Hi-Point Model 3095TS .30 Super Carry Carbine: Full Review

In the world of pistol-caliber carbines, Hi-Point is the first company to chamber a carbine in the new .30 Super Carry (.30 SC) cartridge. The Model 3095TS joins Hi-Point’s affordable carbine lineup of other caliber offerings like .380 Auto, 9mm, .40 S&W, 10mm, and .45 ACP that are all priced starting around $350. Are they any good? Ask your local gun dealer. Odds are they sell a bunch to satisfied customers.

About Hi-Point

Successful companies know their customers; Hi-Point is an excellent example of this adage. They are an American manufacturer of what they call “the working man’s gun.” Family-owned in Mansfield, Ohio, Hi-Point concentrates on utility and value over what might be trendy or dripping with all the bells and whistles. You may know them for their popular C9 9mm pistols. Hi-Point products have been an extremely affordable option for over 30 years.

The Model 3095TS

This is the world’s first production .30 SC carbine. Like their other carbine offerings, the 3095TS has a 16.5-inch barrel, is blowback operated, measures just 31 inches, and weighs 6.25 pounds. At first glance, it has a modern, no-nonsense look to it. It’s also 100-percent American-made.

The skeletonized polymer stock is built like a tank. To keep it light and strong, it is molded in two halves and then bolted together, allowing for strategic cavities throughout. The integral, spring-loaded butt pad requires around 55 pounds to fully compress. The stock also has rails on the 6 o’clock position for a bipod, forward grip, or weaponlight. 

The 16.5-inch steel barrel is rifled using a 1:12-inch twist. The muzzle is threaded 1/2x28 for your favorite 9mm suppressor or muzzle device. A low-profile thread protector is included to keep everything clean and free of damage. 

The steel front sight post has a simple shrouded front blade that is adjustable vertically by loosening a retaining screw with the provided Dual LOK wrench. The adjustable rear sight features a crisp 1.5mm peep in a recessed plate to reduce glare. There are also elevation and windage adjustment reference tick marks for precise movement. The rear sight assembly is completely removable to make space for larger optics if preferred.

The two-position selector is easy to operate from any shooting position. Up is Safe, down is Fire. The 6.5-pound trigger is nicely contoured to provide a smooth pull from the integral grip. It takes a bit to get used to but seems to break reasonably well in the same spot. Reset on the trigger is smooth with a subtle click about halfway forward. The bolt holds back on the last round allowing for quick mag changes. You can also lock the bolt rearward by pulling back on the charging handle and then manually pushing it into a slot on the shroud. It’s a simple and smart design.

The steel magazine is the same single-stack style found in Hi-Point’s pistols and other carbines. Unfortunately, they are not interchangeable. The feed lips do a decent job positioning cartridges in proper alignment for chambering. I did have to give one of the lips a little bend to make it more reliable. Magazines are released by using a left-side thumb button that worked every time I used it. Disassembly is as easy as removing two pins, a retainer plate, and the charging handle. After that, the shroud and firing assembly can be removed and maintained.

.30 Super Carry

Released in 2022 by Federal, it was designed primarily for the concealed-carry and law enforcement community. The .30 Super Carry (SC) is the cartridge that bridges the gap between .380 Auto and 9mm, with ballistics closer to 9mm. It’s roughly the same length as a 9mm but 1mm smaller in diameter. A traditional 10-round 9mm magazine can usually manage a dozen .30 SC cartridges. Having more rounds per magazine is a good thing. Available in projectile weights between 100 and 115 grains, there are plenty of options for those transitioning from 9mm. 

The Hi-Point 3095TS is rated for +P, so it can accept any factory-made .30 SC produced today. Unfortunately, since the 3095TS uses single-stack magazines, they are still only limited to 10 rounds for now. There is a 20-round extended magazine for the 9mm but nothing yet for .30 SC. There is still an advantage to users who already have a pistol chambered in .30 SC, as they can use the same ammo stockpile. Either way, options are a great thing, especially if you’re looking to be the first kid on the block with the new hotness.

Shooting Impressions

I was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy and shootability. I set up on the 50-yard lane with a bipod and hefty rear sandbag. I opted to test with the iron sights. The adjustments were easy to make, and the rear peep and front sight post offered a nice sight picture with a good cheekrest height. The rifle was easy to shoulder and had a comfortable grip. 

I locked the bolt back on an empty mag, removed it, and loaded it with 5 rounds of Federal American Eagle to see if I was on paper. When pulling back on the charging handle, there isn’t any measurable overtravel. It simply unlocks and is already in position to pick up the first round, just about touching the cartridge. Let go of the charging handle and allow the mass of the bolt to do its job.

Once chambered, the system ran smooth with little muzzle rise. The trigger broke predicably at 6.5 pounds and reset smoothly. The 10-round mags were easy to load up to the final round. It’s snug, but it gets in there and fed fine. It was fun and definitely one of those guns that you want to plink with all day.

Accuracy

I tested three different types of .30 SC: American Eagle, Gold Dot, and Blazer. All gave me surprisingly accurate results. At 50 yards, the 100-grain American Eagle grouped .62 inches at an average velocity of 1,478 fps. The 115-grain Gold Dot grouped 5 rounds at .92 inches with an average muzzle velocity of 1,241 fps. The 115-grain CCI Blazer grouped 1.01 inches with an average velocity of 1,286 fps. To say the least, I was impressed. Folks at the range took notice as well.

I feel the need to mention a few things I didn’t care for. The magazine release works well right-handed, but when shooting left-handed, I often pressed the magazine release as I squeezed the trigger, dropping the magazine. Perhaps Hi-Point could make a reversable release button. The other thing was the triggerguard. While it’s sleek looking, there’s not enough room to safely operate the trigger with a gloved hand. Some of us shooters need gloves for those colder months of the plinking season.

Lifetime Warranty

It’s worth mentioning that Hi-Point backs their products with a warranty that covers repairs for the life of the firearm, regardless of who owned it before you. You might be the fifth owner, and they’ll still fix it if it breaks. That’s a big added value right there.

Overall, I’d recommend this carbine to anyone interested. I can’t honestly think of a better value on the market. If you’re on a budget, consider Hi-Point. You get a lot of bang for your buck. 

Hi-Point Model 309STS

• Type:Blowback-operated carbine
• Cartridge: .30 Super Carry
• Capacity: 10+1 rds.
• Overall Length: 16.5 in.
• Weight: 6.25 lbs.
• Stock: Black polymer with integral grip
• Length of Pull: 14.5 in.
• Finish: Powder coat
• Sights: Adjustable ghost ring rear, front post
• Safety: Two-position selector
• MSRP: $369
• Manufacturer: Hi-Point, hi-pointfirearms.com

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