In the not-too-distant past I had my doubts as to if the 10mm cartridge would stand the test of time. Today however the 10mm cartridge is seeing a resurgence in popularity with just about every major handgun manufacturer offering a pistol chambered in the 10mm.
As we have seen throughout history, cartridges that survive long term, especially pistol calibers, soon become the focus carbine minded aficionados. In 2018 Hi-Point introduced the 1095TS 10mm carbine. The carbine sports a 17.5-inch barrel, is 32 inches long and weighs seven pounds empty. The operating system is straight blowback, which is both simple and reliable. The heavy slide on Hi-Point’s is a necessity because its weight keeps the breech closed during ignition.
The Hi-Point 10mm Carbine with Factory Sights and 10-round Magazine
It’s no secret Hi-Point makes budget guns. Considering the entire Hi-Point line of firearms are built to be affordable for anyone you must accept that at first glance, the 1095TS looks a bit like a toy. But Hi-Point stayed within its low-cost manufacturing niche with the carbine models, using polymer and die-cast metals.
The 1095TS is fed by a proprietary 10-round magazine and has a pistol-style magazine release in the grip. This Hi-Point features a rear peep sight and a post front, and also offers a polymer top rail on receiver to mount an optic. As of now the 10mm carbine is available in three color variations: the always popular black, Realtree Edge camo, and white camo in case you in snow country.
When shooting soft rubber where your cheek weld is on the stock provides a cushion for your face. Additionally, there is a spring-loaded recoil buffer in the stock to absorb even more of the recoil, and the bolt locks back on an empty magazine.
Considering that out of the carbine’s 17.5-inch barrel the 10mm cartridge will provide between 50 and 200 fps more velocity than standard-length pistol barrels, the use of this carbine for hunting inside 100 yards becomes a viable option. Especially if you were to mount a red dot on the carbine’s optics rail. Being that the barrel is threaded you can easily add a suppressor for hunting or home defense.
The Hi-Point 1095TS also is comes in various colors and camo patterns
Hi Point Firearms 1095TS Carbine Features and Specifications include:
- Caliber:10mm Auto
- Barrel length:5 inches
- Barrel Threading: .57×28 TPI, thread protector provided
- Overall length:32 inches
- Weight (unloaded):7 pounds
- Trigger: Single-action striker-fired
- Stock: All-weather, polymer skeletonized stock
- Magazine capacity:10 rounds
- Sights: Fully adjustable sights (rear peep & post front)
- Accessories: One magazine, sling, sling swivels, sight adjustment tool, lock, owner’s manual
- MSRP:$450
If you shop around, the Hi-Point 10mm carbine you can easily be found for under $400.
On the range with the High-Point I tested several variations of 10mm ammunition thanks to the support of Lucky Gunner. This included: Sellier & Bellot 180gr FMJ, Winchester 180gr FMJ, Aguila 180gr FMJ, Hornady Handgun Hunter 135gr MONOFLEX HP, and Hornady 180 XTP HP. I fired close to 100 rounds from the Hi-Point and never had a malfunction.
Results for accuracy were all impressive from a 20 to 25yard supported rest. The best group overall was achieved via the Hornady 135gr MONOFLEX HP with five shots all touching in a single group of no more than one inch at 20 yards.
Five Shot Group with Hornady Handgun Hunter 135 Grain Monoflex 10mm
Since my intention was to take the Hi-Point on a Javelina hunt in the Texas desert I was ultimately looking for a viable hunting round. The 10mm, 135gr Handgun Hunter round from Hornady proved to be a perfect round for my fast-approaching Javelina hunt.
The rear peep sight and front post on the Hi-Point made for very accurate shooting, but as I was soon to learn on my Javelina hunt, did not make for quick sight acquisition on a live target.
Onward to Texas
My hunt began in West Texas in February of this year where my Texas whitetail hunting was still valid and the season for Javelina is year around. Additionally, the ranch I was to hunt had good numbers of Javelina.
On this particular hunt in the desert hills of West Texas I decided to put the Hi-Point 10mm to task. As to calibers for hunting, Javelina are not hard to put down…if you make a good shot. The 10mm Hi-Point Carbine provided an excellent choice and the caliber is more than sufficient for Javelina.
Walking canyons and brushy draws with a nearby water and food source while glassing along the way is a prime tactic for hunting. On my Texas hunt this year, this hunting method proved to be right on point.
A Javelina or Collard Peccay
Myself and a couple of buddies started out early by driving to and looking for Javelina sign at several water sources found on the ranch. The first two stops at water did show sign, but only minimally. On the third stop, we found what we were looking for. Lots of fresh Javelina tracks, droppings and rooting activity near and around the water source.
Also, a draw with thick brush and cover was very close at hand. The tracks were made only that morning and within 10 minutes of walking the area we spotted Javelina. There we no less than a dozen or so animals in the group and now it became a matter of getting into range for a clear shot. Closing the distance to around 50 yards, I shouldered the Hi-Point on a mature Javelina, and quickly discovered a few issues I had not considered.
First, getting quick sight alignment via a peep sight is no simple task on a moving Javelina. Second, the front post blends perfectly with the coloration of these little desert animals. And third, getting my cheek weld on the Hi-Point to obtain good sight alignment required getting my head down low on a stock that is already sloped at a downward angle.
This would have been a perfect application for a high mount red dot on the Hi-Point…but of course I had not considered this issue ahead of time.
All of this added up to several misses on my part, despite the accuracy of the Hi-Point. The darn Javelina would of course not stand still for any of this. Not my best exhibition of shooting! However, several of the animals split off into a small side canyon and put me in a position to get out in front of them.
Finally, I was able to get in a sitting position and make a well-aimed shot on a mature Javelina that stopped at 40 yards for just a bit too long. The animal was down for good and the 10mm Hi-Point, and 135gr Hornady ammo performed as expected.
My hunt ended in success and proved the Hi-Point Carbine can in fact be used in the hunting field with positive results. It just requires some pre-planning and practice on the hunter’s part! And in case you are wondering, Javelina does make for excellent breakfast or summer sausage.
To learn more about Hi-Point Carbines or other offerings from the company, go to hi-pointfirearms.com.
About the Author:
TERRY NELSON – is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement with police and sheriff agencies, including SWAT and sniper roles, and has served as a state game warden. Nelson also served seven years with New Mexico State Guard. A lifelong hunter, guide, tracker and firearms enthusiast, Terry is sought for training in multiple disciplines by both civilian and police-serving agencies and companies. Nelson also holds a Basic Tac Med instructor certification from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
