I have the itch for a decent .22. A local shop has a very clean M41 for $650 asking, may haggle a little, and a High Standard Victor, also very clean, for $595. Price is close enough not to be an issue.

I have never cared for the HS mag release, or the hold open being on the wrong side... but the "1911" grip angle is nice...

I doubt I'd go far wrong with either; any suggestions to help make up my mind?

I am a model 41 guy, so, of course, I will tell you to get the 41. Particularly if it i the 5-1/2 heavy barrel. You can get Herrett "trainer" grips for the 41 that make it feel very much like a 1911. In fact, I believe the "Trainer" is available in either flat or arched "mainspring" configuration. The original High Standard guns are god, to be sure, but I will take the model 41 every time. I prefer just about eveything about it over the High Standard. However, there are many High Standard shooters who feel the opposite.

I believe that good High Standard magazines are like hen's teeth...the recent Texas ones have
a poor reputation and originals are dear.

That alone should help you decide, but research it first.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Karl in NY,

HS - If East Hartford, I'd pass. If Hamden, consider it. If solid rib, e-mail me if passed.

S&W 41 - if cocking indicator (A475000 and below) a good choice.

I collect 41s but tend to shoot Victor better due to grip (1911 style).

I allways felt the 41 fit a bigger hand better than the High Standard. I'm smaller built and feel the trigger reach on the Victor is just right. But My 41 grips are "rasped" down so I can reach the trigger better on the 41. I got a fleet of HS's but shot my highest bullseye score with a 41. They are two different breeds, but both highly efective. Ditto on the Hamden gun being a good one and see if it comes with two mags. 41 mags are easy to come by, not correct HS mags.

I am going to try to get back to the local shop Friday to take another look... I'm sure the Victor is Hamden; I had an E Hartford Citation years ago that wasn't too impressive, so I noticed that...

Thanks for all the suggestions so far... I'll post what I find when I go back in.

I have an East Hartford Victor. It has been 100% reliable. The mags can be a real pain, but they are available.

I also have a 41 with multiple barrels, so I can choose the configuration I want to go with on a given day or match. That's a real plus.

My Victor loves the WW bulk, the 41 only does CCI SV.

The Supermatic Citation is a real winner though. For me it handles better than the rest. 5 1/2" Bull Bbl Military model from Hamden.

You can't go wrong any way you go,
Bob

I shot Bullseye with both the Mod 41 and the Victor for many years. I always felt that the Victor was the more capable pistol, but I always shot my highest scores with the Mod 41. I eventually traded the Victor for another Mod 41 to keep as a backup.

I would suggest you get the Mod 41; however, I never had a failure with the Victor, while the Mod 41 does tend to wear out (fracture) the poorly designed ejector/slide hold open device. If you intend to shoot it a lot (tens of thousands of rounds), you need to keep at least one spare (fitted) ejector on hand.

Also, just like Ignatz, I had to use a rasp to mutilate the Mod 41 grip to make it fit my hand properly. I tried a couple of target-style grips but preferred the standard (modified) S&W grip the best. I also liked the Supermatic Citation very much, but the Mod 41 is a better design.

I have a High Standard Supermatic Military Trophy mod 107, made in the early 70'. It will out shoot my 41-1.

I'm not shooting any more and would sell it for $650.00.

If interested contact me for pictures......

bmyers5229@bellsouth.net

E-Mail sent to Windjammer.
tombeckwith@bellsouth.net

I enjoy both S&W 41s & High Standards. Both are quality guns & you won't go wrong with either.

That said I have large hands & find the larger grip on the model 41 more comfortable than the High Standard grip.

As far as accuracy goes, they are a tossup; as are the triggers, which are superb. The Victor has more comfortable factory grips. Herrett's in Idaho offers slim grips for the 41 that are just as comfortable, but they over-expose the mag release. The 41 isn't nearly as magazine sensitive as the HS, and 41 magazines are plentiful and (relatively) cheap. You can tweak factory HS mags to function properly--even the ones from Texas, but the aftermarket mags with thin lips are problematic. Both guns were designed to attach muzzle weights, but catching a leprechaun riding a unicorn is easier than finding weights for the 41. Every Victor I have ever seen was wearing its weights, as they are a little muzzle light without them. As for extra barrels, you can find them for the 41, while spare, original Victor barrels are pretty scarce.

Hope this helps.

Since I started collecting model 41s less than a year ago, If I had purchased every set of weights I had seen, I would have better than 10 sets, I only have 2 which came with the original box, and also one set is a much earlier set with 4 holes in the bottom weight, and the other only 2. You will also note a distinct difference in the serrations.
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I've owned and shot both in competition. The HS will shoot a bit better but, magazines can be a problem unless HS marked originals which can be very pricy. If it's a Texas gun then forget it. Parts are also a problem and do go bad every now and then.

S&W is super on parts, magazines, and function but the accuracy is just a hair off HS. The grips on the S&W are a bit large for me but there are other grips you can get for it. Overall quality of the two choices, the S&W wins hands down.

ARIZONA GUNNER. I HAVE A HIGH STANDARD BUILT BY JOHN GILES IN THE ORIGINAL BOX WITH ORIGINAL TEST TARGETS SIGNED BY GILES. AS NEW IN BOX. IF YOU WANT THE BEST HIGH STANDARDS MADE. JP
P.S. IT IS FOR SALE

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PPCSHOOTER,