I had purchased a Hi-Point 4595TS Carbine and was so impressed by it that a 9mm version soon followed; the 995TS WC.
As with the Hi-Point 4595TS, the 995TS WC went through some modifications to include removing the rear and front sights to accommodate a UTG 3.8″ ITA Red/Green Single Dot Sight w/Integral QD Mount. The dot sight did work well, but with my astigmatism it did not work very well. At that time; however, the dot sight was suitable and I did not pay any more attention to optics for the 4595TS and 995TS WC. That; however, changed when I found an excellent optic that was suitable for both the 4595TS and 995TS WC, and I was well on my way to another journey with the Hi-Point carbines.
Being a PCC, I felt that the 4595TS and 995TS WC could use a little more optic to not only enhance its CQB capability but also to extend its usability at further distances, at which I would not be confident in making shots with a pistol of the same caliber. I felt that a 1x-4x scope would be a nice compact package to have. The limiting factor would be cost, as there are more 1-4x scopes on the market than I realized and many are much more than I can afford, and would cost more than what I paid for the 995TS. Many reviews and rating were read on many 1x-4x scopes, but I believe that I have found a near perfect match, at a reasonable price, for the 4595TS and 995TS WC.
THE CHOSEN ONE:
Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope
The Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope seemed to have all the features that I would like to have, and two features that was really not needed on a firearm like the 4595TS and 995TS WC, but could come in handy at some point.
Some Hype:
From big-game hunts, to 3-Gun competitions and CQB situations, the versatile Firefield close combat 1-4x24mm riflescope is engineered for a wide range of shooting applications. Its variable magnification helps you get dialed in for precision accuracy at any distance. The scope’s true 1x power provides both-eyes-open viewing, while the 4x optical system hones in on longer-range objects. Its compact and weatherproof, fog-proof, shockproof frame ensures maximum portability and durability for a Lifetime of use. The Firefield close combat 1-4×24 riflescope offers fully multi-coated optics with a Red or Green illuminated Mil-Dot reticle and 1/4-inch click MOA adjustment, making it ideal for Tactical shooting and range-finding. Shooters can also use the Mil-Dot reticle as a hold over for bullet drop compensation or windage Correction. Easy-grip, open windage and elevation turrets on the top and side of the scope allow the shooter to quickly fine-tune the reticle for even greater accuracy. Its compact and weatherproof, fog-proof, shockproof frame ensures maximum portability and durability for a Lifetime of use.
Features:
- Mil-dot reticle
- Red/green reticle illumination
- Fully mutli-coated lenses
- Weatherproof, fogproof, shockproof
- Compact and lightweight
- Variable 1-4x magnification
- Exposed turrets
- Hard anodized finish
- Fast focus eyepiece
Specifications:
- Reticle Type – Mil-Dot
- Reticle Color – red/green
- Illuminated (yes/no) – yes
- Reticle Brightness Setting – 0-5
- Finish/Color – matte black
- Magnification – 1-4
- Tube Diameter – 30mm
- Objective Lens Diameter – 24mm
- Eyepiece Diameter – 36mm
- Exit Pupil Diameter – 12.3-6.2mm
- Eye Relief, mm – 120-105
- Eye Relief, inches – 4.724-4.134
- Field of view (m@100m) – 27.2-7.34
- Field of view (ft@100yd) – 88.3-23.8
- Diopter Adjustment – +3~-3
- Parallax Setting – 100yards
- Windage Adjustment – 120MOA
- Elevation Adjustment – 120MOA
- Windage & Elevation Lock – no
- MOA Adjustment – 1/2
- Maximum Recoil – 800G’s
- Battery Type – CR2032
- Battery life (hours) – 80-150
- Battery Voltage (V) – 3V
- Sunshade – no
- Waterproof/Nitrogen-filled – yes
- Shockproof – yes
- Fog Proof – yes
- Focal Plane – second
- IP Standard – IPX6 (weatherproof) water rating
- Body Material – aluminum
- Lens material – glass
- Lens Coating – AR blue
- Mount Type – weaver
- Operating Temperature – 0 to 120F
- Dimensions mm – 225mm/68mm/56mm
- Dimensions inches – 8.858/2.677/2.205
- Weight (oz) – 14.2oz
As with the Hi-Point 4595TS, the 995TS has a long top rail. However, only the section that is directly mounted on the receiver is the most useful for mounting an optic, because it has the most rigidity at that point. The top rail is made from synthetic material and has the ability to flex under stress.
Since there is no longer a front sight on the 4595TS and 995TS WC, I could mount the scope as low as need be. The rail atop the Hi-Point carbine (any Hi-Point carbine) is unique because of the spacing and mounting points for the provided fixed sights. Mounting a magnified optic requires scope rings or modifying the sight base, which is not something I wanted to do for some inane reason.
I initially used the scope rings that came with the scope; the center-line of the scope sits 2.5-inches above the center-line of the bore. The scope rings were changed out, but being a quad-lock type of ring, they are more than adequate if you need the scope to clear, say, a flip-up rear sight in the down position. A 3mm hex head bit is needed for the scope ring locking screws. See-through scope covers are also provided with the scope and serve the purpose for which they were intended. Incidentally, and should you wish to exchange the rings for something better, the scope ring height of the provided rings is 0.566” (13.39mm) from the base to the bottom of the scope.
The MIL-Dot reticle is really overkill for a firearm like the 4595TS and 995TS WC, but could serve a purpose once the cartridge ballistics was established.
The open turret design allows for quick changes to elevation and windage in the field or at the range. Clicks are positive and distinct.
On the left side of the scope is the illumination control and battery compartment. There are five adjustment steps for illuminating the reticle, if desired, but the reticle stands on its own quite well without illumination under normal lighting conditions – indoors or outdoors thanks to the 30mm scope tube. The red/green illumination of the reticle would come in handy when I need the reticle in low light or outdoors when I needed the reticle to contrast brightly against a background (or target). I find the green reticle very useful in my indoor range lighting. Of course, the downside is the need for a spare battery and the life of the battery when installed (80 to 150 hours, according to the manufacture). A spare battery was included with the scope, and a battery was already installed by the manufacturer.
The substantial eye relief of the scope is not common with a scope of this nature. It seems that BDC scopes have a short eye relief, usually in the 3 inch to 3.5 inch range (even closer in some cases). A short eye relief is fine if the stock is of the collapsible type. The operator can adjust the stock to an eye relief suitable to him or her. With the fixed stock of the Hi-Point carbines; however, a somewhat extended eye relief is definitely welcomed. Note that at 1x, the eye relief is just short of five inches, and a hair north of four inches at maximum magnification.
While the Firefield close combat 1-4x24mm riflescope is compact at just short of nine inches, the substantial 14.2 ounces of scope weight added to the 6.25 pounds of the 995TS WC brings the total weight of the 995TS WC up to about 7.25 pounds. For the Hi-Point 4595TS, the approximate total weight is now approximately a few ounces short of eight pounds. Some would say that is a lot of weight for a PCC. The only thing that I can say about that is that you need to handle and shoot a Hi-Point carbine for a while to appreciate what its bulk and weight can do for the operator. With that said, the Hi-Point carbine is not one that I want to tote around for any length of time.
THE HI-POINT 4595TS CARBINE w/FIREFIELD CLOSE COMBAT 1-4X24 RIFLESCOPE:
On the HP 4595TS, I used a 30mm sight QD mount that came with a UTG 6.4″ 30mm red/green dot sight, but had been removed and replaced with a set of rings that allowed for better MSR mounting. The UTG sight mount provides a rock-sold mounting for the Firefield optic. However, I was still not satisfied with the scope mounting arrangement and, once again, changed the rings. A set of Weaver Grand Slam, Solid Steel, 30mm High Top Mount Rings was selected as the final say in the scope ring department.
Author’s Note: The Weaver Grand Slam, Solid Steel, 30mm High Top Mount Rings are permanent mount style of rings. I felt that because the top rail is polymer, a lever-lock style of scope rings would produce changes in zero, due to variances in tightening lever-lock rings, more than permanent mounting rings. The scope, rail, and receiver cover are one solid unit with the permanent scope mounting ring setup.
The selected sight mount placed the center-line of the scope 2.5 inches above the center-line of the bore. The image that follows illustrates the approximate ballistics for a Federal 230-grain Hydra-Shok projectile for the sight height with a twenty-five yard zero. Note that there is compensation for the increase in the velocity of the projectile due to a longer barrel length. Also note that, in this case, there is a near zero at fifty yards as well.
I felt comfortable with a twenty-five zero for the Federal Hydra-Shok 230-grain .45ACP cartridge, as it shoots relatively flat out to sixty-yards. In fact, I felt a twenty-five yard zero would serve me well with other ammunition, as it is only past twenty-five yards that bullet drop, with the .45ACP cartridge, needs to be considered .
4595TS – Range Day
It was time to put the Hi-Point 4595TS and the Firefield 1-4×24 scope to the test.
The scope was zeroed at twenty-five yards and the most difficult part of zeroing is working with the very heavy trigger. Nevertheless, zero was accomplished (at 3x magnification) and it was time to move into some off-hand shooting.
A silhouette target was set at ten yards and the scope magnification set at 1x magnification. First up was running a “Mozambique” drill. The Hi-Point 4595TS ran it perfectly. Moving the target out to twenty-five yard, I ran the drill again. As before, both center mass and head shots were easily accomplished.
I ran the magnification level up to 3x and ran the same drill again at twenty-five yards, as fast as I could. Then ran the target in to about twelve yards, and ran the same drill. Again, the Hi-point/scope combination proved worthy. The inner limit at 3x magnification seemed to be at ten yards, but only because of the amount of the target seen through the glass. It is my opinion that 2.5X magnification would be an ideal magnification setting for ten yards to thirty-five yards; whereas, a further distance might need a kick in magnification.
My shooting companion also ran some shots through the combination and seemed pleased, with the exception of the heavy trigger.
The heavy trigger; however, feels less heavy when the Hi-Point 4595TS is run off-handed than when bench resting. It could be that since you are looking for “target” accuracy bench resting, and “combat” accuracy when running the gun off-hand, the trigger pull weight does not come into play as much. The trigger pull weight does come into play, of course, but once you get used to pressing the heavy trigger, it starts to feel more natural and you start to get used to it.
I found that shouldering the Hi-Point is very similar to shouldering an MSR when running it off-hand. Place the butt into the pecs to get the sight more in line with the shooting eye and tuck it in close, seems to be the best shooting position. Although the Hi-Point/scope combination seems heavy and somewhat awkward, the weight seems to go away once the Hi-point is shouldered and locked into a firing position.
Using a scope setup add a different dimension to off-hand shooting. While it does force you to stop and concentrate on the cross-hairs of the scope, and the eye needs to be centered in the ocular lens, I find it no slower using a scope as compared to a dot sight. The variable level of magnification, and a fast-focus eyepiece, I consider to be positive factors in being able to hit targets at varying distances. The Hi-Point 4595TS and the Firefield 1-4×24 rifle scope seem to be an ideal match.
THE HI-POINT 995TS WC CARBINE w/FIREFIELD CLOSE COMBAT 1-4X24 RIFLESCOPE:
For the HP 995TS WC, I used Weaver Grand Slam Lever-Lok Top 30mm High Mount Rings with a saddle height of 0.332” (8.4328mm). The QD mounts allow me to easily remove and attach the optics.
The selected rings place the center-line of the scope at 2.5 inches above the center-line of the bore. Given that a 9mm cartridge is traveling at a higher velocity of the .230-grain .45 caliber projectile, I decided on a fifty yard zero. Below is the relative ballistics for the 124-grain 9mm Hydra-Shok HP cartridge, which includes compensation in velocity due to the increased barrel length.
Author’s Note: All ballistic information, at this point, is purely speculative, but does provide a baseline from which to work with in determining relative performance.
995TS WC – Range Day
Range day with the Hi-Point 995 TS WC is coming soon and this article will be updated at that time.
HOW IT ENDS:
For me, the Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope is a near perfect union with the Hi-Point 4595TS and the 995TS WC. The Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope provides me with; an excellent sight picture, the illuminated reticle is very handy when working in low light conditions, the upper magnification level would help me take shot at greater distances than I would attempt with a handgun, the open turrets allow for quick adjustments according to conditions, the lowest magnification setting is excellent for working from twenty-five yards and inward, and the entire package feels good in the hands (although some would complain about the weight).
The Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope worked well for the Hi-Point carbine, because I had removed the front sight. If the scope is used on a firearm that has a front sight, the front sight could be seen leeching into the scope picture unless adequate magnification is used, or scope rings that would raise the scope high enough to clear the front sight were used. I mounted the scope on a Ruger 10/22 and I needed to set the magnification to 2.5x to clear the front sight.
Although the Hi-Point 4595TS and 995TS are rated for +P ammunition, defensive cartridges like the Gold Dot, Hydra-Shok, and other “standard” cartridges will benefit from the additional velocity that the carbine barrel can provide, and that benefits the operator as well.
It is apparent, to me at least, that my eyes work better using an optic with cross-hairs rather than with a dot sight. Your mileage may vary, and that is alright. Everyone must find what works for them. Hopefully, what I brought with this article will provide some useful information to some.
The MSRP on the Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope is $119, but can be found for less through various on-line sources.
Overall, I am impressed with the Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope, and would recommend it, but the prospective buyer needs to determine of the scope would suit their needs.
RESOURCES:
- Firefield Close Combat 1-4×24 Riflescope: http://www.fire-field.com/product-details.php?item=13
- Ballistics by the Inch (9mm Luger): http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9luger.html
- Ballistics by the Inch (.45ACP): http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45auto.html
- Weaver Grand Slam Weaver-Style Rings Lever Lock: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/450636/weaver-grand-slam-weaver-style-rings-lever-lock
- Weaver Grand Slam Top-Mount Weaver-Style Rings: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/127813/weaver-grand-slam-top-mount-weaver-style-rings
