High Standard "The Victor"

[daddio202]

Well I was at my gunsmith today checking in on a Smith &Wesson 48-4 barrel swap that has been there 7 weeks now waiting. The answer is the wait continues because he is the only master gunsmith in this general area. I was perusing the gun's for sale in the case and there sits a The Victor 107 military. Looks like it has been used but not abused and may be an early Hamden gun. I did not bother to ask to see it but did notice the mag release at the bottom of grip was not gold accent like normal but looked black or possibly case colored. I plan to go back tomorrow to take a closer look because the price tag said List:$799 Our Price:$595. To me that seemed like a very reasonable price for a possible early Victor. I may be able to get them down to $525-$545 zone. Anybody have any tips as to what to look for other than usual abuse, mags, frame cracks at right rear of mag well?? I can get a close look tomorrow and possibly some pictures in the morning as I am off tomorrow.

 

[M1A]

I bought mine in Naples, FL some 5 years ago. He had it up for $700, but I got it for five cash. It had been in the case for a while since nobody knew what it was.
The mag release should be gold, but that wouldn't bother me. Original mags are rare and the lips are touchy. Standard velocity ammo should be used. Damned accurate.
You could check some internet prices.

 

[daddio202]

A completed items search on GB showthey are selling between $600 and $800. There is a Bob Shea 10x version in that list with what looks to be blued accents. It keeps getting relisted. I guess it will be really up to condition and if any goodies including weights are with gun tomorrow. I should know pretty quick once looking at it. The price seems to be right but if it's a much later SH gun with no goodies and has been throughly been used up that might explain the good price. I will report back tomorrow either way and with pictures if I decide to go for it.

 

[daddio202]

A Victor sure would fit nice with my early Sport King from about 1951 and my early Duramatic from about 1954.

 

[M1A]

Thirty+ years ago I traded mine for a Citori. Had all the weights, wooden box, cleaning rod, etc. A bad decision on my part. The one I got in Naples had two original mags only.
Note the mag release. I was wrong.

 

[harvester1]

Is it a High Standard Victor or a High Standard The Victor. 2 different but similar guns.

 

[daddio202]

I'm sure it was a The Victor and also for sure it said military and maybe it was a 107. It was down in the back corner of the case which was poorly lit. And just like M1A the mag release on bottom of grip was darker not bright gold. Can't remember if safety and trigger were dark or gold she came back to talk to me just as I found it and left after hearing that I must wait longer to get my revolver back.

 

[loeman]

My HS Biology teacher taught me how to shoot handguns. First on a High Standard Supermatic and then a Colt Trooper. So when I became old enough and rich enough to buy guns my first choice was a High Standard. I loved the look of the Victor so that's what I bought. It has been awesome for about 40 years now. As stated above, you should stick to standard velocity. Accuracy? Well, it's off the charts for an off the shelf gun. Ergonomics? Perfect! I also have several other .22 target guns including a vintage S&W Md 41. But my favorite will always be my Victor. And if you need more mags, bite the bullet and only buy OEM.

Edit: I'm editing to add that my Victor had gold lettering in the frame/slide stampings. However. with numerous cleanings this has disappeared. However the bright gold mag release is still bright gold.

 

[daddio202]

I really need another 22lr target gun as much as a hole in my head but I know that for a time the victor was High Standards top gun. Owning the 2 other high standards a Ruger markII, my colt Pre Woodsman with full King super target treatment ( that's by far my best!) and a GSG ATI 1911. But if it's a Hamden gun I might have to get it.

 

[daddio202]

Went back in today to look at it. Sure enough it is an early 70's Hamden gun. The good news for me was that it has 2 factory magazines come with it. Bad news is no box no weight and they would not budge on price. Looks like it had been used a lot as the magazine release had gold worn off and trigger gold is worn pretty good too. A look at what they have been selling for on GB put my price right at the bottom of that price range. So I decided to go ahead and purchase gun and look for a weight for sale for it. I brought a snap cap and the trigger is wonderful as most High Standards are. The breech face looked brand new and it ejects very well. So next week I will get it home and cleaned up for some better pictures.

 

[M1A]

Glad you made the deal. I'm sure they new their price point.
When I had the weights, I never used them.

 

[daddio202]

I used this Victor variations pdf. Looks like my gun is in serial of first group of Hamden made guns. Because of the variation list I knew some were made with aluminum ribs. In my mind I figured only if gun was made in Hamden and had a steel rib I wo would buy it so I brought a magnet to test the rib and sure enough it stuck and was made in Hamden. Its in pdf form so Im not sure if it eill post on here correctly?

 

[LittleCooner]

Congratulations on one of the early Hamden's. I have a Hamden gun with the alum rib. A couple of years later that the one you just bought. I picked mine up new in 1974. Many years of pleasant shooting and the reason I did not keep a S&W 17 I purchased to go with the 29 and 19 back in the late 1970s. The 17 was not very accurate, and I was using my Victor for comparison.

On to the Victor - You do know that the recoil spring needs changing every 10-15,000 rounds. Not changing the spring as needed can cause the cracked frame, just like using the HV ammo. You can google up the "Jim Barta High Standard Stuff page" if this "wwwhistandard.info" link does not work. He has a nice instructions on how to change the recoil spring which is not very difficult if you work on you guns any at all, IMHO. A spring kit is only $ 13 bucks from Alan Arenstine ( sp?) and company. He is now doing business as "interarms" and has many replacement parts, you can even get a new gold plated mag release if you desire. He is super nice guy and to me the modern " mr. High Standard". Very long history with HS. google the interarms company in texas and you will see all those parts that are available, i think a lot of them are factory original old parts. I enjoy shooting my HS, back in the winter, found a Jim Clark total custom Victory on a table at the local gun show. It is total unreal how good it shoots. I love my S&W pistols but shooting 22LR, its HS for me. I got a buddy with the 41's and its the old chevy vs ford thing when we are shooting steel at the range.

 

[italiansport]

Here's my Victor example in near new condition. It is Hamden model with the aluminum rib. The gold is 100% intact on the magazine release as well as the trigger. I acquired it several years ago in the box along with some other firearms. Unfortunately it only came with one magazine. And Yes it's a pleasure to shoot.
Jim

 

[daddio202]

Very nice boxed example "Italinsport"! From my research I have done when I bought my Sport King I do know about the recoil spring interval and use of standard velocity ammo. Thank you "Littleconnor" for the information for where to get some springs because I believe the gun that I just purchased will need the spring change.I was looking at the mag release and looks to be held on with a rivet so I dont know about changing that? I too love shooting my S&W's but do not own one in 22lr. I had forgot to mention the very first revolver I purchased is a nickel Double Nine so Between that gun and all of the others mentioned in previous post along with 5 very accurate 22lr rifles I just really have no need for a 22lr S&W. The other reason being I have just never ran across a S&W for sale in 22lr locally and auction prices seem just very high to me.

 

[Fishinfool]

I think you'll enjoy that Victor. Not much to add other than mine has taken many tree rats back in CT., and used to wear a rib mounted scope. A Hamden made gun, it is the most accurate handgun I have owned at 50 yards and less. The gold plated parts do suffer finish loss with use.

Larry

 

[bucksnort18]

Hi Standard?

So, who did buy High Standard? Are they building the Victor any longer? Thanks.

 

[bucksnort18]

Hi Standard?

So, who did buy High Standard? Are they building the Victor any longer? Thanks.

 

[jtcarm]

I saw a nice Supermatic Trophy on an LGS shelf for $700 recently, but that place puts absurd prices on their stuff.

 

[daddio202]

High standard is no longer in business. A man name A. Aronstein bought all the name rights and equipment and had set up business in texas. They were making some guns and accessories but they had gone out of business either late last year or maybe even this year, I am not sure. The most sought after guns with best level of manufacture were built in 70's or before that time. As time went on the had cut down on high level of fit and finish. The very most sought out version of High Standard was the 10X. It was built by the best gunsmith they had and with the pick of the very best parts were put together. The prices on the 10x reflect that too.