Hi-Standard vs. Other .22 Autos (and Value)?

M

Martowski

New member
Hello all. Two questions for you.

1. I have a Hi-Standard H-D Military with a bull barrel and a lot of intricate metal work on the barrel and frame (looks like a zig-zag style of checkering; very nicely executed and I suspect it was done at the factory) and nicely chekered wood (I suspect walnut) stocks. The gun has some slight pitting below the trigger guard on the front strap, but is very small (about the size of a dime) and not very deep. Other than that, it's in Excellent condition. What, approximately, would this be worth?

2. Second question: how does this gun stack up against other popular autoloaders on the market (namely the Ruger MKII, Browning Buckmark, and Smith & Wesson .22 Autos)? The Hi-Standard is okay, but the hammer always bites me pretty bad and it just doesn't seem that wonderful to me. Is this gun suppossedly more accurate than the Rugers and/or Brownings? Is the trigger and controls that much better? The only reason I ask is that I know old Hi-Standards like this have a good reputation, but I don't shoot this gun a whole lot and really haven't gotten "into" it. Basically, I don't see what makes this gun that much better than any other .22 on the market. Even more so, the controls don't seem that great. Not bad, just nothing special. Am I missing something here besides nostalgia?
 
I have no specific knowledge of your model. All I can say is that my own HS model 107 military is the most accurate gun I own. I can hit coke cans at a hundred yards with it. Some models are better than others. You mention hammer bite, Does yours have an exposed hammer? If so it is a model I haven't seen before (I don't know a lot about the company and all the models they produced). Most have a very good reputation, evidently there are some models that are not as good though.
 
Yes, mine has an exposed hammer. Please don't get me wrong; I do NOT think the Hi-Standard is a bad gun or is inferior to any of the other .22 autos on the market. I am curious, though, as to why so many people hold them in such high regard. I looked at a Ruger MKII, Browning Buckmark, and some S&W auto at a store today. The Ruger has a somewhat mushy trigger, the S&W is downright uncomfortble, but the Buckmark seems very nice. I'm just curious to hear other people's opinions as to why the Hi-Standard is the fabled gun that it is.
 
Well, I have shot both my friends ruger MKII, nad my other friends buckmark, and yes thery are pretty good guns, however my particular HS is lightyears better in terms of trigger and accuracy. I think my trigger weight is >2lbs. It certainly fits my definition of a hair trigger. The fit in my hand just feels natural, and despite its weight (47oz) is is comfortable to aim, hold and shoot. I only have extensive experiance with this one particular gun, but it certainly does impress me.
 
The "high end" High Standard pistols are considered by many to be some of the best target pistols ever. They also made many less expensive models which were in the plinker class. All around, they are excellent guns (at least the Hamden-made models; the later versions have gotten mixed reviews). My only experience is with a Model 103 Trophy (7.25" fluted barrel) and it is a very accurate gun, a real pleasure to shoot.
 
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