Bush v. Gore = GLOCK 17 v. HS2000

[Miami_JBT]

For those like me that were gun owners back during the Clinton AWB, I remember how times were around the 2000 Presidential Election time frame wise and that people were seriously looking at handguns thinking that they'd be banned under Al Gore.

So I'm comparing a Gen 2 GLOCK 17 versus the original HS2000, the gun that would eventually become the Springfield Armory XD9. Since they were around back then.



The elections are right around the corner and the polling is neck and neck between Al Gore and George W. Bush and I remember honestly, things don't look good. The question was would the Republicans hold their slim majority in Congress or would Al Gore win the presidency? If he did, would that mean the Democrats sweep the Republicans out of Congress and regain control to push even more gun control?

I do recall that people were panic buying during the lead up the election. Heck, choices were slim since folks started panic buying back in December of '99 with the Y2K scare.



So, what two choices would we possibly be looking at? Well, if it were me; I'd look at two pieces of European Combat Tupperware. Yup, the police loved GLOCK 17 from Austria and a new-comer from Croatia, the IM Metal HS2000; both in 9x19mm.

First, let’s look at the established plastic fantastic.

GLOCK has been selling their gun since the mid 1980s and they’ve taken law enforcement by storm.

Agencies like my home town’s PD, City of Miami was one of their big early adopters and they’ve had nothing but success with it. I can tell you this, GLOCK works not matter where because even in Alaska, the GLOCK keeps on trucking.



This gun seriously is that tough. Back then, we all heard the talk at the gun shops and gun shows. About how you can bury a GLOCK, freeze ‘em, throw them from helicopters, etc... they just keep on working. Well, I might not be burying my GLOCK, but I sure did carry it in Florida and it went into the water with me and it didn't rust even when I carried it all day due to me sweating in our oppressive summers.

I’d have no problem recommending a GLOCK, especially a good conditioned used GLOCK 17.



I recall that 9mm was cheaper then .40 S&W and pre-ban 17rd magazines were a tiny bit easier to find since all those PDs are exchanging their older guns for those new .40 S&W chambered ones. The PDs were swapping their used pre-ban mags to GLOCK for new mags, who'd then flip the old mags on the used market to vendors.

Yeah, you could get a newer Gen 3 GLOCK 17 with the light rail. But really, why get that? It cost more money and money was tight then. Better to spend your hard-earned dollars on pre-ban magazines!

I remember when American Handgunner magazine reviewed the HS2000.



It was a "dark warrior" and the gun was a real sleeper hit. When Intrac out of Knox, TN was importing them. They’ve were selling them for under $300 new.

The coolest feature, if I could call it that is the magazines. You could use modified pre-ban Beretta M9 magazines in the gun and lucky for me. I was able to find those cheap by the Army/Navy stores near Homestead Air Force Base.

The HS2000 sights were the same size as what comes on a P226. So that means you'd be able to change the sights like you can with a GLOCK. But the factory sights are metal and good as is. Unless you want night sights, there was no need to change them.



The barrel was just a tad shorter than what you’d find on the GLOCK 17 but the grip length was pretty much the same. The texturing was even similar between the two guns.

Safety wise, the HS2000 had two of the three same safeties as a GLOCK plus a 1911 style grip safety and a little loaded chamber flag on top of the barrel hood to show you the gun is loaded. It even has a little pin that sticks out the back to let you know it is cocked. I recall that really was a big selling point to folks that were weary of carrying a loaded GLOCK.

The magazine release button was also ambidextrous and that was a big deal too.

Field Stripping for cleaning was similar between the two.





Both field stripped into four basic components. Slide, barrel, recoil spring/guide rod, and frame. The guide rod on the HS2000 was metal while the GLOCK 17 was plastic. But that’s not really an issue, but if it was. You were able to find an aftermarket metal guide rod for your GLOCK.

I do remember when Intrac said that they're releasing a new version of the HS2000 soon. One with a light rail like the new GLOCKs.





A lot of the features shown there were similar to what you see on the new GLOCKs like their “Practical Tactical” models.

While that’s all good, money was a big issue back then. I remember that Intrac didn’t tell folks if there was going to be a price increase on the new batch of guns coming in with the upgraded features.

Additionally, no word on parts and accessories. If Al Gore won, folks believed that he very well could order ATF or the State Department to make importation of guns or gun parts harder or impossible. Many thought that since GLOCK already had an established presence in the US with the law enforcement market being a big part of their business. ATF won’t bar them from bringing in guns and parts since they supplied agencies across the country.

Back then, I was all about GLOCK. But I can say that I really like the HS2000 and it is a great pistol for the original price they sold at, especially since you can used modified pre-ban Beretta M9 magazines in it. But since no one had a crystal ball that said the elections would go with George W. Bush and the Republicans keep control of Congress. I’d ultimately with the used GLOCK 17 due to parts and magazines.



Luckily, George W. Bush won and the renewal for the AWB never reached his desk so I get to own both guns today. But back then, if I were in that position of trying to get my first gun, it'd be a GLOCK.

[SteyrAUG]

Thing I remember most about the 2000 election and the result of the 1994 Clinton Ban was the powerful resurgence of .45 handguns.

The 80s might have ushered in the age of wonder nines, but $100 Glock mags and new production magazines being limited to 10 rounds had everyone reconsidering the 1911 and compact 45s like the HK USP began to look a lot more practical.

I was fortunate to have grabbed my P226 in 1985, my G17 in 1987 and my USP 9 in 1994 so I was able to get mags for all at "before the ban" prices. But I remember being astonished by "after the ban" prices and realized 10 round magazine limits meant serious consideration for going big and returning to .45 handguns.

I even explored .357 SIG handguns given the fact that you only gave up two rounds compared to full capacity magazines.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Hs2000 would also take SW 59? Mags if you cut a magazine catch in the right spot. Plus put a couple o rings on above the base plate to keep them over inserting.

[Miami_JBT]

Thing I remember most about the 2000 election and the result of the 1994 Clinton Ban was the powerful resurgence of .45 handguns.

The 80s might have ushered in the age of wonder nines, but $100 Glock mags and new production magazines being limited to 10 rounds had everyone reconsidering the 1911 and compact 45s like the HK USP began to look a lot more practical.

I was fortunate to have grabbed my P226 in 1985, my G17 in 1987 and my USP 9 in 1994 so I was able to get mags for all at "before the ban" prices. But I remember being astonished by "after the ban" prices and realized 10 round magazine limits meant serious consideration for going big and returning to .45 handguns.

I even explored .357 SIG handguns given the fact that you only gave up two rounds compared to full capacity magazines.

The AWB is why the GLOCK 26 and 27 were born. If a gun is limited to 10rds or less, make it compact. Same why guns like the 3913, 4040, and 4013TSW were popular. They were all less than 10rds in capacity.



Same with the S&W .45 Autos, Ruger P90, and even why the 1911 regained popularity. If you're stuck with a gun that can only hold 10rds or less. A big honking single stack .45 ain't a bad choice.



Ruger hedged their bets that the ban would continue, hence why the P345 was designed.



GLOCK figured the AWB wasn't going anywhere either. Hence the G37 and .45 GAP. A .45 caliber pistol, the size of a G17, with a 10rd capacity.

[jsbhike]

Once it became the XD and offered in .40 S&W, the 10rds .40 mags functioned with 15rds of 9mm usually with no lip tuning.

[Arik]

I don't remember seeing or knowing about Glocks till much much later. Same for the SD. My first handgun in 01 was the full size Ruger P95. I remember carrying that in a shitty Uncle Mike's OWB leather holster that kinda just clipped on the belt and wasn't very solid or secure, nor was the gun all that "concealed" under a t-shirt. But that didn't matter cause I was loaded with 10+1 rounds of Russian Wolf 9mm FMJ!!! . Those were the days!

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[titsonritz]

I was pretty anti 9mm back then and packed a Para-Ordnance P14-45. My first Glock was a G22.

[Arik]

I was pretty anti 9mm back then and packed a Para-Ordnance P14-45. My first Glock was a G22.

I had an LDA like that! Was definitely ... unique

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[SteyrAUG]

I had an LDA like that! Was definitely ... unique

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I still have a P-13.

[seb5]

I remember buying a pair of the newest high tech guns on the market and 5 hi cap mags each. Worst money I ever spent. I couldn't get either to choke through a magazine of ball. Smith and Wesson Sigmas!