Range report

Hi-Point Model 995

These things have been around a few years now, but this is the first chance I had to shoot one. So let's get the specs out of the way:
5.75 pounds
32.5" long
This one is chambered for the 9x19mm cartridge(also make a .40S&W model), and has the sling mounted














First things first: yes, it's ugly. Not cover-your-eyes-and-scream ugly, but attractive it's not. The stock is black plastic; the camo version they now make is even uglier.

The action is a straight blowback, just like a .22 semi-auto rifle or pistol. Which makes it very simple and inexpensive to manufacture: no unlocking mechanism, no link, just a big heavy bolt and a recoil spring. The trigger is much like that of a Mosin Nagant or some old .22 autoloaders, you just keep pulling 'till it goes bang. The magazine(ten round single-stack) fits into the grip, mag release on the left much like most pistols. Safety is a up for safe, down for fire lever also on the left and just a little too far forward for my thumb to reach without adjusting my grip. The charging handle is on the left side of the receiver, ejection port on the right.

The front sight is a tapered, flat-top post inside a ring which can be moved up or down in the housing for gross elevation adjustments
























And the rear is a ear-protected aperture fully adjustable for windage & elevation.


















That thing sticking out on the left is the charging handle; to lock the bolt open pull it to the rear and push the knob in.

The whole rear sight assembly, ears and all, comes off and a Weaver-type base(that comes with it) screws on, allowing you to mount a red dot or other optical sight. The night I fired this, just as we were leaving some guy came in with one of these with what looked like a 3-9x scope mounted: it was half as long as the carbine.

We fired it that night with both CCI Blazer and some Monarch brass-case ball- no hollow-points available- from ten to twenty-five yards. Reliability was excellent, not any type of FTE, FTF or jam. Accuracy at 25, from a none-too-steady rest gave about 3.5" groups. The sights are not bad at all, with the aid of a bit of paint on the front post easy to pick up in the low light and- as apertures tend to be- easy & fast to line up. The trigger will not win any awards, but gave no problems and was entirely predictable. Recoil was 'barely', most of what you felt was the bolt cycling back & forth.

I have to say, this thing was fun to shoot, and would work pretty well for introducing someone to a light rifle more powerful than a .22. Assuming it works as reliably with a good hollowpoint as with ball, you could do much worse for a home-defense gun. And it can be had (in this area at least) for less than $200.

Bad things? If you like 'classic' appearance it just might make you a little queasy, trigger without a clean break and parts of it say 'cheap'. Somewhat loudly.

Short, light, handy and reliable. And, for someone on a budget and/or uncomfortable with a handgun, a good home-defense piece. You could keep the mag loaded and chamber empty and simply pick it up and pull the charging handle to be ready. Overall, I'd have to say worth having. And as a bonus, especially with some type of optic on top it looks nasty enough to give Chucky Schumer a case of the damp drawers. What more could you ask for?