High Standard HDM
| High Standard HDM | |
|---|---|
| Type | Suppressed semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1942–1951 |
| Used by | OSS, US Special Operations Forces, CIA |
| Wars | World War II, Cold War, Gulf War, Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | High Standard |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 47 oz (1,300 g), empty |
| Length | 13.815 inches (351 mm) Suppressor length × diameter= 7.75 in (197 mm) by 1 in (25 mm) |
| Barrel length | 6.75 in (171 mm) |
| Height | 5 in (127 mm) |
| Cartridge | .22 LR (5.6mm rimfire) |
| Action | Blowback, semi-automatic |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,080 ft/s (329 m/s) |
| Feed system | 10-round single column, detachable box magazine |
| Sights | fixed Iron sights |
The High Standard HDM is a semiautomatic pistol equipped with an integral suppressor. Based on the High Standard HD model target pistol, it was adopted by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. OSS head Bill Donovan demonstrated the pistol to President Franklin Roosevelt inside the Oval Office. Because of legal concerns during wartime, full-metal-jacketed .22 LR rounds were developed for this pistol.
It is still found in United States inventories, including that of the CIA, United States Marines, and Special Forces.[1][2][3] The weapon was also assigned to the Lockheed U-2 pilots.[4]
Overview
The High Standard HDM is a conventional blowback-operated semiautomatic pistol fitted with an integral suppressor which decreases its report by more than 20 dB.[5] This pistol design was originally delivered on January 20, 1944, and original contract models were blued with a Parkerized (phosphate) finish on the suppressor. Follow on models were completely Parkerized. Post World War II models produced for the CIA were also blued. The weapon has a frame-mounted safety lever on the left in a similar position to the M1911A1 and Browning Hi-Power. The front sight is a fixed blade with a square notch fixed rear sight.[6]
This weapon uses a heel-mounted magazine release. The weapon is effective at short ranges when the low energy of the round fired is taken into account. The design is simple and typical of the period in which it was designed.[citation needed]
The HDM pistol was also manufactured in Argentina.[citation needed]
See also
- High Standard Manufacturing Company
- High Standard .22 Pistol
- List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
- List of U.S. Army weapons by supply catalog designation (SNL B-32)
References
- ^ Boyd, Bob (2011-09-21). "Arms Tech Limited OSS Hi Standard". Shooting Illustrated. Archived from the original on 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ^ "Strong Men Armed - The Marine Corps 1st Force Reconnaissance Company: Part III - Weapons and Equipment". Forcerecon.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ^ Stejskal, James (December 2017). "Cold War Warriors". American Rifleman. American Rifleman.
- ^ Powers, Francis (1960). Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident. Potomac Books, Inc. p. 31. ISBN 9781574884227.
- ^ "Loading". myweaponplace.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11.
- ^ "OSS Silenced Pistol". pdf.io. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
External links
- High standard (manufacturer's website)
- Reference at USMC Force Recon Association site Archived 2017-12-22 at the Wayback Machine
- Small Arms Review Article
- Modern Firearms - Handguns - High Standard (Hi-Standard) HDM OSS silenced pistol (accessed 2015-03-14)