High Standard Model B not cycling. Need advice.

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morcey2

morcey2

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My dad inherited a High Standard Model B from his brother when he passed away a few years ago. He was finally able to take possession of it this week. He went out and shot it* and it wouldn't cycle. It shoots fine, but he says that the slide doesn't move at all when fired and had to be cycled manually. He's using standard velocity CCI 22 LR rounds. I told him not to use any high-velocity rounds in it because I've seen quite a few warnings that they can cause the frame to crack.

I haven't had a chance to look at it yet and my dad isn't really mechanically inclined so I'm going to take a day next week and check it out. I've heard that these are very good guns and I know that my uncle could shoot it extremely well. Anyone out there with experience with these that can give me some pointers?

Thanks


* He actually had my youngest brother test-fire it first "for safety purposes". :D I wonder if that's why he had so many sons, to go into danger so he didn't have to.
 
He's using standard velocity CCI 22 LR rounds. I told him not to use any high-velocity rounds in it because I've seen quite a few warnings that they can cause the frame to crack.
Click to expand...
The High Standard was designed for High Velocity ammunition. Failure of the slide to move back in a blow-back pistol is a classic symptom of under-powered ammunition.
 
First as mentioned check ammo used,, if it continues it might not be assemble properly. I have one and I recall you have to make sure the bolt is put in right. Been awhile since I shot or,cleaned but the last time I did I had the same issue.
 
It shoots fine, but he says that the slide doesn't move at all when fired and had to be cycled manually
Click to expand...

This just cannot be, if he can cycle the slide manually than it is free to move under recoil. Before I believe that the slide does not move at all, I am going to have to see a video of the firearm being fired.

He has either a magazine problem, or an old recoil spring. There can be other causes. And based on talks with guys who have these old High Standards, the frames will crack with HV.

Rimfire Central has a High Standard forum. I saw Alan Aronstein's thread, looks like he is a High Standard Gunsmith. Your bud can figure out how to contact him and get this fixed.

Camp Perry 2016
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=724369
 
Slamfire said:
This just cannot be, if he can cycle the slide manually than it is free to move under recoil. Before I believe that the slide does not move at all, I am going to have to see a video of the firearm being fired.

He has either a magazine problem, or an old recoil spring. There can be other causes. And based on talks with guys who have these old High Standards, the frames will crack with HV.

Rimfire Central has a High Standard forum. I saw Alan Aronstein's thread, looks like he is a High Standard Gunsmith. Your bud can figure out how to contact him and get this fixed.

Camp Perry 2016
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=724369
Click to expand...

I haven't seen it myself, but I'm pretty sure that it's moving, but if you don't know what to look for, you won't see it moving. I've been trying to get in touch with my brother who shot it to hear what he has to say. My guess is that the slide is moving, but not enough to eject the spent round, which is then chambered. When I get down next week, I'll check to see what's going on with it. Predator55 might be right and it just be put together wrong. Or it needs some oil. It hasn't been shot for close to 15 years.

Vern Humphrey said:
The High Standard was designed for High Velocity ammunition. Failure of the slide to move back in a blow-back pistol is a classic symptom of under-powered ammunition.
Click to expand...

Vern, since I originally posted this I've done a lot of research and everything I've found has said that anything other than standard velocity LR can cause frame and/or slide damage. That's for the earlier High standard models (A, B, B-US, HD). The newer production ones are probably different.

Matt
 
Right after I posted that, I got a hold of my brother and he gave me more information. The slide would go back, but wouldn't go back forward. It has two levers on the left side of the gun and the rear one, which I think is the takedown lever, feels like it's pushing against something that isn't quite solid. My guess is that it got put back together with the recoil spring extended. When my dad told me that it wouldn't cycle and it had to be cycled by hand, I inferred that the slide was staying forward. I told them both not to shoot it until I get a chance to look at it. I've got a new recoil spring on the way from Wolff just in case.

Matt
 
I suggest posting your issue in the High Standard subforum of RimFireCentral. There are many knowledgeable HS folks there.
 
It is easy to mess up and get the recoil spring kinked on those guns. There is simply no way anyone can tell you in words whether or even if the spring can be removed, as there are so many ways things can go haywire. If the spring really gets bent and twisted, it can be nearly impossible to fix without damage to the gun.

But usually, if the spring is kinked or twisted, the slide cannot be operated manually and is jammed shut. You need to have someone who knows those guns look at it.

Jim
 
QUOTE: "...The High Standard was designed for High Velocity ammunition..."

That is contrary to everything I know and have read about High Standard pistols. If you don't believe me, go to the RimFire Central site and pose the question. Most High Standard target .22 semi-autos should function perfectly with standard velocity ammunition (which isn't to say that they can't shoot high velocity ammunition safely). If they don't, the "fix" is assuredly not to resort to high velocity ammunition.

When High Standard pistols fail to function, it's important to understand that, more than most other semi-auto pistols, the High Standard is dependent on the condition of their magazines. Most High Standard pistols don't have the typical "feed ramp" and rely entirely on the configuration of the lips of the magazine to introduce the cartridge from the magazine to the chamber of the pistol for proper functioning. If a clean and well-lubricated High Standard pistol with a good extractor starts jamming, the first thing to eliminate from the equation is the magazine. It may require some "tweaking" with a pair of pliers.

Follow Pipe Smokers' advice and register with rimfirecentral; go to the High Standard forum and you'll find plenty of excellent advice.
 
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As said Rimfire central is a great source of information for 22 fans. I have 2 H.S. and I run the original red bottom mags that came with them and have had no problems with them in the past. Have not shot them in a while but I use CCI standard velocity.
 
I shoot standard velocity out of my Lever Takedown.

Sounds like a recoil spring is jamming up. Mine was worn flat when I got it. Got a new one in standard weight and shoots fine. Rimfire is a good source.
 
UPDATE: High Standard Model B not cycling.

So I was able to get down to my parent's yesterday and take a look at it. I think it just needs a good clean and lube. The recoil spring I ordered isn't here yet but should be Monday. The slide came off exactly like it was supposed to. The rails on both the frame and slide feel really sticky exactly the same way that grease doesn't. (apologies to Douglas Adams) I grabbed the wrong range bag so I didn't have my cleaning kit with me. I'm going to go down next week with a bunch of standard-velocity rounds, clean it, put in the new recoil spring, lube it, and then shoot it. The take-down plunger that the take down lever operates was binding in the recoil spring. Operating the take down lever and pushing the "button" at the back of the slide before releasing it fixed that.

Like an idiot, I didn't take any pictures of it. It's a long-barreled version and is in really good shape. Along with the pistol, he now has a JC Higgins Model 20 shotgun (High Standard Model 200) with an adjustable choke and a JC Higgins Model 29 22 LR rifle (also made by High Standard). Every one of them is in amazing shape.

Matt
 
If and when the the barrel removing "plunger" ever becomes difficult to budge, putting the plunger against the edge of a table or bench and "leaning" on it (using your weight against the butt of the gun) will generally loosen the most recalcitrant offender.

And a reminder, sustained use of high velocity ammunition in most High Standard target semi-auto pistols is a well-known reason for the frame cracking at the juncture of the top, right side of the magazine well (adjacent to cut-out for the slide release).
 
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