High Standard .22 lr Target Pistols

[flundertaker]

Looking for a target pistol in .22 LR. Cost isnt a huge factor for quality but I would like to be in the $500-$750 range. I bought a Ruger Mark III Heavy Barrel Target for my nephew and its nice but its got both a IL and loaded chamber indicator. Both which I have no use for. I also felt the trigger was anything but "target" worthy. Today I looked at a couple classic target models from High Standard. One was the Supermatic and the other was the Sport King. The Supermatic had a bull barrel with counter weight attached under it. It also had an adjustable rear sight. It was all metal with a new haven CT address so I am guessing mid 50's early 60's (??). The action felt super smooth and the trigger broke very clean. My only issue was the grips. They were factory thumb rest and for a right handed shooter. I am a southpaw. Can you get left handed grips for old High Standard Supermatics or Sport Kings?? Educate me on these pistols or other quality .22LR target pistols. I am not married to a semi over a revolver but I am not going to pay inflated prices for nostalgia such as a S&W 18

 

[weatherby]

Left hand grips you will have no problem finding.
I have a sport King, field king and Victor from high standard.
The hard part may be choosing which model to go with.
BTW.....I like your choice it is classic

 

[Camster]

750 puts you within reach for a nice Smith 41.A better gun,with more options and parts availability.
If I were buying a Hi Standard,I'd stick with Hamden production and figure that I would have to add the cost of having the recoil spring replaced.I'd also inspect it for a cracked frame.This is known to happen with HS guns that have seen HV ammo,or have a tired recoil spring.

 

[Neumann]

The Sport King is a plinking pistol, whereas the Supermatic is a highly tunable target pistol, with adjustable trigger pull and overtravel. There were several models and variations over the years. I have the Citation, which has a smooth, 5-1/2" bull barrel with notches to mount a compensator. The Trophy had a fluted barrel and polished finish.

The downside to mine is that the rear sights are mounted on the slide. While the fit is tight, there is possiblity that it won't return to battery in exactly the same position each time. Forty years ago it would digest any ammunition I could find and afford. Now, I'm lucky to get two shots in a row without an FTF (usually failure to eject). You need really clean ammunition, like CCI, for reliable operation.

The accuracy, rear sight notwithstanding, is excellent. The trigger breaks so clean you just have to think "bang". (~2#), with no discernible overtravel.

Forget barrel weights. They aren't held tightly enough with screws to do any good. They might help balance, but have a slightly negative effect on accuracy. However, the barrel barely quivers with the compensator in place.

The Smith 41 is a much better pistol, with the rear sights mounted on a barrel extension. I've never shot one, but it's on my short list. Expect to pay $1200 or more for one in good shape. I have a 17 no dash, which shoots just as accurately as the High Standard, but doesn't misfire. You can't go wrong with a Smith.

Shoot a good target pistol, and you'll wonder why you bother with anything else.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I'm lucky enough to own both. The High Standard has a better trigger than any of the three model 41's I've owned (currently down to one). I also like the big 'ol rear sight (as viewed from shooting position) better on the High Standard. However, I shoot all of them about the same. People talk about the Hamden High Standards like they're made of glass, but I've owned mine since the mid-70's with no problems. I only shoot target velocity .22's in target guns - I'm funny that way. In club matches, I still see these old High Standards heavily represented. I can recommend either, if you get a Hamden made High Standard, you can save a little money by getting the Citation instead of the Trophy (and most definitely the Victor). The only difference between the Citation and Trophy is the exterior finish.

I know the muzzle brake doesn't do much, but I think it looks cool, and I'm not going to Camp Perry.

You can get the High Standards with a long barrel like this one, or a 5" heavy barrel. I actually shoot the 5" barrel better, but again, I think the fluted long barrels look cool, and I like to look good when I shoot poorly:

rimfirecentral.com has sections for these pistols, if you'd like to do some research.

If you get a High Standard, it's a definite plus if you can get two or more factory magazines, as these are hard to find.

 

[varmint243]

I am in agreement with the others
There are a lot of really good options in your price range

Ruger MK II competition target with a VQ sear
Some of the better BuckMark flavors
Model 41
Benelli MP95e
Custom VQ target pistols
617 6"
Model 17 6"

Check out the recent thread on show your .22 target pistols
http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearms-knives-other-brands/405066-lets-see-those-22lr-target-guns.html
A lot of nice examples there

The High Standards can be tough to get good working magazines for.

 

[Jebus35745]

Shot bullseye for abt 10 yrs with a model 41. Went to a Hammerli 280 for abt a year then went back to the 41. The Ruger mk2 with a trigger job is hard to beat. The Mk3's can be made to be like the MK2's with a Little work. Didn't see many Brownings. The High STDs were there and were accurate. Jim passed 2 yrs ago and was a HS guru, he helped the HS shooters with problems as everyone else with trouble. The Huston guns are cheaper but not desirable. If you know someone that shot competition with a HS and he's not shooting no more, try to buy it if he had no problems with it. With all the guns HS made, you would think the magazines would not have issues. The HS guns can't be dry fired like the Smith or Ruger. Good luck, Larry

 

[alaskavett]

Honestly, you have been given some great advice here. I was raised with having access to my Fathers Supermatic Trophy 7.5" fluted and a few model 41's and he got rid of the Smiths in favor of reliability and much smaller groups.. I know we never fired anything more then the standard velocity stuff and I have never seen a cracked frame. If you do purchase the H.S. I would be most interested in the stocks on it. I have a Victor that has had the stocks modified for a south paw. And yes, it is a later Victor but it is a serious shooter! Best of luck in your pursuit of perfection. Kyle

 

[Cdog]

Over the years I've had the pleasure of owning several great .22 target pistols. My favorite was likely a High Standard, "The Victor" and a beat up Ruger MKII that could do no wrong.

I've owned a 5.5" MKIII since the were first introduced. It has many MKII, as well as Volquartsen parts. No mag disconnect, etc..

For the money, my MKIII suits me fine. Fed SK Jagd/Wolf, Lapua, or similar quality ammo it exceeds my ability.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Although I collect S&W 41s (and 46s, 41-1s, and 52s), I prefer shooting the HS Victor 5.5" (pre Alpha Hamden mfg.) and the Kart conversion on a 1911 frame as I like the 1911 style grip. Any of these are capable of bullseye accuracy and triggers on them can be highly tuned. With open sight shooting, I recommend the 5.5" bbl. for the S&W 41. Also suggest the earlier (below A465000 range) for S&W 41s. A detailed cleaning for any older pistol and if used much, spring replacement. Cleaning includes attention to the extractor area, chamber, mags, and rear sight (often gummed up and hard to adjust). Suggest you try the suggested models to see which one feels good. Specialty (RH and LH) grips are available.

 

[deadin]

You do have to admit that these are really pretty....

 

[civil1977]

On the High Standards, the lack of a feed ramp on the barrel breech makes the magazine lips a critical piece of the puzzle. The cartridge has to be lined up by the magazine lips for it to feed properly. Other pistol designs which have feed ramps such as the Model 41 don't have as many issues with feeding.

 

[m657]

Once you learn how to run a High Standard you're pretty much ruined for anything else.

I've shot 'em for about 30 years. Learning which models are famed for what, will take considerable time.

The old Smith model 41 vs High Standard Anything was hotly contended then as now.

While I always lusted after a 41, once I learned how to shoot a HS, that proved to be unnecessary.

I did happen upon one of the overly derided Mitchell HS, a bull-barrel Trophy II model. Looks a lot like this one:

After replacing a broken firing pin, it has been just as reliable and accurate as any of my CT. HS models....mostly Citations, and along the way, yes, one 10X.

If you find your groove for HS eye/sight/trigger/ you will pretty busy training yourself in the Art & Science of 22LR X-ring therapy....

 

[varmint243]

Here is an example MP95e for sale.
I know nothing about this one in particular, or the seller.
I lurk on that forum a lot and it has been there for a bit.
These aren't necessarily for everybody but mine shoots very well.

WTS Benelli MP 95E

 

[deadin]

I agree that those with feed ramps have less problems then those with no ramp AND mis-adjusted magazine lips.
However a well adjusted magazine and no ramp is superior to those with feed ramps. Feed ramps cause the soft lead .22 Long Rifle bullet to be battered twice. Once hitting the ramp and again hitting the top of the chamber before it is aligned with the chamber for final seating. This battering can cause small but significant distortion to the bullet that can affect accuracy.
The more straight in chambering of the rampless design minimizes this distortion. Every little advantage, however minor, helps in reaching the final score in competition.

 

[gregintenn]

15 posts, and no one has mentioned a Colt Woodsman?

 

[Nedroe]

High Standard's..........

have always been my favorite. I grew up with an HD Military like this one. It hits everything I point it at, no matter how far away it is.

This 107 has the best trigger of any I've had the pleasure to use.

I keep my eyes open for a 10X, but they are hard to find. You can't go wrong with an HD Military.

Ned

 

[Andyd]

I have shot ISSF competitions where a dedicated match pistol like the Hämmerli International 208 and Walther GSP ruled in my days but have found that there are many guns that will serve the occasional shooter very well and on a budget.

One of these guns is the Ruger MkII, which can easily be modified with target sears, hammers and can have a lot of money dumped into. Ruger MkII magazines are cheap and easily affordable, the H.S. magazines are not easy to find and cost multiples of a Ruger mag, just like magazines for the F.N. International and the Hämmerli 208s.

Unless someone is a 90+% shooter, an entry level gun like even the S&W 22A, Browning Buckmark, or Ruger MkII will serve very well.

 

[Fishinfool]

I owned a smith 41, and it was a fine pistol. Very accurate. Then I picked up a Hamden manufactured Victor. The victor is just as well made, fits my hand better, and I can shoot it better. Sold the 41.

HS magazines are still available from High Standard, and come with instructions on how to "tune the lips" for proper function in your gun.

Like on the model 41, the sights on the Victor are not slide mounted for accuracy.

A clean, CT made Victor can be found in your price range.

Nice as a Ruger MK ll or lll can be with a little work, the model 41 or the higher end High Standards are a step up.

Larry

 

[H Richard]

I have owned 3 Mod 41 Smiths, but over those years (30) I have never relinquished my High Standard Victor 5 1/2". I had it rebuild (mostly just the springs replaced) by Bob Shea, who was High Standards top custom gunsmith and who bought up all the parts when they closed. He's got to be close to 80, but was still doing them a couple years ago. I most recently have gone to a Biakal Mod 35M, (Russian) pistol that I just love. There are a lot of guns out there and when yo put the right ammo with them will shoot fantastic.