Jon Miller's First High Standard

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.

Hartford Arms - Catalogues & Advertisements

HSCA members:
The April, 2016 issue of the HSCA Newsletter was mailed on Wednesday, March 30.  There are over 100 photos in this issue.  Thank you to President jon Miller, Jim Gray, Bert Markel, Dick Baker, Marcia Mighell, John Stimson, Bill Jenkins, Mike Gallion, Tom Horner, Ralph Boineau, Steve Stafford, Jerry Watson and Steve Schrott for their contributions to this issue. The HSCA Newsletter is not possible without this group effort.

VARIOUS PARTS NEEDED FOR MODEL 9205 SHARPSHOOTER, MODEL 102 CIATATION AND MODEL B

I need the following parts for:

High Standard - Burgundy/Yellow Box for Model: 9205 Sharpshooter - Slant Grip with 5” Bull Barrel.

High Standard - Walnut Right Hand Thumb rest (Slant) Grips with or without HS Logo (Trigger or Whirlwind Logo for Model 9205 Sharpshooter)

Stabilizer for Model 102 Citation

Large (3-1/2 oz.) “Hump bottom” weight and side plates for Model 102 Citation

Black Grips for Early Model “B” 1a

If you have any of these parts please call at (931)-220-5832 or email at: jrrcflyer(at)charter(dot)net

Thank You,

John R. 

Very early Model B special features. Serial numbers for Model Bs started at 5000.
  I have picked up one of the first Model B s, Serial # 5062 that shows some of the special features that were parts from Hartford arms. This B has the Hartford front site and the magazine release from Hartford Arms that has surface cuts in both directions. The HS release only had cuts in one direction. In addition this B has the short extractor with the retaining pin that was used until it was changed to be retained by spring tention without a retaining pin.
 I have included a picture that shows the Front sight. The later pictures will follow to show release and extractor.

Model B or C parts Needed

Does anyone have a stop block (stop lug) for a Model B or C in used but serviceable condition they want to sell? It is for the second series with the take down lever on the right side. I also need the spring and plunger that pushes it upright. I'm putting a Model C back together for a friend of a friend, and some parts are missing. If you have these parts, email me at blog (at) whidbey (dot) com.

Thanks!

Mike G.