Hamden Conn. Supermatic Military Trophy ammo.

[concealed carry]

I just purchased a Hamden supermatic military trophy made in 1969. The gun is 100% it's still tight and breaking in. The original owner fired 50 rounds thru it, put it in his safe and passed away.
My question is: I've read about some Hi Standard .22's having the frames crack from shooting hi velocity ammo. I know the guns made in texas have cast frames where the best ones made in Hamden in the 60's had machines frames out of carbon steel. I can only find ammo that's 1240 to 1280fps and realize the standard velocity at 1020 shoots better and is easier on the gun.

Will shooting this velocity 1240 to 1280 fps hurt this gun or should it be fine. I would not shoot anything with any higher velocity.

I did a lot of research prior to buying this gun and wanted only a Hamden and not an East Hartford since the Hamdens in that time period were the best of the best for the supermatic trophy models as well as their 10X and other models.

I thank you in advance for your knowledge and opinions from qualified individuals.

 

[Willie Sutton]

As a mid level collector of HS pistols (about 20) and having shot them in competition WAY back in my youth (70's), my advice is to shoot it and forget worrying abouit it. After 50,000 rounds you can let us know how it's going. It'll be just about broken in by then. You can shoot anything you like thru it.

You've got nothing to fear, and one of the finest .22's ever made.

"collectors warning": That pistol is collectable in the condition it's in, and ought to be retained as a safe queen, IMHO. There are plenty of ones of the same model and vintage that have already had 10,000 rounds thru them.... find one and add another hundred thousand rounds to it's count and leave the museum piece in the museum.


Willie

.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I personally would only shoot standard velocity in it, but it's your gun, and a nice one it is.

I can't believe you can't find standard velocity ammo somewhere. If your local stores don't have, it, they could order it for you or you could order it online.

Like a lot of people, for whatever reason, you don't list the state you live in. If it's North Carolina send me a PM.

 

[xXxplosive]

Lived Hamden back then......not familiar with that pistol....was it a product of High Standard by any chance.

 

[xXxplosive]

Ok.......got it .....it was a HS made pistol.....I knew that facility and some of it's workers back then well.

 

[Old Fuff]

Back in the early 1960's to the early 1980's I was a regular bullseye competitor and used a Hi-Standard Military/Trophy I bought directly from the company at Camp Perry. I still have it and many thousands of rounds have gone through it. 95% of it was standard velocity/target grade ammunition, and the rest was a mix of other kinds. Other then finish wear the pistol is still as good as the day I got it.

I strongly reccommend standard velocity ammunition, but some high velocity isn't likely to hurt it.

And I agree with Willie (see above post). What you have has a much greater value as a collectable then a shooter. Should you sell it to a collector who had deep pockets you'd have enough money to buy a fully acceptable shooter and have enough left to buy the ammunition you need.

 

[mbopp]

Check out the Hi Standard forum over on rimfirecentral.com . The avid shooters there will tell you 1) standard velocity only and 2) if it's an unknown round count through the gun, change the recoil spring.

 

[concealed carry]

As a mid level collector of HS pistols (about 20) and having shot them in competition WAY back in my youth (70's), my advice is to shoot it and forget worrying abouit it. After 50,000 rounds you can let us know how it's going. It'll be just about broken in by then. You can shoot anything you like thru it.

You've got nothing to fear, and one of the finest .22's ever made.

"collectors warning": That pistol is collectable in the condition it's in, and ought to be retained as a safe queen, IMHO. There are plenty of ones of the same model and vintage that have already had 10,000 rounds thru them.... find one and add another hundred thousand rounds to it's count and leave the museum piece in the museum.


Willie

.

Willie: Thanks for your response and honest opinion. I value that. Is this still a collectors piece because it has flaking on the gold trigger and the mag. release looks almost case hardened. The gold is off that? The gun has never had a prick punch put on any of the pins and some have told me to get a wolf spring kit and install then shoot the 1240 to 1260fps stuff. There is no way to put a spring kit in and not mark the pins or god forbid the beautiful bluing. Would it be possible to send you pictures of the gun so you could see it close up. My email is [email protected]. I'm 67 and not to computer savy and don't know how to send pictures thru this site.
Thanks again,
Doug

 

[Sam1911]

Doug! We'd all love to see it! If you have a picture on your computer, we can help you post it here. No problem.

When you reply to the thread, scroll down a bit and find the "Manage Attachments" button. It will let you upload that picture off your computer right into the thread.

 

[concealed carry]

I personally would only shoot standard velocity in it, but it's your gun, and a nice one it is.

I can't believe you can't find standard velocity ammo somewhere. If your local stores don't have, it, they could order it for you or you could order it online.

Like a lot of people, for whatever reason, you don't list the state you live in. If it's North Carolina send me a PM.

Bob: Thanks for your response also. I live in upstate New York and we can't order ammo on line. This state is one of the worst with it's new safe act that's trying to be repealed and the rest of the bs we have to put up with.

May-be it's time to move South.
Thanks,
Doug

 

[concealed carry]

Back in the early 1960's to the early 1980's I was a regular bullseye competitor and used a Hi-Standard Military/Trophy I bought directly from the company at Camp Perry. I still have it and many thousands of rounds have gone through it. 95% of it was standard velocity/target grade ammunition, and the rest was a mix of other kinds. Other then finish wear the pistol is still as good as the day I got it.

I strongly reccommend standard velocity ammunition, but some high velocity isn't likely to hurt it.

And I agree with Willie (see above post). What you have has a much greater value as a collectable then a shooter. Should you sell it to a collector who had deep pockets you'd have enough money to buy a fully acceptable shooter and have enough left to buy the ammunition you need.

Old Fuff: Thanks also for your reply. The consensus seems to be as you advised. Standard Velocity. Wish I could find some here in Upstate New York.
Thanks again,
Doug

 

[concealed carry]

Check out the Hi Standard forum over on rimfirecentral.com . The avid shooters there will tell you 1) standard velocity only and 2) if it's an unknown round count through the gun, change the recoil spring.

mbopp: Thanks for your response. This site is great with the honest help shooters are giving each other. Your right rimfire central is advising standard velocity. I'm in Upstate New York also. Just outside of Utica. Where abouts are you located? I see your in Upstate New York too.
Thanks Again,
Doug

 

[concealed carry]

Doug! We'd all love to see it! If you have a picture on your computer, we can help you post it here. No problem.

When you reply to the thread, scroll down a bit and find the "Manage Attachments" button. It will let you upload that picture off your computer right into the thread.

Sam: Thanks I'll take some and put them on my computer then follow your directions. I didn't know what a mouse was 2 yrs ago. LOL. Owned my own business for 30 yrs but had 4 girls running the computers and told them to just give me hard copies of P@L's, payables, receivables, balance sheets, etc. etc. Should have been smarter back then and learned the computer.
By the end of tonight I have some pictures up for you.
Thanks,
Doug

 

[Sam1911]

Oh, I understand completely! If you have any troubles at all, we'll help.

 

[concealed carry]

Doug! We'd all love to see it! If you have a picture on your computer, we can help you post it here. No problem.

When you reply to the thread, scroll down a bit and find the "Manage Attachments" button. It will let you upload that picture off your computer right into the thread.

Sam: I don't mean to sound stupid but it looks like I am. Down loaded 30 pictures of my Hamden Military Trophy to my computer. I don't know the difference between a thread and a post. I went to your reply to me telling me how and scrolled down and saw no place where it said manage attachments. If I can find it can I download the 30 pictures since it will show you the entire gun from muzzle to bottom of magazine including breach and muzzle crown. slide open, slide closed, stabilizer-(muzzle brake). etc. etc. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Doug

 

[Sam1911]

No worries! Try this:

Where you're replying to the thread there's a "Quick Reply" box where you can type your message and then hit the "Post Quick Reply" button.

Next to that button is the "Go Advanced" button. Click that one.

When the window changes, scroll down just a little more and you'll see the "Manage Attachments" button. Click it and another little window will open.

That little window will have a couple buttons in it saying "Choose File." Click either one of those and browse your computer to find the pictures you downloaded. Select one, and then click the "Upload" button.

When your reply appears, your picture will be present at the bottom for everyone to look at.

Type some text in the message window like "Here's picture one..." and hit the "Submit Reply" button.

 

[mbopp]

Doug, I'm in Rochester.
The gold flaking off the trigger and mag release is normal. Yes you can install a heavier recoil spring to lessen the frame battering but then the barrel breach starts to get a mushroom edge on it from the higher forward slide velocity.
Too bad you're not closer, I'd loan you a brick of standard velocity. I have most of a case left I ordered online (pre-SAFE.)

 

[concealed carry]

mbopp, I went to college in Rochester. Loved it there. Thanks for the info on the heaver spring and the breach face. Ill try to enclose a picture of the gun. In my research I saw where the flaking is normal but didn't know if that ruined collector value.

 

[concealed carry]

Picture of Hamden Military Trophy

Sam 1911, Thanks so much I think I've got it. I take it you like 1911's. I've got a Springfield TRP that I love and it's my main carry gun. Here is a picture of the Hamden High Standard. Thanks again for your patience and understanding of my computer lack of knowledge.
Doug

 

[concealed carry]

Hamden Hi Standard and Springfield TRP

Another picture of Hamden Hi Standard and one of Springfield TRP

 

[Sam1911]

Wow. That looks untouched! Sure is pretty!

 

[concealed carry]

Pictures of Hamden Conn. Military Trophy

Willie: One of the moderators, Sam told me how to post a picture. I'd like your honest opinion so sent you a few. Collector material or not?? I have 28 more pictures if you need more.
Thanks,
Doug

 

[concealed carry]

Wow. That looks untouched! Sure is pretty!

Glad you like it Sam, Thanks again for all the help and I'd just like to say. There are, the greatest bunch of guys on this site. All willing to give their insite and opinions. A lot of knowledge here to be gained by a lot of people. You moderators are great also helping old farts like me that may know about guns but stupid when it comes to computers. You've got the patience of a saint. LOL
Thank You,
Doug

 

[Willie Sutton]

That pistol ought to be a safe queen. It's one of the nicest ones I've seen, and very very few would be nicer. Find a collector who will keep it as-is, and take the advice to buy one with a high round count to use as a shooter, or keep it as a piece of art yourself and find a second one with finish wear to shoot. Nearly new ones are getting darned rare. There are many models of the same basic design available, from the Sharpshooter M on up to Supermatic Citations, Victors, etc., and all make VERY nice shooters. My highest round count one is a Sharpshooter M that I bought new in 1978 in college, and I've literally shot 50,000 rounds thru it, most of it high velocity. It's never EVER failed to feed and is as accurate as the day I bought it. It led to collecting others, but I still drag it out to shoot. The Sharpshooter M is a pistol identical to yours save for the rear sight being dovetailed on the slide, not attached to the frame. Yours was the next model up in the lineup.

The flaking means nothing. No affect on value.

Warning, you can't own just two... or three... or four...


Willie

.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Everyone has a personal opinion, and they're all valid for that individual.

I don't know how old you are but let's say 35. If you shoot it you will have decades of joy experiencing the wonderful gun you have. That's what I would do, but I'm on the shady side of 60 , so my reality may be different.

Is it legal for me to just send you some .22's if you do decide to shoot it?

I'm too old to be breaking any laws, no matter how asinine, but if it's legal I'd be glad to help you out with a couple of boxes gratis.