High Standard

[TexKettering]

High Standard and STI International

What do you guys know about High Standard?

I'm an engineering student at a co-op school and I'm looking at trying to get into a gun manufacturing company as it combines my two passions. The only problem is I want to stay in Texas and that limits me a bit.

I found this company but don't know much about them. Do they make quality products? Know anything else about them? I think I'm going to call them up on Monday and just inquire about what kind of manufacturing/engineering they have there. Can't hurt to ask, I suppose...

 

[Gbro]

Wow go for it.
Then make some replacment magazines for the older guns.

I will buy a new High Standard for my next .22,

 

[dfariswheel]

That's the new High Standard.

The original High Standard was in business from 1926 to 1984 in various Connecticut cities.

HS specialized in the manufacture of high quality .22 auto pistols.
Over the years, they made pump and auto shotguns, a line of good quality double action revolvers that looked like single action revolvers, and various other firearms.
"In the day" most American target shooters used High Standard pistols, leaving Colt and S&W to fill the number two slot.

After they went out of business, the company was reformed in 1993 with many of the same workers and moved to Houston, TX.
They again manufacture most of the good .22 auto pistols, including all the old target models.

I'm not sure HS actually manufactures the pistols or just assembles them.
For a time both HS and a company named Mitchell sold a stainless steel .22 Victor target pistol, and the actual manufacture of the components was done by a third contract company.

HS still has some of the old pistolsmiths working for them and they still offer the "10-X" target model, which is a target pistol hand built by these gunsmiths.

 

[Average Joe]

I have a High Standard revolver that is over 40 years old, and I still shoot it on every range trip. Thousands of rounds , currently on second barrel. Great pistol.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Do they make quality products?

Nope. The Texas "High Standard" company bought the name and trademarks, imitated some of the designs, and has turned out third rate junk ever since.

 

[Furncliff]

My Hi Standard Supermatic pistol is my favorite handgun. It was made in the 50's in Ct. by people who cared about what they were doing. The "new" Hi Standard does not enjoy the reputation of the old company. YMMV

 

[Fburgtx]

I haven't read much good about the company since Alan Aronstein took over/the move to Houston. Check out rimfirecentral.com and some of the links at the High Standard Collector's Association to read some first-hand accounts of people's dealings with the Houston shop.

Regarding other Texas gunmakers, Maverick makes shotguns down in Eagle's Pass. Bond Arms makes derringers in Granbury. American Derringer is down in Waco. STI is located down in Georgetown, I believe. You might also check with Shilen(down in Ennis,Texas). They make some very fine barrels for rifles,etc.

 

[bluetopper]

They bought the name but in no way do they manufacture this kind of fit, finish and craftsmanship down in Houston!
Top to bottom:
1976 Model 107 Supermatic Trophy
1958 Model 102 Supermatic Citation
1967 Model 104 Supermatic Citation

 

[TexKettering]

I haven't read much good about the company since Alan Aronstein took over/the move to Houston. Check out rimfirecentral.com and some of the links at the High Standard Collector's Association to read some first-hand accounts of people's dealings with the Houston shop.

Regarding other Texas gunmakers, Maverick makes shotguns down in Eagle's Pass. Bond Arms makes derringers in Granbury. American Derringer is down in Waco. STI is located down in Georgetown, I believe. You might also check with Shilen(down in Ennis,Texas). They make some very fine barrels for rifles,etc.

STI looks very interesting, although it seems like a longshot there. They definitely do their own manufacturing and stuff, but it doesn't look like a huge operation. I'll give them a shot, too.

 

[kansas45]

I have a "old company" 22 Supermatic Citation that has a bunch of rounds through it, an a new 1911 45ACP High Standard that works very well. I think that working for the company would be a good place to be.

 

[TexKettering]

I'm going to try to get something with both companies. I have a strange co-op program set up with my school so I'll have to explain that to them and see if they want to go for it.

I'm a senior right now so they might not want to deal with the hassle of setting it up for only a year, but this is a job I wouldn't mind having once I graduate... as long as the pay is comparable(I have lots of loans).

 

[Aguila Blanca]

The current High Stndard company's Government model 1911s are made in the Phillippines by Armscor. They claim to make their own Commander models in Texas, but I would not believe them.

I know a gentleman who sold them advertising space. He had met the company president, liked him, and therefore trusted him. They took him for a year's worth of advertising, ignored all invoices and attempts to contact anyone within the company (except the president, who made multiple promises to pay "next week"), and basically stiffed him for a couple of thousand dollars worth of free advertising.

Not the kind of company the old High Standard was, and not the kind of company I would ever want to work for.

 

[TexKettering]

STI looked like the more interesting company to work for and now it looks like a much better one, as well.

STI seems to make a pretty good product from what I've heard. Anything I should know about them?

Thanks for the input guys.