Apropos for Star Wars Day, a Model 102 Supermatic Trophy with a 10" barrel, this example dating to 1958. The then newly introduced Trophy was High Standard's premier target pistol, with golden accents, walnut grips, and a highly polished deep blue finish. Over the three years that this particular variation was manufactured, production totaled a mere 1,041.
A Classic "Space Gun"
- Thread starter Goony
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Those were very nice in their day. I really like the slant grip frame. And the extra sight radius is helpful if your hold and follow through are disciplined.
If you read Gil Hebard’s Pistol Shooters Treasury, there is an extended shoot-off with various High Standards. The long barrel Trophy placed at, or near, the top for accuracy.
If you read Gil Hebard’s Pistol Shooters Treasury, there is an extended shoot-off with various High Standards. The long barrel Trophy placed at, or near, the top for accuracy.
I also had a Space Gun when I was a kid, a Daisy Targeteer:
I also had the pictured target box with the spinning targets. Being made of plastic, the targets didn't last long against those potent .118 cal. BBs.
I also had the pictured target box with the spinning targets. Being made of plastic, the targets didn't last long against those potent .118 cal. BBs.
Gee Whiz!
Tough Crowd!
There were a few threads recently, with guys inquiring about “Help! What .22 target pistol should I get?”
Replies: “Ruger this, Browning that”. All cranked out by the boatloads, with as much charisma as a new toothbrush.
Here’s a CLASSIC AMERICAN MADE .22 REAL target pistol! Built with the care and quality from a time when “Made in USA” meant something!
And guess what?
You can still find them for not much more than the generic guns being sold today!
This is so surprising! At a time when even rusty shot-out mil-surp guns are pushing four figures, you can actually still find a quality vintage bargain.
Attached a couple vintage ads for “inspiration”!
Tough Crowd!
There were a few threads recently, with guys inquiring about “Help! What .22 target pistol should I get?”
Replies: “Ruger this, Browning that”. All cranked out by the boatloads, with as much charisma as a new toothbrush.
Here’s a CLASSIC AMERICAN MADE .22 REAL target pistol! Built with the care and quality from a time when “Made in USA” meant something!
And guess what?
You can still find them for not much more than the generic guns being sold today!
This is so surprising! At a time when even rusty shot-out mil-surp guns are pushing four figures, you can actually still find a quality vintage bargain.
Attached a couple vintage ads for “inspiration”!
Attachments
BillyKframe
Member
I have a M 102 Sport King with 2 barrels. It is a solid well made pistol
About 50 years ago, Mrs swsig decided she wanted a High Standard to replace the one her ex had kept after their divorce. We went to our small town's LGS (a pawn shop) and they had a new one in stock. The owner offered to test fire it into his bullet trap to make sure it worked properly. Unfortunately, it didn't. The High Standard refused to live up to its name, as it jammed each time he pulled the trigger. He told us he couldn't sell us an obviously defective pistol. He didn't have another in stock, but he did have another new .22lr pistol to show us. It test fired perfectly. And that's how we ended up with our charisma-free Ruger Standard, instead of an exciting High Standard. The Ruger still works perfectly to this day. Sometimes boring is good.Gee Whiz!
Tough Crowd!
There were a few threads recently, with guys inquiring about “Help! What .22 target pistol should I get?”
Replies: “Ruger this, Browning that”. All cranked out by the boatloads, with as much charisma as a new toothbrush.
Here’s a CLASSIC AMERICAN MADE .22 REAL target pistol! Built with the care and quality from a time when “Made in USA” meant something!
And guess what?
You can still find them for not much more than the generic guns being sold today!
This is so surprising! At a time when even rusty shot-out mil-surp guns are pushing four figures, you can actually still find a quality vintage bargain.
Attached a couple vintage ads for “inspiration”!
I have come to really appreciate those old High Standards
They are super fun to shoot, and I have accumulated several in the last few years
Those last two Pictures are just outstanding examples of the "super blue" guns. The 101 serial # should place it at 1959 (1044802 being the Last gun made in 1959)
They are super fun to shoot, and I have accumulated several in the last few years
Those last two Pictures are just outstanding examples of the "super blue" guns. The 101 serial # should place it at 1959 (1044802 being the Last gun made in 1959)
I confess I have had poor luck with the two High Standard semi-automatics I have owned. Constant feeding problems no matter what I fed them.
I have several H-S guns and like them .fun to shoot and accurate.The space guns have eluded me all these years.True feeding can be a problem and getting GOOD mags are already a problem.I have found that modifying BERETTA neos mags make a world of difference in feeding.
Sven though my eyes are shot i would still like to own a space gun for a time
Sven though my eyes are shot i would still like to own a space gun for a time
BillyKframe
Member
In the High Standards that I have, the feeding problems came down to the magazines. The correct geometry of the rear feed lips seems to be critical to keep the tip of the bullet from jamming into the top of the chamber. I like standard velocity CCI for keeping failures to extract at bay.
High Standard pistols should only be shot with standard velocity ammo. HV ammo can result in cracked frames.
There's a tool made to adjust the feed lips on HS magazines. I swiped this photo off the internet...
I was gonna add a reply mentioning the mag lip tool.
This used to be common knowledge back when the pistols were still current.
If you look at a detached barrel, it is so much more obvious that there is no feed ramp. The mags have to be right for the gun to function properly.
There have been a few dark chapters in the attempts to revive the brand. The “Mitchell” High Standards seem to be problematic (same Mitchell as from the “Mitchell’s Mausers” fame a few years back.
I’m always sorry to hear that people occasionally get one of these duds and that it sours them for the brand.
The new company shows real promise. Aron Aronstein is really committed.
Beware when looking at used ones to examine the frame for cracks! (There is lots of info and posted online for further research). Amazingly, though, the new High Standard company has you covered!
They can rebuild a cracked frame gun, by using all you old parts on a new frame serial numbered as a match to the old one. The whole job runs a bit over $500. A bargain, all things considered!
If you ever meet an old Bullseye shooter who got into High Standard during the 50s until the early 80s, don’t be surprised to find someone with an almost obsessed passion and loyalty to their old gun.
dsf
Member
A few HS offerings - still looking for the Space Gun muzzle device for a decent price.
I'd posted regarding these recently: https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/a-mitchell-arms-trophy-ii.738957/
I've had a few different models of Hi-Standard pistols. All were accurate and reliable handguns. Over the years I've sold or traded all of them off except one. The one I still have is a rather sad looking Duramatic that came out of an abandoned storage unit. It had been wrapped in a rag and lost most of its finish in odd shaped patches. Almost looks tiger striped. Got it cheap and discovered that it still worked quite well and shoots as good as I can hold. Not finicky about ammo, even runs on that crappy Russian Junior ammo. I'm sure it's not worth all that much because of the finish but that just means I'm not likely to sell it LOL.
I have a Hi-Standard Victor and I love it. I wish I could find the barrel weight that goes with it but no luck. The new factory weights don't fit.
isuolympic
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A set from the collection.
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