Opinions on New High Standards

[COREY]

I have heard great things about the old High Standard, but little about the new ones being made. Anybody here have any insights into the new ones, especially the new Citation? I am looking around for a 22 to teach the kids on; I know all about the Rugers (have had a MKI MKII and MKIII), a bit about the Brownings (good reviews overall), and some about the Smiths, but next to nothing about the new High Standards.


Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[sailor723]

I don't have any first hand knowledge of the new guns but from reading on some of the US based forums they seem to have quite a poor reputation. As I understand it the Connecticut company that made the highly regarded target guns of the 40's, 50's, 60's etc went bankrupt in the early 80's and today's version (made in Texas I think) is from a company that picked up the name.

I've never seen them offered here in Canada. Do you know of a source selling them here?

For a good all around .22 to teach the kids on I'd recommend a basic Browning Buck Mark Camper

 

[gnmontey]

M93

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[fire@will]

I have an older one, from the original company and from my experience with it, everything you heard about them is true. Never had a problem with it - eats any type of ammo (feeds,fires,ejects) - is accurate, has a nice trigger, seems really well built and thought out, easy to take apart and clean. My buddy decide he wanted one and bought one of the new ones (I think Stoeger, in Whitby/Oshawa imports them). He was very underwhelmed by its performance, feeding and ejecting issues as I recall. Sold it after a couple of months. Anecdotal and only the one story, but for what it's worth - - - . If I was buying one (and if I didn't already have one, I would) I'd be looking for a nice, used "original".

 

[age]

I have an older one, from the original company and from my experience with it, everything you heard about them is true. Never had a problem with it - eats any type of ammo (feeds,fires,ejects) - is accurate, has a nice trigger, seems really well built and thought out, easy to take apart and clean. My buddy decide he wanted one and bought one of the new ones (I think Stoeger, in Whitby/Oshawa imports them). He was very underwhelmed by its performance, feeding and ejecting issues as I recall. Sold it after a couple of months. Anecdotal and only the one story, but for what it's worth - - - . If I was buying one (and if I didn't already have one, I would) I'd be looking for a nice, used "original".

X2 Great old pistols

 

[silverfoxdj]

I have an older one, from the original company and from my experience with it, everything you heard about them is true. Never had a problem with it - eats any type of ammo (feeds,fires,ejects) - is accurate, has a nice trigger, seems really well built and thought out, easy to take apart and clean. My buddy decide he wanted one and bought one of the new ones (I think Stoeger, in Whitby/Oshawa imports them). He was very underwhelmed by its performance, feeding and ejecting issues as I recall. Sold it after a couple of months. Anecdotal and only the one story, but for what it's worth - - - . If I was buying one (and if I didn't already have one, I would) I'd be looking for a nice, used "original".

I'm looking at an older one what should I look for to make sure it's not shot out and what about parts are available it's a model103 Supermatic tournament

 

[kschneider]

My dad has a High Standard Sentinel MKIV Convertible, from 1978, and it is still going strong. Still looks like new, the nickel plating held up very well. The new High Standard seems to make good AR's, not sure about the handgun quality. I just wish I could inherit it, sucks it is prohib.

 

[grelmar]

Get one of the old ones. They're great guns, reliable, and hold up well. For whatever reason, they aren't particularly collectible, so you can get them at very good prices.

"The Marshall" - Mid 60's, 9-shot .22, SA/DA. Great little plinker. Smooth long pull in DA, crisp light pull in SA.

You can pick these up for a fraction of what any new .22 revolver would cost, and they're FAR better than any of the current "bargain" options (which will cost you more $$ new)

 

[fire@will]

I'm looking at an older one what should I look for to make sure it's not shot out and what about parts are available it's a model103 Supermatic tournament

Mine's a Supermatic Citation - has Military stamped on the right side frame (not sure what that implies). From the various ones I've seen, they all seem to have a similar DNA, so I can't imagine that parts for them would be tough to get - there's a lot of them around - that said, I've not had anything break or wear out (yet), so I haven't had occasion to buy replacement parts. As for "shot out" - I would assume it would be the same for any gun - if the rifling is still good, you should be fine. Mine is somewhere around 40+ years old and it groups as well as my S&W 41 (in my hands) and nowhere near as fussy about ammo.

 

[silverfoxdj]

Mine's a Supermatic Citation - has Military stamped on the right side frame (not sure what that implies). From the various ones I've seen, they all seem to have a similar DNA, so I can't imagine that parts for them would be tough to get - there's a lot of them around - that said, I've not had anything break or wear out (yet), so I haven't had occasion to buy replacement parts. As for "shot out" - I would assume it would be the same for any gun - if the rifling is still good, you should be fine. Mine is somewhere around 40+ years old and it groups as well as my S&W 41 (in my hands) and nowhere near as fussy about ammo.

What would be fair price for one in decent shape with no papers etc

 

[ziprhead]

I've shot both old and new in the US and there is a marked difference in build. The new ones look rough and don't feel as smooth when cycling. They also tend to have a lot more stoppages. One of the biggest issues is cracked frames on new ones, especially if you use high velocity ammunition which is a definite no-no. Should only use SV on a High Standard. All High Standards, both old and new, have issues with mags; the older ones being much better than the horrible new ones. Since the HS does not have a feed ramp, mag lip alignment is critical. They are super accurate and are in the same league as a S&W Model 41 but less fussy with ammo. The one thing that blows everyone away is the trigger on an old HS - the break is amazingly sharp whereas the new ones tend to have a mushier feel and lack the sharp break.
Bottom line is - don't buy a new one - look for for a Hamden Conn vintage model. I see that you are in Ottawa, If you want to try a vintage High Standard Victor that is a total tack driver, I would be happy to let you try mine. It was manufactured during the golden age of High Standards.

 

[fire@will]

What would be fair price for one in decent shape with no papers etc

I paid 5 for mine around ten years ago. I thought it was in good shape - and I wanted one. A couple of days later, at the range, a guy offered me 550 for it - so I guess I got it for a decent price. No papers or box with mine, either. I'm guessing a "decent" one would still be around that price - a really nice one and I've seen them, with an extra barrel (long and short) would go for more.

 

[silverfoxdj]

I paid 5 for mine around ten years ago. I thought it was in good shape - and I wanted one. A couple of days later, at the range, a guy offered me 550 for it - so I guess I got it for a decent price. No papers or box with mine, either. I'm guessing a "decent" one would still be around that price - a really nice one and I've seen them, with an extra barrel (long and short) would go for more.

Thanks that gives me an idea..

 

[marshall]

All the old Hi standards are great, The "military " grip came out after the 103 series I think, 104, the grip is the same shape as a colt 1911
I like the older slant grip models, but for big hands the military grip may be better.
All the barrels on the 103 and up will interchange, the sights are different on some of the models.
I prefer the Victor models, full sight rib, I use to find them for 4-500, now mint one are x2 that.
There is a nice one on the exchange now, higrade shooter, but not a collector grade.
The sharpshooter, tornament, citation, trophy , victor are the same guns, but better finish as you go up in models ,
And the top models have adj. triggers, But it is better not to mess with the triggers, easy to screw them up.
And if you ever see a 10X the is the holy grail, all hand fitted for top compt.
I still have a few springs left NOS, nut the parts from the new Taxas ones will work.
The mags are exc. if you know what to do, aftermarket are usally poor.
While the S-W 41 guys are cleaning the chambers on their guns, the hi standards are still shooting.
The good older models smiths are getting damn expence also, nice, but have never like the grips .
Hope this gives you some infor., And Never pass up good used mags
P.S. price , I has changed in the last few years , I use to deal lots of them in the 4-500.oo range, but seem to be in the 750.oo area now
Victors 8-900, 10X 3000.oo????