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
Alfred Crouch
1970 - 1977 (HS-10B)
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
Media
HS-10A
Right side view of HS-10A shotgun. Note the integral flashlight above the barrel.
Source: Tim Bessler
Copyright: CC BY-SA 3.0
HS-10B
Argentine marines in the Falklands posing with HS-10B shotguns.
Source: www.fdra.blogspot.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
HS-10B
Argentine marine in the Falklands posing with HS-10B shotgun.
Source: www.fdra.blogspot.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
HS-10B
Left side view of HS-10B shotgun with tactical light on display with Argentine forces
Source: Christian Villada - www.saorbats.com.ar
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
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.