High Standard r103 Sentinel

My first handgun was a High Standard Sentinel. Mine was blued, with a 6" barrel.
It was a good gun - accurate and reliable. And I can't even remember why I sold it, but I regret selling it now.
I don't know if $325 is a good price or not. I know it's a lot more than I paid for mine new, but that was in about 1965, so I reckon I'd pay $325 now for a nickel plated High Standard Sentinel in good shape. Too bad it doesn't have a longer barrel - old eyes and unsteady hands make shooting short-barreled handguns accurately kinda difficult.

The Cabela’s in Rocklin CA has one listed for $450 if that’s any help.

Bought a new (mean brand new) in the box 1976 High Standard Sentinel MKIV 22mag 4in blued last month off Guns International. Came fro MA and I paid $550 +$20 to ship. Hell of a deal and steal. I love it. Took it shooting. 1st rounds ever fired in 45 years. It was flawless.

Local shop has a cosmetically challenged one for $250. IIRC, its possible to add an ejector rod return spring which most examples lacked from the factory.

IIRC, the steel-framed ones are supposed to be superior to the aluminum frames... for reasons I don't recall now.

I had one and the trigger was nice, but it seemed like one cylinder always shot a flyer.

Maybe it was just my bad shooting.

I have a thing for 4" barrel revolvers but, I did have Sentinel with a 2 1/2 barrel a few years ago. Mine was BRIGHT pink, with white plastic birdshead grips. They were far ahead of the fad of coloring guns for the female market it seems. They made them in chrome/pink/and turquoise, all with the white grips, and they were sold in a nice cloth lined box. I want to say it was a metal box, but I can't swear to it. I've seen pictures of a complete package, but have never seen an actual one.

I've had a couple of 4" ones over the years. I consider them to be one of the best bumming around the woods guns ever made. Mine had aluminum frames, and were light as a feather. They're about the size of a S&W K-frame, so they fit right into a nylon Uncle Mikes Sidekick holster. With a Nylon Uncle Mikes ammo pouch full of LR's, I was ready for a day of bumming around in the woods. A charging pine cone, or broken tree branch didn't stand a chance. I even managed to scare a squirrel or two into jumping sideways.

Alas, I foolishly allowed myself to be talked out of them by a couple of characters who claimed they wanted them "for their daughters." I'd have bought another one, but I don't bum around in the woods anymore, and the only ones I've seen lately were 6". They're delightful little guns really. $325? I'd probably pay that for a decent 4" one.

357smallbore said:

Bought a new (mean brand new) in the box 1976 High Standard Sentinel MKIV 22mag 4in blued last month off Guns International. Came fro MA and I paid $550 +$20 to ship. Hell of a deal and steal. I love it. Took it shooting. 1st rounds ever fired in 45 years. It was flawless.

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Well, aren't you gonna share some photos?

For a Nickle one in great shape that is a very good price. The shorter barrels are usually better sellers = little more $ . Treat it as a "Kit gun" , they are nice to carry and 9 shots is real nice in a .22. Not a gun to sit around dry firing or a hi volume range toy , they do wear quicker than an S&W J frame and there is no factory support.

Chic Gaylord liked them. Said the trigger guard-frontstrap clearance was good as is, no need for filler grips or T-grip. 20 minutes of work gave him a good double action.

Jim Watson said:

Chic Gaylord liked them. Said the trigger guard-frontstrap clearance was good as is, no need for filler grips or T-grip. 20 minutes of work gave him a good double action.

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Yes ! Chic taught me how to shoot a pistol in one in his ex 50 Foot furrier vaults in his store my uncle NYPD detective brought me to for donuts on Sat Mornings . I was 14 so that would be 1960 .

Gordon said:

Yes ! Chic taught me how to shoot a pistol in one in his ex 50 Foot furrier vaults in his store my uncle NYPD detective brought me to for donuts on Sat Mornings . I was 14 so that would be 1960 .

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Gaylord outfitted many NYPD detectives, FBI guys, and other Federal agents with shoulder holsters in NYC.

Another great holster maker there was 7 Trees, the owner was a former business partner of Gaylords. When Dan Wesson first came out with his line of swap barrel revolvers, I bought a 2 1/2" model. Nobody had holsters for them, especially left handed. Went to 7 Trees and they custom made a beautiful molded IWB holster for me in just a few days.

I’ve owned several Sentinels over the years. Still have one I bought in the mid ‘80s for $90. It’s my snake gun for fishing on the river.
The short barreled colored ones were called Dura-Tones and were available in gold, turquoise and pink.
Prices on Sentinels have risen the last few years but I still run across them occasionally for $200 or so.
They are ok guns but not great.
I personally wouldn’t pay over $200 or so for one but just depends on how bad you want it.

I gave $275 for this 22 Mag a couple of years ago. A LGS consignment piece. Excellent shooter.

That is a MK4 I believe an a quantuum leap better than the earlier Sentinel and they are 2-3 times that right now !

gobsauce said:

Well, aren't you gonna share some photos?

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357smallbore said:

View attachment 1002394 View attachment 1002395 View attachment 1002395

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Man that's sweet lookin'!