a kid. It shoots well and is a good spare shotgun.

 

[BullRunBear]

I had one of those Sears versions that was recalled. It belonged to my father-in-law who got it as a young married. The story goes he put half a box of shells through it and put it in the closet. I got it almost thirty years later along with that partial box of shells.

It was a 12 ga with fixed choke. It was certainly accurate enough. Never hunted with it, I prefer SxS, but used it for trap. The joke is I often shot against guys with multi-thousand dollar guns. They almost all wanted to try it because it reminded them of the shotguns they started with as youngsters.

 

[Havok7416]

I have one, but it's a relatively new Savage Model 210. I think of it mostly as a novelty as I have other suitable shotguns.

 

[SleazyRider]

I never understood why the bolt shotguns never made it big time. My old Marlin is simple and reliable, and doesn't owe me a thing.

 

[loose noose]

I've owned a couple, one in 16ga. and one in 12ga. The one I had last, the 12ga I sold to a friend that wanted it really bad, that he gave me twice what I paid for it; so I bought a pump. The 16 and the 12 were both serviceable shotguns and the financial straight I was in at the time served me well.

 

[MikeJackmin]

I found some info about the recall:

http://www.gunandgame.com/threads/jc-higgins-recall.23069/

If applies only to the 12 gauge guns, the 20s and 16s had more metal in affected area and are not at risk.

I don't know if they are still doing it, but Sears was offering $150 just for the bolt from the recalled guns. It might be worth picking up the junkers for a quick profit, particularly if they are unsafe to begin with.

 

[mbopp]

Dad had a Mossberg 12ga w/ C-Lect choke. Heavier than all get-out to carry for deer hunting, but the weight soaked up the recoil from the slugs.

 

[rromeo]

I have a JC Higgins 20 ga. It was sitting in a pawn shop, and with a $100 tag, I couldn't walk away from it.

 

[wyohome]

I have a 20 ga. Marlin 55. I have never liked it but have kept it around for 50 years.

 

[mac66]

I picked one up at a police auction about 25 years ago. It is an H&R Gamester. It was a beater, someone had clamped the barrel in a vice to saw the polychoke off it. I ended up sawing the barrel down and refinishing the gun. It was kind of fun to play with.

Before...



After...

 

[336A]

I like them myself as well, they make me think of simpler times. I have my late fathers 185K-A 20GA with C-Lect choke and cutts compensator. It was his deer gun and it brought home the bacon more often than not. Even though it don't look like much today and isn't worth a whole lot I will never part with it. I would actually like to take a deer with someday. My younger brother's first shotgun back in 91 was a near mint 20GA 185D as pictured above. The squirrels and rabbits hated that shotgun. I'm not sure if he ever did get a deer with or if he even has it anymore. It was a very good shotgun though.

If I ever come across a Mossberg in decent shape and at a decent price point I wouldn't give it a second thought. I would like to find one in 20GA rather than 12GA though.

 

[WestKentucky]

I have one in 410. I know I have shot it, but I don't remember it. It's an heirloom. I may look for another as it would make for a really nice truck gun if I had one I could cut and beat on.

 

[Iggy]

I had a Mossberg in .410 back in my college days. Bought for $25.00. Killed hundreds of Jack Rabbits with it. Sold the rabbits to a mink farmer for $.75 apiece. Kept me in beer money. Sold it for $50.00

Great little gun.

 

[goon]

My dad used to always talk about hunting with them when he was a kid. They still turn up at times and I've handled them, but for my uses, I think I'd do as well with a single barrel. I found years ago that if I have a repeater, anything I hunt is going to get shot three times - whether it needs it of not.

But if you like unusual guns from bygone eras, a bolt action 20 or 12 gauge would seem a good fit.