Hi-Point Carbine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hi-Point Carbine | |
|---|---|
 995 Carbine |
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| Type | Carbine |
| Place of origin | Ohio, USA |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Tom Deeb |
| Manufacturer | Hi-Point Firearms |
| Variants | 995, 4095 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | (995) 5.75 lb (2.6 kg) (4095) 7 lb (3.2 kg) |
| Length | 32.5 in (826 mm) |
| Barrel length | (995) 16.5 in (419 mm) (4095) 17.5 in (445 mm) |
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| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W |
| Action | Blowback |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,279.5 ft/s (390 m/s) |
| Feed system | 10-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | blade front, notch rear (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.
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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. 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, however, have reported that they are interchangeable.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Popularity
The carbine has proven popular, and has established a solid reputation as a plinking rifle. Some 28,000 were made and sold in 1998 alone, 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, which is known as the 4595. While the weapon is a rifle, people in some states (or when dealing with some stores) may experience issues attempting to obtain ammunition, as most 9mm ammunition is generally seen as being intended for use with 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.
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.
