By Tom Wilson
A new Hi-Point Carbine Model 4595TS chambered in .45 ACP, manufactured by Beemiller, Inc. in Mansfield, Ohio arrived for testing. Similar carbines in both 9mm Luger and .40 S&W have been available from this firm for quite some time. The action is semiautomatic, blowback, firing from a closed breach.
After unpacking, the first order of business is to go through the paperwork. Particularly with regard to firearms “read the instructions and follow the rules” is required reading. It’s interesting in that this is the only new weapon encountered to date with instructions advising users to shake their ammunition prior to firing. Beemiller, Inc. advises this procedure be followed in order to dislodge powder that may have taken on moisture and caked in the flash hole after repeated weather changes. This advice is given in order to prevent hang or mis-fires. Many years ago some .38 special ammunition was encountered that had been in storage for quite some time. This old ammunition did in fact have many hang and mis-fires. Several hundred rounds of this ammunition were fired in order to salvage the brass. It certainly cannot hurt to follow this advice as a hang or mis-fire is a nasty interruption, no one wants that to happen in a home defense situation.
This firearm was shipped with the bolt operating handle not attached. It was easily installed to the bolt on the left side of the receiver and is conveniently located for a right-handed shooter to hold the weapon by the pistol grip and manipulate the bolt with the left hand. A combination tool is supplied to install the bolt operating handle. This tool has two hex openings that fit various bolt heads on this weapon. This tool also has a screwdriver blade for sight adjustments plus a special two-prong spanner used for disassembly. The bolt locks open after the last shot by engaging a tab on the magazine follower.
In order to manually lock the bolt open the user retracts the bolt with the operating handle and while holding it back moving a floating ring on it into the receiver to engage a locking notch for this purpose.
The magazine release button is on the left side of the pistol grip in line with the bottom of the trigger guard positioned for the right hand thumb. Those individuals with a rather small hand can’t release the magazine with the right thumb while holding the weapon in firing position. People with small hands will have to manipulate this with the left hand or go to a “port arms” position. This is not a major problem but will not afford the fastest magazine changes for the shooter wanting to pop out an empty magazine and quickly insert another for sustained fire.
The safety is located on the left side of the receiver accessible with the right hand thumb. Up is the safe position, down for firing. Again, people with small hands can’t reach the safety from the firing position. The safety can’t be engaged with the bolt open. If the safety is on, with the bolt closed, the bolt can’t be opened; this is common on many firearms. A red dot indicates the firing position.
The manufacturer advertises the stock as an all-weather black polymer skeletonized construction. The stock consists of two longitudinal halves held together with Allen button head blued bolts and nuts. The bolts and nuts are recessed to prevent snagging. The forearm and pistol grip are integral with the stock. The magazine well is within the pistol grip and is beveled to facilitate magazine insertion.
As with other Hi-Point firearms, the firing pin acts as the ejector, while this is unconventional, ejection was flawless.
Being chambered in .45 ACP recoil is minimal. It has what Beemiller refers to as an internal recoil buffer. This is a spring loaded device and is a part of the butt plate assembly and it is effective. It does not matter how much ammo your wallet can stand, you’re not going to return from any shooting session with a sore shoulder. Those using this firearm will find it a real joy; this is truly a fun gun. Most will agree that the .45 ACP packs a nice punch.
One 9-round magazine is supplied as standard. Beemiller warns that only currently designed magazines will have the proper clearance required. Older Hi-Point or after market magazines may not have proper clearance and may damage the frame. It would be greatly appreciated by many customers if the manufacturer would offer optional high capacity magazines. Many shooters would prefer a 15 or 20 round capacity magazine for this neat little carbine making it more practical for either home defense or lots of range fun.
Three Picatinny rails are provided. One is located on top of the receiver for mounting an optical sighting device. Another rail is located on the bottom forward most portion of the barrel for a laser or tactical light. A third rail is located on the bottom of the forearm for an optional forward folding pistol grip available from the manufacture or whatever other accessory may be desired. The sides of the forearm have similar appearance to Picatinny rails but they are generous grooves offering a very substantial slip-free gripping surface.
This handy little carbine is quite sturdy in construction. Hi-Point firearms have an excellent reputation for reliable functioning. Initial range testing was for function and reliability. A wide variety of ammunition, over 500 rounds, was put through this carbine without a single stoppage. This certainly makes a dramatic statement regarding reliability. You may wonder why so many rounds were fired in testing; well it was just too much fun to stop. Testing was conducted on several days however winds were never a factor. Velocities shown were taken using several different chronographs. The target pictured with this firearm and spent cases reflect the results obtained at 25 yards with iron sights.
Accuracy testing was performed with the front and rear iron sights removed. The front sight would have interfered with the scope view and the rear sight was removed to allow clearance for mounting a 3x9 power 50mm Nikon Buckmaster scope. This is really too much scope for practical use on this weapon, however, this combination certainly allowed for precise testing. If an optical sight on this carbine would be desired it would be more practical to choose something on the order of a dot reticule or possibly a 1 to 4 power scope. Optional optical sights and lasers are offered by the manufacturer at attractive prices. The standard rear peep sight is adjustable for windage and elevation; it is protected by formed metal wings on either side. The front sight is also adjustable for elevation and an encircling metal ring protects it. For home defense purposes the addition of a Laser and/or a Tactical Light would be a good choice.
The trigger takes some getting used to but once the user is familiar with its long travel to fire it’s not a problem. Sear release and firing comes at 8-lbs. 3 oz. on this particular weapon.
The manufacturer advises a basic cleaning every 300-400 rounds by locking the bolt open and proceeding with a bore brush. They advise a complete cleaning with disassembly every 1,500 to 2,000 rounds. While this weapon had not reached anywhere near the 1,500 round level, it was felt it needed a thorough cleaning. The disassembly process should only be undertaken by those thoroughly familiar with semiautomatic firearms. The instructions are a little hard to follow in that part numbers are not referenced in the instruction sheet provided. A call to the manufacturer resulted in a commitment of this suggestion being presented to the owner of the firm. Their technician thought this was a valid request. While disassembly is tedious the first time if the owner pays very close attention to the exact order of disassembly they will have little difficulty with re-assembly. In the photo showing the firearm disassembled note a small wooden dowel inserted into the ejection port blocking the bolt back. This was done to protect the bolt face, particularly the firing pin flash hole from damage from the cleaning rod tip. Be sure to have the weapon cocked if using a wood dowel so the firing pin is not protruding from the bolt face. The bolt is easily removed from the barrel assembly by unlatching a sliding clip on the bottom near the rear of the receiver. Pay particular attention to the orientation of a small pin extending downward. When removed it allows the disassembly of the firing pin and its two springs. It is important to only disassemble the bolt with it un-cocked, as this relieves substantial force from the recoil spring. If in doubt, it is wise to leave the bolt disassembly to a professional gunsmith or someone adept at firearms disassembly.
This carbine is provided as standard with one 9-round magazine, an owner’s manual, a rather basic trigger lock and a web sling with swivels. Manufacturers suggested retail price is $330 making it the most affordable semiautomatic pistol caliber carbine in .45 ACP encountered to date. The manufacturer offers a variety of accessories, one being a stock mounted holder for two spare magazines at $10. Spare magazines are affordable at $18 each. This firearm is 100% American-made regarding all parts and assembly. Hi-point provides a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser and the warranty passes to all subsequent owners.
This carbine is an outstanding buy. It has proven to be a very reliable, handy and fun firearm to shoot. It will be very adequate for pesky rodents, varmints and plinking at a reasonable range. This weapon will also be effective for home defense.
Hi-Point Carbine Model 4595TS
Weight unloaded w/mag: 7 lbs. 6 oz.
Barrel length: 17.5 inches
Caliber: .45 ACP
Rifling: 9 groove, RH twist 1:12 inches
Length overall: 32.25 inches
Height w/sight & mag: 8 inches
Width w/ bolt handle: 3 1/8 inches
Magazine capacity: 9 rounds
This article first appeared in Small Arms Review SAW (August 2012) |
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