My grandpa's High Standard HD Military .22 pistol - The Firearms Forum

WYO36 · 05-10-2010, 02:25 PM

I inherited my grandpa's old High Standard pistol (semiauto, 6.5 inch barrel). It has one issue. The slide doesn't completely return to full forward after firing (or even after cocking the gun to fire position) leaving a space of a few mm between the slide face and the barrel assembly. I have replaced the spring, thinking that a weak spring wouldn't push the slide far enough forward, but the problem persists. I can push the slide forward until it "seats firmly", then the gun will fire. But I'd like it to shoot as it's supposed to. Any suggestions? Also, I'm not finding a model number, where might it be?

Jim K · 05-10-2010, 08:30 PM

Since you knew enough to replace the recoil spring, we can rule out the usual troubles due to improper disassembly.

Two possibilities come to mind, one being that the extractor is frozen/stuck/dirty and is not moving easily so the slide is stopped just short of battery. The solution is to remove the extractor and clean the heck out of the slot and the spring tunnel.

The second is that those frames (like the Colt Woodsman) are pretty thin and will bend if looked at hard. That is the first thing I check when a slide sticks. Correcting that problem is tricky and it is easy to do some real damage, so proceed carefully.

Jim

Big Shrek · 05-11-2010, 12:28 AM

Clean the living daylights out of it, and check for burrs on the slide with a Q-tip.

What ammo are you using??

Winchester ammo tends to be slightly larger than normal, for some reason.

And stick to Standard Velocity Ammo...High & Hyper velocity will eventually damage the weapon.

muddober · 05-11-2010, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WYO36

I inherited my grandpa's old High Standard pistol (semiauto, 6.5 inch barrel). It has one issue. The slide doesn't completely return to full forward after firing (or even after cocking the gun to fire position) leaving a space of a few mm between the slide face and the barrel assembly. I have replaced the spring, thinking that a weak spring wouldn't push the slide far enough forward, but the problem persists. I can push the slide forward until it "seats firmly", then the gun will fire. But I'd like it to shoot as it's supposed to. Any suggestions? Also, I'm not finding a model number, where might it be?

Both Jim K and Big Shrek are correct in their ideas but I am suspect that when you replaced the recoil spring you cut it too short from the spring stock you made it from. The recoil spring should be totally collapsed when looking at it with the slide off. If you can move the recoil spring guide plunger forward very much at all past the flat spring catch that you operate with the button on top the slide it is too short. Also changing the recoil spring in a H-D is no easy chore, my hat is off to you.

The model number is just "H-D Military".

Ron

WYO36 · 05-11-2010, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the feedback! It's time to get my hands dirty and get this figured out. It shoots like a dream, when working! I really want to take my kids out and shoot it. I'll definitely stay away from the High Velocity ammo; didn't think about it.

zomborama · 03-22-2012, 03:18 PM

Also check out the disassembly and assembly video I created on Youtube. It might be helpful.

05-10-2010, 02:25 PM	#1
WYO36 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2	My grandpa's High Standard HD Military .22 pistol I inherited my grandpa's old High Standard pistol (semiauto, 6.5 inch barrel). It has one issue. The slide doesn't completely return to full forward after firing (or even after cocking the gun to fire position) leaving a space of a few mm between the slide face and the barrel assembly. I have replaced the spring, thinking that a weak spring wouldn't push the slide far enough forward, but the problem persists. I can push the slide forward until it "seats firmly", then the gun will fire. But I'd like it to shoot as it's supposed to. Any suggestions? Also, I'm not finding a model number, where might it be? --> Last edited by WYO36; 05-10-2010 at 02:26 PM..

05-10-2010, 08:30 PM	#2
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: My grandpa's High Standard HD Military .22 pistol Since you knew enough to replace the recoil spring, we can rule out the usual troubles due to improper disassembly. Two possibilities come to mind, one being that the extractor is frozen/stuck/dirty and is not moving easily so the slide is stopped just short of battery. The solution is to remove the extractor and clean the heck out of the slot and the spring tunnel. The second is that those frames (like the Colt Woodsman) are pretty thin and will bend if looked at hard. That is the first thing I check when a slide sticks. Correcting that problem is tricky and it is easy to do some real damage, so proceed carefully. Jim

05-11-2010, 12:28 AM	#3
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 923	Re: My grandpa's High Standard HD Military .22 pistol Clean the living daylights out of it, and check for burrs on the slide with a Q-tip. What ammo are you using?? Winchester ammo tends to be slightly larger than normal, for some reason. And stick to Standard Velocity Ammo...High & Hyper velocity will eventually damage the weapon. __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

05-11-2010, 12:34 PM	#5
WYO36 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2	Re: My grandpa's High Standard HD Military .22 pistol Thanks for the feedback! It's time to get my hands dirty and get this figured out. It shoots like a dream, when working! I really want to take my kids out and shoot it. I'll definitely stay away from the High Velocity ammo; didn't think about it.

03-22-2012, 03:18 PM	#6
zomborama Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4	Re: My grandpa's High Standard HD Military .22 pistol Also check out the disassembly and assembly video I created on Youtube. It might be helpful. Last edited by zomborama; 03-22-2012 at 03:19 PM..