Hi-Point 995 Carbine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hi-Point 995 Carbine | |
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 995 Carbine |
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| Type | Carbine |
| Place of origin | Ohio |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Hi-Point Firearms |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 5.75lbs |
| Length | 825.5 mm (32.5 in) |
| Barrel length | 419.1 mm (16.5 in) |
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| Caliber | 9mm |
| Action | blowback |
| Muzzle velocity | 390 m/s (1,279.5 fps) |
| Effective range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Feed system | 10-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | blade front, notch rear (adjustable) |
Tom Deeb of Beemiller Inc. of Ohio developed the Hi-Point 995 carbine, a very inexpensive semi-automatic rifle. It is 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, and it is chambered for the common 9mm parabellum pistol cartridge. The same company manufactures a version chambered in .40 Smith & Wesson.
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[edit] 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. High-capacity magazines exist, and can be found at Midway USA[1]. 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, however, have reported that they are interchangeable.
[edit] Development
In spite of 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.
[edit] Popularity
The carbine has proven popular, and has established a solid reputation as a plinking rifle. Some 28,000 were made and sold just in 1998, and there are reports that it continues to sell well. After the success of the original 995 9mm version, the model 4095 was created in the 40 S&W caliber, and has shared much of the success of the 995. Hi-Point is developing a strong following despite their mixed reputation for quality. In fact, a fast-growing community forum exists where people gather to discuss common problems and easy fixes. Hi-Point's next project is the rumored to be the 4595, said to be in the research and development phase as of late 2006. It would be next in line after the 4095, being made in the .45 ACP round.
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, Moerse Lekker Sales, is machining barrel shrouds for the ATI conversion 995.
[edit] School shooting
The weapon has imprinted itself into the darker parts of firearm history as well, as its 9mm variant was used by Eric Harris during the Columbine High School Massacre.
