High Standard Supermatic) semi-auto "sticks"

[MD]

My buddy Al, an 80 year-old WWII Canadian Navy veteran has two semi-auto shotguns.

I was thinking of asking to borrow his old J.C. Higgins (High Standard Supermatic) to see what using a semi is like, but he says it "sticks."

I take that to mean that it won't extract spent shells.

I know this is an obsolete old shotgun, but if I borrow it, is it user-friendly enough that I can at least clean it and oil it to see if that helps? Or is there a typical problem that these guns have as far as completing the extraction and reloading cycle? A weak spring for example, or dirty ports?

Any tips on disassembly?

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

The .22 may have a rough chamber from corrosion. First thing I'd try is to take it out and shoot. Clean and oil it to make sure it is not suffering from lack-o-lube.

If it is the chamber, there are very mild grinding compounds on the market. Maybe a jag, an oily patch, some compound and a power drill. I tried valve compound on a Browning HP after I squeezed the slide. Just clean the grit out completely.