High Standard shotguns?

[ABTOMAT]

What kind of quality were High Standard pump and auto shotguns, made way back when? I used to see them advertised in the catalogs all over (When I was young the short Flite King Riot gun impressed me) but these days you don't hear jack. Seems like the only discussion out there is about the Model 10 bullpup.

So what happened to the old Flite Kings? Anyone still own and use them?

 

[1911JMB]

Those old High Standards are cool, and with the exception of the bullpups they are reliable, but they are currently more of a collectable than a gun I'd want for utility. I just can't see spending twice what you would for an 870 on something that would be rather difficult to find parts for.

 

[Black_Talon]

I have a real soft spot for the High Standard Flite-King riot guns. They're all-steel and built like a brick (out)house.They're mechanically very simple and reliable and cycle as easy as an Ithaca M37.

If I had to pick nits, one would be the "single action bar", which is (was) also used on the Ithaca M37 and many other perfectly decent riot shotguns over the years. The only other one would be that the cross-bolt safety is at the front of the trigger-guard, although that leaves the rear of the trigger-guard for the action-release, ala the Mossberg pumps.

A lot of PDs used them back in the 60's, 70's and 80's, and you'll still see some in service. The originals were produced from 63/64 until 77/78 when High Standard went under. The three most popular versions were the 20", bead sight, 6 shot (5+1) model 8104, the 18", bead sight 7 shot (6+1) model 8111, and the 18", rifle sight, 7 shot model 8113.

There have been several reincarnations of High Standard since the original company folded, and they've produced some copies of the Flite-King riot guns, although all the ones I've seen left a lot to be desired when compared to the originals.

Going price for the 8111's seems to run around $200-225, with the rifle sighted 8113's going for a bit more.

I have 2 8111's and an 8113 and wouldn't sell them for any amount of money.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Thanks for the replies. Here's a little Flite-King porn for you, fresh from 1965. Pretty good prices, eh?

 

[Oldnamvet]

Hi standard used to also make shotguns for Sears. I have a JC Higgins that I inherited from my father. He bought it in 1962. A 20 gauge pump with a polychoke that was advertised and recommended by Ted Williams. It is in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition and I still occasionly use it for skeet shooting. Even have the original box and instruction/parts manual. Dad never threw anything out.

 

[mnrivrat]

Their 200 series pump guns were very nice . I can no longer shoot 12ga because of medical reasons ,so just sold my High Standard riot yesterday .

It was originaly being used by a police dept and was marked as such. One of the slickest actions of any pump shotgun and durable as well. One of my favorite shotguns.

The automatics on the other hand were more problematic and I wouldn't cross the street to buy one.