Shotgun trigger will not reset. Suggestions please...

Jaltered · February 25th, 2006, 06:12 PM

I've posted this same entry on a few other gun forums hoping for suggestions to lead me in the right direction. I may take the gun to a gunsmith after all, but I'd like to try to fix it myself if possible...I value the learning experience.
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I've inherited my grandfather's old 12 gauge that he used to hunt quail with.

It's a J.C. Higgins #20.

We've taken it out to shoot clay pigeons a couple of times and it worked great. Recently, the trigger has failed to reset. Racking the shotgun (using the action release) does not reset the trigger. Trying to manually pull the trigger forward does not....it won't budge.

I disassembled the entire internal assembly, cleaned it inside and out (very thoroughly), and reassembled it. The trigger won't budge. Nothing "appears" broken or bent, but the trigger just stays locked back all the time.

I would really like to get this gun operational for use as a pigeon-shooter and a possible loaner gun for SHTF.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

P95Carry · February 25th, 2006, 07:19 PM

Did you post in 'Shotguns' on THR - quite a few guys are well up on shotties.

I can't think of anything right now - would want to see whole trigger group.

Bud White · February 25th, 2006, 08:43 PM

Who made the Jc higgins? pr is a actually a JC?

Jaltered · February 25th, 2006, 09:52 PM

It says: J.C. Higgins model 20, Sears Roebuck Co. 12 gauge

Bud White · February 25th, 2006, 10:03 PM

Ok so what ya really got is a High standard model 200.. Im looking at break down now to see if i can get a ideal

Bud White · February 25th, 2006, 10:06 PM

I would check the trigger return spring and trigger pins

Also the trigger lock hard to get a good ideal with out it in front of ya to see i mean me or anyone else trying to figure it out

Rob72 · February 27th, 2006, 06:54 PM

Without a pic of the linkage, I can't be more specific, but what you describe indicates that the hammer/sear/trigger connection is improperly aligned, or you have a spring facing the wrong way. Some mechanisms are meant to be reassembled "cocked", some, "at rest". Those are the most obvious (likely) starting points. Good luck!

February 25th, 2006, 06:12 PM	#1
Jaltered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 200	Shotgun trigger will not reset. Suggestions please... I've posted this same entry on a few other gun forums hoping for suggestions to lead me in the right direction. I may take the gun to a gunsmith after all, but I'd like to try to fix it myself if possible...I value the learning experience. ----------------------------------- I've inherited my grandfather's old 12 gauge that he used to hunt quail with. It's a J.C. Higgins #20. We've taken it out to shoot clay pigeons a couple of times and it worked great. Recently, the trigger has failed to reset. Racking the shotgun (using the action release) does not reset the trigger. Trying to manually pull the trigger forward does not....it won't budge. I disassembled the entire internal assembly, cleaned it inside and out (very thoroughly), and reassembled it. The trigger won't budge. Nothing "appears" broken or bent, but the trigger just stays locked back all the time. I would really like to get this gun operational for use as a pigeon-shooter and a possible loaner gun for SHTF. Any thoughts? Thanks. __________________ Proud member of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy: http://www.xanga.com/jaltered

February 25th, 2006, 09:52 PM	#4
Jaltered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 200	It says: J.C. Higgins model 20, Sears Roebuck Co. 12 gauge __________________ Proud member of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy: http://www.xanga.com/jaltered

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February 25th, 2006, 07:19 PM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Did you post in 'Shotguns' on THR - quite a few guys are well up on shotties. I can't think of anything right now - would want to see whole trigger group. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

February 25th, 2006, 08:43 PM	#3
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	Who made the Jc higgins? pr is a actually a JC?

February 25th, 2006, 10:03 PM	#5
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	Ok so what ya really got is a High standard model 200.. Im looking at break down now to see if i can get a ideal

February 25th, 2006, 10:06 PM	#6
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	I would check the trigger return spring and trigger pins Also the trigger lock hard to get a good ideal with out it in front of ya to see i mean me or anyone else trying to figure it out

February 27th, 2006, 06:54 PM	#7
Rob72 VIP Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,043	Without a pic of the linkage, I can't be more specific, but what you describe indicates that the hammer/sear/trigger connection is improperly aligned, or you have a spring facing the wrong way. Some mechanisms are meant to be reassembled "cocked", some, "at rest". Those are the most obvious (likely) starting points. Good luck!