
Hi-Point Carbine

The Hi-Point carbine is a series of pistol-caliber carbines manufactured by Hi-Point Firearms chambered, for 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .45 ACP and .380 ACP handgun cartridges. They are very inexpensive, constructed using polymers and alloyed metals as much as possible, resulting in a reduction of production costs and sale price. 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. With the expiration of the federal assault weapons ban in 2004, aftermarket third-party fifteen- and fourteen-round magazines are now also available in most states. A company called "Redball Sports" as of 2016 manufactures a twenty-shot magazine for the Model 995 carbine.
The proprietary magazines are usable only 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 Hi-Point C-9 pistol; owners of both designs have reported that they are not completely interchangeable. The 8 shot pistol magazine is too short to fit the carbine; however, the 10 shot carbine magazine will fit into the pistol but extends past the bottom of the grip.
Development.
The Hi-Point carbine was developed for the civilian market and not specifically 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.
In the first quarter of 2009, a new model of the 995 carbine was released, the 995TS, which features a new stock and last round hold open. The TS model is slightly more expensive than the "995 Classic," affectionately known as "the Planet of the Apes gun." The 4095 model in .40 S&W and the newest model, the Model 4595 in .45 ACP, are available only in the new TS configuration. As of September 2010, the "995 Classic" or "4095 Classic" are no longer featured on the Hi-Point website.
As of November 2017, Hi-Point has put into production a new carbine in 10mm Auto. Based on the Model 4595TS, the Model 1095TS functions similarly to the 4595TS, with a 10 round single-stack magazine and a telescoping bolt in a blowback action.
Options for the Hi-Point carbine are few. The company does make a muzzle brake for them that substantially reduces muzzle flip when shooting, and there are lasers and flashlights that mount easily to the new TS pattern stocks. An independent firm markets a bolt handle that screws on to the existing bolt handle and makes manipulating the bolt more comfortable for the shooter. High Tower Armory also offers a "Bullpup" style stock for Hipoint Carbines. It is also possible to mount a scope if the shooter wishes to do so.
Legality.
The Hi Point Carbine has since been designated an assault weapon in the State of Connecticut with the April 4, 2013 signing of Public Act 13-3. It has been similarly designated by the State of New York with the signing of the NY SAFE Act and as of mid-2013, purchase of any of the unaltered carbines has been restricted to law enforcement officers. However, in 2014 a company developed a shield that prevents the shooter from wrapping his or her hand around the pistol grip, which means that "legally" the pistol grip is not a pistol grip within the definition of such under the SAFE Act. With the shield fitted, Hi-Point carbines are again legal to own in New York state.
Popularity.
The carbine was listed as the 7th most popular pistol caliber carbine in 2019. Some 28,000 were made and sold in 1998 alone, and it continues to sell well. After the success of the 9mm Model 995, the Model 4095 was created in the .40 S&W caliber. It shares much of the success of the Model 995. The Model 4595TS is a success and shares the popularity of the smaller-caliber versions.
Hi-Point carbines consistently score high in evaluations run by Gun Tests Magazine.
The Hi-Point Carbine is infamous for being used in the Littleton, Colorado Columbine High School massacre, as Eric Harris used the weapon throughout the massacre. The massacre was started with the Hi-Point Carbine.