I've got a HS Victor that my own Sweetie Pie bought as an anniversary present about 25 yrs ago, she gave about $200 dollars for it at the time, The dealer had several of them he was using as loss leaders. Ah the good old days. Should have gone back and bought them all. Talk about your return on investment. It has been very good through the years, I don't shoot it as much now as I used to, having gone to a Ruger government model for my everyday plinking. The Victor was reliable and accurate. I won't say that it never jammed but it was rare when it did, and usually ammo related. It did have its "favorite" ammo and the variations in group size could be amazing.
They've gotten to be such high dollar guns it's hard to recommend one as an everyday knockaround piece, but the Ruger fills that bill nicely. I've had few problems with it, having shot brick after brick through it, usually with minimal cleaning. A good blast with carburator cleaner type spray followed by a dose of Breakfree and a patch or two down the barrel and it runs like a sewing machine.
For those who can't live with a "stock" gun, there are alll sorts of aftermarket parts to go crazy with, triggers, grips, etc. Not to mention the different models, finishes, and barrel lengths.
I vote for the Ruger.
On the revolver forum I would go with the Model 18 Smith.
They've gotten to be such high dollar guns it's hard to recommend one as an everyday knockaround piece, but the Ruger fills that bill nicely. I've had few problems with it, having shot brick after brick through it, usually with minimal cleaning. A good blast with carburator cleaner type spray followed by a dose of Breakfree and a patch or two down the barrel and it runs like a sewing machine.
For those who can't live with a "stock" gun, there are alll sorts of aftermarket parts to go crazy with, triggers, grips, etc. Not to mention the different models, finishes, and barrel lengths.
I vote for the Ruger.
On the revolver forum I would go with the Model 18 Smith.
