Ok, I've always had higher quality shotguns. Not high end trap and skeet guns, but major brand guns, like Winchester 1897, Winchester Model 12, Remington 870, and Mossberg 500/590. But I was at a shop last week and saw a deal I couldn't pass up.

Someone called the shop and asked about selling a few guns he had. He had his father's US Property marked 1911, manufactured in 1918, that his father brought back when injured in France in 1944. Then there was the Colt 1908 Hammerless .25. I helped the shop owner price those two and a deal was struck on the .25. Honestly, I could tell by the stories he was telling about his father that he really didn't want to part with the 1911, and I told him he shouldn't.

Then there were the "crap" guns. One .22 auto store brand that was very beat and a JC Higgins Model 20 pump 12ga in very rusty condition. After the deal was struck with the gun owner, I bought the shotgun for what the shop paid for it. I may have overpaid a little because of the condition, but I walked out the door with it for $30.

I'm going to clean it up with oil and steel wool, refinish the wood, and maybe chop it down to 18-1/4". It will be worth more in that configuration than with the 30" full choke barrel.

I remember an older thread where some economy riot guns were posted, so let's dedicate a thread to them. I have pics of my 1897 and 12 riot guns, but let's keep this thread economy guns only. Either store brands, High Standard, Stevens, etc. we will keep the Winchesters, Remingtons, Ithacas, etc for another thread.

Here's my contribution. I just got it so it has to be a "before" picture. My future $30 riot gun:

The JC Higgins are pretty solid guns for the minimal cost you can pick them up for.



I've found at least with their 12gauge guns, that they pattern better noticeably better with a bit over 19" of barrel, not sure about the 20s but I'd say cut the barrel at 20" and then work it back until it gives the spread you want.

The pander pump comes in 20 and 12 and it's 200 everyday normal price at retail. It's a 870 clone so there are aftermarket options. I got one for the in laws and it was solid (until the dumbass) brother in law tried shooting 3.5 shells from it.

Nice gun! Looks to be a High Standard manufacture. I once picked up a High Standard 18-7 Riot (former St. Louis PD rack #16) for $65 plus tax!

The 12 gauge High Standard pumps (like your JC Higgins) were great shotguns. You done good.

But, before you chop it up, you should know that the card ("meat shoot") shooters seek out the old JC Higgins shotguns as a basis for projects. You might be able to flip it and make a few bucks. (They seem pretty intent on buying them cheap, though.)

Yes, it is a High Standard. I had a Stevens Model 520 a few years back that I bought out of an estate from a widow. I paid more than it was worth, but I wanted to help her out. Her husband worked at the Colt factory and brought it into work back when employees could get away with that sort of thing. He prepped it and refinished it in a nice, deep, high polished blue. I like old riot guns but this was in far too nice condition to chop down. I traded it to someone who appreciated it the way it was and would never consider chopping it.

Like I said in previous posts, I'll never be the one to chop a nice original gun. If I find a beater like this JC Higgins, I'll do what I want with it, but not if it's in nice condition.

Yeah, I know I could clean it up and get about $85 for it, but for that price I'll hold on to it and use it as a project. I'm waiting for the ATF to correct a mistake they made right now. We applied and were approved for an 07FFL, but they mistakenly issued us an 01FFL. When the 07FFL comes in, I might use this as a base gun for an SBS and chop it right at the end of the magazine tube. That would be a 14" barrel. And as a correction, I originally posted this was a 30" full choke barrel. I just measured it and it's a 28".

I think I'll keep an eye on the bargain racks at the gun shows for a beater Stevens 520 and 620 to play with, too. If I can find one for $50-60, I'll grab it for a project.

$209 locally. Chrome plated RIA M5. Clone of a High Standard I'm told. I added a M1 Garand sling and 3 rail on the mag tube. So far I fired 25rnds of bird shot and 10rnds of Noble Sport Law Enforcement buckshot flawlessly.

now I want a shotgun thanks guys

old pumps can be had on the cheap. usually some old fudd like me dies and his shit hits the local mom -pop place

back in the day 75 bucks would buy off the wall nice used stuff. it's more now.

an old 1400 Winchester slug gun brought back from the dead I had parts and pieces. ebay gunbroker,ect. about $130.00 total.

I have no use for it. it would make someone a fine slug gun. just tinker,chase parts on the cheap,

Way off topic, but what price would you have given the 1911?

After checking current auctions on Gunbroker we saw they were not even being bid on in the poor condition of this 1911 with opening bids of $1000 or more. I figured the only guaranteed sale would open at $700, so it was less than that. Unless the US Property 1911 is in good condition people just aren't buying them.

I saw a 1917 colt, US Property marked, blued (you could still make out the carbona blueing on the controls) but heavily freckled and new medallion grips go for $500 a few years back. Smith collector got it in an auction lot and just wanted to get rid of it. Prolly should've  bought it but I was chasing other stuff at the time..

It started off cheap.  I could have skipped having the barrel threaded for chokes and it would have been a bit cheaper, but other than getting it refinished someday I'm happy with it.

Paid $125 for the gun and between stuff I did and the gunsmith putting the sights on and threading the barrel I think I'm close to $300 now.  Not really bad and I already have two 870's and wanted something different.



about 19 1/2 inches taken down.


The second one I did was a bit cheaper.  I got less than $200 into this one as it is.



But then they multiplied and got some spare front ends and a barrel.

520's and 620's.....drool...... Got one I'm waiting on a price from my friend on, he said "cheap" but still waiting! Is that baboon shooting an SMLE?

Yep, but I think the baboon was shot with the SMLE first.

Thank you for not calling it a monkey!

Whew! We've already got ISIL to worry about, the LAST thing we need are baboons with long range marksmanship skills!

And you're welcome, glad I know just enough about primates and more about Commonwealth rifles!

Nice scatterguns too!

We need to start another Retro shotgun thread to see all the great stuff like this