J.C. Higgins Model 50 in 30-06

[msta999]

I did a search, but didn't come up with anything.

Anyone use this model rifle before? There is one for sale, locally:

Here is what he says about it:

"These rifles were built by FN for distribution by Sears and has FN proof marks on the action. This rifle has a Wisner side swing safety for use with a scope. Comes with Tasco 3-9 and sling. Rifle has been reparkerized and has a Brown Precision synthetic stock: $350."

I want to get a rifle for my son, who is 15 and am considering this, but have never heard of it before............

Thanks for your time.

 

[Zoidberg523]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=223422

Hope this helps.

 

[SIGP250]

I did a search, but didn't come up with anything.

Anyone use this model rifle before? There is one for sale, locally:

Here is what he says about it:

"These rifles were built by FN for distribution by Sears and has FN proof marks on the action. This rifle has a Wisner side swing safety for use with a scope. Comes with Tasco 3-9 and sling. Rifle has been reparkerized and has a Brown Precision synthetic stock: $350."

I want to get a rifle for my son, who is 15 and am considering this, but have never heard of it before............

Thanks for your time.

J.C. Higgins Model 50 in 30-06

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J.C. Higgins was the Sears store brand name for guns. It was later expanded to all sporting goods. There actually was a J.C. Higgins that worked for Sears but he was an accountant. The advertising department just used his name. The J.C. Higgins brand lasted until about the mid 70's I believe. Like most Charles Daly rifles, Sears never manufactured any guns or sporting goods, they just put the Higgins brand name on the items they sold.

The J.C. Higgins 50 was most likely the FNH Model 1950: .30-06 Springfield bolt-action rifle; updated version of the Model 1930.

FN is now FNH-USA and made in SC. They make the FAL and SCAR. and did make the Browning Hi power. Started in 1895 as Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal — self identified as FN Herstal and often referred as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN — is a Belgian manufacturer of firearms. FN is a subsidiary of the Herstal Group, which also owns U.S. Repeating Arms Company (Winchester) and Browning Arms Company.

 

[TehK1w1]

An excellent gun. It's been underappreciated, but prices have climbed considerably in the last couple of years.
Parking over the original bluing is a crime IMHO, but it should be a very serviceable gun.
The bore is chrome-lined, FYI, which doesn't seem to hurt accuracy any(They have a rep for very good accuracy).
My father's in 30-06 shoots MOA or better.

 

[surfinUSA]

They are very similar to the Browning safari in the same caliber. But as was said, with a chrome lined bore. They are a well built bargain.

 

[MMCSRET]

The Model 50 and the 51 are fine rifles. the main differences being the stock configuration and checkering. Most model 50's stocks were uncheckered and of European design--drop at the comb that made them poorly suited for scope use. The Model 51 was nicely checkered and of a more modern design, more suited for scope use. I have one of each and they are fine rifles. The barrels are High Standard production and High Standard assembled the rifles for marketing under the J.C. Higgins name by Rears & Sorebutts Co. of Chicago. The barrels are dated on the bottom side just forward of the receiver, mine are dated early '55 and early '56. I use a receiver sight on my 50 and a scope on the 51 due to the stock design.

 

[surfinUSA]

Google JC higgins model 50 and you will find excellent information on this fine rifle. Mine was bought cheap as hell at a gun show (My father and I attended and the only one my father went to as far as I know).

I got a great deal because it was stamped Sears on the barrel (even though the receiver is stamped FN made in Belgium).

Its the only hunting rifle I own and if my son sells it, after I'm gone he can expect a life of Halloween type haunting for his error in judgement.

 

[NuclearMeltdown]

I have one that came with a steel Weaver K6. Great shooter. Was marked $250 when I got it in 2005, and to get it I traded a WASR10 that I paid $259 for the year before. The WASR10 would be worth alot more now had I kept it, but I don't regret it at all because there is no comparison in quality, workmanship, or accuracy. The JC Higgins is really well made.

Mine has an ancient Pachmayr pad on it that has turned rock-hard over the years. Hurts my shoulder after a few rounds, but is accurate and a ton of fun. The rear sight was removed on mine, and I wish I had it now just to try out for a few shots.

The only thing that bothers me is that the safety is in a rather inconvenient place that my thumb can't reach quickly. I prefer a tang safety on a bolt rifle, but these have bolt safeties on the left side that are kind of out of the way. I feel the same way about all stock Mauser safeties, though -- they're really inconvenient to use if you need a quick shot.

These Sears rifles are a great deal. This was marked $250. I got the Sears Ted Williams 200, which is really a Winchester 94 with a nicer stock that has a forend cap, for $175 around the same time. I put a peep sight on it and it makes for a handy .30-30 lever rifle. Two classic deer rifles that double as fun range plinkers for dirt cheap.

I've seen nicer Model 50's than mine at gun shows since, but they've been marked really high. They're worth it, but I can't justify paying $500 or more for one when I know they're cheaper elsewhere.

 

[SaxonPig]

Buy it.

 

[MarineTech]

I did some restoration work on one for a friend last year.

The stock was a mess after getting bumped around for since it was bought in 1957. FN apparently used some kind of varnish or shelac finish on it that just wasn't standing the test of time.

Stripped it down, steamed and sanded out the dings and dents, and gave it 20 coats of hand-rubbed oil finish. Came out absolutely beautiful.

Took it to the range and re-zero'd it for him. Best group I got was just slightly under an inch with some Remington 150gr Core-Lokt ammo I had on hand. Some good reloading work could probably drop that further.

These are definitely well-built rifles and I've been watching the gun-shops to add one to my collection since I worked on that one. Not the belle of the ball by any means, but good, solid rifles.

 

[Maverick223]

You can do a whole lot worse than an FN Mauser, i'd grab it. Might want to start your son off with some light loads (handloads or factory low recoil cartridges) if he doesn't have any experience with the .30-06, other than that carry on.