Description

From the rare single shot pistol manufactured at the turn of the century, to the exposed hammer H.D. Military, to the latest competition grade models made by the New Hi-Standard Manufacturing Company of Houston Texas, this AGI Armorer’s Course covers them all in comprehensive detail. A fascinating look at one of the most successful .22LR Target pistols ever made, the Hi-Standard has a very interesting history, much of which is documented by AGI for the very first time. Other subjects covered include how to determine which method you must use to disassemble a particular model. Using the wrong method can result in permanent damage to the pistol! In addition, basic function and repair is covered along with trigger and safety adjustments. This is one of Master Gunsmith Bob Dunlaps favorite pistols, and his care and expertise in dealing with the subject makes it obvious.

If you want the quick course on how to get the High Standard Auto Pistol apart, back together, and operating as intended, then this course is for you (if you want the long course, look into our basic 108 hour Professional Gunsmith Course.)

Among the items covered are:

History

• Bob gives us a visual and oral history of the Hi-Standard pistol through the use of several different models of these guns and his extensive knowledge of firearms in general
• The first gun we are shown in the evolution that leads to the design of the Hi-Standard pistol is the Fiala Arms pistol, circa 1920
• The Fiala Arms pistol becomes known as the Hartford Single-Shot Target Pistol, after the Hartford Arms company was bought by Carl Gustav Swebilius of High Standard
• High Standard became successful at manufacturing .22 caliber single shot and auto pistols
• High Standards product line expanded after WWII, and they brought out the Dura-Matic Pistol, which was a big success. Bob shows us one of these which is in his personal collection
• They also produced various revolvers and .22 caliber rifles (also shown), which were bought in large quantities by Sears
• The pistol continued to evolve in its design but the company fell upon hard times and changed hands a few times. The quality of their firearms suffered
• In the 1990s, a new company, based in Houston, Texas, began to produce high quality versions of these firearms again

Design & Function

• The design and function of this straight blowback pistol is shown and demonstrated through the use of various models
• Slides and recoil springs from various models are shown and explained in depth. Their function, as well as removal and reinsertion from and into the receiver, is shown and explained
• Various fire control and safety systems are shown and explained
• Hammer and sear operation is shown and demonstrated
• Trigger adjustments are explained and shown
• Fire control is further explained
• The slide stop and ammunition feeding is explained and demonstrated
• Different magazine designs are shown and explained
• Extraction and ejection is explained and demonstrated
• The evolution of magazine designs are shown and compared
• Firing pin design and function are explained (positive protrusion is defined)
• The design of this pistol is summarized

Disassembly

• Complete disassembly is shown and demonstrated on a cutaway Victor model
• Various models are shown and their differences in disassembly are explained
• Caution is given when disassembling models with the takedown lever on the right-hand side (the older models with non-takedown barrel), to leave the side plate in place and never take the lever out with the slide on because you will not be able to get the slide off
• Grips and magazine removal is shown and demonstrated
• Barrel and slide removal is demonstrated
• Slide disassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Barrel disassembly information is given
• Side plate removal is demonstrated
• Safety and trigger disassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Barrel latch removal is demonstrated
• Magazine catch removal is explained and demonstrated. Reassembly is discussed
• Hammer and sear removal is demonstrated
• Sear spring is discussed
• Magazine disassembly is shown and demonstrated

Cleaning & Lubrication

• AGI cleaning & lubrication methods are explained, along with the reasons for their use
• After cleaning, dry with air gun, or in the oven on Warm ~185-200 degrees (metal parts ONLY)
• Lubing the Bob way, and what kind he likes

Reassembly & Troubleshooting

• The correct order of parts for reassembly is given so that you do not have any parts left over
• Slide reassembly is shown and demonstrated
• Troubleshooting tips for the extractor are discussed (spring out is explained)
• Barrel latch reassembly is demonstrated. Problem areas are discussed
• Trigger reassembly is demonstrated
• Sear, mainspring and hammer reassembly is demonstrated
• Trigger bar and safety reassembly is shown
• Troubleshooting tips for trigger bar and sear are explained in depth
• Magazine catch reassembly is shown (techniques for easier reassembly are demonstrated)
• Sear spring tensioner reassembly is shown
• Slide stop and grips reassembly is demonstrated
• Final reassembly of slide and barrel are demonstrated
• Summary

If you noticed how often the terms explanation and demonstration are used, you may be getting some idea of why this course is necessary for any High Standard Pistol owner, or someone who intends to be.