Hi-Point Firearms

Hi-Point Firearms, also known as Strassell's Machine, Inc (distributed by MKS Supply), is an American firearms manufacturer based in Mansfield, Ohio. All of their firearms are manufactured in several different locations in Ohio.

Hi-Point Firearms Company
TypePrivate
IndustryFirearms
FoundedFebruary 18, 1992
Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Headquarters
Mansfield, Ohio
,
U.S.
Key people
President: Mike Strassell
ProductsPistols, carbines
ParentStrassell's Machine, Inc.
Websitewww.hi-pointfirearms.com

Construction of products

Pistols
A Hi-Point JCP pistol

Hi-Point semi-automatic pistols are polymer framed handguns based on the blowback design. Different than other blowback design pistols such as the Walther PPK, the P-64, and the Astra 600 which use a heavy slide combined with a stiff recoil spring to hold the breech closed, these pistols use a heavier slide so they can use a softer recoil spring. When compared to breech-locking handguns of the same caliber and dimensions, the Hi-Point is rather top heavy. As most blowback handguns, this pistol has less moving parts to clean and lubricate than its locked breech counterparts.

While most semi-automatic pistols can be field stripped without the use of any tools, Hi-Point pistols require a small punch or a screwdriver and a hammer to remove a pin in the receiver, in order to permit slide removal (and thus enable field-stripping).

Rather than being machined from forged steel, the slide is die cast from Zamak-3 (A traditional zinc alloy, also popularly referred to as pot metal or white metal). Die casting is particularly commonplace in Ohio, which influenced the decision to implement it.[1]

Uncommon for this construction, Hi-Point pistols are rated for +P ammunition in calibers up to .45 ACP. Blowback designs are generally simpler in design and easier and cheaper to manufacture than locked-breech recoil-operated firearms. While the fixed barrel of a blowback gun generally will contribute to improved accuracy, blowback guns usually need to be larger and heavier than a locked-breech gun firing the same caliber.

Carbines

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. 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. 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.

Use of zinc alloy

Some people are wary of Hi-Points because of the use of zinc alloy (Zamak-3) castings in much of their construction. However, the parts made from Zamak-3 in Hi-Point guns (bolt/slide) are low-stress components that do not require the strength of steel at these pistol cartridge power levels. The slide is made of a polymer. Higher stress and wear components in Hi-Points, like the barrel, chamber, breech and other small parts, are made of steel.

Calibers

Hi-Point manufactures firearms in the following calibers:

Safety

Hi-Point firearms have a manual thumb safety and an integral drop safety that prevents firing in the event that the firearm is dropped. Until the 2000s, all Hi-Point products except the 995 (9mm) carbine had a last-round lock open and magazine disconnect safety, preventing firing unless a magazine was in the gun. With the replacement of the original 9mm carbine with the new 995 TS model, all pistols and carbines now have these features.[10][11]

  • Hi-Point CF380 pistol with two-tone finish; the C-9 is identical except it is simply black, and chambered for 9x19mm Parabellum
  • Hi-Point C380 pistol with the slide locked back
  • "Generation 1" 995 Hi-Point Carbine

References
  1. "Hi-Point Pistols: Basic But Oh So Reliable!". Shooting Times. 2007. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009.
  2. "Hi-Point Firearms: 380ACP Handguns - Black". www.hi-pointfirearms.com.
  3. "Hi-Point Firearms: 9MM Handguns - Black". www.hi-pointfirearms.com.
  4. "Hi-Point Firearms: 40S&W Handguns - Black". www.hi-pointfirearms.com.
  5. "Hi-Point Firearms: 45ACP Handguns - Black". www.hi-pointfirearms.com.
  6. "Hi-Point Firearms: 380ACP Carbines - Black". www.hi-pointfirearms.com.
  7. "Hi-Point Firearms: 9MM Carbines - Black". www.hi-pointfirearms.com.
  8. "Hi-Point Firearms: 10mm Carbines - Black". www.hi-pointfirearms.com.
  9. "Hi-Point Firearms: 45ACP Carbines - Black". www.hi-pointfirearms.com.
  10. "Hi-Point C9 - RECOIL". 25 October 2010.
  11. "Hi-Point Pistols: Basic But Oh So Reliable! - Shooting Times". 6 October 2005.
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