Rimfire Rugers and High Standards

L

Lionheart

New member
I'm looking at several High Standard rimfires -- a pair of "HD Military" models (one for $300 and one with papers from 1944 for $895) and a Supermatic Tournament model.

I came across these guns as I was looking for one of the Ruger rimfires from the MK series -- a MK I or a MK II, but I'm not wedded to the idea of owning an antique or collectible and would be just as happy with a new gun like a MK5 series or MK6 etc. I kind of like the bull barrel, too.

I pefer the MK-style to, say, the S&W M41 or 22A for example. If I go to the latter style, I'd probably buy a 1911 -- which is also on my wish list -- and pick up a Ciener .22 conversion kit for it.

I'm wondering whether anyone has any experience with the Ruger or High Standard guns and any thoughts about how they compare on quality, accuracy, operation, problems, etc.

Or maybe someone else makes a gun like the Ruger MK's that I don't know about.

I tried a search but didn't turn up a lot of info.
 
The older high standards are very good guns. I see a fair number of these at Bullseye matches, almost always with custom smithing.

I understand that they can suffer frame cracks if high velocity ammo is used. This would mean no stingers, or yellow jackets and even thunderbolts and golden bullets would be too hot.
Subsonic or standard velocity ammo only.

The ruger is inexpensive and accurate, and built to last forever with even high velocity ammo.

YMMV
 
The Ruger Mk.2 is currently in production, having replaced the Mk.1. I don't quite remember all differences between the two, but the second variety has a different magazine, and its slide/bolt locks open on the empty mag. Anyway, I've owned one of these for a while (blued, six-inch bull barrel), and have been quite pleased with it; the thing is rather accurate, very reliable and FUN to shoot. I've bought a set of sculpted stocks for mine, now all I need is a scope. :D

Plus, the thing is built like a tank. No problems with high-velocity ammo.

All's not perfect, of course. First, loading magazines almost requires something to hold down the spring; else your thumbs will hurt at the end of the day. Gun shows are a good place to find $2 plastic bits specifically shaped for this purpose. A plastic bottlecap will do, in a pinch.
Also, field-stripping is a pain in the ass. Until you get used to it. There's a certain trick to reassembling the gun quickly, but I keep forgetting what it is. :)
 
And you might want to look at current production Hi-Standards. They are still made in the U.S. (Texas now) and the prices aren't bad at all. I have no experience with current production ones but the older ones seemed to have an edge over the Rugers for target work, used both.

Here is link to Hi-Standard descriptions and prices. http://www.highstandard.com/

Sam
 
I have a Ruger Slabside with a leupold 2x scope that will hit dimes 8 out 10 from a rest at 25 yds.... I was shooting it at 100yds and had a group of 4.5 in for 20 shots built like a tank and accurate. Stripping is best done with a manual that must be followed precisely.
 
My MarkII is a terrific pistol. Accurate as anything. And it's nice to know you can shoot as much as you can take in a day for about three dollars.

However, I have about 1250 rounds through it and I've never stripped it. I just clean what I can when I lock back the slide. I guess that's a testament to the gun's toughness or something.

I'm never stripping that thing. Forget it.
 
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