J.C. Higgins Model 20 (583.53)
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
- Featuring the JC Higgins Model 20 (583.53) vintage 1946. This model taught me a lot about the JC Higgins brand and how they didn't only "copy" other designs but really had some cool designs that were all their own. This one was not only their (Sears) own design but was a robust one at that with the strength and fine build quality that rivaled any other top name shotgun from 1946.....some argue even better than most. Designed by one of the creators of the M1 Carbine, it was influenced by some winning designs and was the inspiration for a few more solidifying its place as a true, rock solid, American shotgun. Come along, check it out.
Check out my episode on the 1964 Sears Model 20…..a newer version that carried the torch….
Sears Model 20
• Sears Model 20
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I have gone deep in JC Higgins model 20 lore , smoothest pumping shotgun ever made , and also my favorite pump shotgun. I own 3
Nice!
I think my Stevens tool and arms company 520 gives my model 20 a run for its money when it comes to smoothness
Smoothness ≠ long-term consistency or reliability.
There's a reason why there are 11 million Remington 870 and 12 million Mossberg 500 shotguns around. They're simply better designed guns and more reliable.
My Model 20 had issues with double-feeding shells from the magazine tube and sometimes even dropping them out on the ground. I liked the shotgun's look and feel but the reliability issues plus the weird action feeling left it wanting. Now it sits in the back of the safe collecting dust.
Much prefer my 1992 Remington 870 Special Purpose.
@@mirandacandice9626Could you point out the superior design points of those two designs as opposed to the JC Higgins 20? I’m curious.
I really enjoy your channel . I had a cousin (now passed ) that had In his collection over 70 rifles and shotguns from Sears, Wards, Western Auto and others .
Thanks for the kind words. Sounds like a cool collection.
They're one of the best pump shotguns created. Hidden gems
Exactly.
Excellent vídeo, lots of info, Thank you so much for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for tuning in!
Just picked up one today at a gun show for $150. Very well made. Very nice quality and finish and very smooth action. The fellow I bought it off of was tempted to saw it off to 18 inches to make it more "sell-able". Glad he didn't. Why pay more for an excellent weapon? Many department store "brands" are name brands and much cheaper than the name brand and the same quality.
Yes, one of the secrets of the gun store bargain rack!
Just had one of these come in the shop, impressively smooth.
Yes....that C C Loomis original design (Remington Model 31) that it follows is THE smoothest shotgun out there. Check out my video on it a while back. Thanks for watching.
I have one of these JC HIGGINS Model 20's and I've had it customized. It's fully camouflaged in a custom-painted pattern. I also had custom chokes installed by Michael Orlen in Western Massachusetts. I have killed deer with the rifled choke tube which shoots 2-inch groups at 20 yards. I've also taken a turkey with the extra full choke tube as well. Simply the best and smoothest pump shotgun on the market!!
That sounds like a one of a kind JC Higgins Model 20, that’s for sure! Thanks for tuning in!
I was about to address that safety behind the trigger being odd, but you addressed it. Good video.
Thanks 👍. Appreciate you tuning in.
Excellent video on this shotgun. The shell hold/release wears out first but is easy to replace (easy lathe job). Replacing button bushing.
Got it. Thanks for tuning in.
I read at one time that most shotguns and rifles were take down designs so people who traveled to and from on public transportation could store them in their Carrey bags that fit into the overhead compartments of trains and buses in the early 1900’s.
I’m sure that was one advantage.....plus, no matter how you traveled it wasn’t plainly obvious you had a shotgun with you.
I have a Higgins model 66 Semi-auto with a Factory poly-choke, so yours is probably period or factory. Though much maligned by collectors, the various poly-chokes do improve the guns they are mounted on. I put a Lyman poly-choke on an 18 inch barreled Mossberg and it was a dove anti-aircraft gun as well as unbeatable in skeet against much More expensive shotguns.
There is a whole sub topic on poly choke settings and patterning that might require a dedicated video!
I bought one used for $50 bucks. There was a little surface rust on the barrel. But I still use it for deer hunting.
They used to be found very cheap......now even the “cheap” price is climbing up there! Well worth it though....these are solid. Thanks for tuning in!
Thanks! Cool video. Here is the trick about Polychoke: you need to pattern them to see what you get.
Screw the polychoke down until you just barely feel the resistance of the fingers being squeezed. Back off 1/4 turn to "Open", or whatever. That's your open choke. Shoot some paper at 25 yards.
Tighten to the next setting... IC or whatever. Shoot the paper. Take a look.
Tighten, shoot, look.
On my gun, "full" choke is the tightest craziest turkey choke you ever saw. Fist sized hole at 25 yards.
Continue tighter and the pattern will OPEN UP. A lot. Huh! Too much constriction and the pattern opens. It does. Try it.
So for me:"Open" is open. "Mod" is like full. In between is ... inbetween. Presto. Polychokes WORK, usually much tighter than people expect!
Very interesting. I always wondered about this type of stuff. I really need to find a place to do some patterning and do some videos on stuff like this. That would be awesome. Thanks for the info.
Very interesting dip into history. Many years ago I had a JC Higgins 22lr semiauto, model 29. Reliable, but the "split" part of the forward stock developed a crack which was not restorable to original condition, and no replacements were available. That was my only experience with JC. Good to know that they were good quality firearms.
They definitely had a mix of various different “qualities” but this design was one of the winners.
Find out what company actually made it. I'm refurbishing a JCH .22 for a friend, it was her dad's. It was actually a Marlin Model 80, Numrich had the magazine and rear sight elevator.
Stocks are easily replaceable…… and now due to the collectibility are often found with a few google searches or on eBay.
Thanks for the date information.. Mine is 583.54, I now know it's 1947. It also has the safety button behind the trigger.
Dating the J.C. Higgins models can be a challenge as there are no serial numbers before 1968 and no records even if they did.
First gun I ever owned was a JC Higgens. An old 22 single shot.
I wish I had THAT gun.
@@MilsurpGarage I don`t even remember what the model number was. Probably made by Savage. Didn`t know much about guns when I was a kid except how to shoot one. I remember it cost $12 at a farm auction. That would have been about 1968 or 69.
Used it a lot when I was a kid, but when I got out of high school I got a Ruger 10/22 and I don`t think I ever shot that old JC Higgins again.
About 35 years ago a friend was looking for a first rifle for his kids and I sold it to him.
I owned a JC Higgins 12ga pump for forty years before realizing it had the slam fire feature.
Strange, mine doesn't.
I just got mine, it’s a 583.58 - not sure what the difference is…
Just the age.....its 5 years younger than the one in my video. Your video was great by the way......really appreciate the shout out.
@@MilsurpGarage thanks! I want to put a much longer video together on the progression of pump action shotguns in US- have a Winchester 12, Remington 17, Remington 31, Ithaca 37, the JC Higgins, High Standard K1200, 1200 riot, and a couple Mossberg 500’s. Not complete lineup, but watching your videos and doing a lot of reading got me to want to get so many :)
Love your videos. New subscriber. Have you ever done any videos on the Winchester Model 37 single barrel shotguns?
Welcome! Don't have one of those. I have seen a few beaters here and there but I'm holding out for a .410 version in nice shape....not an easy find.
thank you so much I just got one amazing JC Higgins Model 20 583.55! < so how old is my?
I would say 1948. Thanks for tuning in!
Kinda looks like a Winchester Model 25 or a Featherlight.
Read about that model years ago. Everyone said that it was the smoothest pump shotgun... Even more than the Remington 31. I didn't bought one because that model doesn't have serial numbers. And because of that, I can't register it and/or use it for hunting.
It’s pretty smooth but the Remington Model 31 definitely wears the crown.
@@MilsurpGarage Cool! I bought a Model 31 months ago and haven't fired it yet.
I have one I inherited from my father . It has the magazine cut if on the left side of the receiver . He names it Killer after dropping ducks way out there that everyone else he was with thought were out of range . It’s has a smooth action but not as good as his Winchester model 12 .
Ha! Killer…..
Action Bar Is The Word Your Looking For 😀😊
I was looking for a lot of words that video. Worked two jobs that day and had the energy to do a video but not the brainpower! It’s ok, some free time on the way and lots of gun videos planned.
@@MilsurpGarage 😀👍🏼
You can't own history research. Unless he started waxing philisophic about those model changes then using his published data is fair use.
Not the first model! The earliest Model 20's had a magazine cut-off, a vent rib, and the Power Pac choke with interchangeable tubes. This is basically a High Standard Flite King. You should do more research before you embarrass yourself like this.
Well, help me out here then. I have production dates for this particular JC Higgins model from 1946 thru 1961 with this being a 1946 model. The cut off and vent ribs were options, not dating clues, and my 1946 model had neither options added. It is, however, equipped with the Variable Poly Choke option. Forget High Standard models for now, lets just stick to this JC Higgins Model and its timeline and variations.
So, if this 1946 model is not the earliest JC Higgins Model 20 then when DID they start and what years were they all specifically equipped with a cut off and/or a vent rib for dating purposes? Lets set the record straight........
@MilsurpGarage I have three M20's in front of me (4 if you include the Rock Island clone). 2 have 583.56 numbers, PowerPac chokes, vent ribs, and the magazine cut-off lever. The third has a 583.200 number, a vent-rib barrel, a Lyman adjustable choke/muzzle brake, and no magazine cut-off. All three have have beautiful walnut. All three have the ugly forend. Furthermore, all three vent ribs match up to a rib made as part of the receivers.
How do I send a photo using this format?
Ok, your 583.56 examples are all from 1949 and the 583.20 is from 1958. On all of these, vent ribs were an OPTION. On the 583.56 examples the cut off was an OPTION which was not available on the 583.200. Still waiting on your info regarding what year earlier than my 1946 model 583.53 there was a JC Higgins model and also what year came equipped with a cut off and vent rib standard.
@@MilsurpGarage Is that a Polychoke on yours?
@@MilsurpGarage Why are there two different styles of roll-stamping on both of the 583.56's?
I can find NO definitive info regarding production dates. What source are you using?
600 dollars at Cables
Are they really asking that much for them now? Amazing.
in my area.@@MilsurpGarage