ill be choosing between two used 22lrs. Help appreciated.

[bripro]

A local shop has two 22s that Im interested in and I would appreciate your input. I went in today to pick up a Winchester lever action but it was sold this morning. Looking at his used guns I found an Ithica X5 Lightning in real good shape for 300 and a JC Higgins model 44 lever action in nice shape as well for 220. Not being well versed in either of these rifles I again turn to you, PAFOA. Please tell me anything you know about these and how the price seems. Thanks in advance, Brian
The Winchester by the way was a model 9422 in fair shape for a modest 179. I was honestly looking forward to the project of fixing it up.

[Rodolfo Fierro]

J. C. Higgins was Sear's store brand. They were made by a bunch of different manufacturers. Stevens was one of the major suppliers, so I am going to guess that one of the guns is a Stevens 44. Stevens made the 44 Ideal Single Shot from 1894 - 1932.
I am not familar with the Ithica X rifles.

[Pete D.]

Need some info. About the model 44: There are two possiblities. If it is a Stevens model 44, then it is a single shot, related to the old Favorite .22s. Is it a single shot rifle? If it is, it is not a "lever action", it is a Falling Block action.
I ask about the single shot because I found some info (correct???) that the Higgins model 44 is the same as the Marlin model 56 Levermatic which was a magazine fed .22 lever gun.
Does the rifle have a magazine?
I am partial to single shots and have a Savage/Stevens Favorite; I just repaired on for a friend. A real piece of firearms history if it is an old one. The newer Favorites are handy accurate shooters.
Pete

[bripro]

Thanks. The Higgins is a tube fed lever action.

[harold63]

If you want to do some fixing up, purchase a new Ruger 10/22 (under $200), and explore the limitless things you can do with it.

[bripro]

Thanks but IM not really looking for an aotoloader.

[Pete D.]

Bripro: As described, the Higgins 44 was/is a Marlin Model 57 Levermatic. These were produced between 1959 and 1965. The lever has only a short throw (2") and should be pretty fast. Will shoot .22 short, long, long rifle cartridges.
Pete

[RaisedByWolves]

If you want to do some fixing up, purchase a new Ruger 10/22 (under $200), and explore the limitless things you can do with it.

Any idea where these are going for this price?


Ive long wanted to get one and make it shoot like the factory should have, but all I find are used ones going for $100 over retail.

.

[Irwin Inhabitant]

Lots of great info here at this rimfire specific website http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/index.php

Scroll down to the 'Marlin' forum, then click on the 'Marlin subforum'. There is info about the J.C. Higgins model 44DL, which I agree is the same as a Marlin model 57. I'm not sure, but i think maybe the "Levermatic" name was only used on Marlin's model 56.


Another good website here, Marlin specific
http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php



A chart with some of the Sears/J.C. Higgins models made by Marlin
Sears/J.C. ...
... .19821 = 81
Sears 103.19840 = Marlin 56 Levermatic
Sears 103.19880/881/890 = Marlin 57 . ...
... 43DL = Marlin 81
Sears 44DL = Marlin 57
Sears 44DLM = Marlin 57M
Sears 45 = ...
... 56
Western Auto 103.19880 = Marlin 57
Western Auto 103.19890 = Marlin57M
...
... 781
Western Auto 115-2277 = Marlin 57
Western Auto 116-2276 = Marlin 57M
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I have somewhat of a Marlin fetish, thank you, I own a 'few'. Have been trying to find a nice 57, because those older 39A models in nice condition are going for $500 and well beyond.

[32 Magnum]

Ithaca Model X5 Lightning is a semiauto with either a tube mag (-T) or a box mag (-C).
"Blue Book" 31st Ed. value is not high, topping out at $195 for NIB/100%. Made 1958-'64.