Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Interesting 22 semi auto

I don't get surprised by much firearms wise. I thought I had a pretty good handle on the old 22 out there but apparently that isn't the case. My pastor asked me to look at some guns he had from his father. His dad passed away last year and pastor got these. One was an old Belgian SxS with no butt stock, another is a Damascus Belgian double in pretty decent shape. But the one that nterested me most was this little semi auto 22. I have to honestly say I've never seen one nor did I know they even existed. But they are pretty cool.

A JC Higgins model 31, apparently made by High Standard from what I've been able to garner. Neat looking little gun and the retractable sling was a big surprise. Pastor said they killed tons of squirrels with it when he lived in Georgia.

They're cool enough I think I need one now. I lean heavily to odd and unusual firearms anyway so one of these will fit in well with my accumulation.

Cool. I remember seeing those in magazines. Don't think I ever saw one I could handle. Nice enjoy.

LGS has had several come through over the years.
Not uncommon here.

My Dad had one just like that around 1960 or so...never forget that retractable sling! Dad dealt it away to help someone in need before I was old enough to use it. He promised me he would get me a 22 when I turned 12-a promise he made good on. I see them from time to but never bought one. I do blame that deal for turning me into a hopeless rifle enthusiast for the last 60 years.

That one belongs to Pastor. I liked it so well I had to bid on one. I'm weak. So weak. It will look cool with a Weaver D4 on it. Assuming I win the auction.

Thanks for sharing that, I have never seen one before.

My stepbrother has one without the sling, though. Neat little gun, and probably more reliable than my Marlin 60.

Very nice. The wood panels over the receiver are neat. They should protect it from sweaty hands and such.

USOG on You Tube had one, a BSA IIRC, that captured the empties in a box in the receiver. No crime scene evidence! Has to be emptied, naturally. Old .22s are great. So are new ones!

If you don't win, look at the model 30 too.

I've seen a couple of those for sell. Thought they were interesting but they all looked like they have set in a barn for 30 years. Used hard and put up wet.

I lusted after one of these in the mail order catalog when I was a kid. Can't remember if it was Sears or Monkey Wards. No amount of pestering my Old Man to get me one panned out though. I was forced to go to work in the salt mines (grass mowing, throwing hay bales, etc.) to make the money to buy my own gun to replace the Mossberg .22 auto he had saddled me with a year or so before. When sufficient funds had been accumulated, my fickle head got turned by a used Winchester 52 at the LGS instead and I never looked back.

I keep telling myself to hit the pawn shops when I'm out and about, but I'm in a hurry or forget. I like to find old Marlins, Savage, Stevens, Springfield .22 rifles. Sears put out a bunch of em, and they show up when people need a little $$. I can usually haggle on price with em. Gotta make a mental note to start checking pawn inventory. That's a fine looking rifle.

I have a model 30 and 36. The model 30 is what we had as kids. (6 younger brothers).
One of my nephews has the original 30 we used as kids. Still shots well.
What your missing is the original weaver 4 power scope.

Evnin, buddy has a savage (I think) with that sling. If it was perfected today I'd buy one, would you??? It would be nice if you could lock it at any length. Rolled in would be good for in the brush, & when you got your trophy pull it out & sling the rifle over your shoulder & away ya go!!! Kind of like a seat belt or measuring tape. Some of you younger gents or lady's could get rich. I'm to old for rich, unless it's filthy rich. Might be able to handle that. GWP 🐾👣🐾👣🇨🇦

Mart,

I've seen a couple of those twenty-two's around, but never noticed the sling. 'Next time' I'll look them over for that sling. Don't know how practical it is, but it looks kind'of neat.

Thanks,

Jerry

Not all of them had the sling, my stepbrother's did not have it.

I presume the "slinged" one was the "Deluxe" model, but have nothing to back that up.

Ha, I like them. The gadgetry of the sling lures in every rimfire enthusiast, but end the end most guys are disappointed in the sling. Great looking rifles. Definitely unique.