PHP

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	Weapon: PHP Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol Country of Origin: Croatia Year Adopted: 1990 Overall Length (mm): 200.0 Overall Length (in): 7.87 Weight (kg): 0.90 Weight (pounds): 1.98

The Croatian PHP (Prvi Hrvatski Pistolj, or "First Croatian Pistol") is a semi-automatic handgun designed and produced in Croatia during the early 1990s. This pistol was the first domestically designed handgun developed after Croatia's declaration of independence in 1991. Drawing inspiration from the renowned Walther P38 and Beretta designs, the PHP featured a short-recoil, tilting-barrel mechanism with a distinctive appearance. It was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and came with double-stack magazines holding up to 15 rounds. The pistol's design incorporated ambidextrous controls and a robust steel frame, though it was often criticized for its bulky construction and suboptimal ergonomics.

Production of the PHP pistol was handled by IM Metal (now HS Produkt) in Croatia between 1991 and 1995. During its production run, approximately 30,000 units were manufactured, primarily for the Croatian military and law enforcement agencies. The PHP served as a stopgap firearm during the Croatian War of Independence, providing local forces with a much-needed modern sidearm. Despite its significance as Croatia's first domestically produced pistol, it was eventually phased out in favor of the more refined HS2000 series, which gained international recognition as the Springfield Armory XD series.

The PHP pistol holds historical significance due to its role in Croatia's efforts to establish a domestic arms industry during a time of conflict. However, it gained notoriety for its questionable reliability and lack of refinement, earning a reputation as a rugged but somewhat crude firearm. Early models were plagued with issues such as jamming, misfeeds, and inconsistent accuracy, which were gradually improved in later iterations. Despite these shortcomings, the PHP remains a symbol of Croatia's determination to achieve self-reliance in arms production during a turbulent period in its history. Today, the PHP pistol is considered a collector's item, valued more for its historical context than its performance.