High Standard 102 Supermatic Citation

[Shear_stress]

Got one of these on hold at the local place where I convert all my money into guns. It's a late-50s-era "space gun" with the rear sight on the barrel. It's got the muzzle brake and both barrel weights. Serial numbers match on the slide and frame. Grips are plastic. Magazine is nickel-plated and factory marked.

I have a soft spot for High Standard pistols but am on the fence on this one. It's pretty nice overall but definitely shooter grade: some light surface rust on the grip frame (would clean up fine) and trigger, a spot of heavier rust on the muzzle brake and some suspicious discoloration in the bore about two inches from the muzzle (surface rust? Dirt?) Still, what a shooter this would be.

The price is very reasonable due to the condition and the fact that it's been collecting dust on the shelf for months. What would you give for this one? Can I use high-velocity ammo for an HS of this vintage or should I stick with SV?

 

[Bill B.]

The price is very reasonable due to the condition and the fact that it's been collecting dust on the shelf for months. What would you give for this one? Can I use high-velocity ammo for an HS of this vintage or should I stick with SV?

I have seen a couple of these on GB anywhere from $750.00 to $1250.00. I don't really see you getting hurt on it money wise much less than the $750.00 if the rust and barrel will clean up. I might ask the shop if I was you to clean the barrel before I made an offer. On one of these guns I would change out the recoil spring and still only shoot SV from it. They are not that many out there and the value I would think will have to go up in the years to come. Good luck!

 

[Shear_stress]

Thanks for the quick reply.

The shop lent me a bore snake to run through the barrel--but it was probably a .17 caliber snake. It fit the bore so loosely it's hard to tell if it actually did any real cleaning. So the barrel condition is still a wild card.

I appreciate the advice on the recoil spring. I did check for cracks on the frame and slide (I couldn't remember which was prone to breakage and for what models) and didn't see any.

 

[Bill B.]

I did check for cracks on the frame and slide (I couldn't remember which was prone to breakage and for what models) and didn't see any.

Pictures of the frame cracks I have seen posted online were all on the right side of the frame on the slide rail area next to where the slide locks back. Pull the slide back and check this area with a strong light. I have never had a cracked one but it pays to really look at this area or you could have an interesting paper weight!