High Standard frame cracking....fact or fiction?

[Topgun]

I was told by the High Standard factory that --ALL-- E.Hartford models will crack the frame......eventually.

I had some work done on mine a few years back by Jim Barta who is a H-S specialist and he says that using STANDARD VELOCITY ammo will NOT crack a frame and especially if the slide spring is the heavier one.

Anyone on HERE have experience with these? I know that the E. Hartfords were not heat treated frames and can be fragile with HIGH speed ammo.

But what about the ones that are ONLY used with S-V ammo?

 

[mete]

The old HS pistols were designed ok but used soft materials. The Browning was much better in that respect.The HS would get battered and wear out but I never saw or heard of a cracked frame.Stick with standard velocity.

 

[Old Fuff]

I know of one frame that cracked through the slide rail near the ejector. However I don't think that this is, or ever was, common. Many of these pistols were owned and used by target shooters who shot them extensively, and if cracking of anything frequently happened the word would be out. I agree that the use of high-velocity ammunition is unwise unless the pistol is set up for it. Additionally the recoil spring should be replaced occasionally. Other then that I wouldn't worry.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...what about the ones that are ONLY used with S-V ammo?

Some Hamden and East Hartford High Standard frames have cracked with the use of standard velocity ammunition only. The vast majority sooner or later will crack if fed higher velocity ammunition. It helps to replace the recoil spring in the slide with a higher tension spring from http://www.gunsprings.com although the odds are high you'll have to shorten it slightly, since the increased tension often hashes up the timing.

Sad to say, there are no quick and easy answers with these magnificently accurate, finicky pistols.

 

[Wild Bill]

Topgun,

No worries - if you’re using only standard velocity rounds and your spring is fine.

I’ve had three –two Citations and one Victor. Shot them competitively for years until I acquired a Hammerlli. All were old models. All were tack-drivers. I only ran standard velocity through them, and made sure to keep the springs relatively tight. No evidence at all of frame stress in any of mine or on any of the other similarly fed guns I’ve come across.

The only unit I’ve seen with a crack was a beautiful old gun that a customer with a less than acute sense of propriety brought into the shop – along with a box of the super velocity whiz bang junk he was feeding it as a steady diet. Of course this was the same mental midget that wondered why he blew the top strap off a Smith with his “special†compressed duplex hand-loads.

If you’re new to High Standards, get a few spare U springs. The first time you pop the cover off and that little bugger goes sprooinng and disappears forever you’ll know why.

Shoot well – you’ve got a good gun.

 

[Standing Wolf]

If you’re new to High Standards, get a few spare U springs. The first time you pop the cover off and that little bugger goes sprooinng and disappears forever you’ll know why.

Amen! Aim your browser at http://www.gunsprings.com and pull the trigger. I keep a supply of both trigger return springs and slide release springs.