Sears single shot shotgun

[mrcody]

I have a single shot 12 gauge shotgun, I believe it was purchased new about 50 years ago. Is it worth the money to get the firing pin replaced?

 

[Jim K]

I am not sure what it says about the firearms industry or shooters in general, but a 50 year old gun is relatively new (not Damascus barrel or too old to be safe). The gun is probably not extremely valuable, but if you like it, it would be worth having the firing pin replaced.

Jim

 

[theoldgringo]

If you know how the firing pin was broken, or why it was otherwise removed, this point will be moot.

How..ev..er, sometimes firing pins were (are) removed intentionally because of other safety issues in the gun.

Just thought I'd bring it up.....................

 

[ronwill]

Many manufacturers made Sears firearms from 1892 until 1988. According to The Standard Catalog Of Firearms, the value ranges anywhere from $100 - $3,500 depending on make, model, decoration and relative rarity. The best thing to do is take it to a reputable dealer and get it appraised. You may also look at the following:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=112187663

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=113072116

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=112575082

 

[mrcody]

Thanks for the thoughts. After looking at the shotgun more closely, which I haven't done for a long time, I find that the firing pin must have just fallen out. It is a cock to shoot, JC Higgins Model 101.1. It looks like this would be easy to repair.???? The shotgun has been mine since it was new so I know it wasn,t removed for safety. Do you think this would be something I could reair myself?????

 

[bmitchell]

It should be simple to repair yourself if it is anything like my Sears 101.1something8something. You'll probably need a new firing pin, firing pin spring, and firing pin retaining screw that keeps the pin from falling out. You should be able to find these things for cheap from Numrich (http://www.e-gunparts.com/); they also have a model list to find your Sears make/model if you don't already know it.

If it is like mine, you put the spring on the pin and drop it in the hole (it will likely only go one way), then put the retaining screw in its hole and screw it in. You may have to push the pin forward a little to get the retaining screw all the way down. The pin should move freely forward and protrude through the breech face but not fall back out of the hole.

Addendum: Having cross-referenced that model it looks like it was a Savage 94 which according to Numrich and other sources does not have a firing pin spring.

 

[Speedo66]

I had an old single from Montgomery Ward, probably similar. When I needed a new firing pin (college student at the time with no money) I fabricated one out of a common nail.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

I have the same model only in 16 ga with a similar problem. The firing pin is there, it just doesn't fire. If you point it at the floor the firing pin will come out through the hole. When you fire it, it does not. Is it the spring that is broken? Thanks.

 

[johannabartley]

Can one repair such a gun using only sears parts or can other parts work as well? I have no idea how to repair a gun nor do I want to learn...but, my father has one of these guns and I know it's broken so I'd like to fix it for him. I just want to figure out how much that will cost me.