High Standard Supermatic Citation

[Narragansett]

Would you buy one 999.00 NIB? Only 1 mag

5.5 or 6" barrel, no weights, checkered walnut grips, Mag has a red bottom that says High Standard, numbered box with all paperwork. This is a Hamden, CT gun so it would be prior to 1977. The actual gun is in a LGS.

SECOND EDIT... Cat number 9242, SN 1830214 ( 1967 ? ), Supermatic Citation Military Model

 

[Goony]

Depends on a whole slew of factors. Which model (earlier slant versus later military grip types). Barrel length (long space gun configuration commands a premium). Weights and/or muzzle brake included or not. Original grips or not, and whether they're walnut or plastic. Also whether the magazine is genuine HS and not one of the recent junky aftermarket ones.

 

[saleen322]

Depending on the model/series, how original it is, and where it is made has an impact on the price. Pictures would help as well.

 

[much ado]

Would you buy one 999.00 NIB? Only 1 mag

5.5 or 6" barrel, no weights, checkered walnut grips, Mag has a red bottom that says High Standard, numbered box with all paperwork. This is a Hamden, CT gun so it would be prior to 1977. The actual gun is in a LGS.

I would gulp a bit and certainly try to get the price lower "but" in recent conversations about 22s, which if I recall correctly, you might have been part of one or the other, it seems that if one is interested in a stock 22 it`s going to cost $400ish and the nominal trigger upgrade which everyone seems to do is $200ish so it seems you`re well on the way to that classic. Mags are available from High Standard Texas as well as service if needed. Go for it!

 

[s&wchad]

Would you buy one 999.00 NIB? Only 1 mag

If I didn't already have a few High Standards, maybe...





They're great pistols, but you need to use standard velocity ammo ONLY. The frames can crack and you need to take the gun down to see it. They can also have feeding issues, but that can usually be fixed by tweaking the magazine lips.

Here's what typical frame cracks looks like (photo swiped off the net):

 

[Greyman50]

Traded my Supermatic Citation last year. 2 barrels and would shoot better than I can hold. For 22s Im satisfied with a Ruger MK II that Ive had for 30 years.

 

[6string]

If it’s truly NIB, then you don’t have to worry about its past history/use.
Shoot it with standard velocity ammo and that gun will be your friend for life!

I’m assuming it’s the gun you show in the attached photos?
It looks fantastic!
If you were to buy one of the newly manufactured High Standards made under Alan Aronstein’s management (which are very nice pistols) it will set you back $1500. That’s what it costs to manufacture a pistol of that quality today.

So, in my opinion, the gun you’re looking at is a bargain!

 

[Smithboomer]

For a NIB gun, yes.
Pricey, but worth it IMO.

 

[Goony]

5.5 or 6" barrel, no weights, checkered walnut grips, Mag has a red bottom that says High Standard, numbered box with all paperwork. This is a Hamden, CT gun so it would be prior to 1977. The actual gun is in a LGS.

The red bottomed mag (hard to come by) is a plus, and suggests this is an earlier 106 series (1965-68). I've spent considerably less for one of these (also NIB) in recent years, and have seen others in the same $700-800 price range. I picked up a nice Military Trophy (no box) from a small shop late last year for $590 OTD. So from my perspective it's not a screaming deal. On the other hand, I wouldn't hesitate to shell out $1K for a 102 or 103 Citation "space gun".

 

[glenwolde]

They used to command prices like that, but not anymore. The prices have come down in the last few years. Now if you are a HIgh Standard collector, NIB is hard to find. But then if you were a High Standard Collector you wouldn't be asking.

I would not pay that if I was going to shoot it. I don't think that should be more than $800. You could get a high condition used one for half what they are asking. Good magazines are available but expensive (interarmstx.com). Triple K branded magazines won't work for long. InterarmsTX also has barrel weights and scope mounts. They are the remnants of High Standard Houston. A lot of their parts are made from the original factory drawings.

My personal High Standard shooter is a Houston made 10-X that's been re-tuned by Alan Aronstein and his crew. Here it is with $300 worth of magazines. These are wonderful shooters.

 

[glenwolde]

The red bottomed mag (hard to come by) is a plus, and suggests this is an earlier 106 series (1965-68). I've spent considerably less for one of these (also NIB) in recent years, and have seen others in the same $700-800 price range. I picked up a nice Military Trophy (no box) from a small shop late last year for $590 OTD. So from my perspective it's not a screaming deal. On the other hand, I wouldn't hesitate to shell out $1K for a 102 or 103 Citation "space gun".

FYI High Standard Houston / InteramsTX produced red plastic bottom magazines in the 2000's that are very hard to distinguish from the earlier ones. The ones in my picture above are from Houston. They switched to the metal bottom ones later. Not that the OP's isn't a vintage one.

 

[BB57]

I picked this early Hamdem 106 Supermatic up a little over a year ago for $650. It was originally priced at $700, where I had passed on it the week prior. In the box with 1 original magazine.

----

Price wise, it depends what you want to pay. Like any well made out of production gun, they hold their value well against inflation, they won't get any cheaper, and they usually appreciate. If you want one, now is the time. You might buy a little "early" for a particular price, but if you hold on to it for a few years, you'll never pay too much.

I've had people tell me "$400 is way too much for a Garand", and "$450 is way too much for a 9422". How that work out for them? If you worry too much about paying too much you'll never buy anything worth having.


This is a good article on magazines, original, aftermarket and the current Interarms TX magazines.

In my experience the Triple K magazine feed lips are too soft and wont hold a tune. the Interarms TX magazines have been 50/50 with half running great out of the box and the other half needing the feed lips tuned. Once tuned they will hold the tune, unlike the soft Triple K magazines.

Either way, you'll want to pick up a magazine lip tuning tool.

 

[saleen322]

Looking at completed auctions on Gunbroker, that price seems high. There are a number Citations on there as low as half that price that got no bids. Your gun does look exceptionably nice but the Citation is about the most common target High Standard out there. Great target pistols but it all comes down to how much you want to spend for it.

 

[Yendor357]

My rule of thumb: Is it going to be worth more in 5 years?

If prices are going up, like old S&W revolvers, Buy all you want.

To me, no. I’m not buying that thing. But, I’m a shooter, not a collector. A nice used Ruger Mk II with a Volquartzen trigger will do anything that will do, for half the cost.

 

[glenwolde]

I picked this early Hamdem 106 Supermatic up a little over a year ago for $650. It was originally priced at $700, where I had passed on it the week prior. In the box with 1 original magazine.

----

Price wise, it depends what you want to pay. Like any well made out of production gun, they hold their value well against inflation, they won't get any cheaper, and they usually appreciate. If you want one, now is the time. You might buy a little "early" for a particular price, but if you hold on to it for a few years, you'll never pay too much.

I've had people tell me "$400 is way too much for a Garand", and "$450 is way too much for a 9422". How that work out for them? If you worry too much about paying too much you'll never buy anything worth having.


This is a good article on magazines, original, aftermarket and the current Interarms TX magazines.

In my experience the Triple K magazine feed lips are too soft and wont hold a tune. the Interarms TX magazines have been 50/50 with half running great out of the box and the other half needing the feed lips tuned. Once tuned they will hold the tune, unlike the soft Triple K magazines.

Either way, you'll want to pick up a magazine lip tuning tool.

Oooooooh. A nice fluted barrel. Sweet. I have two of those magazine lip tuning tools. One actual High Standard tool and then an eBay one. I kind of like the eBay one because it has the gauges milled into the handle. That stays in my range bag.

 

[glenwolde]

From the "Similar Threads" list just below...this was a year ago.

Thread '**SOLD** High Standard Supermatic Trophy'

Jun 10, 2024

I recently acquired this pistol and honestly, I don’t know much about it. I posted on another forum and found out most how awesome these little pistols are and how accurate they can be! It’s a High Standard Supermatic Trophy. Made in Hamden, CT. Gun comes with 1 mag and will be in a soft case.

I’m a lefty and not much of a pistol aficionado so I’m wanting to sell it. It was suggested I post it here due to the amount of serious handgunners on this forum.

Asking $650 and will split shipping with buyer

I have no feedback here, but have plenty of “cred” on other sites if you’d like me to...

• aaronward912
• Replies: 1
• Forum: GUNS - For Sale or Trade

• 

 

[Goony]

FYI High Standard Houston / InteramsTX produced red plastic bottom magazines in the 2000's that are very hard to distinguish from the earlier ones. The ones in my picture above are from Houston. They switched to the metal bottom ones later. Not that the OP's isn't a vintage one.

The red plastic bottom on the old magazines is solid. Very easy to tell from the ones in your photo.

 

[glenwolde]

The red plastic bottom on the old magazines is solid. Very easy to tell from the ones in your photo.

Do you have a picture? Maybe the ones I thought were older were not. Do they not have that slot?

Never mind, I found some pictures. I stand corrected.

 

[H Richard]

I shot a H S Victor for many years, over which I owned 3 different Mod 41's. I always went back to the Victor. Now, I had attached a Lou Lombardi barrel, and custom Arnie Vitarbo grips. I shot this gun in our winter bullseye league for over 20 years. It had a fantastic 2 3/4 lb trigger, as their ad's said, broke like a glass rod.


I did finally part with it in my collection dispersal, but I did retain a bullseye gun. (Not a H S or a S&W)

 

[whstewart]

Would you buy one 999.00 NIB? Only 1 mag

5.5 or 6" barrel, no weights, checkered walnut grips, Mag has a red bottom that says High Standard, numbered box with all paperwork. This is a Hamden, CT gun so it would be prior to 1977. The actual gun is in a LGS.

SECOND EDIT... Cat number 9242, SN 1830214 ( 1967 ? ), Supermatic Citation Military Model

My Supermatic Trophy is about 1,000 SN's later than yours. I purchased new 1968 ($104.00).