Finding a hi standard supermatic citation at the gun show or even a local shop is always the bit of a thrill for anyone who appreciates the well-made rimfire gun. There's just some thing about the fat of it, that heavy-duty steel building, as well as the way this balances in your hand that modern polymer guns can't quite replicate. If you grew up about bullseye shooting or even competitive target fits, you already know the title High Standard bears a lot of weight. These weren't just "plinkers" intended for knocking over tin cans within the backyard; these were precision instruments built to win trophies.
Back in the day, the Supermatic Citation was the precious metal standard for American target pistols. Whilst companies like Smith & Wesson and Colt certainly experienced their offerings, the particular High Standard selection had a dedicated following that surrounded on cult-like. And for good reason. Whenever you pick a single up, you're not just holding a gun; you're holding a piece of engineering history from an era whenever "hand-fitted" actually intended something.
The reason why the Citation Stands Out
You might wonder what makes the hi standard supermatic citation different from, say, the Supermatic Trophy or the Olympic versions. Honestly, it mainly came down to the surface finish and the features. The Trophy was usually the "fancy" one with the high-polish blue plus the gold-plated cause, while the Citation was the workhorse of the competitive planet. It had a more business-like finish—usually a nice matte or satin blue—but it shared the same legendary internal DNA as its more expensive siblings.
The Citation has been built on several different frame styles over the many years, but the many iconic ones would be the "Military" grip structures. These were made to mimic the feel and position of a 1911. The idea was pretty basic: in case you were a competitive shooter using a. 45 ACP with regard to one a part of the match, you needed your. 22 instructor to feel because close to that as possible. High Standard nailed that will transition, which will be why you nevertheless see these pistols for the firing line at Camp Perry today.
That will Incredible Push-Button Clip or barrel
One of the coolest top features of the hi standard supermatic citation —and something I believe more contemporary manufacturers need to have copied—is the push-button barrel takedown. If you consider the front of the frame, right below the barrel, there's a huge checkered switch. You push that will in, and the entire barrel set up just lifts right off.
It makes washing a breeze, sure, but it also made the gun incredibly versatile. You can swap from a 5. 5-inch bull barrel to a much longer, tapered barrel or even even a fluted one in regarding ten seconds with out needing a single device. It's one of those "why don't they actually this particular anymore? " features that makes the High Standards feel so ahead associated with their time. The particular lock-up is surprisingly tight, too. You'd think a quick-release system would obtain wobbly as time passes, yet these things had been machined to such tight tolerances which they stay rock strong for decades.
The Best Trigger in the Business?
I've shot a lot of rimfire pistols over the years, in fact it is actually hard to find a factory cause that beats the hi standard supermatic citation . It's generally described as a "glass rod" split, and that's no exaggeration. There's almost no take-up, a sharp snap at the particular break, and the very short reset to zero.
Nearly all models even arrived with an changeable trigger pull, frequently via a little screw accessible by means of the rear of the frame. You can tune it to become incredibly light—maybe even a little too light for a casual shooter—but perfect with regard to someone wanting to keep their groups small at 50 back yards. When you're filming bullseye, the cause is everything, plus High Standard knew that. It's the kind of trigger that spoils you; as soon as you get used to it, every single other rimfire comes across as being like you're pulling a trigger made of wet cardboard.
The "Magazine Headache" You Need in order to Know About
Now, it's not all sunshine and tulips. If you're going to own a hi standard supermatic citation , you have in order to talk about the magazines. Unlike almost every other pistol on the particular market, the High Standard target guns perform not have the feed ramp on the barrel. Instead, the feed ramp is essentially constructed into the front of the magazine lip area.
This implies the gun is extremely sensitive towards the angles of the publication. If the lip area are bent simply a fraction of a millimeter the wrong manner, you're going to have feeding issues—usually the round nose-diving or pointing as well high and hitting the top associated with the chamber. Individuals who love these guns often possess a "magazine lip tool" to maintain them tuned. It sounds like a pain, but once you have a magazine that's dialed in, the weapon is remarkably dependable. Just don't move dropping your magazines on the tangible floor, or you'll be spending your afternoon with a pair of pliers and a lot of patience.
Hamden vs. Far east Hartford
If you start hanging around collectors, you'll hear them talk regarding "Hamden guns" vs "East Hartford weapons. " High Standard was originally based in Hamden, Connecticut, and many fanatics believe the quality peaked during that era. When the business moved to East Hartford in the particular mid-70s, some state the fit plus finish started to glide a bit, although they were still excellent pistols simply by any modern standard.
If a person find a hi standard supermatic citation with "Hamden, Conn. " placed on the part, it usually carries a bit associated with a price superior. Is it really better? In my experience, a well-maintained East Hartford weapon will shoot just as well since a Hamden weapon, but the collectors like the background of the original stock. Either way, you're getting a gun which was made back when the Northeast was the center of the American firearms universe.
Caring for the Framework
One factor to keep in mind if you pick one up: these types of guns were designed back when "Standard Velocity" ammo was the particular norm for target shooting. Because of the way the slide recoils against the body, shooting a great deal of modern "High Velocity" or "Hyper Velocity" rounds may actually cause the frame to split near the magwell.
It's a heartbreaking view, but it's totally avoidable. Most proprietors of the hi standard supermatic citation stick exclusively to target-grade, standard velocity ammunition. It's even more accurate anyway, plus it ensures that will the steel framework won't take a beating it wasn't designed for. If you're worried, you can also swap out the particular recoil spring regarding a fresh a single, as those old springs could possibly get tired after 40 or 50 years of make use of.
The knowledge on the Range
When you really get a hi standard supermatic citation to be able to the range, everything clicks. The weight of the particular bull barrel maintains front side end regular, also because it's the. 22, there's virtually no recoil. This feels like you're just pointing the laser at the particular target. You discover yourself taking your time, breathing through the shot, plus watching the holes appear exactly where you expected them to be.
It's a different kind of shooting than what a lot of people do today with high-capacity 9mms and red dot sights. It's slower, more deliberate, and honestly, a great deal more rewarding in the own way. There's a certain zen to shooting a classic target pistol like this. It challenges you to be considered a better marksman since you know the particular gun is able of literal one-hole groups if you do your component.
Conclusions upon the Citation
Whether you're a significant collector or simply someone who wants a high-quality rimfire that will isn't made associated with plastic, the hi standard supermatic citation is a fantastic option. It represents the time when United states manufacturing was at the top of its game, plus target shooting was a hugely popular activity.
Certain, it might become a bit "finicky" compared to a modern Ruger or Browning, mostly due to those journal lips, but the particular trade-off is a trigger and a level of accuracy that's hard to discover for under a thousand dollars today. For those who have the chance to buy one—especially a single that's been well-cared for—don't hesitate. They don't get them to like this anymore, every time I take mine to the particular range, I'm reminded why they had been the kings associated with the firing collection for so lengthy.