Frequently posters here ask what is the " best " .22 pistol or revolver, and invariably there are numerous posts suggesting this or that and of course various price points ranging from a few hundred, to well over a thousand $$. Really we should be asking the poster what he wants it for and at what price point.
My local FFl knows that my price point is $150 or less. I stop in there a couple times a week and I'm usually greeted with, nothing today. A few months ago however he said I got one for you. He presented me with an R101 High Standard Sentinal Revolver. I could tell that it was well used, but still tight and in serviceable condition. He said $100 OTD.
For those not familiar with High Standard, they have been around a long time. They make high end semi auto pistols and are frequently on the line at Camp Perry.
Post World War 2, they also made a few budget models under private label for sears and of course sold under their own brand. The Sentinel is one of them. These are aluminum framed double action revolvers with pressed and pinned barrels. They came in various lengths from 2 1/2 to 6". There were several variations. The target market was hunters, plinkers and outdoorsmen. These were meant to be a useful alternative to Colt or Smith at a fraction of the price. Times change and tastes change and they no longer make these. Revolvers are relatively expensive to make and my guess is that they simply couldn't match the price point anymore.
I love this thing. It is light weight and shoots very well. High standard designed in a different style of timing, using a pawl that engages round holes in the ejector star to advance the cylinder, rather than the traditional ratchet style arrangement. It must have worked as 55 years later, this revolver unlike some of it's competitors is still in time.
The fixed sights were at first a challenge. The rear is drift adjustable for windage and it was dinged and slightly loose. I set it and staked it. Elevation however had me baffled, it was shooting high, but tight groups. I was going to shave the rear when a friend stopped me. It seems the six O'clock bullseye was the norm then, and these sights were set accordingly. On the next outing I aimed for the bottom of the black and it was dead on.
One of the advantages of a revolver is that it will eat anything. Short, long, Long rifle, whatever can be found in these times. It is not limited by the strict power curves required by an auto pistol. I also do not have to source mags. A handful of ammo in the pocket is all I need. The chambers are counter bored. Be careful of dirt and that each round is fully seated. No problem is single action, but I have had a fail to fire or two in double action. The second strike got the job done. Also, the early models 1958-1961 like mine, do not have a return spring in the ejector star. You must push it back before closing the cylinder. You will note a scratch on the left of the frame left by those who forgot this small detail.
My summary is that this is not a Smith or Colt or Ruger and it's not meant to be. It is a viable alternative for those on a budget who want a decent no frills revolver that they don't mind taking into the woods. They can often be found in used cases or at shows in the $100 to $200 range.