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High standard .22 semi auto pistols

skicat
I am looking at about 7 different models of high standard and am wondering which models are favorites and whether any are dogs to be avoided.

Supermatic Citation w/weights

Supermatic Trophy military

Victor

Sportking-M

Dura-matic M101

Model B

HD Military

Olympic .22 short

I can't buy them all so I have to narrow my focus. They all appear to be in excellent shape and well cared for. Criteria are 1st accurate and well built. 2ond collectibility and investment potential and 3rd would be ease of repair and cleaning.

Thanks for any suggestions.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    Stay away from the ones with serial number that have the 2 letters SH in with the number . These were last ones made before the company went out of business and quality was VERY hit or miss.

    EDIT Hello Mark Glad to see you kept the pistol I sold you thought you might enjoy picture of my modest grouping the last one and my Favorite is the GO but what makes it really special to me Is . I purchased from son of the original owner and we also found a factory fitted 22LR barrel and steel slide.in their original boxes . H.S.%20model%20G%202.JPGH.S.Field%20King%20Barrel%20and%20boxes.JPG
    H.S.GROUPa.JPG also the original owner was left handed so he ordered thumb rest grips when he original bought the pistol . The son I bought the pistol fro is older then me believe it or not.
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  • rufe-snow
    Go with the Supermatics, for #1, #2 & #3. Then Victor if you have the money. H D Military/Olympic would be my 4th and 5th choices.
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  • p3skyking
    I have the HD Military and the Sportking. Both have given me zero problems and shoot well.
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  • mark christian
    Trophy or Citation with the standard grip (slant grip) is my first choice (Perry will recognize the top pistol [;)]):
    [img][/img]HSTrophy-Citation.jpg

    Trophy with military grip would rank second:
    [img][/img]HSTrophy1072.jpg

    The Victor is third:
    [img][/img]00victor.jpg
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  • Zinderbloc
    Supermatic Trophy military.
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  • skicat
    Thanks guys! Turns out the Victor has the SH and a V in the serial number which I have learned means it may have visual flaws. The Sport King also has the SH in the serial number. I will concentrate on the Supermatics, the HD Military and the Olympic for now and do some completed auction searches to get some ballpark values. There is also a double 9 convertible revolver in the mix as well. Thanks again!
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  • john w
    quote:Originally posted by perry shooter
    Stay away from the ones with serial number that have the 2 letters SH in with the number . These were last ones made before the company went out of business and quality was VERY hit or miss.

    EDIT Hello Mark Glad to see you kept the pistol I sold you thought you might enjoy picture of my modest grouping the last one and my Favorite is the GO but what makes it really special to me Is . I purchased from son of the original owner and we also found a factory fitted 22LR barrel and steel slide.in their original boxes . H.S.%20model%20G%202.JPGH.S.Field%20King%20Barrel%20and%20boxes.JPG
    H.S.GROUPa.JPG also the original owner was left handed so he ordered thumb rest grips when he original bought the pistol . The son I bought the pistol fro is older then me believe it or not.




    Whats up with those curved magazines? Optical illusion?. I have a H.S. plinker = duramatic 101 that i have put thousands of rounds thru and it still is going strong
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by john w



    Whats up with those curved magazines? Optical illusion?. I have a H.S. plinker = duramatic 101 that i have put thousands of rounds thru and it still is going strong


    The curved magazines were specifically made to function with the .22 short target cartridge. The Model GO that PS is so proud of, is a uber rare model that HS made in very small quantities in the early 50's. It's hard to believe considering the condition, that it's 60+ years old now.
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  • beantownshootah
    For shooting, my favorite is the slant grip Supermatic Citation before they started putting the rear sight bridge on (see below). Actually, this is my favorite handgun, PERIOD.. .I think I shoot it more accurately than any other gun (period) and usually enjoy it more.

    Trophy is basically the same gun, with a different (I think better) finish. If you prefer a 1911-style grip, get the military version.

    Some people swear by the Victors, others dislike them.

    I'd say you pretty much can't go wrong with any of the earlier Hamden CT made guns as a "shooter". All of them are going to be super accurate, and they'll all becoming increasingly collectible.

    highstandardsept05.jpg?t=1294839590

    In terms of "dogs", quality control on the guns went down towards the end of their time in Hartford CT. Again, the earlier guns from I can't speak to the quality of the current Texas incarnation of the company, but in terms of pure desirability, again the earlier guns from Hamden CT are considered the "gold standard" in terms of quality and desirability.
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