 HS 2000 Auto Pistol 9mm Duty GunBy Tony Lesce The ideal law enforcement handgun might be something like this: Polymer frame like the Glock, grip like the Browning P-35, metal magazine like the Beretta 92, takedown lever like the SIG P226, ambidextrous magazine release like the Ruger, a loaded chamber indicator like the Walther, big but snag-free sights like the SIG P226, cocking indicator like the Mauser, a grip safety like a Colt Model 1911, no external manual safety, but many internal ones, like the Glock and SIG, for simplicity of operation. This is a rough description of the HS-2000 Auto Pistol, made for law enforcement and military use in Croatia, and imported into the United States by HS America, of Knoxville, TN. Close examination of the pistol showed excellent finish, with no visible tool marks or burrs. However, the detail work is eye-catching and most impressive. The polymer frame has a grip shaped like the Browning P-35's, and the consensus of a test panel of shooters was that it's extremely comfortable in the hand. Studs on the front strap and back strap enhance the grip, and stippled side panels also help prevent slipping. A wide, unobtrusive grip safety in the upper curve of the back strap slides in smoothly when the web of the firing hand presses on it. This pistol is ambidextrous, and a recess molded into the top of each side panel provides an unobtrusive rest for the thumb of the shooting hand. The squared-off trigger guard has a slight hook for those who want to keep a finger on the front of the trigger guard when firing. The ambidextrous magazine releases are two round buttons, one on each side of the grip behind the trigger, each in a recess to prevent inadvertent release. Under the front of the front of the frame is a pair of rails, Heckler & Koch-style, for accessories such as a flashlight or laser. Inside, the frame is the heat-treated locking block in front which cams the barrel down out of engagement with the slide after firing. The frame rails are hefty and discontinuous, like those of the Beretta Model 92, and the front rails are part of the locking block. The rear frame rails are molded as part of the frame. The entire trigger and sear mechanism is in the frame. The takedown lever is like the one on the SIG pistols, except that it pivots up instead of down. It's impossible to release the slide accidentally because a stud on the inside of the lever rests in a small groove in the frame, and can only pivot upward when the slide is fully back and a recess in the left side of the slide is aligned with it. Takedown is simple, requiring removal of the magazine, drawing the slide fully to the rear and holding it in place with the slide catch lever, checking to ensure the pistol is empty, then rotating the takedown lever clockwise. The next step is to release the slide, allowing it to run forward, pulling the trigger to uncock the pistol. Now, making sure not to depress the grip safety, push the slide forward off the frame rails. There are two concentric recoil springs, each with a guide rod. The larger spring's guide rod is actually a tube, concentric with the smaller spring. Both springs are locked in place, and there is no danger of a spring flying off into the blue when field- stripping. The recoil spring assembly includes a "stand-off device," designed to allow firing even when the pistol is pressed against an object. This is important because many auto pistols won't fire when pressed against anything as the slide goes back out of battery. The striker-fired action is like the Glock's, but with a twist. A firing pin status indicator protrudes from the rear of the slide when the action is cocked. The HS-2000 also has the Glock trigger safety, a small lever in the center of the trigger that locks the trigger unless pressed back by the trigger finger. Another safety is the firing pin block, which prevents the firing pin from springing forward unless the trigger is fully back. The fourth safety is the "out of battery" safety that locks the trigger bar in the upward position unless the slide is completely forward. The "Bruniral" coated slide is machined front steel, heat-treated and has seven angled grooves on each side at the rear and three at the front, allowing the slide to be jacked front the front or rear. Both front and rear sights are mounted in dovetails and are smooth and snag-free. The dovetails are like the SIG'S, accepting Novak and tritium sights made for those pistols. The sight picture is the three-dot one that has come to be expected. Sight adjustment for windage is by drifting the rear sight in its dovetail. The user can adjust for elevation by ordering another rear sight with a different height. The "G" rear sight is 1/2 mm shorter, which lowers bullet impact by about 2" at 25 yards. The "D" rear sight is 1/2 mm higher, and raises the point of impact by 2 ". The cold hammer forged barrel measures 4" long, with a right-hand twist to its six, grooves. A small recess in the top of the chamber accepts a small lever hinged to the breech face, which is pushed upward by the cartridge upward when a round is in the chamber. Safety features that are both redundant and unobtrusive seem to dominate the pistol's design. It's possible to see at a glance if there's a round in the chamber and if the firing pin is cocked. In low light, it's possible to check both the firing pin and the loaded chamber indicators by touch. The four mechanical safeties ensure the shooter must grip the pistol and pull the trigger for discharge to take place. Following customary European design, there is no magazine safety. The safeties already built into the HS-2000 make a magazine safety unnecessary. Pulling the trigger fires the pistol, and both slide and barrel recoil to the rear until the tilting barrel cams out of engagement with the ejection port cutout in the slide. The slide continues to the rear and the ejectors pushes out the spent shell. The slide strips another round from the magazine and returns to battery, as the locking block cams the barrel up into firing position. The HS-2000 measures 7 1/5" overall, 5 3/4" high, and weighs 28 oz. with an empty magazine. Magazines are chrome-plated heavy-gauge steel, designed to drop freely when released, and come in a 15 round configuration for law enforcement and ten round capacity for civilian use. The magazine lips are very smooth and burr-free, which contributes to the HS 2000's flawless operation. The magazine release notch is in the front of the magazine, allowing true ambidextrous operation. After the last round, the magazine follower pushes the slide stop upward, locking the slide back. The HS-2000's slide stop is noticeably larger than the Glock's, and is easier to release. Trigger pull measured slightly less than six lbs. The pull feels lighter because the trigger is about 3/8" wide, and the pressure on the pad of the trigger finger is spread out over a wider area than with a narrow trigger. There is about 1/4" take-up on the trigger, but once it reaches the release point trigger break is very crisp. Test-firing revealed not a single instance of malfunction any of the many t\types of ammunition used. Also significant is that recoil, even with the hotter loads, seemed to be mild. This may be because of the mitigating effect of the dual-spring system. The 36-page owner's manual is well written and has many illustrations, including a cut-away view and a parts diagram. It explains loading and firing, field stripping, and lays out a comprehensive inspection procedure to ensure the pistol is in safe firing condition. An interesting detail in the listed specifications is that the HS-2000 will fire underwater up to a depth of 3.0 meters. Also packed with the pistol, is a CD-ROM containing a gun safety course. While police officers do receive instruction in gun safety during academy training, their families do not and this CD-ROM provides basic instruction in firearm operation, handling and safety. HS America has a Web site that lists the pistol, its features and accessories, and allows downloading a copy of the complete owner's manual. The pistol comes with a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner, but excludes government or law enforcement agencies. The warranty is void if the owner fires reloaded ammunition through the pistol. The HS-2000 is currently made in 9mm Parabellum, but will soon be available in .40 S&W and .357 SIG. Some of the accessories available for the pistol are tritium sights, adjustable sights, holster, extra magazines, cleaning kit, scope mounts, flashlight and Quik2See magazine mounting bracket. At the moment, holsters for the HS-2000 are available from Blade-Tech, Safariland, Hogue and Michaels of Oregon. With SIG dovetails, the HS-2000 will accept after-market tritium sights made for SIG by several manufacturers, including Trijicon, Meprolight and Ashley Express. The pistol will accept the Beamshot 3000 Tactical Laser, but this clamps in front of the trigger guard and will not fit in a conventional holster. HS America states a holster to accommodate the laser will be available soon. Price of the pistol as supplied is remarkably low ($299 MSRP), an important factor for the small department administrator who must struggle with a small budget. Equally important is back-up and service. HS America has a network of dealers and 18 distributors listed on its Web site. Careful examination and testing of the HS-2000 showed it's a well-designed and well-made auto pistol. With many advanced features and a very reasonable price, it's a good contender for the armorer or administrator seeking a new service sidearm. Available from HS America, 5005 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920, Phone: (865) 573-0065, Web site: www.hsarms.com. Tony Lesce is a freelance writer based in Albuquerque, NM, and a frequent contributor to LAW and ORDER |
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