Proven design elements included: an M1911 straight-pull trigger, a short-recoil operated system, and the heritage S&W 5900 series magazine tube.

The new design elements were: forward barrel cams in front of the trigger-guard, the sear design marrying the straight pull trigger with a striker-fired system while remaining drop safe, the placement of the recoil spring, and the pairing of an insert chassis with a steel frame.

[12] The acquisition of Daniel Defense lead to a variance of additions to their own variant of the H9 design: The weight would be slightly greater than original production variants (29.6.oz unloaded) with slightly different sights in addition to a fiber optic sight.

[13][14] In an interview, CEO Cy Hudson said the location of the recoil spring down in front of the trigger guard was designed to give the gun "a high grip purchase—what most people call a low bore axis—that's really close to the slide.

[15] In August 2018, a lawsuit was filed against Hudson Mfg for breach of contract and failure to pay for parts.