High Standard: An American Original, Going Strong

by
posted on April 27, 2014
photo-7-e1398631005860-1024x575.jpg

High Standard is one of the iconic names in handgun circles, but, outside of bullseye competitors, one that's not so well known to many of today's pistol shooters. That's a shame, because the Texas-based outfit is still making its classic Victor and Supermatic rimfires, as well as a series of 1911s in .45 ACP and .38 Super. In addition, the HSA-15 line of AR-type rifles offers both carry-handle and flattop models in rifle-length and carbine variants. And today in the Annual Meetings Exhibit Hall I learned from High Standard's Stan Chapman that the company is actually in expansion mode on several fronts.

To go with previously acquired brands AMT (handguns) and Interarms (AK rifles), High Standard recently merged with Herrett Gunstocks, another red-letter name among gun enthusiasts. Herrett will continue to operate at its home base in Idaho under the direction of founder Rod Herrett, and will be building wood stocks for the company's products.

Another recent acquisition was a metal castings plant in Lufkin, TX, where pistol frames, AK gas blocks and other key parts are fabricated. Assembly takes place in at High Standard's main facility in Houston. "We're looking to expand our manufacturing capability," said Chapman, "and especially looking forward to building more guns. We build our guns here in the U.S., using new equipment to make components from the original drawings. On our High Standards, the parts we make today are identical to what we made in the past, in fact are interchangeable with guns made in the 1920s and '30s."

Admittedly I can be a sucker for familiar names and guns, but from what I can see U.S.-made High Standards and its affiliate brands compete well in their market segments and are certainly worth a look from shooters who may be unfamiliar with this old-line brand.

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.