Hi-Point Firearms

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A Hi-Point CF380 pistol, unloaded, with the slide locked back.

HP995 with new stock from Advanced Technology, Inc and 15 rd mag. (the 15 rounders should not be used due to problems with reliability)

Standard HP995 with original stock and 10rd mag.

Hi-Point Firearms, also known as Beemiller (Distributed by MKS Supply), is a firearms manufacturer based in Dayton, Ohio. They manufacture low-cost pistols and carbines, in the following calibers:

• .380 ACP - Model CF-380 and 380COMP
• 9mm Luger - C-9 and C-9 COMP pistols, Model 995 carbine
• .40 S&W - Model 40SW pistol, Model 4095 carbine
• .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 is less aesthetically appealing than some designs. Hi-Point products generally retail for one-half to one-quarter the cost of a comparably chambered gun from most other manufacturers.

The slide is die cast from a zinc alloy known as ZAMAK-3, rather than machined from forged steel. 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, 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 construction. 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.

[edit] 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. Except for the Model 995 carbine, magazines will exchange between Hi-Point pistols and carbines of the same caliber.

[edit] Warranty

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 guns are repaired or replaced free of charge.

[edit] External links

• Hi-Point firearms website
• MKS Supply's website - Marketer and distributor of Hi-Point firearms.
• Hi-point Firearms Forum - Hi-Point Firearms discussion board.
• Hi-Point Talk - Another Hi-Point Forum
• Hi-Point Pistols: Basic But Oh So Reliable! - A Review By Shooting Times