[Jaltered]

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]

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]

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

 

[Jaltered]

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

 

[Bud White]

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]

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]

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!:frown: