Who made the model 31 for Sears?

[Furncliff]

I still have my first firearm. Its a bolt action .22 purchased at Sears in 1960,(birthday present from my mom), it is still surprisingly accurate and functions flawlessly. I believe these were made for Sears and Roebuck by Marlin. Today I ran across a Sears Model 31, semi-auto, Ted Williams , it was very similar to Marlin' mod 60. It has one of the old style weaver .22 scopes and looks like it's been in the closet or under a bed for most of its life. $99? I didn't buy it ... for fear of parts availability. Anyone know about this rifle?

 

[George S.]

Check here http://www.e-gunparts.com/ at Numrich Gun Parts. I still have my first .22 a J.C. Higgins Model 103 that is a Marlin Model 100.

Numrich shows parts for the Sears (J.C. Higgins) Model 31 and while they no longer have pics of the parts, it appears to be a tube-fed semi-auto. http://www.e-gunparts.com/products.asp?chrMasterModel=0780z31&MC=

 

[ribbonstone]

Mines still running fine. The 31 isn't quite like any other rifle, at least the parts don't interchange with any other make...so who ever made it for Sears, didn't market one of their own. Will shoot .22short, long, or long rifle but I tend to use it as a .22short (ahve other rifles for the .22LR and a 25 round .22short semi-ator is kind of fun). Have been told it was made by Hi-Standard (same place that started stamping their guns High Standard), but haven't verified that.

They break one part with some regularity. The cocking handle is a cheap cast part, and it will sooner or later crack and fall off leaving a nub. Mine broke two, got PO'ed, and machined one out of steel.