Would you have paid 90 bucks for this?

[improperlyaged]

I went to a local shop where I am good friends with the guy behind the counter. He had this on the bottom rack and I was able to get it for 90 out the door, would you have done it? Its a JC Higgins model 20 in 12 gauge. Barrel has been cut but overall in decent shape besides a few small rust spots.

 

[krimmie]

It's worth that IMO, as long as the barrel is of legal length. The gun was probably made by Mossberg or High Standard.

 

[bainter1212]

$90? Uh, yeah. No question.

 

[PabloJ]

I would have not bought it because I have no need for another shotgun and would use $90 for something else. That is very good value if the gun works as it should.

 

[kBob]

I think you got a good deal from what I can tell. Did the socks and tennis shoe come with it? Just teasing. I have some pretty bad photos about myself.

-kBob

 

[improperlyaged]

as long as the barrel is of legal length.

Barrel is 18.5 I checked at the shop and at home.

There is a Revelation (Mossberg) 500 in 16 gauge right across the street for 100 bucks. I might take it home if I can get him down to 75 or 80, but it is in really awful shape. No stain on the stock, bluing has been sanded off and it has never been clean.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

My list of House Brands downloaded from Numrich Arms Gun Parts Corp, shows:
Sears, Ranger, J.C. Higgins, etc.
J.C. Higgins Model 20 = High Standard Model 200

So Sears contracted High Standard to produce Model 200 shotguns to be sold under Sears house brand J.C. Higgins as Model 20.



(One of the local gunshop patrons got stuck with an illegally short shotgun. He bought it at a prison surplus auction. It had been a guard gun. When he discovered it was too short, he contacted local ATF. They advised him to take the barrel off, take it to a gunsmith, and have a barrel extension welded to the end to make it above minimum legal. True gunshop story.)

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Looks like a Mossberg. Heck yea.

 

[kid_couteau]

Looks like the one I bought for 25 bucks
Had that weird cutts comp on it.
I cut the barrel down. Got bored with it and sold it.
You buy it in Maine?

Kid

 

[Lone Star]

It's a High Std. Period! I can tell one from the other. I'd maybe have passed if it was a Mossberg, but it isn't. With reservations about the rust spots, I'd have bought it, if the barrel was legal, and you checked that. MAYBE you can get the rust off and keep it away or have the gun hard chrome plated.

I do think you need to look for a spare extractor before you might need it, as the company is out of business and not every gunsmith will have parts or know-how to repair it if anything goes wrong. Not sure which other parts to stock. But I'd get competent advice and buy anything vital. There's a reason why that gun sold cheap.

I wouldn't even think about buying that other gun.

Do you just have cash running out of your ears? Put it into a few GOOD guns and quit buying every piece that you can get cheap.

That's my thinking. I know that many people will buy rusted junk. It's their money and their choice. I like my guns to look good and work reliably.

Speaking of looks, is that a gold initial shield in the stock?

 

[bainter1212]

Don't listen to Lone Star! Obey the cheap penny pinching SOB inside of you, urging you to find the best deals you can find on good working STUFF.

I listen to the penny pinching SOB on my shoulder. He never lets me down.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Yeah you did good for $90 OTD.

 

[improperlyaged]

You buy it in Maine?

Nope, bought in Arkansas

Speaking of looks, is that a gold initial shield in the stock?

I believe so.

 

[RMc]

Owners manual:

http://stevespages.com/pdf/jchiggins_20.pdf

 

[bannockburn]

I would buy it for $90. I have a buddy of mine who collects old shotguns like this one. If I ever needed a part for it I could probably get it from him.

 

[cc-hangfire]

I'd say it was a good buy

I've recently acquired a couple of these J C Higgins Model 20's to tinker around with. The actions are extremely smooth, and they are simple -easy to disassemble for a thorough cleaning.

I've refinished one in rougher shape than yours for a home defense gun. If -God forbid - I ever have to use it, there's not much cash loss even if LE keeps it and there is no sentimental value like my granddaddy's shotgun.

One area prone to breaking if it's reassembled roughly or incorrectly are the tabs at the front of the trigger assembly. They are a cast metal that can snap off if forced.

 

[25cschaefer]

I would say that is a decent deal. I refinished one in gun smithing school, it was one of the first guns I took apart, and spent a good half hour trying to fix hammer follow down while the trigger is pulled. There is no disconnector! You must release the trigger before racking it or you will have a live round in the chamber without the hammer cocked (and no, you can't slam fire it, I tried). For this reason I would not recomend one for social work but they are built like tanks.

 

[MCgunner]

Don't listen to Lone Star! Obey the cheap penny pinching SOB inside of you, urging you to find the best deals you can find on good working STUFF.

I listen to the penny pinching SOB on my shoulder. He never lets me down.

+1 so long as it works and you want it. I might get an OU, don't have one, but have enough shotguns otherwise. But, a bargain is a bargain. I found a Mossberg 535 a couple of years ago at a pawn shop that the guy had cut the stock down to 13" on and never fitted the recoil pad to it. It was like new otherwise. I got it for $170. I fitted the recoil pad on it and slipped a slip on limb saver over that to get the length of pull back to 14", shimmed the stock to get the drop right, GREAT SHOOTER! I also wanted it for the 3.5" chamber (goose hunting), but after patterning one load in it so far, figure I'll stick with my H&R 10 gauge for geese. Besides, the 535 is lighter and kicks like a mule with those 3.5" loads.

But, it's just danged hard to turn down a bargain like that when I come across one even though I really don't need anymore shotguns, pretty stuck on what I have, all working guns, not for show.

 

[jl1288]

99.9% it is a high standard. Does the bolt tilt when you work the action? They are very smooth, the only issue with the HS was sometime after 1968 or so they started to contract with off shore suppliers for components to assemble their guns. You did well I got mine from a pawnshop for the same price in much worse condition finish wise, but it was smooth and only needed a thorough takedown and cleaning. Only one drawback is the single action bar, and mine doesn't like the cheap Winchester target shells. Enjoy

 

[jl1288]

Here is what my HS looked like when I got it and after I rust blued it and refinished the wood. Check under the recoil pad, the previous owner of mine rolled up a 1969 $1 dollar bill and stuffed it in the bolt hole.

 

[Gordon]

When you are done with him talk me out of a NICE Galef folding Companion 12 guage for $100

 

[dprice3844444]

it would make a great home defense weapon.

 

[Arizonan]

you got ripped off!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should not have paid over $80.00

 

[Mainsail]

You can spot a good shotgun deal a mile away, but you cannot operate the CROP function of your photo software.

 

[Arizonan]

you got ripped off!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should not have paid over $80.00