The JC Higgins Model 31

Status
Not open for further replies.
Nice rifle! Sorry to hear about your dad.

Scope mounting options are few and far between... read through this thread carefully; I think someone may have mentioned it. if you get something figured out let us know.
 
From what I can see in the user manual it looks like the stock scope is supposed to have a base plate and screw that slides onto the grooved section on the top of the rifle, tightened by the screw, then the clamps on the scope attach to that. I've seen a few vintage scopes out there but none with the plate and the parts link someone posted says they are sold out.

If I figure something out I'll be sure to post it here.
 
There must be several variants (like with the extractor types), as mine has no base plate. There is a notch on the inside edge of the scope rings that fits on one side of the groove in the top of the reciever, and a screwed-in plate on the other side that acts as the other "notch" when the screws are tightened. one of my screws broke long ago and that side plate was lost. I haven't been able to source a replacement. I kinda like it without the scope anyway, though... even though the original scope is pretty cool.
 
When mounted in that configuration how stable was it? Those grooves seem so, so small it's hard to imagine clipping something to them like that.
 
It worked fine... until it broke. :D That was about 20 years ago and I don't remember doing a lot of serious evaluation of the stability of the setup as a kid. Hit what I aimed at, though.

The .22 LR isn't a heavy recoiling rifle. :)
 
mdl 31 serial number

I wish to join the JC Higgins mdl 31 club. I purchased mine when I was helping my brother with an estate sale. The owner let me have it for $60.00 since I was helping with the sale. I also have a Ted Williams 12 guage auto shotgun. I have a question. Where is the sn on the mdl 31. There are numbers on the side of the trigger guard assembly, but these could be part numbers.
 
The only number I've been able to find on mine is inside the receiver and I doubt that's a serial number. Serial numbers weren't required on these types of rifles until some time in the late 60s-early 70s or something IIRC.
 
Does anyone know someone in Arizona who could repair/replace the firing pin on my J C Higgins Model 31 Semi-Auto ? It was my birthday present given to me by my father in 1956, purchased at Sears-Robuck in Fresno, CA.
 
Last edited:
Model 31 Club

Hi from Paola, Kansas. I am glad there are other J C Higgens .22 cal. lovers out there. I have a Models 25, 30 and a 31. I am trying to get scope rings for the 31 and have not found any that fit. Do they have adapters for this purpose? I would like to put a 1" scope on it. I would appreciate any help I can get. Well, looking forward to chatting and sharing info with every one. Thanks - Glassfixer
 
I have a set of Weaver quick disconnect scope rings for mine. I don't recall the model number, but they were for a standard .22 LR dovetail and they work fine. My rings are the see through style that allowed me to mount a peep sight for close in work. I have a Williams Receiver sight mounted just behind the aft scope ring and I replaced the front sight with a tall Lyman front sight with ivory bead. They are zeroed for 50 yds. I mounted a cheap Tasco scope and zeroed it for 100 yds. It makes a good combination.
 
Hi guys. I just joined up and want to be a member too. I have a model 31 that I inheirited. The end of the bolt handle is broken off. My stepdad owned the gun and the bolt was jammed. I took it apart and OMG, the gunk that was in there. I don't think it ever has been cleaned. But my question is when I pulled the bolt out a part fell out of the bolt. I think it is on the side opposite the bolt handle. It is about one inch long has flat spot on one side and a long narrow slide on the opposite side of it. I have looked at Steves pages at the schematic but it doesn't show this side of the bolt. I went to Numrich site but they don't show this part either.I think it is on the opposite the extractor and fits in the groove there but I don't which way.
I looked at 1K's pictures but didn't see this part. Any help will be appreciated. I also am going to need a bolt handle.
Thanks
 
Post some pics if you can... I can't imagine what it might be unless part of the internal receiver rail snapped off or something.
 
I'll try it tonite. I think it is a guide of the bolt. When it jammed on him the volt was angled down just a little toward the breech.
 
I hope I have right pics. The piece laying beside the bolt is one in question. I think it goes in the groove on the side of the bolt.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0430.jpg
    IMG_0430.jpg
    69.9 KB · Views: 40
  • IMG_0431.jpg
    IMG_0431.jpg
    39.1 KB · Views: 25
  • IMG_0432-1.jpg
    IMG_0432-1.jpg
    38.1 KB · Views: 28
I believe my suspicions were correct. Unless I'm mistaken that's the ejector and it's supposed to be welded/soldered/staked to the inside of the receiver (unless the long outside edges of the flat rectangular portion are dovetailed, are they?), and you're correct that it is a guide for the bolt; the slot in the side of the bolt slides on it. That little flat notch/tab at the rear acts as the ejector. In your 3rd pic it's oriented as it would be if you had your rifle on your lap, upside down, with the barrel pointing to the right. You'll likely need to take it to a gunsmith. There will probably be a discolored rectangular area on the inside left side of the receiver (with the gun pointing away from you) where it came loose. Unless it dovetails in there somehow. I don't know how it's supposed to be attached... it could be staked in or soldered or dovetailed as I said. Numrich lists it as a separate piece so it obviously can be replaced by someone smarter than I. :)

Take a really close look at that area of the receiver now you know where to look, and see if you can see stake marks or a place where that would slide into place.

Here's a pic of mine FYI

8a06a636.jpg
 
Thanks. Yes the edges are dovetailed and the place hwere fits in the receiver has a small lip that I was going to file down where it appears that something (the extractor apparently) had caused a tiny piece of metal to raise. It must got loose and moved back and forth enought gouge out a hole for it come loose. I will take the gun back out of the safe and see what maybe can be done.
This clears up this little mystery. Thanks a bunch. I just find a picture on Numrich's site of what this was and where it went.
 
I hope you can tell from the pics how this piece fits. I have to put it back in place and I think using a small drift punch, through the bolt handle opening, I can brad the piece back in. The dovetails on the extractor are in good shape. Just the mating dovetails in the receiver are battered some.
I don't know what happened to the pics. They were there when I previewed. I'll try later.
 
Last edited:
Here they are:
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0436.jpg
    IMG_0436.jpg
    269.3 KB · Views: 34
  • IMG_0437.jpg
    IMG_0437.jpg
    266.2 KB · Views: 28
  • IMG_0438.jpg
    IMG_0438.jpg
    267.3 KB · Views: 28
I have a mod 31. I bought it when I was in high school new at Sears & Roebuck. I shot that gun probably more than any other gun I have ever owned. When I was in my 30's I sold it to a friend that had two young boys that he wanted to teach to shoot. 20 Years later he asked me if I wanted to buy it back from him for the same money that I had sold it to him. His boys were grown by then and neither had an interest in it. I have had it ever since in my collection. It still is in excellent condition. Even the retractable sling still works fine.
 
old one said:
Thanks. Yes the edges are dovetailed and the place hwere fits in the receiver has a small lip that I was going to file down where it appears that something (the extractor apparently) had caused a tiny piece of metal to raise. It must got loose and moved back and forth enought gouge out a hole for it come loose. I will take the gun back out of the safe and see what maybe can be done.
This clears up this little mystery. Thanks a bunch. I just find a picture on Numrich's site of what this was and where it went.
Click to expand...
Excellent! Hope you get it sorted. :cool:

Topgun, that's a great story. welcome. :)
 
need model 31 firing pin

I want to join. I have a Model 31. Shooting the other day and the firing pin broke. Anybody know where to get parts? Should I take it to a gunsmith or is this something I can install myself?
Thanks........
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
JC Higgins Model 31 HELP!
Replies
1
Views
576
1KPerDay
1KPerDay
J
  • Locked
jc higgins 270
Replies
3
Views
456
jscaro
J
R
  • Locked
JC Higgins Model 50
Replies
3
Views
431
Rcher1
R
G
  • Locked
Instructions for (Sears) JC Higgins 410 Model 10125?
Replies
0
Views
653
Got Gun
G
V
  • Locked
jc higgins model 51 30 06
Replies
6
Views
1K
natman
N
Back
Top