TheHi-Point Model C-9 is a polymer-framed, semi-automatic, blowback-operated pistol manufactured byHi-Point Firearms.It is chambered in9×19mm Parabellum and is rated to accept+P ammunition. It became well known for its low retail price of under $200. An improved model, the YC9, was originally expected for release by late 2019, but was finally released for sale in August 2023.

Hi-Point C-9
Hi-Point C-9 with ten round magazine on right.
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	Tom Deeb
Manufacturer	Hi-Point Firearms
Specifications
Mass	unloaded 25 oz (709 g); 29 oz (822 g) loaded per spec
Length	6.75 in (171 mm)
Barrel length	3.5 in (89 mm)
Cartridge	9×19mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Muzzle velocity	1,279.5 ft/s (390 m/s)
Feed system	8-, 10-, or 15-round detachable boxmagazine
Sights	blade front, notch rear (adjustable)

The Model C-9 is a compact, single-stack magazine, model ofHi-Point's9×19mm handgun. It consists of apolymerframe, 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 forconcealed carry.^{[citation needed]}

Hi-Point's handguns use ablowback design similar to that used in theWalther PPK and RussianMakarov PM. In blowback weapons the mass of the slide and bolt absorbs the rearward force generated by the propulsion of thebullet. 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 theslide 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.

The C-9 Comp. (short for "Compensated") is the larger version of Hi-Point's 9 mm handgun. Its major difference from the C-9 Compact is that it has a specially designed "compensator" attached to the end of the barrel. The compensator works as a muzzle brake, by forcing some of the hot gases escaping behind the bullet to go upward through specially drilled holes in the top of the compensator. The escaping gases push the end of the gun downward; helping to eliminate some of the upward motion caused by the natural recoil of the gun. The underside of the C-9 Comp. has been machined with rails to accept the addition of accessories such as a flashlight or laser sights for better target identification.

Another difference between the C-9 and C-9 Comp. is the barrel length. Its 4 in (102 mm) barrel is1⁄2 in (12.7 mm) longer than its sister weapon's providing for better accuracy and balance. The compensator and extra bulk also increase the weight. Weighing in at 35 oz (992 g), it is 6 oz (170 g) heavier than the new model, and 2 oz (57 g) heavier than the older model of the C-9 Compact.

The YC9, an improved version of the C-9, was developed in 2019. The pistol's name was decided after an online contest, in which Yeet Cannon received 313,000 votes, over 96% of the total.^[1][2] The weapon's length, weight, and caliber are identical to the C-9, but it features a new safety, new grip texturing, "Glock-style" front sights, and an elongated sight base, allowing for aPicatinny rail.^[3] Limited numbers of C-9s withYEET Cannon G1 marked on the slide became available starting on July 17, 2019.^[4] YC9s were planned to become available for sale in 2020, and became available summer of 2023^[5][6]

The C-9, C-9 Compensated, and other Hi-Point handguns have been criticized for their weight.^[7] In response to this complaint, the empty or unloaded weight of the C-9 has been trimmed from 29 ounces (822 g) to 25 ounces (709 g) by using a polymer frame,^{[citation needed]} making its weight comparable to other pistols with similar magazine capacities.

Like other Hi-Point pistols,field stripping the C-9 requires the use of a smallpunch or a smallscrewdriver and a hammer to remove aspring pin in the receiver.^[8] The weapon's overall reliability has been questioned because of different kinds ofjamming: misfeed and failure to return to battery among others.^[8][9]

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