help with new look for jc higgins model 20

[slushee]

I was just sitting here thinking about my old jc higgins model 20 shotgun.

My father, a retired game warden, gave me his old shotgun, the one he used to toss into the back of the truck while he was on duty. Its old, beat up, and well used but functions flawlessly as a great 50-100 yard slug gun at the range. It has a standard stock and an 18 1/2" barrel with fixed cyl bore choke.

The problem is, the blueing on the shotgun is getting thin as well as very very small amounts of light surface rust in spots. The slide has worn the bluing off completely in that area. The recoil pad is worn and is a terrible 'skin' colour. The wood has lost all of its varnish, and a thin crack has developed along the handle. I think the wood stock and pump handle have absorbed so much oil over the years that they would burn for weeks if set aflame! I had a gunsmith check this shotgun all over, inside and out, and he confirmed that the shotgun is in very good working order.

So what I am curious is, what should I do with this shotgun? It has a lot of sentimental value, but if I invest any sort of money into the shotgun, I will never see it again as the shotgun will never really be worth anything more then 100$ .. if that.

I would like to change out the recoil pad first thing .. as this little girl kicks like a mule. The recoil pad on the shotgun now has two tiny holes in the back of it (the part that presses against your shoulder), and i'm assuming there are 2 small screws that hold it on. Anyone have any idea what kind of recoil pad I might be able to replace it with?

Also, I was curious what kind of stock replacements exist (if any) for the JC Higgins model 20. Are they similar to a remington 870 or any other type?

Honestly, I have never fully taken down this shotgun.

So, that's right about where I sit with this little girl. There is a slight appeal to its rough and beat up appearance, looking like an old trench gun of sorts.

Any thoughts?

 

[BEARMAN]

Your J.C. HIGGINS Model 20 is a HIGH STANDARD Model 200. Some parts are available at www.e-gunparts.com and a schematic is available at http://stevespages.com/page7a.htm a manual is available at http://stevespages.com/page7b.htm goto HIGH STANDARD MODEL K200 Also if you can find a stock off of a RUKO imported SQUIRES BINGHAM it will probably fit, I believe the SQUIRES BINGHAM people in the Phillipines got the HIGH STANDARD machinery and are now making modified High Standards as Squire Binghams.

 

[12magnum]

part of the problem with guns with sentinetal value , is the cost of "sprucing "them up.you're right,you'll never ,ever realize the cost of fixing up a j.c.higgins model 20. however if it has that much sentiment, than you probably won't sell it anyway. i had a customer spend over $250.00 to fix up his dads old stevens model 58 12ga. to be able to use it again, after many years of neglect. new trigger assembly,firing pin, butt plate, wood refinish etc.etc. the choice is yours.

 

[Grouse Man]

A recoil pad is a relatively easy fit. Just use a belt sander to size it. You could do a home re-blue for a half-way decent appearance improvement, and if you search the net you WILL find a replacement fore end (foreend? forend?)