Here's a couple of HS2000 pics & an article from Gun Test magazine...
HS 2000 Special Ops Version
New "Navy Seal" coating coming soon
July 20, 2000 "Gun Kote" protective finish is a durable and heat dissipating finish. It protect against corrosion, resists most oils and fluids, and helps keep parts cool.
"Gun Kote" was originally developed for use on military weapons.
"Gun Kote" will not attract dirt or dust, and has excellent impact resistance. It is not easily worn off such as bluing, phosphating, or other chemically blackened treatments.
"Gun Kote"" is non-reflective and has passed 1000 hours 5% salt spray tests."
Ideal coating thickness is .0004 of an inch, which should not cause any problems to close tolerance fits.
Intrac HS2000 US, $419
This pistol is imported from Croatia, and we hope it stays around. The HS2000 incorporates a grip safety the likes of which are commonly found on 1911-style pistols. Actually, since the HS2000 is a striker-fired pistol and the Browning design works off a hammer, the mechanics are different but provides for stopping the firing sequence.
This is a valuable addition because the pistol will not fire unless it is held properly. As has been found on the 1911, however, the contour of the safety must be just right to close within the hollow of the average palm. A raised area at the bottom of the safety for sure safety deactivation was added by Ed Brown some time ago, and his Memory Groove design is almost standard throughout the ranks of 1911 manufacturers today. We didn't actually have any problem depressing the grip safety, but an adaptation of the Memory Groove concept to the grip safety of the HS2000 would lend additional confidence
Overall, we would have to rate the grip as first rate, with a mild palm swell at the backstrap and faux checkering molded in fore and aft. The magazine release is ambidextrous and cocking serrations along the slide are generous. Sight picture is a three white-dot design on a standard notch and post. This is clear and effective, and both front and rear units are dovetailed in place. A Glock-like safety adorns the trigger, and it along with the grip safety must also be compressed for the HS2000 to fire.
There are two visible cues to announce a ready-to-fire condition. When the chamber is loaded, a block rises from the slide just behind the barrel hood. When the gun is cocked, or rather when the striker is poised to fire, a corresponding pin protrudes from the rear of the slide.
Two magazines are included, and they are chrome plated and handsomely polished. Basepads complete the grip without adding unnecessary bulk
Removing the top end for cleaning is simple. When the gun is locked back, the slide lock can be rotated. Releasing the slide with the trigger pressed allows the top end to move forward and off the frame. Looking inside the frame we couldn't help but be struck by the simplicity. The magazine well is glossy and the mechanism
for the trigger and grip safety are recessed into the frame or hidden from dirt altogether. To service, such parts require the removal of corresponding pins in the frame.
Our only complaint with theHS2000 was its accuracy. At least three out of every five groups was spoiled by a flyer, and looking at the way the slide is fitted to the frame, we think we know why. Directly above the trigger area is a set of steel rails. To the rear there is another set of rails that are polymer. These rails are an integral part of the mold and machined to specification. However, you cannot expect polymer to offer the type of fit that can be achieved using steel. We deduce that these rails add support, but primary alignment is the job of the 1.35-inch-long steel rails that support the slide in the middle of the frame. An arrangement like this, we feel, is not the best way to assure accuracy. Alignment of the slide in a design such as this may suffer deflections due to pressure from the rounds in the magazine beneath it. As a result group sizes ran from 2.2 inches to 4.4 inches. This was disappointing because we felt we had the sight picture and trigger control we needed to shoot better groups.
While there is a fair amount of takeup in the trigger, we judged it to be consistent from shot to shot. One attribute we yearn for in a hinged trigger is the ability to know where we are in the stroke. In the past, we found the Glock trigger to be the least predictable. The Walther P99 shortens this sweep. The HS2000 and the Steyr pistols go about it a different way altogether. They let you take up their triggers, but stop you at a predetermined point to let you know the break is coming. We actually felt more confident with the HS2000 than results might otherwise indicate. The 115- grain Winchester Silvertips proved the most consistent but at 25 yards this meant groups measuring about 3.5 inches. This isn't bad and could be rated adequate combat accuracy.
Ease of operation and comfort are its strong points, and in our opinion should the manufacturer refine the slide-to-frame contact, the HS2000 could become a Best Buy candidate.
