High Standard HDM

The High Standard HDM is a semiautomatic pistol equipped with an integral suppressor.[1] 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.

High Standard HDM
TypeSuppressed semi-automatic pistol
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1942-1951
Used byOSS, US Special Operations Forces, CIA
WarsWorld War II, Cold War, Gulf War, Vietnam War
Production history
ManufacturerHigh Standard
Specifications
Mass47 oz (1,300 g), empty
Length13.815 inches (351 mm)
Suppressor length × diameter= 7.75 in (197 mm) by 1 in (25 mm)
Barrel length6.75 in (171 mm)
Height5 in (127 mm)
Cartridge.22 LR (5.6mm rimfire)
ActionBlowback, SA
Rate of fireSemi-automatic
Muzzle velocity1,080 ft/s (329 m/s)
Feed system10-round single column, detachable box magazine
Sightsfixed Iron sights

It is still found in United States inventories, including that of the CIA, United States Marines, and Special Forces.[2][3] The weapon was also assigned to the Lockheed U-2 pilots. "The pistol was especially made by High Standard. It was .22 caliber and had an extra long barrel with a silencer on the end."[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.

The HDM pistol was also manufactured in Argentina.

See also

References
  1. "Modern Firearms - Hi-Standard HDM silenced". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  2. 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.
  3. "Strong Men Armed - The Marine Corps 1st Force Reconnaissance Company: Part III - Weapons and Equipment". Forcerecon.com. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  4. Powers, Francis (1960). Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident. Potomac Books, Inc. p. 31. ISBN 9781574884227.
  5. "Loading". myweaponplace.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11.
  6. "OSS Silenced Pistol". pdf.io. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
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