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J.C Higgins Model 31 - My first rifle

ibuiltmine-o1oo
Hello!
WAY WAY before i ever thought i would be into hunting, hooting and firearms in general, my great grandpa gave me a fine semi auto 22 rifle that he had bought long long ago!
Ive used and abused this rifle for years, pretty much screwing off, seeing how fast i can unload the magazine not caring to EVER clean it, or do any maintenance to it what so ever. Ive even considered selling for 20 bucks here and there at times! ( thank God i didn't! )
Now that im Older and ...egghhhh ummm.. wiser, i got to thinking about this old rifle, and actually where the heck was it???

Well, i FINALLY found it after a couple years of half-ass looking. It was in the garage of a house i used to live in in western Nebraska. In the rafters on top of some scrap wood that i put there the first summer we lived there almost ten years and several residents ago!
The old soft case is still in great shape less a zipper pull, and the gun itself is in beautiful shape!
I remembered years ago, in my pre-teenage rapid fire abuse of this classic family heirloom, it would jam a shell trying to extract it, so i shelved it.
Now i realize if i don't find and fix that broken extractor soon, i might not find it later!
This 'ol Sears and Roebuck 22 semiauto rifle was my introduction to firearms. My Grandpa is in his late 80's now, and im hoping i can get it fixed and take it back home to Nebraska next time i go, to let him shoot it a couple times!

If anyone knows where i can get parts for this rifle, please chime in!
ALSO, id like to hear some stories of your first Gun, how you got it, and where it is now!
Thanks!

JChiggins22lr1.jpg
What is the name of that two pronged part thats broken there so i can order a new one?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/ibuiltmine-o1oo/JChiggins22lr5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/ibuiltmine-o1oo/JChiggins22lr4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/ibuiltmine-o1oo/JChiggins22lr3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/ibuiltmine-o1oo/JChiggins22lr2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/ibuiltmine-o1oo/JChiggins22lr1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/ibuiltmine-o1oo/JChiggins22lr.jpg
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • Colt Super
    Just take it in to your friendly local Sears store.

    I'm sure they will cheerfully repair it for you.

    D.
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  • stanman
    http://www.e-gunparts.com/products.asp?chrMasterModel=0780z31&MC=
    Give this a try!
    Good luck, I have a modest number of JC Higgins oldies and love them for sentimental reasons.
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  • ibuiltmine-o1oo
    HA!HA!HA!
    Thats a good one! LOL!
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  • ibuiltmine-o1oo
    quote:Originally posted by stanman
    http://www.e-gunparts.com/products.asp?chrMasterModel=0780z31&MC=
    Give this a try!
    Good luck, I have a modest number of JC Higgins oldies and love them for sentimental reasons.




    AWSOME!! THEY have all kinds of parts for it! Thanks man!
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  • brier-49
    Hey don't laugh I have a 30 and a 36,the 30 was my brothers first gun.
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  • ibuiltmine-o1oo
    quote:Originally posted by brier-49
    Hey don't laugh I have a 30 and a 36,the 30 was my brothers first gun.
    I was laughing at the thought of sears fixing it for me!!!
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  • woodshermit
    The Model 31 was the first rifle I ever shot. You can find out more about it by checking at the rimfirecentral website. In case you didn't know, these were made by High Standard for Sears. There were several variations. I have the earliest one with the retractable sling. First thing you should do before taking it apart is to thoroughly clean the bore at the breach. If shorts were used extensively in your rifle, there can be a buildup of gunk right at the chamber which will give you problems. I have a few old Winchester 22s and some other makes, but, the 31 is still my favorite to pick up and handle. It just has a great feel to it, especially the way the forearm fits. Great that you got it back. Enjoy.
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  • ibuiltmine-o1oo
    sorry about hte big pictures... i tried to make a clickable thumbnail, but i guess it doenst work with this forum.
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  • woodshermit
    Another helpful spot to check is histandard.info. They have good information about dating your rifle and matching it up to the equivalent High Standard model. Nice photos.
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  • ibuiltmine-o1oo
    quote:Originally posted by woodshermit
    Another helpful spot to check is histandard.info. They have good information about dating your rifle and matching it up to the equivalent High Standard model. Nice photos.
    Wow! Cool site!
    the date on this rife is 11/4/52!
    That means my grandpa whos 78 bought it in his early 20's before he ever married my grandma! they were married and had their first kid in 58. Wow... This is a pretty sentimental gun!

    GREAT! now i have to go buy a $2000 fireproof safe! LOL!
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  • B17-P51
    ibilt mine- does the spring in the roll up sling still work?
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  • ibuiltmine-o1oo
    quote:Originally posted by B17-P51
    ibilt mine- does the spring in the roll up sling still work?


    Oh yeah! it works like its brand new!
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