Mom's old .22 single-shot rifle...

[pheenix42]

Mom has in her closet an old 'J.C. Higgins' marked (sold through Sears Roebuck) .22 single shot bolt action rifle that's just gathering dust and cobwebs. It'd be a terrific recreational rifle with a proper cleanup!

But...since she doesn't keep it for self-protection (she lives out in a rural part of Virginia) anymore because of the proximity of relatives to watch the place, how do I persuade her to part company with it? I even offered to buy her a shotgun to keep in the closet, but she didn't seem too keen to the idea.

Any suggestions?

 

[sloughfoot]

IMO a good son would give her a brick of 22 ammo for it and take her shooting.

You will probably get it eventually anyway.... A good excuse to spend time with mom. She will probably be tickled...

Hope I didn't offend, just my thoughts.

 

[AFA1CY]

If you are wanting it just for sentimental value, buy her another similar rifle. She probably likes the simplicity of the operation.

 

[jmb79]

My father in law gave my wife and me his J.C. Higgins branded Sears single shot .22lr rifle a couple of years ago. In fact, I shot it again last weekend at Eagle Creek. I believe it was manufactured in the early 1950s but I am still trying to pin that down. In any event, it is extremely accurate with the iron sights at 50 yards. I haven't used it a longer distances than that.

 

[pheenix42]

You know, what I think I'll do next year when I go to visit is take some gun cleaning supplies with me, and just give it a good going over so it doesn't deteriorate...maybe get a soft case to store it in...who knows, she might just let me take it with me when I go back home! That, or we just go out and shoot at some tin cans or something, you know? Either way, a nice older rifle doesn't sit idle and never sees the outside any more!

 

[pheenix42]

If you are wanting it just for sentimental value, buy her another similar rifle. She probably likes the simplicity of the operation.

Actually...she's never fired it; not ever. She got it from an older gentleman that she did some home care for before he passed away, and she just kept it in the closet ever since.