AN UPSTART CROATION GUN COMPANY OUT-GLOCKS THE GLOCK WITH ITS RADICAL NEW HS 2000 PISTOL

By
Sebestyen Gorka
Photos By Ichiro Nagata

It is clear that plastics in the gun industry are here to stay. Be it the predominantly plastic rifles and carbines recently released by Heckler&Koch or CCW-oriented pocket pistols such as the Millennium series from Taurus, it looks as if steel weapons may soon be in a minority among new market arrivals.

One of the newest of such arrivals is a full-size 9mm service pistol from I.M. Metal of Croatia which may do much to make those skeptical of polymer guns take another look. At first glance this weapon definitely demonstrates its own unique styling; closer appraisal shows a lineage with contributions from Glock and Sig.

Because of its polymer frame, single-action, strikerbased firing system and trigger-mounted safety, most comparisons of the HS 2000 will, however, be made with reference to the Glock. As a result, we decided for the purposes of this review to use Gaston Glock's Model 17 as the yardstick against which to evaluate the HS 2000. It would be easy to dismiss this new wondernine as just another attempt to out-Glock Glock, like S&W's illfated Sigma. However, this would be a disservice to the HS 2000 and the work I.M. Metal has put into this project as the HS 2000 is unique in several ways.

First, it incorporates a grip safety, like a 1911. It has a neat ambidextrous magazine release capability not found on Gaston's milestone design. Additionally, the HS 2000 is unusual in that it has a cocked indicator reminiscent of the Baby Browning. Lastly, this very competitively priced weapon incorporates the type of bulged muzzle barrel which makes for the reliably tight groups otherwise only provided on more expensive guns. Nevertheless, the HS 2000 contains few mechanical surprises. The barrel has a square outer chamber profile which is designed to lock on its upper face with the leading edge of the slide's ejection port. Once pressure reduces sufficiently following detonation, the barrel swings down in the usual Browning fashion. The milled slide itself is a stocky, businesslike affair cosmetically similar to SIG's 220 series of pistols. Serrations are to the rear, in the conventional position, but shallower than most, though adequate for the job, even with gloves on.

The slide is finished in a hard-wearing Bruniral coating similar to the Tenifer used by Glock. The polymer frame is just as light and airy as Glock's, with embedded metal sub-parts where necessary, such as the substantial slide rails.

The grip profile, however, is very different from Glock's. Instead of the straight down, uncomplicated and rather blocky Austrian grip, the HS 2000's is a slimmer affair with a small indent behind the trigger-guard and, more importantly a cutout for the web of the hand which positions the shooter's grip just that much higher than on the Glock. The biggest visual similarity between the two frames is the inclusion of the "sporting" thumb rest molded in on each side for both Glock and HS 2000. Overall fit and finish on the sample were as good as any mainline European manufacturer.

Field Stripping

Stripping the Hs 2000 demonstrates another departure from the Austrian system. Having first removed the magazine and cleared the chamber, the slide is manually locked to the rear. Then the serrated steel disassembly lever located on the front left side of the frame is rotated up into a cut machined for it on the slide. This movement requires the application of quite some pressure. The reverse movement on reassembly is even more positive and is accompanied by an unmistakably loud "click". Once in the up position, the slide can then be released forward until fully in battery. Then one must dry-fire the gun before the slide can at last be pulled fully off to the front. All that is required to complete the field strip is for the guide rod with recoil spring to be pulled out from its notch under the barrel and for the barrel to be angled down and out of the slide. The recoil spring system is of the conventional coiled wire variety, but consists of a dual tension set-up which telescopes on firing. As for the cold-forged barrel, it has a square chamber with built in feed-ramp. It is marked with the gun's caliber and serial number and has the slight muzzle-bulge already mentioned above. For a service pistol, interestingly, the barrel is slightly on the short side at just 4" in length. This makes the overall package very pointable and fast.