How To Clean A Hi Point 9mm Pistol

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Ohio-based Hi-Point has been delivering an assortment of pistols and carbines to the consumer market since 1994 but they can be somewhat difficult to clean and disassemble.

To give the word direct from the company, Mike Strassell, Hi-Point's owner, goes for a deep dive on the inner workings of the C9 series 9mm pistol in the above 21-minute video. The instruction also helps those with a Hi-Point CF380 or CF380 Comp model as the full disassembly and assembly process is the same.

While not as easy as maintaining a modern revolver or something like, say a Glock, the job of breaking the C9 down to its component pieces isn't rocket science. Strassell does point out that those electing to tackle the job need to start with an unloaded pistol, empty magazine, a variety of punches (3/32, 1/8, 1/16) a block, assorted screwdrivers, the adjustment tool that comes with the gun, and a small hammer.

As for cleaning once the handgun is disassembled, HI-Point notes in their recently updated user's manual for the C380/C9 the following process:

BARREL: Clean the barrel as follows:
1. Wet a cleaning patch with a gun cleaning solvent or a cleaner-lubricant- preservative and run it through the barrel, from the chamber end, several times using a cleaning rod.

2. Wet a bristled cleaning brush with gun cleaning solvent or a cleaner-lubricant preservative and run it back and forth in the barrel, from the chamber end, using a cleaning rod.

3. Wet a new cleaning patch with gun oil or a cleaner-lubricant-preservative and run it through the barrel once, from the chamber end, with the cleaning rod and examine it. If it is not clean, repeat steps 2 and 3 until the patch remains clean after being run through the barrel.

4. Before firing your Hi-Point pistol, run a clean patch through the barrel, from the chamber end, using the cleaning rod. Repeat this procedure until the patch comes out of the barrel with no gun oil or cleaner-lubricant-preservative on it. (Note: If you will be storing your Hi-Point pistol, do not perform step 4 until you are ready to use it).

5. Wet a nylon bristle brush with gun cleaning solvent or a cleaner-lubricant-preservative and thoroughly brush the outside of the barrel to remove any dirt or residue.

6. Wipe the outside of the barrel dry with a clean patch and examine it. If it is not clean, repeat steps 5 and 6 until the patch remains clean.

SLIDE: Clean the slide as follows:

1. Wet a nylon bristle brush with gun cleaning solvent or a cleaner-lubricant-preservative and thoroughly brush the bottom surfaces where the slide sits on the frame.

2. Wipe the bottom surfaces where the slide sits on the frame with a clean patch and examine it. If it is not clean, repeat steps 1 and 2 until the patch remains clean.

3. Wet a nylon bristle brush with gun oil or a cleaner-lubricant-preservative and, while holding the slide with the muzzle end facing down, brush the breech face and the area under the extractor. Do not use solvents on hydro dipped coated surfaces.

4. While holding the slide with the muzzle end facing down, wipe the breech face with a clean patch and examine it. If it is not clean, repeat steps 3 and 4 until the patch remains clean.

5. Check all other exposed areas of the slide for cleanliness. If any dirt or debris is found, remove it with gun cleaning solvent or a cleaner-lubricant-preservative using a nylon bristle brush or a clean patch.

6. Wipe the exposed areas of the slide that you have cleaned in step 5 with a clean patch and examine it. If it is not clean, repeat steps 5 and 6 until the patch remains clean.

FRAME: Check the frame for cleanliness. If necessary, clean the frame as follows:

1. Wipe exposed parts of the frame with a clean patch that has been slightly dampened with gun cleaning solvent or a cleaner-lubricant- preservative.

2. Wipe the exposed areas of the frame with a clean patch and examine it. If it is not clean, repeat steps 1 and 2 until the patch remains clean.

MAGAZINE: Inspect the magazine for dirt or visible damage. If necessary, clean the magazine as follows:

1. Wipe the outside of the magazine and the feed lips with a clean patch that has been slightly dampened with gun cleaning solvent or a cleaner-lubricant-preservative.

2. Wipe the outside of the magazine and the feed lips with a clean patch and examine it. If it is not clean, repeat steps 1 and 2 until the patch remains clean.

After you have cleaned your Hi-Point pistol, lubricate it by slightly dampening a clean patch with gun oil or a cleaner-lubricant-preservative and wiping the outside of the barrel, the inside of the slide and the outside of the magazine.

Your Hi-Point pistol is designed to operate properly with only a small amount of lubrication. Do not over lubricate your Hi-Point pistol because too much lubricant can collect unburned powder and other debris and prevent your Hi-Point pistol from functioning properly.

After you have finished cleaning and lubricating your Hi-Point pistol, and before you assemble it, you should inspect the barrel for lead build-up, bulges, cracks or obstructions and inspect the frame and slide for any corrosion or any visible damage.

In the video on disassembly, when switching to assembly, Strassell warns on what parts not to adjust — such as the drop safety counterweight — and reiterates Hi-Point's assurances that, should the user observe broken or damaged parts, the factory will "send out replacement parts for free."

Also, Hi-Point reached out and wanted us to share this cautionary tale about the above video:

"This video shows how to completely disassemble (detail strip) the C-9 pistol and is intended for use by trained armorers/gunsmiths only. Users should never disassemble their C-9 pistols beyond the instructions in the Instruction manual. Further disassembly by untrained persons could cause your Hi-Point pistol to malfunction and will void the warranty. Hi-Point pistols are covered by a lifetime warranty. If your C-9 pistol is not functioning properly, needs to have a worn or broken part replaced, or its internal components need to be cleaned (which is not normally necessary) please contact Strassell's Machine, Inc. or a qualified gunsmith."

According to statistics by federal regulators, Hi-Point produced 14,805 semi-automatic .380-caliber pistols in 2017 along with another 31,210 chambered in 9mm, all backed up by a lifetime warranty.

The company made headlines across the greater gun community this year, first with their new 2nd generation C9 pistol, to be named the YC9 "Yeet Cannon" after the results of an online public poll. In celebration of the public outpouring, Hi-Point has also released a special version of the C9 dubbed the "Yeet Cannon G1."

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Yeet Cannon G1 C9 High Point

The original C9 is now considered by many to be the Gen 1 Yeet Cannon