High Standard Supermatic

[tlawler]

I’m not very familiar with High Standard pistols, but I’m going to look at a Model 41 S&W this afternoon and the gentleman said he was also selling a High Standard target pistol from the late ‘50s or early ‘60s
From the pictures, I see that it is a Supermatic, but other than that, I don’t know much about these pistols. I’m hoping that some of you fine gentleman that are familiar with them can give me a quick lesson on them and a fair price range.

 

[Greyman50]

Its a Hamden pistol so its a little more valuable. They like most 22:semi autos depend on magazines. I shot them and 41 Smiths on Army pistol team and liked the Supermatic Citations. Just sold the one I had with slow fire and rapid, timed fire barrels. I cant hold close enough to accurately shoot one these days but they are really excellent pistols IMHO. Check online for value.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

That's a beauty, looks to be in excellent condition. I've collected HS pistols off and on for quite some time though I'm far from an expert. The Supermatic was made 1951 - 57 in two barrel lengths, 4.5" and 6.75". They are outstanding target pistols. The triggers are superb, better than the model 41 in my experience. They have a reputation for being finicky shooters but that is almost always a magazine issue, sometimes the mag lips need to be tweaked for 100% reliability. I don't have much guidance on pricing, they aren't rare but I don't see Supermatics in that condition often. I would guesstimate $750 - $900 maybe more with box and papers. Check completed auctions on Gunbroker. Good luck, hope you come home with it!

 

[tlawler]

Greyman and FMJ…thank you for the informative posts. I ended up getting it along with the Nickeled Model 41. It’s a Model S-101 Supermatic (Citation?) with the 6.75” barrel and factory compensator cuts. Serial is 592518, which I think is 1956 manufacture. It looks to be in very good condition, with only the barrel weight screws buggered up a bit. I’ve got some old Kleenbore standard velocity rounds I’m going to try out in it and I’ll post back how it shoots.

Please tell me more about it. I’ve been doing some web research on the High Standard company and trying to find out all I can on this model, but all info is good info.

 

[tlawler]

I put 2 mags of the kleanbore through it. First one was to check function…both mags ran all ten rounds flawlessly. Second mag, I tried to shoot for accuracy. Of course, with a pistol like this, I can’t hold a candle to it’s true accuracy. I was able to do this grouping on the second mag from 20 feet, which is the max I can get out of my small garage range.

 

[glenwolde]

I've had several High Standards but currently just one, which is a Houston gun. The best place to learn about them is over on the Rimfire Central forum where there is a dedicated High Standard section. The guys on there have literally "written the book" on High Standards.

As you probably already know, they should only be fired with standard velocity ammo. CCI or Aquila are the two most recommended but if it's standard velocity and it feeds, you're good.

I'd recommend replacing the recoil spring. Who knows how old it is. Parts are available from interarmstx.com. They are the remnants of the Houston operation and have a great deal of knowledge and parts. The owner is often on the rimfire central forum. His name is Alan Aronstein and worked at the original High Standard.

 

[Rubone]

Very nice pistol. I have one just like it and with both barrel sizes.

 

[M29since14]

I don’t have one of the original Supermatics but I do have Supermatic Citations. I think they are the ultimate in production grade .22 target pistols. The 41 is a nice gun, but I have always been more successful with the HS, and I enjoy shooting them much more. The 41 was always difficult for me, but the HS felt natural.

My guns are box stock - no special barrels and no trigger work. I can’t see and hold well enough to do either one justice, but the HS will be the last to go. I don’t understand why there isn’t more interest in these terrific pistols. Hope you enjoy your Supermatic.

 

[tlawler]

I don’t have one of the original Supermatics but I do have Supermatic Citations. I think they are the ultimate in production grade .22 target pistols. The 41 is a nice gun, but I have always been more successful with the HS, and I enjoy shooting them much more. The 41 was always difficult for me, but the HS felt natural.

My guns are box stock - no special barrels and no trigger work. I can’t see and hold well enough to do either one justice, but the HS will be the last to go. I don’t understand why there isn’t more interest in these terrific pistols. Hope you enjoy your Supermatic.

What is the difference between the Supermatic, Supermatic Trophy, and Supermatic Citation? Which would mine be considered? I wasn’t sure, that’s why I put “Citation” in parentheses with a question mark.

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

Congrats on bringing that one home. High Standard began assigning model numbers to the Supermatic model in 1954 with the introduction of the 101 series, that's what you have. This is the first model with the push button barrel takedown feature which would remain until the end of the company in 1984. They did not start naming the models until the 102 series in 1957. The 102 series had various named models including Trophy, Citation, Tournament, Flite King and Sport King. The Supermatic name stayed, the series number and model name were added, so you might see a Supermatic model 102 Citation for example. At some point along the way the Supermatic name may have disappeared, I don't recall. The named models stayed until the end of the company. Like S&W the High Standard .22 pistol rabbit hole is wide and deep, lot's of variations to collect. Their is a member here I believe, John Stimson that can tell you anything you want to know about these great pistols, maybe he will chime in here. As another poster mentioned, Rimfire Central is also a great place to learn about them. It's best to stay with standard velocity ammo as the frames were of a relatively soft steel and may crack if subjected to a steady diet of high velocity rounds. I've not experienced a cracked frame but something to be aware of.

 

[Kevin G]

Congrats on bringing that one home. High Standard began assigning model numbers to the Supermatic model in 1954 with the introduction of the 101 series, that's what you have. This is the first model with the push button barrel takedown feature which would remain until the end of the company in 1984. They did not start naming the models until the 102 series in 1957. The 102 series had various named models including Trophy, Citation, Tournament, Flite King and Sport King. The Supermatic name stayed, the series number and model name were added, so you might see a Supermatic model 102 Citation for example. At some point along the way the Supermatic name may have disappeared, I don't recall. The named models stayed until the end of the company. Like S&W the High Standard .22 pistol rabbit hole is wide and deep, lot's of variations to collect. Their is a member here I believe, John Stimson that can tell you anything you want to know about these great pistols, maybe he will chime in here. As another poster mentioned, Rimfire Central is also a great place to learn about them. It's best to stay with standard velocity ammo as the frames were of a relatively soft steel and may crack if subjected to a steady diet of high velocity rounds. I've not experienced a cracked frame but something to be aware of.

 

[H Richard]

I had a High Standard Victor, a little newer than your model, but still a Hamden gun. I have (over the past 40 years) owned three Mod 41's, and always traded them off, but owned the H S Victor for over 30 of those 40 years ans shot hundreds of Bullseye matches with it. The original advertising motto, "Trigger breaks like a glass rod" was very true. One of the best triggers I have ever handled.

 

[James K]

Attached is a HS models chart created by a member of www.rimfirecentral.com. You can find a wealth of info there from a couple of HS experts including Alan Aronstein who now runs the operation in Houston.

 

[glenwolde]

As far as I know the difference between the Trophy and the Citation is just level of finish. One had gold trigger/mag release, the other not. The bluing may be high polish vs. less-than-high-polish. But there wasn't a lot of difference.

 

[Glynn863]

Nice looking pistol. I have a HS Series 102 Tournament that I inherited. They are excellent pistols. A word of caution - shoot only STANDARD velocity .22LR in them. Unfortunately, a slight design flaw in the frame can result in a cracked frame if you shoot a regular diet of High Velocity .22LR. The HS guru John Stimson also hangs out on RimfireCentral.com. Good luck.

 

[Kevin G]

My apologies, tried to post above and my fat fingers got in the way.
Anyway, as already stated, High Standard productions can be a bit confusing.
Think of the model numbers as the equivalent of the Smith & Wesson dash numbers, while Trophy, Citation, Tournament, etc. are different levels of both finish and features within that particular model number. From what I’ve found the functional quality is consistent with both the top shelf and entry level guns of a particular model number.
I too have a nice model 41 Smith, but shoot my 103 Tournament much better. Suspect it also has something to do with the grip angle.
Take Care, Kevin G

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Congrats on your HS. Picked up a Supermatic Tournament slant grip after I was given walnut grips, a barrel and mags. Had to buy s pistol then. I added some parts to build a faux Victor slant grip. A very nice, comfortable to shoot .22.

 

[Goony]

Regarding your acquisition, receiving two genuine magazines and both barrel weights in the deal counts as a huge plus. The one thing you might want to try and find is the filler plate that mounts on the underside of the barrel when the weights are unattached.

 

[Repeater]

Very nice pistol! Yours is the Supermatic 101 series, the first of the push-button takedown models. As others have said, Rimfire Central is the place to go for all things High Standard. That's where I got all of my help when I had questions. Parts are readily available through many vendors. I get most of mine from InterArms. Just type that into your browser and you'll get a link immediately.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I have this model 102 Supermatic Citation "space gun". It shoots great. The one below is a JC Higgins Model 80 that belonged to my dad. The Sears sold version of the Duramatic. It shoots really well too.

I also have a S&W Model 41 which I do quite well with. Personally, I don't know which one I like better!