Designer Tom Deeb Weight 32 oz (910 g) | Place of origin United States Length 7.72 in (196 mm) | |
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The Hi-Point Model JCP is a blowback operated semi-automatic pistol chambered for the popular .40 S&W round.
Contents
Design
The model JCP has a polymer frame like all Hi-Point pistols, a 4.5 inch barrel, and a slide composed of ZAMAK-3 with steel reinforcements.
It features an integral accessory rail for mounting lasers and flashlights on Hi-Point rings. The safety is a combination lever for locking the slide and blocking the sear movement. The immediate drawback of this system is that the weapon cannot be cocked while the safety is on; the safety locks the trigger/sear, but the common misconception is that it only locks the slide.
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 return spring and mass of the slide absorbs the rearward force generated by the propulsion of the bullet. As the slide moves back, an extractor hooks the empty casing and pulls it out of the chamber after which the case is ejected from the weapon. When the slide has completed its rearward travel, the recoil spring moves the slide forward, chambering another round. Many modern handguns use a locked-breech design and therefore do not require the amount of mass that the blowback design requires in order to remain safe to fire, comfortable to shoot, and easy to control during the firing process.
Criticism
One frequent point of criticism is the substantial size and weight of the weapon. However, at 35 ounces with a 4.5" barrel, the firearm, with its 10+1 capacity, is the same size as the Colt M1911A1 .45ACP with its 35 oz. weight and 7+1 capacity, which many consider to be concealable, while the 40SW is 0.75 inches shorter in length and only 0.1 inches wider. The larger slide also helps to make blowback operation possible.
Some have criticized the physical appearance of the gun as unattractive and non-traditional. The design philosophy is similar to that of Glock, favoring a no-frills utilitarian design.
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 it.
They are known for being one of the cheapest, most reliable guns made, as well as being very commonly recovered by the police due to their low price and availability.