The HS2000 is a short recoil-operated, locked breech, striker fired semi-automatic pistol.
Pistols in the series utilize a polymer frame with steel inserts, mounting rail and trigger-mounted safety.
A cocked striker indicator protrudes from the rear of the slide when the striker is cocked.
A loaded chamber indicator pivots up on top of the slide when a round is in the chamber being both visual and tactile.
An ambidextrous magazine release is also standard.
Take down of the pistol is through a lever on the left side of the frame that rotates up, allowing the slide to move forward off the frame.
This is very similar to the mechanism of take down as seen in pistols manufactured by SIG Sauer.
The trigger does not have to be pulled for the pistol to be disassembled, unlike some of its competitors (and even early versions of the XD).
The factory-standard trigger has a travel of 13 mm (0.5 in) and is rated at 25 N (5.6 lbf) to 30 N (6.7 lbf).
Most HS2000s have dual captive recoil springs; however, the XDM and Tactical 5-inch (130 mm) models have non-captive springs.
The recoil spring guide rod also acts as a standoff device, as the end of the rod protrudes from under the barrel and keeps the slide in battery when pressed against an object such as someones's chest in contact-distance self-defense situations.
 This prevents the slide from being moved back because the device pushes the surface area of objects away from the slide, thus increasing the chance that the gun will function normally.

After heat treatment the metal parts are finished with a proprietary nitriding process called Tenifer Plus+.
This finish is characterized by extreme wear and corrosion resistance; it penetrates the metal, and treated parts have similar properties even below the surface to a certain depth.
The Tenifer Plus+ process produces a matte gray-colored, non-glare surface with a 64 Rockwell C hardness rating and a 1,200–1,300 N/mm² tensile strength.
This finish makes the HS2000 particularly suitable for concealed carry, as the highly chloride-resistant finish allows the pistol to better endure the effects of perspiration.

The HS2000 has a grip safety that will not allow the pistol to fire without depressing a lever on the rear of the grip.
This feature is present on some older pistols such as the M1911.
Unlike the 1911, the grip safety on HS2000 series also locks the slide.
 The means without a proper grip on the gun to depress the grip safety, the slide cannot be cycled to load or clear the gun.
In addition to a trigger safety, a drop safety prevents the striker from releasing if the gun is dropped or exposed to a significant impact.
As of 2008, 4-inch (100 mm) and 5-inch (130 mm) XD Service models chambered in .45 ACP were available with an optional ambidextrous frame-mounted thumb safety.

The HS2000 is fed by staggered-column (otherwise known as "double-stack") detachable box magazines that are made of polished stainless steel with a polymer basepad.
The empty weight of a standard-sized HS2000 box magazine is 80 g (2.8 oz).
The HS2000 is a short recoil-operated, locked breech, striker fired semi-automatic pistol. Pistols in the series utilize a polymer frame with steel inserts, mounting rail and trigger-mounted safety. A cocked striker indicator protrudes from the rear of the slide when the striker is cocked. A loaded chamber indicator pivots up on top of the slide when a round is in the chamber being both visual and tactile. An ambidextrous magazine release is also standard. Take down of the pistol is through a lever on the left side of the frame that rotates up, allowing the slide to move forward off the frame. This is very similar to the mechanism of take down as seen in pistols manufactured by SIG Sauer. The trigger does not have to be pulled for the pistol to be disassembled, unlike some of its competitors (and even early versions of the XD). The factory-standard trigger has a travel of 13 mm (0.5 in) and is rated at 25 N (5.6 lbf) to 30 N (6.7 lbf). Most HS2000s have dual captive recoil springs; however, the XDM and Tactical 5-inch (130 mm) models have non-captive springs. The recoil spring guide rod also acts as a standoff device, as the end of the rod protrudes from under the barrel and keeps the slide in battery when pressed against an object such as someones's chest in contact-distance self-defense situations.  This prevents the slide from being moved back because the device pushes the surface area of objects away from the slide, thus increasing the chance that the gun will function normally.
After heat treatment the metal parts are finished with a proprietary nitriding process called Tenifer Plus+. This finish is characterized by extreme wear and corrosion resistance; it penetrates the metal, and treated parts have similar properties even below the surface to a certain depth. The Tenifer Plus+ process produces a matte gray-colored, non-glare surface with a 64 Rockwell C hardness rating and a 1,200–1,300 N/mm² tensile strength. This finish makes the HS2000 particularly suitable for concealed carry, as the highly chloride-resistant finish allows the pistol to better endure the effects of perspiration.
The HS2000 has a grip safety that will not allow the pistol to fire without depressing a lever on the rear of the grip. This feature is present on some older pistols such as the M1911. Unlike the 1911, the grip safety on HS2000 series also locks the slide.  The means without a proper grip on the gun to depress the grip safety, the slide cannot be cycled to load or clear the gun. In addition to a trigger safety, a drop safety prevents the striker from releasing if the gun is dropped or exposed to a significant impact. As of 2008, 4-inch (100 mm) and 5-inch (130 mm) XD Service models chambered in .45 ACP were available with an optional ambidextrous frame-mounted thumb safety.
The HS2000 is fed by staggered-column (otherwise known as "double-stack") detachable box magazines that are made of polished stainless steel with a polymer basepad. The empty weight of a standard-sized HS2000 box magazine is 80 g (2.8 oz).
HS2000