[chetrogers]

I'm thinking of getting a Hi-point .45acp to replace my current 9mm for home protection .Is this gun worth getting quality wise.Also as stupid as it sounds i have never fired a .45 before. I have shot 44's 357's 9's,but never a .45.What should i expect recoil wise.Thanks for your time and for any information

[arinvolvo]

Ok, first off, what gun is it replacing?

And the recoil should not be bad with a HiPoint, considering the weight of them..

Im sure that TropicalZ will chime in any second.

[Cortland]

There's a point at which gun-snobbery becomes common sense. I'd put that point at about $179.00 MSRP for a new .45 (which is incidentally the funkiest looking thing I've ever seen).

Do yourself a favor and find something used. Perhaps a beat-up Ruger P90 or P97. You'll pay more, but I can't imagine it wouldn't be worth it.

[chetrogers]

I'm getting rid of my Jennings 9mm..Its crap and i need something i feel safer firing.

[nemesis]

I know a guy that has a real sweet Bryco for sale.

[makdaddy03]

I have a Hi-Point in 40cal. I like it for plinking in the backyard.;)
I wouldnt be afraid to have a Hi-Point as a Home Defense Gun.
Just break it in good.:) I have a little skit over on makarov.com on the modern gun board featuring the Hi-Point and my shooting results.:evil:

[444]

I have one ordered. I found out that no one my dealer called actually had one. Then I found out that when they DO get one, it is an allocated item.
:rolleyes:

The currently made Hi-Point .45 is far lighter than a 1911. I don't know about recoil because I have never fired one.

[chetrogers]

break it in ? I hear this alot with hi-point could you explain this more..Does it just meen shoot it alot..thanks

[Tropical Z]

If your experience is the same as mine,youll find your future .45acp to be accurate and utterly reliable.Breaking in requires about 300 rounds from my experience regardless of the gun being broken in.Below this round count and you cant really count on any gun to be trustworthy.I find Hi-Points to be very ergonomic and they come with nice sites from the factory unlike so many guns nowadays.
www.hi-pointfirearms.com

[jem375]

444.........the last gun show I attended, there was a big table with just about every handgun on it were Hi-Points mixed in with some more "high priced" handguns.... sorry you missed it.

[cslinger]

Just for the record I have never had to break in a gun. All of my current firearms have been reliable from day one....even my 1911. Some guns do require a break in period and therefore should not be judged un-reliable until around 500 rounds are through them.

I am not saying that you can't get a good Hi-Point handgun, but in my experience it looks like statistically you are much more likely to get a dog then a good one. If I was looking for something to defend my life with and was on a tight budget there are other routes I would go.

Ruger P97s can be had for around $300 NEW.
Firestorms are pretty good little pistols.
Makarovs are great cheap pistols, although in 9x18.

I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest you look into a nice used Ruger or Smith Revolver. The Ruger Security Six is a great revolver that is in a serious caliber and will go bang all the time. It can usually be found reasonbly cheap also.

http://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=9455635

http://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=9467510

Again there are people who get great Hi-Points and many who don't. The only Hi-Point that the majority of people seem to be satisfied with is the 9mm Carbine.

Please don't take any of this as a flame as whatever works for people is fine with me. I was just posting options that may yield a higher statistical chance of getting a reliable self defense weapon for a good price. My number one pre-requisite for a self defense weapon is that I am confident that it will go bang every time I need it to go bang. Everything else including capacity, feel, brand etc. is just icing on the cake. Accuracy runs a close second but it only has to be combat accurate.

Chris

[ebenw]

What about getting a shotgun?

[gryphon]

My very first HD gun was/is a Hi-Point in 9mm. It has NEVER failed for any reason and is rated to +P+.

Lifetime warranty regardless of age of weapon or who owns it.

I still to this day would trust my life to it as it has proven to me that it works.

[GitSome45]

RUGER P-97... ;)

JMHO,

Howard

[Andrew Wyatt]

There's a point at which gun-snobbery becomes common sense. I'd put that point at about $179.00 MSRP for a new .45


Think about it. it's a .45 (which is good) and costs 179.00(which is also good)


Buy it. take down copious notes each time you take it out shooting, report back.


If it breaks send it in for repair.


Somepeople are confused and bury it in the desert instead of sending it in for repair when it breaks. Don't do this.

[Mr. Black]

I don't know about the hi-point; but the recoil of a .45 is like a fat man bursting out of a door to catch a bus. Not bad, not hard; just a slow shove.

[444]

"but in my experience it looks like statistically you are much more likely to get a dog then a good one. "

Where are these statistics ?

[cslinger]

"Where are these statistics ?"

Sorry, personal obervations. I have first hand experience with quite a few people who I have met at ranges, met online or grown up with who have had hi points that simply would not function reliably.

I have read of many, many more who have had the same issues.

I have read of a few who have gotten good ones.

I use the term statistically loosely. What I was trying to say is based on my observations and research It seems much more likely to get a dog versus a good one.

For example I have first hand experience with many, many SIGs only one had a minor problem. Others I have met, talked to etc. seem to have the same findings.

I have first hand experience with many, many Rugers all have run like champs. Online and first hand research supports most peoples satisfaction with the mechanical reliability.

I have seen many Hi-Points and talked to many Hi-Point owners at ranges, old friends etc. and I have seen many many problems. The only Hi-Point that I have seen give good service to all who I have know to own it is the 9mm Carbine, I know three people who have these, have met a few more at ranges and talked to people online. These seem to be pretty solid.

Again I am not flaming or trying to say that owning an inexpensive gun is a bad thing. I just feel, through personal experience, that there are some very, very good guns out there for the same or not much more money.

I simply cannot, in good faith, recommend a Hi-Point pistol as a self defense arm because of my fear that it very well may malfunction, based on my observations, when needed most.

As a plinker, trainer, fun gun I say have at it. I have never seen or heard of one catastrophically failing and causing shooter injury.

Chris

[CZ-75]

I'm irrationally leary of hi-points, so put another recommendation down for a Ruger, which would be a P90.

Barring that, a Bulgarian Makarov would be the best gun you could buy for the least amount of money.

[WonderNine]

I'm getting rid of my Jennings 9mm..Its crap and i need something i feel safer firing.

I've seen several new or as new Ruger P89's ect. go on gunbroker the past few weeks for $200. I saw a brand new 3" late seventies/early eighties Charter Arms .38spl go for $130, I'm still kicking myself over that one. And unfired 4" Ruger Security Six .357 went for $180 another one I'm kicking myself over. Any of these would be 10X better than a Hi-Point and then some.

Also Southern Ohio Gun (http://www.southernohiogun.com/new_hand.html) has brand new FEG PJK9M Hi-Power clones for $199 + about $14 shipping. It comes with a ten round mag and also accepts standard Browning Hi-Power magazines. Also a MUCH better choice than a Hi-Point. It's what I would have bought a couple years ago when I was in a money crunch if I had known they existed.

They also have excellent condition surplus 9X18 Bulgarian Makarovs for $129. Also a much better choice than a Hi-Point.

[WonderNine]

I'm irrationally leary of hi-points

I find that highly rational. :cool:

[arinvolvo]

Oh man, I forgot about that...Wondernine is right...SOG has FEG hi powers for 199!!!

For only a little more money, you can have a real daisy of a handgun...

[WonderNine]

My very first HD gun was/is a Hi-Point in 9mm. It has NEVER failed for any reason and is rated to +P+.

I had to unjam a guys 9mm Hi-Point for him with a knife at the range about a month ago after he had fired about 6 rounds.

[hansolo]

Some people get confused and bury them in the desert instead of sending them back to the factory...

Knowing the "backstory" to this true tale, I nearly peed my pants from laughing so hard.:evil:

BTW, if the Hi-Point Carbine ever becomes CA DOJ-approved, I'm buying a few!

[chetrogers]

What is this story i keep hearing about....?

[444]

There is a guy on here that claims he got so frustrated with his Hi-Point that he buried it out in the desert.
This topic comes up about once a week and he mentions this on every one of these threads.
He will be here. Just wait a while.

[chetrogers]

lol..wonder if it fixed the problem or is it still buried..Wonder why he didn't just send it in to be fixed

[makdaddy03]

Maybe I should have buried that "Kimber Custom" in the Desert.:neener: What a piece of ???? that was.

[natedog]

Go to your book store. Buy a copy of "Shotgun News". A distributor (forgot the name) almost always has a large add toward the front featuring abot 3 pages of used handguns for sale. You can get a lot of inexpensive guns that way. They commonly have .38 Special Smiths for $150 used.

[NapAttack]

Just curious as to why everyone keeps recommending used guns.

Why would a used gun in unknown condition with no warranty priced at $150 be worth more than a new pistol with an unlimited lifetime warranty at $170?

You purchase one of these used guns that are so much better than the Hi-Point for $150. If you practice like you should at some point it breaks or wears out. So you have to spend more to get it fixed. If it costs more than $20 to get it fixed you've just lost money.

Also, I question anyone that recommends a pistol chambering 9X18 or .38 special as a better self defense weapon than a .45. The HiPoint will work. If it doesn't the company either fixes it or you get a new one. Lifetime unlimited warranty, remember. Unless of course you go bury it in the desert.

[USGuns]

Just save up a little longer and get the Ruger P97. A superior firearm at a terrific price for what you get.

[WonderNine]

Just curious as to why everyone keeps recommending used guns.

Why would a used gun in unknown condition with no warranty priced at $150 be worth more than a new pistol with an unlimited lifetime warranty at $170?

Alot of good that lifetime warranty is gonna do you if you're dead because it didn't work. For a plinker or fun gun, then yes you have a point. But for a self defense gun of reasonable quality??? The "lifetime warranty" when it breaks argument is worthless. And just for the record, we're not talking used Hi-Points vs. new Hi-Points for slightly more.

My favorite carry gun that I own has been out of production for twenty years and the company went under. But it's a high quality gun that I would trust my life to. Would I trust my life to a Hi-Point with a "lifetime warranty"? NO!

Second point:

If you claim that a used gun is in "unknown condition" after you inspect it and take it to the range, then so is a new pistol.

[chetrogers]

Now im thinking of getting one but just as a plinker .and thinking of getting a .357 revolver ..Man oh man so many choices.

[Andrew Wyatt]

see, that's the point.


If its not in good enough shape to defend your life with, you can send it back to get fixed. if a mak is unreliable, you have no recourse.

[Cortland]

Now im thinking of getting one but just as a plinker .and thinking of getting a .357 revolver ..Man oh man so many choices.

Now that sounds like a good decision. Just as an example, KY Imports (http://www.kyimports.com/ruger.htm#Ruger) lists a used ("very good cond.") Ruger Security Six in .357 mag for the same price as a retail Lo-Point -- errr... -- I mean Hi-Point .45.

[WonderNine]

$179, that's a good price!

MAYBE $25 more than a Hi-Point with shipping and transfer fee for 5 times the gun. Keep in mind you won't pay sales tax either like you will on a gunshop Hi-Point.

[CZ-75]

If its not in good enough shape to defend your life with, you can send it back to get fixed. if a mak is unreliable, you have no recourse.

There is little on a Mak to break and you'd have to be close to a moron not to be able to fix it yourself after reading up on it. Rather like a Glock.

[Helio]

Unlike most who trash 'em, I actually own a Hi-Point compact 9mm and am quite satisfied with it. I've fired around 1200 rounds though it, and I've documented 10 failures - all from using CCI Blazer aluminum cased ammo. I've had no problems with Winchester USA, UMC, PMC or Lawman FMJ's. I've also put a few boxes of Winchester Personal Protection 115gr JHPs through it with no problems.

There doesn't appear to be any excessive wear on the frame so I expect it to shoot thousands more.

The biggest problem I have with it is top heavy and recoils sharply - as it is a blowback type weapon.

If you've only got about $100 in your pocket and need a gun like NOW for home defense, I wouldn't hesitate to get a Hi-Point pistol.

The lifetime warranty is just the icing on the cake. :cool:

[Andrew Wyatt]

There is little on a Mak to break and you'd have to be close to a moron not to be able to fix it yourself after reading up on it. Rather like a Glock.



the same can be truthfully said about a 1911, and i hear about people who have gunsmiths replace stuff an 11 year old can replace, like the trigger, or grip safety.



for those people who can't do stuff like that, a gun with a warranty is the way to go.

[GoldenLoki]

I'm not recommending them... but I own a Hi-Point 45 that has been very reliable and accurate.

http://www.goldenloki.com/guns/hipoint/hipoint.htm

The reasons I don't recommend them are: poor sights, ergonomics of a 2x4, better options out there.

I would however offer this weapon for defense use to a person in need without guilt or remorse.

GL

[NapAttack]

Alot of good that lifetime warranty is gonna do you if you're dead because it didn't work. So you're going to guarantee that your Mak or used Ruger is going to work everytime? Guess what, your magic Mak or Ruger or whatever "higher quality" pistol is just a machine and like any other machine, it will break too. For a plinker or fun gun, then yes you have a point. But for a self defense gun of reasonable quality??? The "lifetime warranty" when it breaks argument is worthless. And just for the record, we're not talking used Hi-Points vs. new Hi-Points for slightly more. Just for the record, I wasn't either. Just like with any other pistol you take the HiPoint to the range, test it with a number of rounds (you pick the number that satisfies you) if it doesn't fail during that time then it can be considered a reliable self defense pistol. Guess what? With the lifetime warranty, if it does fail during that testing period, you send it back to get it fixed, no charge (maybe shipping fees). Plus with the lifetime warranty, if they can't fix it to your satisfaction then you've got legal recourse to get it replaced or your money back. But it's a high quality gun that I would trust my life to. Would I trust my life to a Hi-Point with a "lifetime warranty"? NO! So how do you get parts and repairs done on your high quality gun? Just curious, have you ever actually owned or even extensively tested a HiPoint or like most others are you simply slamming it because of it's looks and price? I can't stand Glocks, they're made from plastic, the ergonomics are all wrong for me and they're ugly as sin but I don't go around slamming them. I would buy a HiPoint before I'd take a Glock that was given to me free. If you claim that a used gun is in "unknown condition" after you inspect it and take it to the range, then so is a new pistol. Sorry, I should have said that you don't know how it has been treated or taken care of. Sure, you can inspect it and take it to the range but how do you know the last person that used it didn't consistently shoot overpressure rounds or any of a number of other scenarios?

[CZ-75]

the same can be truthfully said about a 1911, and i hear about people who have gunsmiths replace stuff an 11 year old can replace, like the trigger, or grip safety.

I agree, but fitting a hammer and sear aren't something a novice can do and even a grip safety (non-beavertail, as beavertails MAY require machining to fit) can still require stoning to fit the trigger bow properly.

It would be safer to say that the 1911 is child's play to detail strip. Parts replacement isn't so simple.

[CZ-75]

your magic Mak or Ruger or whatever "higher quality" pistol is just a machine and like any other machine, it will break too.

When my Mak broke, it took five minutes to put in a new sear spring, TOTAL. I can't see anything but springs failing on a Mak, possibly the extractor. The beauty of the Mak is its simplicity and that if one spends a few dollars to buy a few spare springs, one can fix it in minutes rather than spend $30+ dollars to ship it and wait for a few weeks to get it back.