Should I Rail a old JC Higgins

I love these kind of threads.

Y'all are funny!

 

When I was a kid, I clipped a playing card to the front fork of my bike so the spokes would hit it. Pretended I had a motorbike...;-)

 

I put a scope rail on my RAR 17HMR.

 

They have dove tail adapter to rail mounts. If your gun is not drilled and tapped.
Amazon.com : Monstrum Tactical Low Profile Dovetail to Picatinny/Weaver .22 Airgun Rail Adaptor : Sports & Outdoors

 

It’s not something I’d do but if it’s just part swapping and no drilling or cutting, it’s a no harm, no foul situation. Under one condition. You have to shoot it and show pictures that it works better for you after the “upgrade” that it shoots better (doesn’t have to be more accurate, more fun counts too).

If you do all that and park it back in the safe it’s just messing with a nice but generic rifle. If you shoot it more it’s worth it.

 

I realize that may have come off as more serious than the faux serious I was going for. Blame the cat and kid distractions while typing.

These threads make me think of my dad’s rule about my mom buying cooking books. She had to make at least one thing out of it to justify the purchase. I feel it’s a good parallel. If you post the idea and do it, you have to show us the results once it’s done.

 

With the cost of lever guns these days, why did you post this in your gun lottery thread. This is definitely grown more in value than what you posted there. Ever consider selling it and buying one of the lever guns already set up with an ar handrail?

 

If you think that it’s only worth $150 I’ll buy it from you and pay double

 

There is no way you are going to make a rail look "good" or even "cool" on a lever action rifle but it belongs to you so do whatever you wish. I don't want to see a picture of it either. Those in your # 40 post just ruined my breakfast.

 

If you feel a rail will make the rifle more useful then jump right in.

 

Sure. Heck even if you change your mind in the future filler screws only look bad.

Personally I have no desire to hunt with irons. I don't care about anyone who says scopes look "wrong" on a lever action - when I'm hunting the experience just isn't the same if I'm not using a reticle.

 

Are you trying to get me started? You have succeeded...

A rifle looks "cool" from the memories of the experiences you have shared with it. That shot downhill at a running buck that miraculously made the animal falter and die 10 steps later when you thought you couldn't hit the target at all that makes it look cool. It's the hours of practice and good spirited competition with others that your rifle held it's own and in some cases exceeded. It's taking the rifle to a match and having prison guards with their Mini-14's snicker at you and say you shouldn't try to compete against professionals only to smoke them in accuracy in three sets.

To the world my 92 Winchester looks like a beat up old relic that should be retired for a newer weapon. But since my Gramps gave it to me when I was 14 years old the weapon has served me well enough that in my eyes it will always be cool. And should those with rails and new accessories claim my rifle is behind the time. I'll come and have a match with them whenever they're inclined. (With apologies to Kipling for the theft and cold blooded murder of his work.)

 

Just trying to save that poor guns soul. Rip lil’ Higgins you weren’t cool enough.

 

Let’s be honest about what that rifle was, and what it is - the JC Higgins versions sold at Sears were affordable, high volume “every man’s rifles”. They’re not artistic works of gun craft, even in the Marlin iteration, let alone the JC 45’s. Today, it’s just an old rifle, not a fine antique rifle, not a collectors’ rifle, just an old rifle. It’s not a pre-1900’s or turn of the century rifle, it’s just an old rebranded Marlin built post-WWII.

Let’s also be honest about what a furniture change really means - it’s simply a non-destructive furniture change. As much damage could and would typically happen during a detail strip and cleaning as would happen due to this furniture change, and frankly, this swap will likely mean the original wood will be better preserved than it would be if it remained attached to the rifle.

So for me, yup, if you have interest in an mlok railed levergun, then “modernize” the hell out of it. It’s a hell of a lot better that you rebuild it as you desire and make use of it than stick it in the back of the safe to rot away for lack of interest in its current aesthetic.