High Standard HDM
| High Standard HDM | |
|---|---|
| Type | Suppressed 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 an American semi-automatic pistol equipped with an integral silencer. Based on the High Standard H-D pistol, it was adopted by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. Because of legal concerns during wartime, full-metal-jacketed .22 LR rounds were developed for this pistol.
History
William J. Donovan demonstrated the pistol to President Franklin D. Roosevelt inside the Oval Office. During World War II, the HDM was adopted for use by the OSS.[1] It later was used by CIA agents and US special forces units in the Korean and Vietnam War and supposedly up to the Gulf War.[1]
Gary Power's HDM is displayed in Moscow after his capture and release at the Central Armed Forces Museum as of 2017.[2][3]
Design
The High Standard HDM is a conventional blowback-operated
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]
A clone of the HDM is made by Arms Tech Limited.[6]
Users
Current
United States: Still used by the Central Intelligence Agency,[7] the United States Marine Corps with 10 HDMS in use with Force Recon,[8] and the United States Army Special Forces,[7][9]
Former
United Kingdom: Known to be used by the SOE in Nazi-occupied Europe.[3]- United States: Formerly used by OSS agents.[3] The weapon was also assigned to Lockheed U-2 pilots.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Hi-Standard HDM silenced". Modern Firearms. 2010-10-22. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ "Son of US spy pilot views U-2 artifacts at Russian museum". Air Force Times. 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ a b c "Historical Firearms - High Standard (Hi-Standard) Suppressed Pistols ..." www.historicalfirearms.info. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ "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.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20090419212628/http://www.smallarmsreview.com/pdf/OSSPistol.PDF
- ^ a b 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". 2017-12-22. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Stejskal, James (December 2017). "Cold War Warriors". American Rifleman. American Rifleman.[page needed]
- ISBN 9781574884227.