The Hi-Point 995: A Budget Friendly Pistol-Caliber Carbine

It’s easy to understand how some might think carbines that chamber pistol cartridges are a new and radical development in firearm design. They are, after all, selling fast, hard to find in stock and wear a modern, text message friendly acronym—PCCs.

The approach is hardly new, though. It spawned out of necessity during the 1800s as settlers moved west across the nation on horseback and in wagons. Carbines that used the same cartridge as a trusty revolver shaved weight, saved space and provided a logistical advantage when supply lines thinned in the frontier. The Winchester 1873 is a well-known example that survives to this day.

As rifle cartridge performance stretched distances and semi-automatics increased speed, commonality of ammo between a sidearm and long gun fell out of fashion. Add the convenience of those freshly invented vehicles that made weight and space less of a concern, and it’s easy to see why many of the original PCCs disappeared.

The team at Hi-Point never lost sight of that practicality, though. The company introduced its Model 995 carbine in the 1990s. The blowback-operated 9 mm NATO-chambered semi-automatic shipped with a 10-round magazine.

It’s still available today, with a variety of improvements, and a 20-round aftermarket magazine is now available. You can choose from barrel lengths of 16.5" or 19" and both are threaded 1/2x28" for aftermarket muzzle devices. The gun comes with a skeletonized polymer stock, in a variety of color patterns—from basic black to camo. Picatinny rails make attaching lights and lasers a breeze, and each come with a peep sight at the rear and a post up front. The sights are adjustable for windage and elevation and the firearm has a thumb magazine release and manual safety.

Retail price for the basic version is $339. A variety of upgrades are also available, including the 995 FG that comes with an attached fore-end grip. It will set you back $386. You can also add a tactical flashlight, laser, Crimson Trace red dot, 4x32 mm scope and more. The top end Hi-Point 995 carbine has an MSRP of $438.

Of course, 9 mm isn’t the only popular pistol cartridge out there, and Hi-Point offers versions of this carbine that chamber .380 ACP, 10 mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. The features and manual of arms are identical throughout the lines, but colors and accessories vary, along with prices. The MSRP on the Model 3895 (the .380 ACP version), for example, runs from $315 to $373. The priciest in each of the other chamberings include the 10 mm at $501, .40 S&W $480 and .45 ACP’s decked-out version comes in at $498.

The company also offers the carbine in a special Grand Union Flag, OD, FDE and California-compliant models.