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Author Topic: J.C. Higgins mod 30  (Read 3638 times)

robheath

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J.C. Higgins mod 30
« on: June 17, 2012, 04:30:58 PM »
I have my dads old J C Higgins mod 30 .22 auto rifle.  My dad passed in 1999 and passed it to my little brother.  My little brother passed in Dec 2011.  I have the rifle now and there is tons of info on it on the web.  The gun is not worth much money but it means the world to me.  My dad got it for his high school graduation gift in 1952.  It was the first gun I ever shot and the first gun my brothers ever shot.  Being as it is not rare, should I restore the gun?  It has some surface rust and the stocks are only about 50%.  No cracks but they need sanding and sealing.  I will pass this gun down to my jr. someday.  what do y'all think about restoring the gun?
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Timothy

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2012, 04:44:36 PM »
I have my Granddaddies squirrel gun, a 1903 Savage .22 pump!  The lumber is in great shape for a 100 year old gun but the bluing is pretty much gone.  It still functions fairly well though not perfectly but I'll never restore the rifle.  It means more to me than it's looks at this point.  I've had it nearly forty years now as it was passed to me from my father!

I keep it well oiled and stored properly and clean it every year!  It doesn't bother me that it's not perfect.
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Big Frank

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2012, 05:16:06 PM »
I would clean it up and keep it as is.
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""It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even his personal services to the defence of it, and consequently that the Citizens of America (with a few legal and official exceptions) from 18 to 50 Years of Age should be borne on the Militia Rolls, provided with uniform Arms, and so far accustomed to the use of them, that the Total strength of the Country might be called forth at a Short Notice on any very interesting Emergency." - George Washington. Letter to Alexander Hamilton, Friday, May 02, 1783

THE RIGHT TO BUY WEAPONS IS THE RIGHT TO BE FREE - A. E. van Vogt, The Weapon Shops of Isher

crusader rabbit

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2012, 05:51:00 PM »
I'm gonna echo the crowd, here.  Clean it, oil it, and cherish it for what it is, and relish the memories. 

I've got a lovely old .22 Remington bolt action that was the first gun I ever shot.  It belonged to my Uncle Jack and he'd had it since he was a kid.  He taught me how to shoot it around 1957, safely, accurately, and with a love for the sport of it that has never diminished. 

Uncle Jack died in 1998 and I got the gun.  Jack had no kids, and I guess I filled that void in his life as he filled one in mine. 

Anyway, that old gun still shoots straight and true.  It has a few spots where the bluing has worn through, and a spot or two where a bit of rust tried to start.  But, it's as original as Remington made it.  Some day, it will go to one of my two grandsons.  I picked up a nifty little .22 pump for the other one. 

I don't know which of the kids will get Uncle Jack's. 

Depends on which one treats me better in my dotage--which seems to be arriving at freight train speed.

Offered with respect,
Crusader Rabbit
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tombogan03884

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2012, 06:08:44 PM »
I grew up shooting one of those.
Originally it had a 4X scope but Dad got rid of that because he wanted me to learn to use sights.
I would only restore it if it effected shootability.
Here is a PDF of the Owners manual

http://stevespages.com/pdf/jchiggins_30.pdf
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Sponsor

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #5 on: Today at 05:43:23 PM »
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robheath

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2012, 06:19:31 PM »
My dad's also has the origional scope.  It is missing one scope ring but I'll try to find one to replace it.  I will clean it and keep it as is.  How do I stop the rust from getting worse?  The gun is very accurate.  I own NO safe queens!  All my guns get shot.  seeing as .22 LR is cheeper than .410 it may replace my Judge as snake charmer at the barn.
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Timothy

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2012, 06:30:21 PM »
Where you live it would be tough to stop corrosion but keep it well oiled.  I have a silicone impregnated gun sock that mine lives in as well as a case.  Humidity is easier to control in a confined space.

Ask anyone with a high end acoustic guitar and they'll tell you to leave it in it's case to protect the wood!  It's no different with a firearm, especially a blued antique.  Unless you have a very good safe for your guns, keeping them in a case is your best bet!
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JLawson

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #7 on: June 17, 2012, 06:46:25 PM »
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Big Frank

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #8 on: June 17, 2012, 07:51:12 PM »
Everytime I get something, like a stereo component or VCR, etc., with a packet of silica gel included I keep it. I now have a mesh bag full of those packets in my gun safe and haven't had a gun rust on me. I don't know if it would work for you too.
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""It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even his personal services to the defence of it, and consequently that the Citizens of America (with a few legal and official exceptions) from 18 to 50 Years of Age should be borne on the Militia Rolls, provided with uniform Arms, and so far accustomed to the use of them, that the Total strength of the Country might be called forth at a Short Notice on any very interesting Emergency." - George Washington. Letter to Alexander Hamilton, Friday, May 02, 1783

THE RIGHT TO BUY WEAPONS IS THE RIGHT TO BE FREE - A. E. van Vogt, The Weapon Shops of Isher

robheath

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Re: J.C. Higgins mod 30
« Reply #9 on: June 17, 2012, 08:12:55 PM »
I throw pennies in my gun cases and the corrosion attacks the copper and depleats the moisture in the case "grandaddy taught me that" but I also keep the silica packs.  I will use the gun from time to time for varmits and such.  The gun is crazy accurate.  I thank y'all for the input.  The gun has been on the Gulf Coast for 60 + years and is pretty good shape.  I'll treasure it always. 
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