From Jon Miller:
Once upon a time in the early 1980s I was a member of the Tampa Police Pistol and Rifle marksmanship pistol team. I had done well and progressed rapidly to the expert class. But, I became stuck there. Despite hours of practice and literally thousands of rounds of club ammunition I could not break into the master class.
Coach Gunny Pitts took me aside and said it's not you, it's your pistol. You wore it out. I was still shooting a Ruger Mark I that had done well for 20 years in plinking and even hunting. It had however reached its limits.
Pitts took me to the armorer and explained the problem. I was issued a very very well used High Standard model 104 Supermatic Citation which had been donated to the club. Its previous owner had been a national champion, AMU and Olympic competitor. I cannot tell you how well used that pistol appeared. I was skeptical. but it had a good trigger and barrel. I trusted Gene Pitts. I signed for the pistol.
We started training that day. Within six months I received my master certification card. I continued to practice almost daily. My scores continued to rise. I began competing in International events too. Gradually I became concerned that I could wear out this gun, too. A High Standard Victor became available so I bought it for backup. After that, I bought another and another, Just in case.
My goal was to have one of each type of pistols High Standard produced. I have since learned that is naive as well as expensive. Too many models and too many variations. Just ask John Stimson.
I continued to use that first High Standard pistol through 2003. That year it won state championships in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. I no longer shoot competitively. My sons did though. They both used that pistol to win Kentucky state championships.
The Tampa range has closed long ago but nobody asked for me to return the pistol so it still sits in my safe. (Just in case.) along with all the other High Standards I accumulated over the years.
Many years ago wife asked me why I needed so many guns. I told her I was collecting them as an investment for our son's college education. When tuition was due I would sell them off gradually. She rolled her eyes skyward and smiled. She's smart like that.
Jon, I enjoyed reading this and I also have many backups upon backups. Still looking for a Hartford single shot in a High Standard box and a few more! Have fun this spring at the Goofy Ranch!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA most enjoyable story, with a happy ending! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJon, thanks for sharing your start with High Standard pistols. My experience was somewhat similar when I started shooting Bullseye in the early 1980s. I also started with a Ruger Mark I. I then bought a S&W Model 41, which turned out to be unreliable. Then I bought a 5.5" Victor. My scores went up and I gave the Ruger to my wife to shoot. After using it a while, she said she wanted a High Standard, so I bought a 4.5" Victor for her. The Model 41 and the Mark I are long gone, but I still have both of the Victors. That started my collecting interest in High Standard pistols.
ReplyDeleteJon call me when u get an opportunity 804-283-2075
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very tolerant wife. :-)
ReplyDeleteNita