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High Standard HS-10



Overview


HS-10B

Right side view of HS-10B shotgun seen without flashlight.
Source: Travis Pike for The Truth About Guns - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United States
Type
Shotgun
Entered service
Late 1960's
Status
Out of service
Development
Late 1950's
Developer
United States
Alfred Crouch
Production
1967 - 1969 (HS-10A)
1970 - 1977 (HS-10B)
Producer
United States - High Standard Manufacturing Company
Designations
HS-10 / Model 10
Notable users
United States - Law enforcement
Argentina - Marines

Description


Introduction

The HS-10 is an early Cold War era shotgun of American origin. The HS-10 is the brain child of Alfred Crouch, a Santa Monica (California) police sergeant. Starting in the late 1950's, his goal was to create the ultimate police entry shotgun. This was to be compact, allowed for rapid follow-up shots, was more ergonomic and featured an integrated light. His original design and prototype was based around a Remington shotgun. High Standard based their production model on their C1200 design.

Design

The production models of the HS-10 are based around the High Standard C1200 Supermatic semi-automatic gas operated shotgun. This is converted to a bullpup configuration using a three piece plastic shell. The pistol grip and trigger are located in front of the receiver under the barrel, with a connector rod actuating the firing mechanism in the receiver. A hinged curved shoulder plate is fitted to the end of the receiver. The carry handle has integrated sights with short sight radius. A light on top of the barrel serves both as source of illumination and short range

Firepower

The HS-10 is a semi-automatic shotgun firing 12ga shotguns shells. Default tubular magazine capacity is four shells plus one shell in the chamber. With an uncommon magazine extension this could be increased to six shells plus one. Law enforcement agencies adopting the HS-10 found it to be unreliable. Both due to the action feeding unreliably and the right arm could obstruct shell ejection. Most sources indicate only regular 2.75" shells can be fired. Others state that 3" shells could also be used, and that the HS-10 was more reliable using magnum shells.

Users

The HS-10 was adopted both several law enforcement agencies in the late 1960's and early 1970's. After initial enthusiasm various practical issues plagued the HS-10. Reliability was unsatisfactory and ergonomics were found lacking. The HS-10 could not be fired from the left shoulder due to the shell ejection. The HS-10 was also sold abroad in small numbers for both military and law enforcement use. These users are mainly found in South America. Photos show Argentine marines with several HS-10B during the Falklands war.

Variants


HS-10A

The Model 10A was the first production run of the HS-10. Introduced in 1967. This model has an integrated flashlight over the barrel and that housing is part of the fixed carry handle.

HS-10B

The Model 10B is an updated model that addressed some of the issued found in the earlier model. It was introduced in 1970. The integrated flashlight is replaced by a mount for a Kel-lite flashlight. The fixed carry handle is now a folding one. A flip-up front sight is added near the muzzle with a the notch rear sight located above the pistol grip. A non-reciprocating charging handle is added to the left side.

Details


Facts HS-10A HS-10B
General
Origin
United States
Type
Shotgun
Caliber
Caliber
12ga 2.75"
Some sources indicate 12ga 3" as well
Feed system
4 shell tubular magazine, plus 1 in chamber
Barrel length
457 mm
Rifling
Smoothbore
Operation
Action
Gas operated
Locking
Tilting bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Semi-automatic
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed, rotating shoulder
Length
660 mm
Weight
3.6 kg empty without flashlight
4.4 kg with flashlight
Sights
Mechanical
Basic sights on carry handle
Sight radius
0.2 m
Optics
No
Accessories
Light
Integral tactical light mounted above barrel
Carry handle
Integral fixed carry handle

Media


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Kel-Tec KSG

The Kel-Tec KSG is a modern era bullpup shotgun. This has a high shell capacity using two tubular magazines. The KSG is a pump-action shotgun unlike the HS-10.