I see we have some JC Higgins fans

Legba · 03-24-2008, 12:45 PM

I love this gun. It has been the best shotgun I've ever owned. I've always had a soft spot for the bolt action guns. Lets see your Higgins.

This is the deer I took with it last year. This gun has more kills than any other gun I have owned.

Big Dog · 03-24-2008, 06:06 PM

Mine is the 20 gauge model. It's a good shooter, but has a very sensitive trigger and a funky safety - it's not 'field safe'. The safety is a thin sheet steel piece that is easily bent.

The top shotgun is a "SEARS Model 101.1120", which is really a Stevens single-shot .410.

Middle is the J.C. Higgins Model 583.3 in 20 gauge.

Bottom gun is the Kessler Model 228 FR in 16 Gauge. Bent barrel, and I fitted it with rifle-style sights to correct that. A good shooter too.

Legba · 03-25-2008, 06:33 AM

Big Dog- Mines a 20G. 583.15 I havent had any problems with the safety. My trigger is on the light side but I feel safe with it.The barrel on mine has been cut shorter and sights have been added by the previous owner. Nice guns,Thanks for the pictures. I really like that Kessler.

Big Dog · 03-25-2008, 06:30 PM

Thanks! I got the JC Higgins first, then sorta developed an interest in the bolties. They are just too cool!
I really like the old Mossbergs - one of their .410s would go nicely in my Mossberg collection, as it resembles the twnetytwos of that era.
I still need a good 12 gauge, and if I find an old JC Higgins, all the better!

That Kessler was a find! I'd never heard of them, but it just looked neat. And, I have a weakness for good 16 gauges - perfect gauge for the tree rats!
I bought it for half of what I saw them going for on GunBroker - so I feel good about the deal. Even with the bent barrel, it shoots good. The front sight is the plastic one off my inline muzzel-loader. The rear sight is from a Contender pistol. Hey, it works!

Blackrock · 03-28-2008, 07:40 AM

I have a JC Higgins gun that is my HD gun. It's a 18.5" barreld riot gun and a lot of fun to just blast away with. I missed a deal last summer on a JC Higgins pump 28" barrel full choke that was $149.00.

03-24-2008, 12:45 PM	#1
Legba Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 172 Blog Entries: 1	I see we have some JC Higgins fans I love this gun. It has been the best shotgun I've ever owned. I've always had a soft spot for the bolt action guns. Lets see your Higgins. This is the deer I took with it last year. This gun has more kills than any other gun I have owned.

03-24-2008, 06:06 PM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,205	Mine is the 20 gauge model. It's a good shooter, but has a very sensitive trigger and a funky safety - it's not 'field safe'. The safety is a thin sheet steel piece that is easily bent. The top shotgun is a "SEARS Model 101.1120", which is really a Stevens single-shot .410. Middle is the J.C. Higgins Model 583.3 in 20 gauge. Bottom gun is the Kessler Model 228 FR in 16 Gauge. Bent barrel, and I fitted it with rifle-style sights to correct that. A good shooter too. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-25-2008, 06:30 PM	#4
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,205	Thanks! I got the JC Higgins first, then sorta developed an interest in the bolties. They are just too cool! I really like the old Mossbergs - one of their .410s would go nicely in my Mossberg collection, as it resembles the twnetytwos of that era. I still need a good 12 gauge, and if I find an old JC Higgins, all the better! That Kessler was a find! I'd never heard of them, but it just looked neat. And, I have a weakness for good 16 gauges - perfect gauge for the tree rats! I bought it for half of what I saw them going for on GunBroker - so I feel good about the deal. Even with the bent barrel, it shoots good. The front sight is the plastic one off my inline muzzel-loader. The rear sight is from a Contender pistol. Hey, it works! __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-28-2008, 07:40 AM	#5
Blackrock Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Arizona's Gila Valley Posts: 254	I have a JC Higgins gun that is my HD gun. It's a 18.5" barreld riot gun and a lot of fun to just blast away with. I missed a deal last summer on a JC Higgins pump 28" barrel full choke that was $149.00. __________________ "I only use my gun whenever kindness fails" Forbidden fruits create many jams

03-25-2008, 06:33 AM	#3
Legba Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 172 Blog Entries: 1	Big Dog- Mines a 20G. 583.15 I havent had any problems with the safety. My trigger is on the light side but I feel safe with it.The barrel on mine has been cut shorter and sights have been added by the previous owner. Nice guns,Thanks for the pictures. I really like that Kessler.