The Fatal Design Flaw of the J.C. Higgins 20: Repairing a Sears shotgun on a hardware store budget.

After many fine years our J.C. Higgins Model 20 has suffered from what appears to be a common but fatal part failure. In this video we will go through my repair process.

[@guaporeturns9472]

I own 3 of them and never had any trouble with them… one of my favorite models of pump shotgun ever.

[@endo2th]

The manual says disassembly is seldom necessary for the model 20 and this would probably apply to most pumps. The Model 20 is a great shotgun. Someone probably abused this trigger assembly trying to force it into place. Cast aluminum alloy? Really smart, effective and professional repair!

[@Alloy211]

Thank you, unfortunately I've seen many trigger assemblies damaged in such a way. I do agree that it is something that with care the chances of this happening could be mitigated significantly.

[@GearsAndGuns]

Really good video and good fix! I swear I seen another gun back in the day that had the same issue. I probably would have just left the zip tie on lol

[@Alloy211]

Thank you, I was happy with how the video and shotgun turned out. I had considered zip ties and super glue but the J.C. Higgins Model 20 deserved better. That and I have more I want to do with it and even for me that's a little too low budget. There's an easter egg in this video for you too but you won't be able to recognize it till after I get something sent.

[@TheDiegoKidd]

Looks like a solid fix. Something I was thinking about is having the action back then zip tie the group to the receiver so the group sits against the bottom of the action. Then you know for sure the action slides atop the trigger group and maintains the smoothest movement back and forth after being pinned.

[@Alloy211]

Thank you, it's holding up well so far. I should have mentioned it in the video but with the bolt all the way back the trigger can still slide a little too deep into the receiver. The best place seems to be, at least with my shotgun, about half way opened for depth. That's why I didn't use my bolt as a gauge for final placement but it's definitely a way to verify things before you commit.

[@jjkatzer]

Thanks. I doubt I could ever get them to come out that symmetrical, but if the need arises, I might try. Two suggestions: If you remove the oil from the gun, I think good duck tape would work better to hold it in place and be less "in the way" when working on it than a zip tie. Also, I think a slotted button head type screw with a thin edge on the cap would look better, something like you see on other firearms. Plus, you wouldn't have the allen head holes collecting dirt, etc. They also distribute the stress of tightening over a broader area, maybe less likely to back out? Just a couple of suggestions, not criticism, that might prove useful. Thanks for the video.

[@Alloy211]

Those are good points that you raise and if someone else were to do it they may want to consider them. Going with the flathead screws would definitely give it an older pump shotgun aesthetic.

[@garylewis3641]

Good job, looks good to me. Good video!

[@Alloy211]

Thank you, I appreciate it. I was really happy with how both the video and shotgun turned out in the end.

[@garylewis3641]

@@Alloy211 You should be proud of yourself, John Browning would be proud as well!

[@Alloy211]

@@garylewis3641 Speaking of Mr. Browning, I have an interesting shotgun of his design coming up soon.

[@nanothatfox7733]

how'd she shoot?

[@Alloy211]

She shots pretty good, although I might be a little rusty with it. Sorry I couldn't answer you sooner but we just got to take it a couple hours ago. We only put about 12 rounds through it but all went well.