HS2000

Lore & Background

The HS2000 traces its roots back to a service pistol known as the PHP (Prvi Hrvatski Pistolj, English: first Croatian pistol), first produced in Croatia by privately owned industrial parts firm I. M. Metal in 1991. Designed by a team led by Marko Vuković, the PHP was considered a solid design, but early versions were plagued by quality issues due in large part to the difficulties of manufacturing during the Yugoslav war. Vuković's team continued to tweak and improve the design over the next decade, releasing the HS95 in 1995 and the HS2000 in 1999. At the beginning of 2001, following the success of the HS2000 pistols on the world market, the company changed its name to HS Produkt.

The HS2000 was adopted by the Croatian military and law enforcement as a standard issue sidearm. It was initially exported to the United States market by Intrac and distributed by HSAmerica, who sold the pistol in 9×19mm Parabellum as the HS2000. In 2002, Springfield Armory, Inc., negotiated licensing rights to the United States market, using XD (eXtreme Duty) branding. In 2013, HS Produkt began to offer updated variants, branded as XDM, in Europe. Additional variants with a single-stack magazine (XD-S), an external hammer (XD-E), or generational updates (Mod.2) are unique to the American market.

The HS2000 is a short recoil-operated, locked breech, striker fired semi-automatic pistol. It utilizes a polymer frame with steel inserts, mounting rail and trigger-mounted safety. A cocked striker indicator protrudes from the rear of the slide when the striker is cocked. A loaded chamber indicator pivots up on top of the slide when a round is in the chamber, being both visual and tactile. An ambidextrous magazine release is also standard. The factory-standard trigger has a travel of 13 mm and is rated at 25 N to 30 N. Most HS2000s have dual captive recoil springs; however, the XDM and Tactical 5-inch models have non-captive springs. The recoil spring guide rod also acts as a standoff device, as the end of the rod protrudes from under the barrel and keeps the slide in battery when pressed against an object. After heat treatment the metal parts are finished with a proprietary nitriding process called Tenifer Plus+, producing a matte gray-colored, non-glare surface with a 64 Rockwell C hardness rating. The HS2000 has a grip safety that will not allow the pistol to fire without depressing a lever on the rear of the grip; unlike the 1911, the grip safety on HS2000 series also locks the slide. In addition to a trigger safety, a drop safety prevents the striker from releasing if the gun is dropped or exposed to a significant impact.

Reader's Guide

The HS2000 series represents a significant evolution in Croatian firearms design, emerging from the wartime difficulties of the 1990s to become a globally recognized pistol platform. Its adoption by the Croatian military and police in 1999 established its reliability, and subsequent licensing to Springfield Armory for the United States market under the XD branding greatly expanded its reach. The series is notable for its comprehensive safety features, including a grip safety that also locks the slide, a trigger safety, and a drop safety, as well as a loaded chamber indicator and cocked striker indicator. The Tenifer Plus+ finish provides exceptional corrosion resistance, making it suitable for concealed carry. The introduction of XDM variants with match-grade barrels and triggers, along with various calibers and barrel lengths, has allowed the platform to serve both duty and competition roles. The series has been adopted by armed forces and police in multiple countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Dominican Republic, France (RATP), Georgia, Indonesia, Iraq, Malaysia, North Macedonia, Thailand, and Tunisia. Its failed bid to replace French military pistols in 2020, where the 5th-generation Glock 17 was preferred, highlights the competitive nature of the service pistol market.

Did You Know?

• The HS2000 was preceded by the PHP (Prvi Hrvatski Pistolj) in 1991, designed by Marko Vuković.
• The recoil spring guide rod acts as a standoff device to keep the slide in battery when pressed against an object.
• The Tenifer Plus+ finish produces a 64 Rockwell C hardness rating and is highly chloride-resistant.
• XDM pistols feature match grade barrels and triggers, and disassembly does not require pulling the trigger.