Hi Standard Flite King

[crewcut]

I inherited a Hi Standard Flite King Brush model K120 l2 guage shotgun recently; it has rifle sights and a short barrel and looks like it was designed for hunting deer with buckshot or rifled slugs. The gun was purchased in the 1960's but has never been fired. I cycled a few shells through it and the action is smooth as silk. I know these are no longer made but was wondering if someone could tell me something about them and give me a current value.
Thanks.

 

[Furncliff]

The K120 was introduced in 1969. Many shotguns carrying the HS name were actually made by other manuf., both here and overseas. The quality suffered and HS stopped marketing them in the mid 70's.

The pistols made by HS are another story. They are well made and are very desirable. I don't think the K120 would fit that description. To check for value try:

Gunsamerica.com
Gunauction.com
Gunbroker.com

 

[Fred Fuller]

I think the High Standard pumps are great old shotguns. They lock up like a Model 12 Winchester, which makes them a very smooth action. And the 'bottom end' of the action is where Mossberg got the idea for that part of the Model 500.

Downsides to the HS design are that on most of them the barrel was threaded on and therefore not removable as part of a normal field strip, and they only had one action bar, as was typical for the time.

Take a look at http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=308751843 - look familiar?

If the one you have is actually NIB condition and still in the box with papers, it might be some collector will be interested in it - there is a High Standard collector's group. If you keep pumping it, it will rapidly become just one more used High Standard...

 

[jl1288]

I found two in pawnshops. The Flite King K10 I paid $90.00 OTD and it was was mfg in 1965 the barrel had been cut down and butchered but I was able to keep it legal and salvage it. I found another a few months later, a factory 20-6 riot shotgun in real good condition, I dropped $150 OTD for that one. I don't know what the genuine riot gun is worth, I'm not interested in selling either one because they are smoooth. For me they are much smoother than any mossberg 500 or remington 870 the only weakness I see in them is they use a single action bar instead of dual action bars. I really like those old designs they worked well 50-80yrs ago and still are a viable tool.

 

[jl1288]

BTW I am not by any stretch of the word an "expert" in firearms, I do know what I like though and I do become proficient in servicing my guns I have a little problem with trusting other people to repair my cars, motorcycles, and my guns. My father once told me to never loan my woman, guns or vehicles to anyone unless I was ready to loose them. Great words to live by.

 

[Virginian]

High Standard made some of the best pumps and worst semi-autos ever. And make no mistake, they manufactured them in house. That is a very good unappreciated gun in my opinion. if you can find a longer barrel it would make a nice field gun.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I doubt the barrel will swap on that one without a vise and a barrel wrench...

 

[Uniquedot]

And the 'bottom end' of the action is where Mossberg got the idea for that part of the Model 500.

Actually Mossberg got it from the same place HS got it from...the Remington model 31, but then again it's basically Marlins design from the late 1890's.

 

[mnrivrat]

I've owned and used a couple of the High Standard 12 ga riot guns. One of the slickest actions ever available and mine never missed a beat. I think that one will give you good service.

 

[rev579]

I started on a Ted Williams 21, the FK 2100 which was made for Sears. It still has super-smooth action. In fact I had it put yesterday, looking at the possibility of putting a short stock on it for my son. This gun will have good, solid, smooth history.
It is better than the new Remi870's, the Moss500's and the 1200-1500 Winy's.
Enjoy it.