Type Semi-automatic pistol Designer Tom Deeb Length 6.75 in (171 mm) | Place of origin United States Manufacturer Hi-Point Firearms | |
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Weight unloaded 25oz (709 g); 29oz (822 g) loaded per spec | ||
The Hi-Point Model CF-380 is a polymer-framed, semi-automatic, blowback-operated pistol manufactured by Hi-Point Firearms. It is chambered in .380 ACP and is rated to accept +P ammunition.
Contents
Design
The Model CF-380 is a compact, single stack magazine, derivative of Hi-Point's 9×19mm handgun line. It consists of a polymer frame, zinc-alloy slide and bolt (with steel reinforcing inserts, and a steel breech, chamber and barrel. Its low price and small and compact design prompted many to purchase it for concealed carry. Some decline to carry the CF-380 in Condition One ("cocked and locked" - generally considered to be the preferable condition for defensive carry) because its striker-fired design lacks a firing pin block.
Hi-point's handguns use a simple yet reliable blowback design similar to that used in the Walther PPK and Russian Makarov PM. In blowback weapons the mass of the slide and bolt absorbs the rearward force generated by the propulsion of the bullet. As the pressure drops to a safe level, the slide moves back, (along with the bolt), an extractor hooks the empty casing and pulls it out of the chamber, after which the case is ejected from the weapon by the ejector. When the slide has completed its rearward travel, the recoil spring moves the slide forward, chambering another round. Many, if not most, modern handguns use a locked-breech design and therefore do not require the amount of slide mass that the blowback design requires in order to remain comfortable to shoot, safe to fire, and easy to control during the firing process.
Criticisms
Though the Hi-Point pistols have been criticized for their weight, the empty or unloaded weight of the CF-380 is 29 ounces (822 g), making its weight comparable to other pistols with similar magazine capacities.
Some consider the lack of a firing pin block safety mechanism in the striker fired design to be inherently less safe than other designs and, therefore, not safe to carry Condition One. This belief is debatable, given that the popular and long-lived Colt 1911 is often carried 'cocked-and-locked', with only the thumb safety engaged.
The firing pin in this design also acts as the ejector. It is possible to have a 'out of battery detonation' while hand cycling live ammo through the gun due to this. This means that it is not safe to hand cycle live ammo through the gun and great care should be taken while unloading.
While some after market magazines may not work well with the pistol, a simple adjustment of the magazine lips can often solve the problem. Other feed issues are often solved by polishing the feed ramp, switching to another brand of ammunition, or simply honoring the industry standard "break in period" to give both the firearm and magazines a chance to properly break in and mate moving parts. The suggested break in period for Hi-Point pistols is between 100 and 200 rounds. If this does not solve the problem, customer support for Hi-Point will send a replacement firing pin and springs, along with a new replacement magazine, which will solve some of the "feed" problems free of charge.