HS Produkt VHS assault rifle
HS Produkt, the Croatian firm most famous for creating and manufacturing the Springfield XD pistols, are expected to deliver an additional 3,000 VHS rifles to the Croatian Ministry of Defense this year. Pavao look photos of the latest rifles in the VHS line which were on display at the ASDA fair in Split, Croatia.
The rifle comes in two main configurations. THe VHS-K is the compact model and has a 16.1" barrel. The VHS-D is the standard rifle model and has a 19.7" barrel.
The company is also working on a nifty wireless video link system. The below photo shows the prototype. It allows a central operator to monitor and record video from every combatant. The final product will be more compact and sit the camera alongside the Trijicon scope.
Now I know many of you are going to like the next photo: the VHS-D with grenade launcher AND bayonet 
The new HS Produkt grenade launcher also can be used in a standalone configuration.
[ Many thanks to Pavao for the excellent photos. ]
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Hey jdun1911 I have exactly shot the VHS assault rifle in Croatia visiting my family.
I also had the A.K-47 by its side and a AR-15.
The AR-15 I wouldn’t spit on, I dropped it in the mud by accident, it just wouldn’t operate properly.
The A.K-47 what a top assault rifle, I could do what ever the hell I liked with it, it just preformed like magic.
The VHS is lighter than the A.K, so I ask shoot if before you make a comment.
If you have shoot it, I respect your opinion, but its not a piss poor design far from it, the lightest assault rifle in the world to my knowledge.
Regards John
To updating about claims of a discontinuation of VHS production: during the celebration of 20th anniversary of foundation of Croatian Army, a whole company was ecquipped with latest model of VHS-k (the one with flat rail) that was first presented during end of march ASDA defence exhibition in Split.
To QES: All I know is that he was released and is waiting for trial
Neither development of VHS rifle was stopped and so it seems improbable to me that production of HS2000 would be affected (also because HSprodukt is the main industrial firm in Karlovac country and so any stop in production would have an immediate and fragorous notice on the press in such a little nation like Croatia).
Where is the BetaMax?
Hi Marcellogo
Do you know if this arrest of HS-Produkt owners will have any effect on the production of XD-XDM pistols and exports by the factory in Europe or to Springfield ? Ever since this arrest the Austrian distributor HS-Arms closed down its website and announced the end of its distribution of HS pistols.
Croatian magazine Zastita has finally published the first professional-made article about VHS:
http://zastita.info/hr/clanak/2011/3/vrhunski-domaci-proizvod-svijetle-buducnosti,172,5457.html
Obviously, it is in croatian, and being that language quite impervious to any given translator I ‘ll summarize some of most important topic:
- Yes, an ambidextrous version has been developed and is almost ready.
It will be easily changed also in field use
-It as a recoil buffering mechanism and it works efficacely both in semi- than in full-auto
_an absolute novelty is that rifle as an additional security function in form a pullthrought auto trigger: also when selector is settled on full auto, the shooter still need to pull it in a deliberate way in order to start the volley.
-integral sight was developed by IRB (Rudjer Boskovic’ Institute) and host both magnification and red dot feature.
-the grenade launcher can be opened in both direction and also aim can be mounted on both sides
marcellogo, thanks for the info.
WARNING: there are some false statement running here! (with no malicious intent , only lack of reliable informations)
Marko Vukotic was arrested for a 10 years old deal regarding fireman’s trucks, nothing related both with HS-2000 nor VHS.
He was just released for prison as all the relevant witnesses have been interwieved by police and attorney and so needs for provisional detention have waned, according to croatian civil law procedure.
Same for the deal about 3000 rifle, there is not any blocking, only thing that was blocked was rants about a totally new VHS2, it absolutely not exist, it was clarified however that VHS is considered to be a work in progress and every production batch would feature new innovations.
The version on photos is just the latest: it sport the possibilities to switch off between the HK style rail and the famas carring handle (that can host SIX RAILS, if you wonder because croatian still want it) just by clipping one on other.
You can also put in just same way the integral red dot sight developed by Rudjer Boskovic istitute on the Carring handle to have a three tier sandwitch.
Patents and skethces of both the Tavor looking one than of the famas -looking are available on web at European patent office site, so 3d and Pierangelo carissimo please look at them instead of recycle all the same old rumors.
Marcellogo
jdun, I never mentioned an AR15. I said Famas and G36
Wow, it looks like they took the CZN MN-22 rifle from the Ghost in the Shell series and just made it longer. What are the American’s going to so with it?
the Americans just ordered the emergency purchase of 500 pieces of VHS rifle–
http://www.zadarskilist.hr/clanci/30032011/amerikanci-hitno-narucili-500-komada-hrvatske-jurisne-puske
Ok. I usually hate when someone says a weapon is ugly, I think aks look great, I love the dragunov, an I think some ARs ar works of art. But jEsus, that thing will scare children for reasons that have nothing to do with the fact that is shoots bullets.
You couldn’t get the dog to fetch that rifle if you tied a whole cow to it.
Pepper,
I don’t see any resemblance aesthetically with the AR15 and G36. If you mean the accessories like optic, lights, laser, etc. Well you should always used proven designs.
News are actually that the Croatian Ministry of Defence is -NOT- going to accept any more VHS assault rifles than the ones currently in service due to a wide array of complaints from soldiers that had it issued in Afghanistan, first of all the total lack of ambidexterity, whereas instead the early prototype VHS rifles were totally ambidextrous (not only them featured ambidextrous controls, but also ejection windows on both sides and rapidly reversible ejection through the use of a switch, much like now the Italian BERETTA ARX-160 does). That’s the reason why HS-PRODUKT is currently developing a “VHS-2″ (non-definitive, non-official denomination), whose most important feature should be the capability to switch from 5’56mm X45 to 7’62mm X39 and to use AK magazines.
Maybe the FAMAS has been misjudged all these years, due to it’s worst-of-class ergonomics/furniture. Perhaps it’s more reliable than the Steyr Aug in desert conditions and more accurate too. This VHS version is certainly lighter. It’s furniture and ergonomics need to be overhauled though.
Here’s the video of the proposed new and improved Croatian rifle. Hope it really does come out in the AK calibre.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra7-s4euxOc
Jdun1911, I was referring more to aesthetics, and the fact that the earlier models looked liked a Tavor and a Famas or AUG. This just looks too much like two guns mashed together, ala Killzone. I’ve never actually played the video game as I don’t own a console, but it is alot like the images i’ve seen of how they made firearms in that game. The handle of a Famas with the factory optic of a G36! The bullpup layout, with a G36 magazine, etc. Maybe there are just so many bullpup rifles now, that they all will start to look alike…
Yeah, reminds me more of the battle rifle from Halo than the M-41…if you want to see an M-41 clone, go dig up pictures of the Winchester entry to the ACR.
News about the owners of HS Produkt:
http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/04/dino-perkovic/hs-produkt-owners-manufacturer-of-xd-pistols-arrested-for-bribes/
My VHS Review:
http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/10/dino-perkovic/gun-review-vhs-rifle/
The Rifle started out as a licensed copy of The Tavor, however the former Croatian Army general and “businessman” who arranged it got arrested and the deal fell through.
HS Produkt pretty much copied the FAMAS improving some things but bringing over all the terrible, horrible details like the trigger guard safety and the ridiculous carrying handle.
The rifle is also completely UN-ambidextrous at the moment.
(Sorry if cross-linking like this is not allowed)
I prefer Blu-Ray bullpup please…. (so many VHS vs Betamax vs Laserdisc jokes, just can’t resist myself
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Is that a G36 magazine or a polymer translucent M16 magazine?
Pepper,
What is the VHS copying from the G36 and AR15? Are you saying that it combine Stoner Piston with Stoner DI?
Anyone know what type of action is used in this bullpup?
jdun1911, it was originally a DI gun with a nifty ‘gas cushion’ concept (pipe base behind the bolt) but that was abandoned and now it is a tappet style piston system.
It is a piss poor design if field striping needs a coin or blade knife.
Anything that deals with screws in a firearm you need to lock tight it.
Looks like it got it shape design from giat famas, except with more of the little things on the gun just to make it sexier
hmm..feels like its some kinda video game gun too…some pics reminds me of killzone or halo…
Looks like a Famas and G36 mashed together. While its not pretty, its not too ugly. The VHS needs to make up its mind on which two ARs it wants to copy.
Looks like the muzzlelite bullpup stock for a mini14… Wonder if they licensed that tech.
Hey my name is pavao too. Everytime I here VHS though I still think back to the 90s VCR days.
Looks like a FAMAS…
By far, the ugliest assault rifle I’ve seen
And I thought our STG77 was ugly. Looks like someone took a FAMAS and forced it to have sex with our STG77.
My dyslexia (or hopefulness) read one of the captions as, “bayonet grenade launcher.” I for one support the concept of exploding projectile bayonets.
“It allows a central operator to monitor and record video from every combatant.”
Where’s Hicks? Where’s Vasquez? I.. I… I want you to lay down suppressive fire and fall back in squads to the-
THEY CAN’T HEAR YOU! NEWT, PUT YOUR SEATBELT ON!
Well… Someone managed to make an even uglier FAMAS. I didn’t even know there was a contest going.
Looks like a modernized FA FAMAS maybe France needs to look at this and up date there FAMAS to these standards.
Sight-over-bore holdover looks horrible. Everyone assigned this carbine also needs an XD pistol for 15 yards and closer targets.
VHS? I’ll wait for the DVD assault rifle.
So many nice bulpups, that we will never see at an affordable price, if ever.
One step closer to the M41-A pulse rifle…..
Looks like the designers were inspired by the M41A pulse rifle from “Aliens.”
Wonder if they’ll make a civilian version for the US market…?
Betamax was more accurate.
Wait what? They skipped right over 8, 16 and 35mm, the Laser Disc and Beta Rifles?
How long until it comes out in Blue Ray?
I heard the Betamax rifle was better quality.
Nifty – it looks like it should be ambidextrous cocking handle but no way to change the ejection port easily. So lefties will get hot brass ejected directly in front of their nose. Also curious where the magazine eject is located.
Always encouraged by more bullpups – nice!
Adapted from the FAMAS ?
Fubar, no, the resemblance is superficial.
Good luck getting a solid cheek weld on that sucker! They should call it a throat weld….
That is a really sporty looking rifle with some interesting new features.
And looking closely at the photos, it looks like disassembly can be performed with a coin or knife blade. The designers are really showing off their foresight.
But, do you think it’ll beat Betamax?
(sorry, it had to be said)
Sight is way too high over bore
It looks like a mix of Famas G-2 and Tavor.Nice rifle,the only thing that looks awkward is the carrying handle.They could have replaced it with a picatinny rail.
US civie version plz. The more the merrier.