Hi-Point Firearms

Infobox Company
company_name = Hi-Point Firearms
company_
company_type = Private
genre =
foundation = February 18, 1992
founder =
location_city = Mansfield, Ohio
location_country = United States
location =
origins =
key_people = Thomas E. Deeb, President
area_served =
industry = Firearms
products = Pistols, carbines
services =
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
num_employees =
parent = Beemiller, Inc.
divisions =
subsid =
owner =
company_slogan =
homepage = [http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/ www.hi-pointfirearms.com]
dissolved =
footnotes =

Hi-Point Firearms, also known as Beemiller (Distributed by MKS Supply), is a firearms manufacturer based in Dayton, Ohio. However only the CF.380, C9 .9mm & the carbines are made in Dayton. They manufacture low-cost pistols and carbines, in the following calibers:
* .380 ACP - Model CF-380 and 380COMP
* 9 mm Luger - C-9 and C-9 COMP pistols, Model 995 carbine The following are manufactured by Iberia Firearms Fact|date=June 2008
* .40 S&W - Model 40SW pistol, Model 4095 carbineThe following are manufactured by Haskell Manufacturing Fact|date=June 2008
* .45 ACP - Hi-Point .45 ACP pistol, Model 4595 carbine (unreleased)

Hi-Point semi-automatic pistols are polymer-framed and generally regarded as simple, inexpensive handguns, which trade-off aesthetics for lower manufacturing cost. Based on a blowback design, Hi-Point pistols have larger slides to produce the greater mass required for proper function. This results in a somewhat heavier gun that may be less aesthetically appealing than designs employing recoil operation. This design, while making the pistol heavy, also makes them easy to maintain. HiPoint recommends hosing out the action with a powder solvent like breakfreee powderblast or another aerosol solvent, then every 500-800 rounds running a patch or 2 down the barrel.

Most self-loading pistols can be field-stripped without the use of any tools; Hi-Point pistols require a punch or a small screwdriver to remove a pin in the receiver, in order to permit slide removal (and thus enable field-stripping). Hi-Point products generally retail for one-half to one-quarter the cost of a comparably chambered gun from most other manufacturers. Fact|date=April 2008

The slide is die cast from a zinc-family alloy that includes aluminum, magnesium, and copper and is called ZAMAK-3, rather than machined from forged steel. When asked why die-casting was chosen as a manufacturing technique, a Hi-Point representative responded, "In the area of Ohio where we are located, there are many shops that specialize in die casting for the auto industry. We utilize this resource." [ cite web
url=http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/hipoint_100605/| title=Hi-Point Pistols: Basic But Oh So Reliable!| date=2007-XX-XX| publisher=Shooting Times| accessdate=2008-02-08] Uncommon for this construction, they are rated for +P ammunition in calibers up to .45 ACP. Blowback designs are generally simpler and easier to produce than locked-breech recoil-operated firearms. Though the fixed barrel generally will contribute to improved accuracy, direct blowback firearms sometimes have a greater level of felt recoil, and often are larger and heavier for a given caliber.

Hi-Point carbines use a polymer stock, stamped sheet metal receiver cover, and a receiver and bolt cast from ZAMAK-3. The barrel is steel and button rifled using a 1-10" right hand twist. They are also blowback action, which is typically well suited to a low-pressure carbine.

Hi-Point carbines have a generally better overall reputation than the pistol line, although the pistol line has been gaining popularity as of late, and are fairly popular with budget-minded firearms enthusiasts.

Some people are wary of Hi-Points because of the use of Zinc alloy (ZAMAK-3) castings in much of their constructionWho|date=April 2008. However, parts made from ZAMAK-3 in Hi-Point guns (receiver and bolt/slide) are low-stress components that do not require the strength and expense of steel. Higher stress components in Hi-Points, like the barrel and other small parts, are made of steel.

Magazines

Hi-Point magazines are metal, with plastic bases. They are generally available in 8 to 10 round capacities for pistols and 10 rounds for the 9 mm carbine and .40 S&W. The .45 holds 9 rounds in the magazine. Except for the Model 995 carbine, magazines will exchange between Hi-Point pistols and carbines of the same caliber. It is possible to use the magazine from a carbine in a pistol of same caliber. However, it is not safe and is not recommended by Hi-Point. The carbine magazine does not fit well and may cause failure to feed (FTF).The pistol magazines will not function in a carbine. Mr. Deeb has also stated many times he has no interest in his company producing higher capacity magazines for any of their products.Fact|date=April 2008

Warranty

According to the company's website, as of 2008 all Hi-Point firearms come with a lifetime "no questions asked" warranty. While older manuals have stated that the lifetime warranty is available to the original purchaser only, Hi-Point has since retroactively extended the warranty to include third-hand owners. Under the warranty, Hi-Point firearms are repaired free of charge. All Hi-Point firearms can be sent back to their respective factories and will be repaired and shipped back free of charge.

Safety

The Hi-Point pistols have a last round lock open and magazine disconnect safety so to fire it the magazine has to be in the gun. They also feature a manual thumb safety.

References

External links

* [http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/ Hi-Point firearms website] Company homepage.
* [http://www.hi-pointfirearms.net/ Hi-Point firearms sister site.]
* [http://www.mkssupply.com MKS Supply's website] - Marketer and distributor of Hi-Point firearms.
* [http://www.mouseguns.com/hipoint/insheet.htm Instruction Sheet for C9 and CF380 Pistols]