My first “Plinker “

[Kansasgunner]

I've always liked the sleek look of a High Standard .22 pistol. Today I got a chance to buy a really slick "Plinker". I'm told this one is early 1970s and a version of the Duramatic. I'm looking forward to some time at the range with this one!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Countrycuz]

I like it! High Standard was one of my first handguns. It was a good time. Don't have it anymore but if the right one came along?

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice pistola!

 

[glenwolde]

Oh that's nice. I think Elizabeth "Plinky" Toepperwein would have approved. She is generally credited with coining the term.

Traces of Texas' Throwback Thursday: Plinky Toepperwein Takes Her Shot - Texas Highways

 

[DWalt]

A little off the subject, but anyone interested in the Toepperweins should read Harold Williamson's book "Winchester - the Gun that Won the West". He devotes a chapter to them. There are some Toepperweins still in the San Antonio area. I once worked with one of them.

Regarding the High Standard pistols, the only one I own at present is one of the Olympic Rapid Fire models, in .22 Short. Having fired thousands of rounds through it, I do not remember ever having a malfunction of any kind.

 

[Old_Cop]

Your HS spent some time in a sock drawer, very nice condition.

 

[Drm50]

I had one of them there plinkers and traded it for a 6hp short shaft outboard motor.

 

[S&W ucla]

The High Standards are notoriously inaccurate. Bring it to Concord with all your ammo and I'll haul it off for you. NICE ONE!

 

[.357magger]

Congratulations on your "plinker".

I've wanted an HD Military from High Standard for years and just haven't found "the one " yet.

They made some very nice pistols.

Thanks for sharing it.

 

[stanmerrell]

I have one similar from the 50s. They are nice guns. A real American gun from the good days. I have always shot standard velocity rounds and stay away from HV rounds. I have heard the slides can break from lots of HV rounds. Not sure this is true, but always shoot target rounds through mine anyway.

 

[Golddollar]

I have one similar from the 50s. They are nice guns. A real American gun from the good days. I have always shot standard velocity rounds and stay away from HV rounds. I have heard the slides can break from lots of HV rounds. Not sure this is true, but always shoot target rounds through mine anyway.

I don't know about the slides, but the frames of High Standard .22 pistols were known for cracking at the back corners of the magazine well from using high velocity ammunition. I have a Victor pistol that had a severely cracked frame (my own fault for not examining it thoroughly enough). It was so bad that I had to send it back to High Standard to replace the frame.

 

[dsf]

A slightly older "Duramatic" version. Other than a difference in the barrel nut pretty much the same as the later Plinker



The slide is alot easier to rack than most semi pistols because it depresses striker spring only, doesn't have to overcome the additional weight of a hammer mainspring.

The JC Higgins "store brand" version with its very comfortable grip.



Since the HD was mentioned -



I've had the HD for a few years. IIRC paid only about $100.00 for it "back then" as I paid for the Duramatic a few weeks ago. The Duramatic was in the box with a still pretty much full tin of Hoppes oil though. Cheap no more.

 

[RoyM52]

I had a Duramatic back in the day. I got rid of it because the button safety kept getting knocked off. I would take the gun from the holster and find that the safety was off and I always carried it cocked. {it was my woods gun} Besides Smith and Wesson was just coming out with a new 22 cal revolver I wanted. That is how I ended up ordering my new woods gun, a 617 no dash.

 

[RobertJ.]

I had a HS Field King back when I was in my twenties. Accurate gun! But it needed a new firing pin, so I machined a new one for it using my dad's drill press and forge. One of my first successful attempts at gunsmithing. I don't have the patience for that now.

 

[glenwolde]

I've had several High Standards but at the moment just the one. Mine is a Houston made 10-X. It's true about using Standard Velocity ammo, and replacing the recoil spring regularly. Parts are still pretty much available.

They tend to crack the frame on the right side at the take-down lever / slide stop (depending on model).

I love the HD Military, and have had two, but these guns are getting old and buying one needs to be a labor of love. They almost always require work of some sort. And then more work if you shoot them. I've always ended up with more in mine than they were worth but I didn't mind one damn bit.

For parts: InterArms Inc. – International Armament Corporation INC.

There's nobody that knows more about High Standard than these guys. It's owned and run by a former principal & employees of the High Standard Houston plant. They also have a gunsmith operation.

 

[max]

A Duramatic was my first handgun. Bought it at the Western Auto in Rantoul, Il for $69 back in 72. I still have it and shoot it from time to time.