HD Military vs Ruger STD

[roysha]

I'm on a nostalgia trip and can really only afford one or the other at this time. Both have an equal nostalgic value to me so I am torn as to which one to get now. I am leaning toward the HD but every time I get ready to "pull the trigger", pun intended, I start to rethink it and everything goes back to square one.

I have quite a bit of experience with the HS guns so the usual complaints are of little consequence to me.

Ruger ticked me off many years ago so I'm reluctant to buy any Ruger but in this case I would make an exception since the STD is one heck of a good little gun.

Which would you choose and why?

[Texas by God]

The High Standard will probably out shoot the Ruger but the Ruger will be handier.
Decisions, decisions.


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[Der Gebirgsjager]

One now, one later?

DG

[high standard 40]

From my point of view, the choice between the two would depend on how your selection would most be used. If you are strictly a target shooter the HD would be best. If you plan to holster carry afield the Ruger would be better.

[Outpost75]

My field gun is a Hi-Standard Model B which has seen both WW2 and Vietnam service as an aircrew survival gun.

[schutzen-jager]

usage ? target shooting, plinking, field use, or ?

[dverna]

If plinking and target shooting, my choice is the High Standard. Mine would put 50 shots into under 1.5" at 50 yards. I would not want to carry it where it could get dinged up or exposed to the elements.

[high standard 40]

If plinking and target shooting, my choice is the High Standard. Mine would put 50 shots into under 1.5" at 50 yards. I would not want to carry it where it could get dinged up or exposed to the elements.

Kinda mirrors my thoughts.

[Walks]

We had an HD when I was a kid. Never quite fit My hand. The Ruger did. My MK II Target will group 10 shots under an inch at 25yds. I don't think it's that heavy for holster carry. Had it since the MK II came out. Works as great as ever.

[schutzen-jager]

for prolong hard use i would go with the ruger because of price + parts availability -

[rmcc]

HD Military

[Mk42gunner]

I grew up shooting Dad's third model Colt Woodsman that I could cut blackberry briars with, so the Ruger's never really caught on with me.

My snake killing gun for lawn mowing is a twin to Outpost75's Model B. That long barrel is not as awkward as it looks, and in an old Bauer Bros holster isn't bulky either.

Robert

[jimb16]

I have 2 High Standards, an Olympic and a Model B US. I don't have any Rugers now. Got rid of them. I just like the HSs better.

[rintinglen]

High Standard Magazines are the rub in that equation. They are relatively scarce on the ground and costly when found.

[contender1]

I'm a die in the wool Ruger collector & shooter. I also have a pretty fair bunch of High Standard .22's as well including (3) HD Military ones.
Comparing the old HD,, to an old Ruger Standard, (pre MK series,) or even to a MK Standard,, I find that both of them to be quite good.

Since you say "Ruger ticked you off" I can understand your reluctance. However,, The Standard even after they started the MK series,, is long out of production, so Ruger won't be getting any of your money etc.

I would recommend (if you haven't already) try handling one of each to see which one fits YOUR hands the best. Both are very good shooters, and as with any firearm,, a lot of things also relate to ammo choices.

Maintenance. This is where the choice of a Ruger would edge out the HS. Many more readily available parts IF,, IF,, service were necessary. One of my HD's came to me because a previous owner had improperly tried to take the gun apart,, and it was not able to function correctly. And getting it apart was a HUGE problem that took me a LONG time,, and then finding the correct take down lever was a PIA.
Rugers also enjoy a bit of a "fun" in their re-assembly if a person fails to understand how to do it properly. But a lost piece,, (as was the case with the HD,) won't lock up the gun. And Ruger parts are much more readily available.

Bottom line,, figure out which one fits YOU,, and then decide. And if both feel good,, then look at maintenance & upkeep.

I treasure my HS .22 handguns,, but I also enjoy my Ruger MK series guns.

[GhostHawk]

Neither, both of my Ruger's are Mk III 22/45's. Grip angle fits me better. Both wear a Red Dot sight and both will shoot tighter groups than I can hold.

10 rounds inside a bottle cap at 20 feet without touching the edges is easy. Never had a need to go further but I know they would.

Magazine's are not expensive and are dead easy to maintain.

[FISH4BUGS]

i HAVE stone mint 1946 made HD Military (probably unfired) that has the lightest trigger I have ever seen on a factory gun. The quality of work and the blueing is better than you could hope.
I think I will take it out and start shooting it. I have a suppressed Ruger but I have to say the HS simply feels better in my hand.

[JoeJames]

My field gun is a Hi-Standard Model B which has seen both WW2 and Vietnam service as an aircrew survival gun.

I had one for a spell. I figured CCI Standard Velocity would be very accurate. But mine appeared to be set up for high velocity 22LR and would not cycle with standard velocity. CE, what ammo did you use?

[Bigslug]

Nostalgia purchases don't have to make sense. . .

The HD has sex appeal, but logistically, a Ruger makes much more sense than any Colt or High Standard with a lot more parts and mags on the ground, to say nothing of still-existing customer support. A MKII or MKII-era 22/45 with its last-round hold-open and no lawyer safeties would get my vote. The tail-end of MKII production was even drilled, tapped, & included a Weaver optic rail if those are selling points to you.

If your crush is truly between a High Standard vs. an early Ruger Std/MKI, then treat them as targets of opportunity, with the HS being the much rarer target, and the Ruger being the city bus that you can afford to wait for the next.

[HATCH]

the HS is harder to locate and the Ruger MK1 standard is pretty common.
On the ruger there isn't much difference between MK 1,2,3 so you can purchase a later model and have the same experence.
I can't speak about the HS as I have never shot one much seen one in person.

So based on the above responses its gonna depend on how many magazines you can get with the HS vs the Ruger.
I personally have about 15 Ruger MK1 mags so they are easy to get.