Buy it and run 300 rounds through it. If there's no problems, carry it. If there are hiccups, a throated barrel / polished ramp, tuned extractor, and good magazines will make it go boom everytime. Then run another 300 rounds through it. The rest of the mods; e.g. BT grip safety, combat thumb safety, skeleton trigger, etc., are nice but won't make it any more reliable.
A dealer has it and took it as a partial trade from a guy and he said it's basically a brand new, bone stock pistol. The guy ran "a couple boxes" of ammo through it and traded for an XD I think. It's parkerized and in pretty good shape. The fit and finish is really good for a cheap gun. I had intended to pick it up this weekend, but had to use the $$ for something else. If it's still there in a couple of weeks, I'll jump on it.
High Standard imports them from Armcorp in the Philippines. They are the same gun in most ways as the Rock Island 1911s that are seen very often, the rollmark on the slide being the major difference. They say "Made in the Phillpines" on the botom of the frame. High Standard does make some of there own models but those are much higher priced.
I had one (like you are speaking of) and it was a solid built gun but did have some reliability issues. Paid $399 at Gander Mt a couple years ago. I eventually sold it. I would buy one to carry as a CCW but only after I had really tested it. Might need a little work if you plan to stake your life on it.
Get them cheap while you can.I picked up a new Firestorm 1911 for $325 and it has been a great deal.The 1911's seem to be going up in price again because of the panic buying.I guess a lot of people cannot find the assault stuff and are going to the 1911's.
I have one and have put about 500 rds threw it and havn't had a
single hiccup from it.
Its the gov. model 45 and the thing i don't like is the front site as it
and the slide are one.
So to make it stand out I got some good site paint from Shooters Station
in Conroe.
What supprised me was how sweet the trigger was out of the box.
The High Standard is an Armscor product and should be as reliable as a Rock Island Armory. As with any 1911, put enought 230 gr through it to break it in, then test with your carry ammo.
I have no experience with the Armscor guns and all of mine are American made except the two Springfields and of course the STI which was made in Texas.
Sometimes you need to tweak things on a 1911. Like the extractor, and maybe change magazine brands to Wilson, CMC, Mec Gar or Tripp.
The 1911forum.com has a bunch of stickies on maintenence, tuning, etc. that you might find real helpful.