Summary: The SKS is a historic Russian (and later made in other countries) weapon that has seen combat on the battlefields of the world. The 7.62x39 cartridge is twice as powerful as the 9mm cartridge. The SKS is rugged, but if a part DOES need to be replaced, you will be on your own to order a new part from the internet, and install it yourself. The built-in ten round magazine, loaded from above via stripper clips, is considered quite reliable; but after market large cap "duck bill" mags are considered sub-standard, except for the Tapco 20-rounder (which didn't work well for me).

The Hi-Point 995 9mm carbine is also a rugged firearm, and operates reliably. If a part DOES break you may send it in to the manufacturer for a cost-free fix or rebuild, or parts may be sent to you for home repair. The Hi-Point warranty is considered to be as good or better than any other firearm warranty, and it applies for a lifetime to ANY Hi-Point owner, not just the original owner. The 9mm cartridge is less powerful than the 7.62x39, however it is STILL an adequate cartridge for self defense or shooting predators, and it is half the price to shoot. A typical 9mm bullet fired from a carbine (124 grains at 1300 fps) will be three or four times more powerful that the typical .22 caliber rifle bullet (40 grains at 1100 fps), so it's nothing to sneer at.

Neither carbine is a "tack driver," but both are accurate enough for effective firing at distances of up to 100 yards. At ranges over 100 yards, the 7.62x39 will definitely retain its velocity better than any 9mm round; and at the 200 yard range is more powerful than a 30-30 hunting rifle, due to the better aerodynamics of the bullet. The SKS will likely still be "accurate enough" at 200 yards, with a flatter trajectory than a 9mm bullet.

If you are attracted by the historical aspect of firearms, then the SKS will suit you better than the Hi-Point 995. On the other hand, if you just want a practical knock-about carbine that will last a lifetime, be cheap to shoot, and will cost nothing for repairs, you can't beat the Hi-Point 995. The pistol grip and shorter length of the Hi-Point may also make it a better "in the home" defense rifle than the SKS. The Hi-Point will be easier to handle, and quicker to reload in close quarters. Note also, if you require just a little more fire-power, the 40SW caliber Hi-Point carbine may be purchased for only $20 or $30 more than the 9mm version. It's also worth pointing out that really nice looking SKS rifles are much harder to find now (2010) than just a few years ago.

I found the following illuminating comments comparing the 995 vs the SKS on the Hi-Point Forum:

From ForrestDweller
Generally speaking for a survival situation a SKS will out perform a Hi-Point in range and stopping power past 75 yards. While not a straight up comparison a study of the Israeli army on the Uzi vs the AK-47 during the 1967 war at the Golan Heights offers some insights as to where the Hi-Point actually is a better choice in close up defense. I am not trying to compare pistols or shotguns in the mix but even there the Hi-Point has some advantages. The study was basically AK's being used for defense and Uzi's offensively in the trenches and bunkers. Quality of training I do not think reallly factors in greatly because the Syrians were some of thier best troops and defending thier soil on terrain they knew. Basic facts: SKS: 10 round internal fixed magazine 9 lbs roughly weight 7.62 x 39 cartridge 40 inches in length Bayonet fixed Hi-Point Carbine: 10 round detachable magazine 5.75 lbs 9x19 cartridge 32.5 inch length Pistol grip magazine well and button magazine release. Where does the Hi-Point shine over the SKS? The pistol grip magazine well. It allows for a shorter handling radius in close quarters. The quick reloading of a button magazine release allows for faster reloading. Pistol grip allows ability to bring firearm back into action faster because of the pistol grip. Lighter weight allows easier handling even one hand shooting. I have and shoot SKS's, SAR-1 (AK-clones), 995 Hi-Point carbine and have handled and shot Uzi's. The factors that were in the Israeli study are a valid comparison base in my opinion given the simularity. The major factor that actually would skew the conclusions is the 10 round fixed magazine or the SKS and the longer length of time to reload with stripper clips compaired to magazines of the Hi-Point.

From Glockman
9mm 115gr +P+ Hollow Point runs at roughly 1550fps 7.62x39mm 123gr FMJ runs roughly at 2250fps Both will shoot on a string to 100yds. The 7.62x39mm will have nearly 2.4 times more the felt recoil of the 9mm +P+ The Hi-Point is more compact, has better sights and can be quickly reloaded and is able to handle a attached light or laser. The SKS's striper clips are awkward to use during times of stress and its sights are not the best for the changing environment of a SHTF event. The 9mm +P+ H/P starts at .355 diameter and can expand well past that while the 7.62x39mm (Basically a .310 diameter bullet) will not expand and it was proven that its wound track is very unremarkable and survivable. 7.62x39mm H/P's do exist but numerous testing shows they do not expand and 123gr Soft Points in this caliber are very expensive and hard to obtain. Wolfs sell a 154gr Soft Point by the jury is out with concerns of accuracy and key holing from SKS barrels. The Hi-Point loaded with the proper ammunition and deployed by someone with sound tactics is a serious defensive tool. I would not feel under gunned with it during a SHTF event. The SKS also has its place in the home defense arsenal but is more of a mission specific weapon were the Hi-Point plays more of a multi role option. Neither weapon is the perfect tool for a SHTF event but the Hi-Point earns higher marks and gets the node here.

From JK47
I don't think that israeli study is directly applicable here. Both the uzi's and AK-47's mentioned are select fire weapons, comparison to semi autos is IMHO silly. Also the uzi is far more compact than the hi point. The pistol grip advantage is valid; though there are pistol grip options for the sks. the ammunition comparison is a more valuable tool; It's not quite even to compare 9mm hollow points to 7.62x39mm FMJs. There are much better choices for expanding ammo in 9mm, but 7.62x39mm punches through cover better, and if you could find a proper soft point in that caliber it would (I speculate) outperform the 9mm hollow points. I hope I don't get burned as a heretic for saying this, but in a survival situation I would prefer the SKS, and my reason is durability. The 995 is plenty durable, but its got its fair share of plastic and screws and spring loaded bits to lose. In a survival situation you will not be able to mail your carbine back to the manufacturer, and as far as I know there are no replacement parts floating arround on the market. An SKS is all wood and steel, breaks down without tools, and breaks into component groups so you don't have to deal with little parts when cleaning. Stripper clips are smaller and lighter than magazines, and can handle abuse a bit better- and more importantly you can carry a whole lot more as replacements then you could magazines. The bayonet and soild wood stock means that the sks can be used in hand to hand combat, even though that seems pretty unlikely. when you say survival, I think dirt, woods, lots of running and not alot of time to clean and maintain the weapon. If you meant a situation that is largely indoors, urban areas with tight spaces and places where overpenetration is a danger, then the 995 trumps the sks. They're both good, but are better suited to deal with different situations.

From MiniDriver
I actually bought my 995 as a cheaper to shoot alternative to my SKS. I love both guns but have a bias towards my SKS as it was my first gun and I have had it a long time. To compare the two in a SHTF situation is kinda an apple vs. orange deal. When my SKS was my only gun I was unsetteld at best when it came to thoughts of using it as a HD gun due to the over penetration issue. The loading speed as I see it is slightly in the 995's favour, but only slightly, some practice with stripper clips can yeild a quick reload time. But now with my 995 I know I have a good HD gun. If I had a choice of the two while INSIDE my house I would grab the 995. But if for some reason I was outdoors and threatened enough to pull a weapon, the SKS would get my vote. But I will mention I recently shot a SKS with a Dragunov stock and 30rd removable mag. That thing is HEAVY! Compared to my unchanged SKS, it felt much heavier, especially towards the muzzle end. I know a big part of it was the 30rd mag, but still,,,, heavy enough that I was uncomfortable shooting while standing after 30rds. Think my SKS will stay just the way it is and my 995 will keep the ati stock and red dot.

From Uraijit
Also the uzi is far more compact than the hi point. The pistol grip advantage is valid; though there are pistol grip options for the sks. The AK47 is also shorter than the SKS. An SKS is a very long gun, and it's not under ANY circumstances suited to CQC even if you throw on a pistol grip, or a folder. This has been hashed out in other threads. If you're looking for a brush cutting, deer sniping type of gun, the SKS is the one. But for CQC, or short range combat, I'd take the 995. Course... I'd take the AK47 over both of them. It's a good "In between gun" And that muzzle blast would be positively blinding at night!

More from ForrestDweller
Some of you do not read my post and take into account the qualifiers I posted. I was comparing two firearms and using a report of simular factors to point out advantages and disadvantages of each firearm. Both firearms were semi-auto. Generally noone has a pistol grip on a SKS especially when for the same price as dressing up the SKS you could get a SAR-1 a much better defensive carbine than a SKS. Leaving off the GI Joe stuff my comparision is valid and even with the SKS pistol grip aftermarket stock the Hi-Point can be handled one handed something very difficult with the SKS and with a shorter radius than the SKS easier to weld in close quarters. EVER try to reload a folded stock SKS with stripper clips much more difficult to do that with a standard stock. The rates of fire for both weapons is roughly the some with the button grip magazine release making reloading faster and ability to keep the Hi-Point closer to ready action being the major factor for the Uzi beating out the AK-47 in bunker and trench fighting. The within 75 yard qualifier was missed by some apparently. A six pound firearm is easier to handle than a 10 lb one. Long Term survival? How many firefights are some of you thinking. If you and yours survive one you would be doing good so finding replacement parts is questionable as a consideration. Hunting and foraging firearms would be more heavily used. Defensive firearms rarely. While I assure you for my family groups situation we have better options than some mentioned. Our plans do include the deployment of the 995 carbine with a redoubt situation and dedicated defender for the smaller children put there for better safety. I also feel the 40 S&W version of the carbine is a better choice because of the ballistics for the cartridge over a 9x19. The 9mm was a standard cartridge we decided on before the 40 became so popular and available. Another factor is that the SKS and Hi-Point carbine are closer in price break than other firearms which also makes a comparision valid. Reason someone may have limited resources and wants the best bang for his buck and situation. Simularily a comparision between the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 and a SAR-1 would be equally valid with the exceptions the Kel-Tec is a pound lighter than the Hi-Point and the SAR-1 is detachable magazine. 30 round magazines are available for both the Kel-Tec and SAR-1. I own and shoot examples of the firearms mentioned in my post with the exceptionof the 40 cal. So I have personal experience which influnced my opinions. I have been a long time supporter of the truth about the performance and reliability of Hi-Point on other boards even with the preconsived predijusts of some opinionated "experts". Yes! my HK-91 is a superior performer for survival situations over my Hi-Point except for limited situations like my original post was crafted.

For more information about the SKS, and other military surplus rifles, CLICK HERE.

BACK TO HIPOINT LINK CENTRAL