A good buy. Make sure it doesn't have a bunch of extra holes drilled under the scope bases. You can take a M-50 or 51, glass bed to fill the gaps around the generally poor inletting, add an ebony forend tip, a steel grip cap, an Old English solid recoil pad, reshape and finish the stock, have it nicely checkered, and you have a very nice semi-custom rifle for a moderate amount of money. No better action than the commercial FN.
Posts: 9487 | Location: Texas Hill Country | Registered: 11 January 2002
Oh now come on,I know I'm not on yous s--t list.You just take 2 thats TWO,DeF--K pills tonight before bed time.And you will be a new boy by reveille.Oh say,did you ever get that knot out of your pantaloons?
Posts: 255 | Location: Wurtsboro,NY.USA | Registered: 11 May 2003
I found it this is it,J.C.HIGGENS MODEL 50.FN Mauser bolt action rifle,stock and barrel of American manufacture.22" round barrel with chromed bore.Walnut pistol grip stock. Bead front sight on matted ramp,open rear sight.5 shot magazine.Weight 7 .1/2 lbs.Calibers,270 and 30-06.
Price,less scop,$94.50 Price,with 2.1/2X scope,$129.50 Price,with 4X scope,$134.50 Price,with 6X scope,$139.50 Also available with high comb,checkered pistol grip stock and forearm,quick detachable swivels and leather sling,as Model 51,Price $99.95.Available with scopes at $5.45 over scope prices for Model 50.
"Went back to 1956 to find it" "All 1956 prices posted"
Posts: 255 | Location: Wurtsboro,NY.USA | Registered: 11 May 2003
I have a Sears and Roebuck model 50 JC Higgins 30-06 with a black== with white trim pistol grip cap and plain blk butt plate with a small white trimed spacer. Has 22 in barrel, flip up saftey on right side of the action that was made in Belgium sst, and is a CONTROLED FEED WITH A STAINLESS STEEL FOLLOWER. With orginal sights still on it. Steel trigger guard assembly, but does not drop the shell's out like a hinge plate type. I have a old tasco 3-9x32 with thick cross hairs. Still will shoot in and just out-side of a circled quarter with Imr 4320-54grs and a 150gr Hornady.
DWM's indeed exhibit very high quality craftsmenship, unfortunately the steel is soft and the lugs will set back under high pressure unless they are heat treated. This is true of 08 Brazilians and 09 Argentines anyway. They also require a good bit of gunsmithing if one is making a custom (new bolt handle, scope base holes, trigger, new barrel, sights, stock, etc.), unlike the FN commercial which is basically ready to go.
Posts: 9487 | Location: Texas Hill Country | Registered: 11 January 2002
It has been quite some time since I sold the last Sears 50 I had, but if I do recall correctly, that action does not have the C ring in the front, but rather has both sides cut all the way through the front ring.
In addition, not all FN commercial actions are of extreme high quality. I have a good friend who has a 25.06 built on an fn commerical action almost identical to the Sears Action. That action had lug setback after a few hundred rounds, and it became necessary to redo the barrel.
An FN is not a Mod. 98 Mauser, it is not a Mauser action, its an FN, two different actions...I have been scolded on this score by several of the top smiths in the country on several ocassions for such generalities, but its a fact.
The FN is a bit soft but it is more than suitable for caliber in the 30-06 to 375, 416 calibers....You can run into big trouble with the new RUM and 7STWs with the FN...thats is where the setback comes from, that and stupid handloading...
The FN is a great action, use it wisely..
Posts: 42210 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
Thank you all for your input. This board is a tremendous resource.
I decided to pass on this rifle. I called the owner and found out that the safety is on the left side of the bolt shroud. Once upon a time, I had a M98 with this configuration and I had a devil of a time with the safety being tripped to "off" when I'd sling the rifle over my shoulder for glassing and what not. I always hunt with a pack, large or small, and the left mounted wing safety would catch on it and pull it into fire mode. Doesn't work for me.
The owner is asking $285 O.B.O. If anyone is interested, e-mail me and I will forward his e-mail address.
98 is right, I had them switch the safety on my Sears rifle, not sure if it is a 50, but it is the FN action. the whole reason I bought it was the action but it shoots so well as the open sighted 270 that I am keeping it that way and adding a detachable scope setup later. You're talking less than 25 probably to switch the safety over, that is without any credit on existing safety or selling it to somebody who wants that left side setup.
Red
Posts: 4740 | Location: Fresno, CA | Registered: 21 March 2003
Heck, I'll take just the safety off the rifle and use it on my FN actioned Husqvarna. I wish my safety were on the leftside and not the 180 degree military style safety that is on my Husky.
I would buy the rifle too but my wife would try to skin me alive since I just brought home a wayward Colt M1917.
Tom
Posts: 35 | Location: Half Moon Bay, California | Registered: 09 May 2002
Quote: An FN is not a Mod. 98 Mauser, it is not a Mauser action, its an FN, two different actions...I have been scolded on this score by several of the top smiths in the country on several ocassions for such generalities, but its a fact.
An excerpt from Mauser rifles by Ludwig Olsen;
"In addition to the Mauser firm, leading producers of Mausers during the early 1890's were Fabrique Nationale in Herstal Belgium, and Ludwig Loewe & Co., Berlin, Germany. Loewe owned a (huge) controlling interest in the Mauser co. and also had partial financial control (50%) of Fabrique National."
I appreciate what your saying Ray, but the specifics appear to be very debatable. Especially due to the fact that they (FN and Mauser) had become affiliates in time. It is clear that FN indeed began as a different entity from Mauser, but they did in fact manufacture at least some Mauser rifles, the Venezuelan Mauser for one. Where the J.C. Higgins FN fits into all of this I cant say. Perhaps someone better informed than myself can shed some more light on the subject.
Posts: 10188 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001
Before the war (WW I),FN after losing a lawsuit to make the M-98 without paying royalties,joined up with other two firms to form a M-98 cartel.After the war the M-98 design and manufacturing became part of the war reparations.
Posts: 480 | Location: B.C.,Canada | Registered: 20 January 2002
Yes, I am aware that FN made a milsurp Mod 98 Mauser..The commercial actions are all FNs (Fabrique Nat'l.) Many factories contracted out for the militaries of the world, but they were two different actions...All control feed actions are M-98 knockoffs even the Springfield, Win. M-70, Ruger 77 etc.
Posts: 42210 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
