High Standard 1911 Quality Question

[puma guy]

Anyone here have any experience with High Standard 1911's? I searched a 1911 forum but couldn't find anything. I've seen comments about the quality of their pistols made after they were bought and brought to Houston in 1993, but no real specifics. Mostly just comparing the Connecticut pistols to Houston. I rarely see them in brick and mortar gun shops.

[RogueUSMC]

I have one. it's a GI model with the spline front sight. It shoots well but if it ever has a chance of making it into the rotation in any way, it would need some work. It's my truck gun.

[Pecos]

I have the 9MM C9 High Standard that I some time carry on the farm. IMO I wouldnt carry it as my CCW. My local LEA said that gun mostly taken from criminals is the High Standard. I dont trust it with my life. Just my oppenion.

[puma guy]

Anyone here have any experience with High Standard 1911's?

Depends which one you're talking about - the name "High Standard" has been used by a number of manufacturers.

Yes. The company has changed hands several times over the course of it's history, but remained in Connecticut for all but the last iteration when the buyer bought the company and assets to Houston in the 1990's. When I was selling guns the company was purchased buy Leisure Group and we all wondered if the quality would be maintained. They did continue to make firearms of the same quality and all was good. Leisure sold it in a management buyout in the 70's and then it was auctioned to their parts distributor in the 80's. Finally it was sold in 1993-4 to the Houston guys. I called the company yesterday to get a list of dealers or distributors. The girl who answered the phone wasn't very professional, could barely put a comprehensive sentence together and said they have no dealers and if I needed a list just look up gun stores I asked if their guns were made entirely at the Houston site and she said they were. I don't think that's the case if I judge by the prices of the 1911's I've seen online. By the way she said prices aren't listed anywhere because their guns are "pretty much made to order" I didn't waste any more of my time. Too bad for a company that made the only American pistols to win Olympic Gold in the Rapid Fire Event. The Connecticut pistols command a premium nowadays.

[RogueUSMC]

Mine has 'Made in Philippines' roll stamped on the side...

It's a good shooting gun so far. I borrowed it from a friend when I sent my XDS off for recall. Carried it inside the waistband in a snap slide. The rivets on my jeans scratched the parkerizing all up. The friend wanted to sell it (I think he got ripped off on it...to the tune of over $400) I offered him $350 as that was what 'NIB' was getting bids for on gunbroker.

I sold it yesterday to a guy who wanted to buy it for the last few weeks. I told him he could have it for what I paid for it...and if he shot it and didn't like it, he could bring it back and I'd give him his money back. I like the gun but I'm not married to it.

[puma guy]

Mine has 'Made in Philippines' roll stamped on the side...

It's a good shooting gun so far. I borrowed it from a friend when I sent my XDS off for recall. Carried it inside the waistband in a snap slide. The rivets on my jeans scratched the parkerizing all up. The friend wanted to sell it (I think he got ripped off on it...to the tune of over $400) I offered him $350 as that was what 'NIB' was getting bids for on gunbroker.

I sold it yesterday to a guy who wanted to buy it for the last few weeks. I told him he could have it for what I paid for it...and if he shot it and didn't like it, he could bring it back and I'd give him his money back. I like the gun but I'm not married to it.

Thanks. I figured they were probably made by in the Phillipines by the prices I saw. I saw an opportunity to buy their version of a 1911 Commander new for around $400. I have a full size Charles Daly, bought a few years ago, made by Armscor, which also makes RIA and Citadel I believe. It has pretty good fit and finish for the price and shoots decently.