H&R Topper Model 158 12 Gauge 36"

[Noah]

I just got a lightly used H&R Topper Model 158 12 Gauge with a 36" barrel and 2 3/4" chamber at a gun show for $80. I cleaned out the barrel and have since put maybe a dozen size 8 target loads through it, and love it.

Out of curiosity, I tried to find the value/age of the gun, but haven't been able to find a wood stocked, 2 3/4" 12 gauge with a full 36" barrel and full choke anywhere online.

Can anyone give me an approximate value and age? In the 45 minutes after I got the gun, no less than 9 people (2 vendors, 7 shoppers) asked me what I wanted for it, so I'm pretty curious, although I don't plan on selling it.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I would say $150.00 and they were great duck guns when we could still hunt with lead shot. We could take ducks at 80 yards late in the year with those Toppers.

 

[Noah]

So I got a good deal then^^ New question, same gun. After a dozen or so shells, the fore stock became loose enough that it popped right off. I saw it is held on by a single pin, which had been pushed back until it didn't hold the pin on the barrel. I took a screwdriver, pushed the stock's pin forward, and popped the fore stock back on. Is there any way to keep this pin in place better or will I have to pop off the stock and push the pin forward every box of shells?

EDIT: To better clarify my problem, my gun has no external screws on the fore stock that I could just tighten.

 

[Noah]

I just got a 20 gauge and a 12 gauge Topper from my grandfather, added onto the 12 gauge Pardner I already had, as well as my 36" 12 gauge Topper model 158.

Anyway, does anyone have any good tips for keeping the front stock on a Topper 158 tight? Unlike the 88's and the Pardner, it has no screw, only a spring-loaded clip thing. It gets progressively looser as I fire it, and every half box or so, it will just pop loose. Any tips on keeping it tighter, other than pushing the clip pin forward, popping the grip on, and waiting for it to fall off again? Or is this just a through and through SNAFU design flaw?
And while I'm at it, I am pretty new to single shot shotguns, besides cleaning out the barrel (and pushing the stock pin forward :banghead: ) what should I do for the guns in order to keep them in tip top shape? I have had a Mossberg 500 and Winchester 290 (?) .22 for a few years, anything I should be doing for those beyond breaking them down and cleaning them, and cleaning the barrel?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Don't laugh...I would just use some Goop brand adhesive to hold that forearm on. A little dab will hold it tight and will cause no permanent damage.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Blue Loc-tite will secure it well.