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The Little Carbine That Could

A Hi-Point 995 Carbine Torture Test

My Hi-Point 995 9mm carbine torture test is complete.  I didn’t set out to conduct a torture test of the Hi-Point carbine, it just happened.  I wanted a cheap, pistol-caliber carbine for shooting a tactical carbine/shotgun match at Phoenix Rod & Gun Club, to see if this was a discipline I would want to spend my time and money on.  The rifle retails for only around $250 or less, making it much cheaper than a 9mm AR platform rifle for “testing the water”.

Danno, over at SandCastle Scrolls, appeared at the range on the day I was sighting in my new carbine.  I couldn’t stop giggling as I created a jagged hole in the upper A-zone on a USPSA target.  This proved to be way too much for Danno, as he explained in his Very Short Play in Three Scenes.

I had more than 15 rounds stuffed into the ProMag magazine. The mag hit the ground when I racked the slide.  I shot the same match the following week, loading the aftermarket mags with only 14 rounds, and didn’t have any malfunctions.

Hi-Point 9mm Carbine

I’ve shot all but one of the monthly matches in the last year, but I haven’t bothered to upgrade to a different carbine.  I haven’t even taken the time to clean the one that I have.  Over a year, and more than 1,000 rounds later, I’ve finally started to have a small problem with my American made rifle.  At last night’s match, the bolt needed a slight tap to get the gun to go into battery for the first round on each stage.  Despite the extra required nudge during loading, the rifle shot flawlessly and has never had a malfunction that wasn’t traceable to aftermarket magazines.

Hi-Point - Left side action

The little burp going into battery meant the rifle was telling me something. It was ready for a cleaning and maybe some oil.  Once stripped, I was surprised that there wasn’t a pile of broken parts inside, but it was filthy.

Hi-Point Receiver

More than a year of shooting without maintenance and it’s still cruising.

Hi-Point Receiver Gunk

It took almost two hours to get all of the gunk out.  The gunk included some of the receiver paint that had peeled off and blended into the burnt powder gunk.

Hi-Point Ramp

It turns out that over 1,000 rounds of the cheapest, nastiest ammo I could use, fired during scorching hot duststorms and freezing rainstorms, had made the rifle dirty (shocking isn’t it).  That little carbine still ran and fired every time the trigger was squeezed.

I don’t think I could ask for much more from any rifle.  In fact, at every carbine match in the last year, I’ve watched rifles with much better pedigrees and significantly higher price tags malfunction on every stage.  This brings me to the most important reason for cleaning the little rifle that could.  True Blue Sam is hosting a Hi-Point e-postal match for November.  If you have a Hi-Point carbine, join in and see how your shooting skills compare to others.

Hi-Point Carbine - 9mm
 

I am impressed with this inexpensive American-made rifle. It works reliably every time.  If you want a fun little carbine that will shoot 9mm hollow points and is compact enough for home defense, or need something for tactical pistol-caliber competition, the Hi-Point 995 is a great choice. It is a fun little rifle to shoot for grins and giggles, that also could be considered as an affordable home defense option.


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12 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Rob Reed // Nov 20, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Nice writeup. The consensus on Hi Point seems to be, “Stay away from the pistols, but the rifles are OK.”

    My wife tried one out a few years ago. She absolutely hated the bolt handle and found the gun difficult to operate. I thought she’d like a 9mm plinker but she said she’d rather stick with her M-1 Carbine.

    We also tried a Marlin Camp 9 later and we were both “meh” about it. I guess the whole “pistol caliber rifle” thing doesn’t do it for either of us.

    Now, a pistol caliber SMG, that’s a different story. She loves the UZI.

    Rob

  • 2 Molon Labe Bill // Nov 24, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    Solid, dependable carbine – I love mine. Accurate and nicely balanced. Highly underrated.

  • 3 Gerry N. // Dec 13, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Arright, dammit. I suppose now I have to start setting money aside for one of these. I have an M1 Carbine, and a Spanish Destroyer in 9mm Largo but no pistols in either caliber. So to go with my utterly dependable Star B, a HiPoint 995 seems a good fit.

  • 4 Immortal Rednek // Dec 26, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    actually…i carry a hp as my cc weapon (id prefer to keep the rugers & s&w safe locked up @ home & if it gets lost…stolen…damaged…etc…its only a $150 damage.

    nevermind being in left field…rob reed is so far outside the ballpark…hes in a dif city. ive owned the hp [2] 9 & 40 & 45. within the last yr…i traded in 3 of em…9 & 40 & 45 to upgrade to a better quality which is now ruger & s&w.

    ~my point~ ive never ever had 1 problem with any of my hps’ handguns. they never misfired…are really reliable & for $150-$175…they are a darn good deal. its stupid & pointless to buy an expensive gun that does the same as something less expensive. seeing as how people buy guns to protect themselves…essentially what your {not u literally] doin is spending a crap load of $ to kill some1 in self defense.

    yah…there are nicer better quality guns out there but it all depends on some1?s income & preference. typically when some1 makes more $…with things they own…they want better quality but i have no problem relying on a hp handgun to protect myself or the life of a 3rd party.

  • 5 Immortal Rednek // Dec 26, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    Colts & Kimbers are what you show your friends. Ruger & Smith and Wesson are what you show your enemies.

  • 6 phil // May 16, 2012 at 12:47 am

    I took the older hi point carbine down to clean it.cant figure ehere the pivot spring and pin goes..????? Lol…great gun though…only if I coud put it back together

  • 7 Capitalist Pig // May 16, 2012 at 12:55 am

    Phil, try this video for help on where the parts and pieces go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GKh2356fIvA

  • 8 Carbind | Misfires And Light Strikes // Jul 27, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    […] Tam has less-than-flattering words for the Hi-point Carbine, Capitalist Pig loves his.  […]

  • 9 Win an (almost) Free Gun at Gun Blogger Rendezvous! // Sep 3, 2013 at 12:04 am

    […] could also win a Hipoint.  Last year, Hipoint donated a 9mm Carbine, and I believe they have generously donated […]

  • 10 terrell williams // May 18, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Just bought and fired 150 rounds with my 40 cal Hipoint carbine. Great gun for little price!

  • 11 new to carbines - Page 2 - Hipoint Firearms Forums // Jul 11, 2015 at 9:26 am

    […] it….. Then you do it again. As far as the rest of it…… This guy didn't clean for a year: http://www.greatsataninc.com/the-little-carbine-that-could/17/ __________________ "If you ask me, this country could use a little less motivation. The […]

  • 12 mike // Nov 19, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    Bought a Hi-Point carbine a year and month ago, shoots FMJ’s reliably and accurately, but hollow point will jam at a rate of one to three in a factory magazine. Sent it back for repair, they cleaned up the feed ramp and replaced the magazine, but it still misfires at the same rate.