Not having the forum today cost me some $$$$

[MKT]

But thats OK.

In exchange for not having the forum to occupy me I had to seek solace elsewhere, namely my new enabler's shop.

What I found there had me reaching for my wallet. Ended up grabbing two guns, one a Smith one not. I lucked into a very nice, clean and nearly unfired Model 422. I had never even heard of a 422 or at least never paid any attention to them until seeing this one today. My first thought was it kind of reminded me of a Model 41, but without all the fine finish. It was only $275 California dollars, which made it that much nicer. It is an early 422, second year if I'm reading my SCSW III right, serial TBS2154.

The second is an old High Standard Model "B". Its in pretty decent shape for an old shooter and came with two mags (factory replacements are real collectors item at $100 a pop). I'm still trying to figure out how to get it apart for a full cleaning. I'm guessing its a 1940's gun, maybe earlier, and it was only $250 California dollars. I'll also have to find some way to date it. Serial is 42290.

Not too bad a deal. I guess I could have stayed home and kept trying to get logged in instead.

 

[Indiana George]

Sounds like a couple of good deals . . . especially in California dollars! <grin>

 

[Tom M]

Nice catch on the 422, Mike. That's the gun S&W should still be making, instead of that 22A thing. I saw one up here for $300, and passed it up. Wish now that I hadn't. Let us know how she shoots.

 

[haggis]

Mike,

Your Model B was made in 1939, probably in the first half of the year.

It should have a Type I-B takedown, with a square rod through the back of the slide and a takedown lever behind the manual safety. Do not use high speed ammunition with this model - it can lead to frame cracks in the area of the frame near the recoil lug. Before you fire it, take it down and look at all the slide internals as well the recoil lug and frame. I guess the bright side is that this is one of the rarer Model B's, since the I-B takedown was only made for about a year.

I haven't taken one of these down, but I think I know where I can get the instructions. I'll get back with you.

Buck

Edit: Here's a link to the Type I-A takedown which works the same as the Type I-B.

http://www.histandard.info/manuals/letpistols/1119D200R.pdf

 

[MKT]

Thanks Tom. That was my quandry, I went with eyes on the High Standard because I saw it there two weeks ago and said if it was still there I would get it. It was, but then I saw the Smith and it has just come in two days ago. I was torn and considered it for several hours, decided to go back and if both were still there I get both. I don't think the Smith would have lasted another business day.

I learned a little about the HS. The earliest ones only had a 9 round mag, later had 10 rounds mages. The earlier ones did not have the take down button on the top of the slide and the take down lever was on the left, later ones had the button and the take down lever on the right. My mags will take 10, but the tenth is a tight fit. Mine does not have the take down button and the take down lever is on the left. I did find a scanned manual, with take down instructions on-line. I have saved it and broke the gun down...twice. Next I'll work on cleaning it up and see about a few pictures. Then I still have to try dating it.

 

[MKT]

Thank Haggis, your info confirms what I was able to dig up (except the date...I haven't found anything yet). Where did you find the data info, or is that in personal files?

I might try to upload the manual I found so others can get a copy. If I can't upload a document that can be used I'll post a link to the site where I found it.

But first, I've got to eat.

EDIT:

Too funny Haggis, we're writing and or edited as the other is doing the same.

Anyway, here is the link to the manual I used from breakdown. Mine looks just like the oen in the picture, the 6.5 inch barrel.

http://www.histandard.info/manuals/letpistols/0292D200R.pdf

 

[haggis]

Mike,

The serial number data comes from High Standard Automatic Pistols, 1932-1950, by Charles E. Petty, 1976. I used to collect (and still have a few) pre-war High Standards.

Buck

 

[Crazy K38]

hell without the forum I didn't know what to do with myself, I really missed you guys

 

[mod34]

Cost me as well!!!!

So, missing that warm and fuzzy feeling that only the forum can give, I headed out to my local shop. Sorry to report that what I stumbled onto wasn't a Smith, but was one of the new SigSauer P238. Love might be a bit strong, but this is a very, very nicely made piece of machinery. Left happy, but many "Ben Franklins" lighter. Happy to be back!

 

[MKT]

I got the High Standard cleaned up inside and out. It looked pretty good inside given its age. After cleaning out a small amount of gunk and oiling it up I took a couple quick pictures, because we know everyone loves pictures.

Reading through the scan of the manual I see that the 6.5" barrel version of the "B" is called the "Trappers' and Target Pistol". I may just take this one to the range with me tomorrow and run a couple mags through it, just to see how well it performs. You never know when I might want to run a trap line here on the edge of the high desert.

 

[WC145]

Nice!
What's the exchange rate on California dollars these days? Canadian is only about 22%, so that must make Californian about the same as Zimbabwe, right?

 

[MKT]

Well, I had the opportunity to run a few through the High Standard this past Sunday. It is a very nice shooting little .22. Right off the bat I decided I'd give it a run at the 50 yard line, mostly because it is a Trapper and "Target" Model and the front sight is very defined.

I opted for a center hold since I didn't know the gun yet and it held for a nice 3" group about 4 iches high at 11 o'clock. After looking at the scanned manual I found on-line I see it was regulated for a 6 o'clock hold (proved out by my high group). Trigger is very clean and crisp on this old shooter. I will be dragging yet another gun to the range regularly it seems.

Next weekend I should be able to the some trigger time with the 422, if everything goes to plan.

 

[handejector]

durnit.
What do I owe ya?

 

[MKT]

durnit.
What do I owe ya?

Just keep the place running Boss.

That and, give me plenty of warning of pending changes (read: lots of time) so I can save up money for an RM instead of a pair of .22's.

 

[Muley Gil]

I had an M422 a long time ago and had to sell it.

Picked up another one awhile back and it is a keeper. Mine is the 4 1/2" with fixed sights. Great little plinker, it is one of only three semiautos that I own.

 

[haggis]

Spare Parts

Mike,

You may want to know that High Standard in Texas is making spare parts and magazines for some of the early guns. Brownell's handles all of HS's spare parts, and there's a large section in the catalog for them. I got a mainspring and firing pin for an early H-B from them, and they worked fine. I also got two magazines which seem to be better than other aftermarkets. They were a bit stiff to start with, but I have had few problems with them, and I suspect the problems will go away with a bit of usage.

Another bit of trivia... Model B magazines and early Colt Woodsman magazines will interchange, so those "cheap" Colt mags will work.

Buck

 

[Rule3]

Did someone say High Standard??

One of my favorites.

 

[MKT]

Haggis,

I noticed a bunch of HS stuff at Brownell's the other day but didn't look too closely at it expecting it was for the newer models. I'll have to take a second look soon, no parts needed at this point but it might be wise to lay in a few pieces for a rainy day.

I know where there are two, new in the box HS mags. But I'm not paying close to a C-note a piece for them. Great tip on the cheap Woodman mags . After plinking with this old HS I got to thinking I might need a Woodsman to accompany it...maybe. That or another HS if I can find a good at a good price.

 

[pawncop]

MKT,

I have a 422 as well, and enjoy it immensely. Now with all due respect, I love my Ruger Mark II, as that gun shoots better than I do. That being said my 422 is great plinker and good shooter.