Hi-Point Carbine

Infobox Weapon
name= Hi-Point Carbine


caption= 995 Carbine
origin= Ohio, USA
type= Carbine
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer=Tom Deeb
design_date=
manufacturer= Hi-Point Firearms
production_date=
number=
variants=995, 4095
weight=(995) lb to kg|5.75|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes
(4095) lb to kg|7|abbr=on|precision=1|wiki=yes
length=in to mm|32.5|abbr=on|precision=0|wiki=yes
part_length= (995) in to mm|16.5|abbr=on|precision=0|wiki=yes
(4095) in to mm|17.5|abbr=on|precision=0|wiki=yes
cartridge=9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W
caliber=
action= Blowback
velocity=convert|1279.5|ft/s|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on
range=
max_range=
feed= 10-round (15-round available) detachable box magazine
sights= hooded front, rear apeture(adjustable)The Hi-Point carbine, is a series of carbines chambered for 9x19mm Parabellum and .40 S&W. They are very inexpensive, constructed using polymers and alloyed metals as much as possible, resulting in a reduction of the production costs and sale price. It is worth noting that the Hi-Point carbine is sometimes incorrectly referred to as an assault rifle; in fact it is just a semiautomatic pistol-caliber carbine. It functions via a simple direct blowback action.

Origin

Developed during the now-defunct 1994 Federal assault weapons ban, the Hi-Point carbine comes with a ten-round magazine that fits into the pistol grip. Third party fifteen round magazines are also available. The magazines used are a proprietary design only usable with Hi-Point firearms. The pistol-style magazines for the 4095 .40 S&W carbine are fully interchangeable with the Hi-Point .40 S&W pistol. No such compatibility was advertised by Hi-Point regarding the original 995 carbine and the 9mm C-9 pistol; owners of both designs have reported that they are not completely interchangeable. The shorter pistol magazine is not long enough to fit the carbine, however, the longer carbine magazine will fit into the pistol.

Development

Despite the military appearance of this rifle, it was developed for the civilian market and wasn't aimed at police department use. Nevertheless, it has been approved and purchased by a small number of local police departments that cannot easily afford to outfit all of their officers with more expensive long guns.

Suggested retail price for the most basic version of the carbine is USD$199. Gun shops have prices ranging from twenty to thirty dollars lower than that, bringing the cost down to nearly half the price of other inexpensive pistol-caliber carbines.

Popularity

The carbine has proven popular, and has established a solid reputation as a plinking rifle or knockabout camp or truck gun. Some 28,000 were made and sold in 1998 alone, and it continues to sell well. After the success of the Model 995, the original 9mm version, the Model 4095 was created in the .40 S&W caliber. It shares much of the success of the Model 995.

Hi-Point has developed a strong following despite the 'ugliness' of their products. Their guns consistently score high in evaluations run by the "Consumer Reports of the firearms industry," Gun Tests Magazine. Also, a fast-growing [http://hipointfirearmsforums.com/Forum/index.php community forum] exists where people gather to discuss common problems and easy fixes.

In addition to manufacturing inexpensive but reliable firearms, one major reason for the popularity of Hi-Point's guns is the company's warranty policy. All Hi-Points carry a lifetime warranty, no questions asked. If a shooter has a problem with their firearm and Hi-Point's customer service department can't solve it over the phone, all the owner has to do is ship the gun back to Hi-Point and they will do whatever it takes to fix it, whether the owner is the the original purchaser or not. This level of customer service has much to do with the loyalty of Hi-Point's customers and the popularity of their products.

Hi-Point's next project is the Model 4595 carbine. As of June, 2008 the carbine is in the advanced prototype/preproduction stage and resembles a beefier Model 995 with a higher receiver. Hi-Point has said the 4595 will begin production "in late 2008 or early 2009," according to company representatives. It would be next larger carbine in line after the 4095, being made for the .45 ACP round; hence its designation as the 4595.

While the weapon is a pistol-caliber carbine, people in some states (or when dealing with some stores) may experience issues attempting to obtain ammunition, as 9mm ammunition is generally seen as being intended for use in pistols. However, many stores will simply ask whether you intend to use the ammunition in a long-gun or hand-gun, and thus a person 18 years of age or older but not yet 21, would probably still be able to obtain ammunition for their rifle. [http://www.atigunstocks.com ATI] , a company that makes accessories and conversion stocks, has produced a conversion stock for the 995 that turns this firearm into something resembling the Beretta Cx4 Storm carbine, while retaining obvious differences. It does away with the so called "Beautiful Ugliness" of the factory stock. Another company, [http://www.nortje.com Moerse Lekker Sales] , is machining barrel shrouds for the ATI conversion 995.

External links

* [http://www.mouseguns.com/hipoint/hipoint.htm Hi-Point Link Central]
* [http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/carbine.asp Hi-Point 995 carbine product page]
* [http://www.gunweek.com/2005/feature0201.html Hi-point .40S&W Carbine review]
* [http://www.themartialist.com/0604/hipoint.htm Hi-Point 995 Range Report / Review]
* [http://www.atigunstocks.com/products.aspx?category=6&page=1&id=18 Aftermarket stock available for the 995 carbine]