The Goose
NES Member
Just before Christmas I picked up a Hi-Point 4595 .45 acp carbine. Most firearms that I purchase are pretty well researched prior to buying, I have done some research and know that I want one. The Hi-Point was a total impulse buy and I was virtually unaware of their existence. I had heard the name, mostly as crap, and that was it. I was at Collector's in Stoneham and spotted the 4595 and thought what the hell is that. I handled it. It felt very solid, well balanced and went to the shoulder well. Then I looked at the tag, saw what it was and the $278 price tag and I bought it. Once home I did the reverse of what I would normally do and started doing some research. Every review that I found basically had some level of grudging respect for it. The gun rag hacks all wanted to hate it, expected to hate it and then in the end had to say that it was not too bad. I found the Hi-Point forum and discovered that they have a rabidly devoted following. Polls I found disclosed an extremely high satisfaction rate with those that actually owned one. Every gun store gossip (who did not own one) told me they were absolute POS and every one who owned one loved it. So now off to the range.
To date I have put in excess of 700 rds through the 4595 without cleaning it. I have fired several brands of factory FMJ loads, various lead reloads, plated reloads, personal defense ammo and so on without a failure of any type what so ever. I have consistently been able to hit a golf ball at 50 yards with the iron sights. Right now it has a Bushnell Trophy red dot on it and is sighted for 50 feet, I like to shoot it at the pistol range. I have put 200 rds rapid fire throught one less then 3" hole at that distance. Recoil is negligible and sight picture recovery is very fast. Most of all this little carbine is just sheer fun to shoot. I have added the dual mag holders that affix to the stock, kind of a nifty extra.However, there are plenty of rails for other toys. Most people gripe about the 9 rd magazine capacity, but here in MA that is less of an issure given that no pre-ban mags exist so a larger capacity is pretty much moot. One round is not a make or break.
Personally, I am not a fan of a rifle or carbine as a home defense gun. I live in a very small house in a suburban community. I prefer a handgun for home defense, especially given that the absolute longest range inside would be 25 feet and probably a lot less. Maneuvering a long gun in such a cramped environment seems counter intutive to me. At the next level of a social breakdown (SHTF) I would much prefer a real rifle with larger madazine capacity and more power and distance. That being said I think of the house I grew up in. A large house in a rural setting with out buildings such as a chicken coop, barn, sheds etc. This little carbine might shine in a situation where some predators have four legs and not just two. Put a light and/or laser on it and it would be a formidable weapon to discourage all manner of intruders. Based upon my experience so far I would trust my life to this cheap little POS.
To date I have put in excess of 700 rds through the 4595 without cleaning it. I have fired several brands of factory FMJ loads, various lead reloads, plated reloads, personal defense ammo and so on without a failure of any type what so ever. I have consistently been able to hit a golf ball at 50 yards with the iron sights. Right now it has a Bushnell Trophy red dot on it and is sighted for 50 feet, I like to shoot it at the pistol range. I have put 200 rds rapid fire throught one less then 3" hole at that distance. Recoil is negligible and sight picture recovery is very fast. Most of all this little carbine is just sheer fun to shoot. I have added the dual mag holders that affix to the stock, kind of a nifty extra.However, there are plenty of rails for other toys. Most people gripe about the 9 rd magazine capacity, but here in MA that is less of an issure given that no pre-ban mags exist so a larger capacity is pretty much moot. One round is not a make or break.
Personally, I am not a fan of a rifle or carbine as a home defense gun. I live in a very small house in a suburban community. I prefer a handgun for home defense, especially given that the absolute longest range inside would be 25 feet and probably a lot less. Maneuvering a long gun in such a cramped environment seems counter intutive to me. At the next level of a social breakdown (SHTF) I would much prefer a real rifle with larger madazine capacity and more power and distance. That being said I think of the house I grew up in. A large house in a rural setting with out buildings such as a chicken coop, barn, sheds etc. This little carbine might shine in a situation where some predators have four legs and not just two. Put a light and/or laser on it and it would be a formidable weapon to discourage all manner of intruders. Based upon my experience so far I would trust my life to this cheap little POS.
