[whm1974]

Ok I was reading Guns&Ammo and they had an article on affordable handguns.
they mention the Hi Point 9mm comp which they say sells for $159. The low price
temps me but are these junk? Now I rather get a 9x18 Makarov for the price but
I also like to go anywhere and buy ammo.

Bill Meadows

[BHPshooter]

*sigh* Oh, here we go. :rolleyes:

In my area, the Hi Points go for less than $100. Personally, I'd invest in some throwing knifes and learn to use them if a hundred bucks was all I could spend for defense.

Don't get me wrong, they go bang, and they are supposed to have really great CS, but for the weight, you might as well be carrying an M4 Carbine.

Wes

[James Bondrock]

If you need a gun for protection and that $159 is ABSOLUTELY all you can afford to spend, a Hi-Point is better than nothing. But this is a classic case of the value of something not being directly related to its price. A first-quality pistol like a Glock, SIG, S&W, Ruger, etc. may cost two to four times as much, but their value is far out of proportion to their price. That $159 would make a good down payment on a layaway. ;)

[Warren]

I picked one up at a gun store and was suprised at how heavy it was. Also my finger could only reach far enough to the trigger to get the very tip of my finger on the trigger.

So no way in hell will I ever buy one.

Though I support the manufacture of cheap guns, cause even a cheap gun is a claw for the weak.

[sevenpoint62mm]

Ok heres what I'm experienced with these. They sell like hot cakes in Dallas, not sure why but they do. Basically they fall in the jennings/raven/bryco group. They seem to be very solid and dense. Then again bricks are dense but try making a gun out of one. Here you can get a 9mm hi-point for around $100. Heres what I've heard from them:

Store owner "they're sturdy but bulk guns, sorta like a Ruger"

CCW instructor to person who brought one "you need to take this back if you can. I've seen more then one of these blowup"

A LEO officer I asked "They're ok I guess. I wouldnt care one but I've seen them used in DRH (drug related homocides). They can't handle P+ so I hear"

Make of that that you will. As far as blowing up it might be user error (hell Glocks explode with lead rounds right). My advice is not chance it. If you only got a $150 buck I'd pick:

1.) For home defense: a cheap pump shot gun, lots of choices in this range at a pawn shop

2.) For carry: used taurus .38 or Ruger p89/95

[Grunt]

So let me ask you this, how many professionals (LEOs, Private Investigators, CCW and/or shooting school instructors, etc) have you EVER seen packing a High Point in their holsters? I guess it never fails to amaze me that there are folks out there that would actually buy these things when you can at get say a Star BM in 9mm for $140 or a Makarov 9X18 for $130. Really on a budget, how about a CZ-52 in 7.62X25 for $90 instead? Hey, I got my old Norinco Tokarev several years ago used for $70 and it's never missed a beat! All of these are low cost high quality firearms that blow the zinc bricks away in most any comparison you can think of, accuracy, reliability, durability, safety, etc.

[Walt Sherrill]

An acquaintance, who runs a very profitable gun shop, and who is highly regarded for his good business practices, says they're (Hi-Points) the ONLY inexpensive gun he'll sell -- 'cause they are the only ones that don't come back to the dealer after they've been shot a few times.

If I needed a good gun for home protection, I might look around for a used S&W Revolver. But some folks don't think the way I do, and some want a NEW gun with a warranty. Given that, and a very limited budget, the Hi-Points obviously feel a niche. Serious shooters don't use them. People who enjoy guns don't use them.

While I don't mean to equate Hi-Points to Glocks (there is no comparison), there are still folks who sneer every time a Glock is mentioned, too. Sneering and ridicule doesn't tell you a thing about the gun.

The Hi-Point carbines seem to be a better deal -- and you DO see some cops/deputies using them -- paid for with their own hard-earned dollars, and kept in the trunk of the patrol car.

Put another way, I also don't drive a Kia -- but they also fill a need.

[whm1974]

An acquaintance, who runs a very profitable gun shop, and who is highly regarded for his good business practices, says they're (Hi-Points) the ONLY inexpensive gun he'll sell -- 'cause they are the only ones that don't come back to the dealer after they've been shot a few times.

They can't be that bad if your acquaintance doesn't get returns. Still I rather have a Glock or an XD but I don't have $500 to spend on one.

Bill Meadows

[Walt Sherrill]

You're citing two extremes. There is middle ground. Its not an either/or choice!

As suggested above, there are a LOT of good guns available for under $200, if you're willing to buy a used gun.

Knowing what I know, I wouldn't buy a Hi-Point. But that's me. A new gun with a warranty is great -- but you hope you won't need to use the warranty. (The gunshop/range where I shoot, has Hi-Points for under $100, and other used guns for not a lot more.)

If I were you, I'd would look around for a used S&W revolver.... I've seen lots of them for under $200, and they're stone cold reliable, accurate, durable, etc. I passed on a fairly nice Model 10 a while back for around $85. It needed some finish work, but seemed good otherwise.

Used EAA Witnesses are often available for around $200 - $250. And the Makarov previously mentioned (with a round that might be a little anemic) sure beats a pointed stick. There are also good Ruger revolvers in the same price range,and they're excellent guns. And all of these guns are almost trouble free.

On the other hand, the nice thing about the Hi-Point is that if it jams, you can always drop it on the bad guy's foot. That is guaranteed to put him out of action.

[whm1974]

If I were you, I'd would look around for a used S&W revolver.... I've seen lots of them for under $200, and they're stone cold reliable, accurate, durable, etc. I passed on a fairly nice Model 10 a while back for around $85. It needed some finish work, but seemed good otherwise.

Used EAA Witnesses are often available for around $200 - $250. And the Makarov previously mentioned (with a round that might be a little anemic) sure beats a pointed stick. There are also good Ruger revolvers in the same price range,and they're excellent guns. And all of these guns are almost trouble free.

Actully I am looking for a revolver. But I would also like a Auto as well. Right now I'm looking for something to shoot. However since I'll have it I might as well keep loaded for home defence. The Makarov are priced right, and the ammo is cheap enough to shoot, but how commen is 9x18? Can I go almost anywhere and get it? And I'm not too sure if I want a thousand rounds of ammo(except .22LR) laying around the house...

Bill Meadows

[wasrjoe]

If you have access to a gun shop you shouldn't have trouble finding 9x18. You can't find it at Wal-Mart, but it's a common and inexpensive caliber regardless.

And I'm not too sure if I want a thousand rounds of ammo(except .22LR) laying around the house...

How come? It doesn't take up much space, especially for a pistol round. It's no more dangerous than 50 rounds lying around the house.

I would go the Makarov rout. It's a reliable, solid, accurate, fairly slim, and parts can be found very easily.

[Feanaro]

The Makarov are priced right, and the ammo is cheap enough to shoot, but how commen is 9x18? Can I go almost anywhere and get it? And I'm not too sure if I want a thousand rounds of ammo(except .22LR) laying around the house...

I don't live in a place that has many pure firearm shops nearby so I can't say but Wal-Mart(for example) almost surely won't carry it. It's all over the 'net though. Wolf, S&B, Barnaul(I think) all make it. Also, why not have a thousand "lying around"? It doesn't take up much space in, say, an ammo box. If you are worried about someone getting to it, put it in a safe. Don't have a gun safe? Then I'd be more worried about the firearms than the ammo.

[Dionysusigma]

If you have little/no money (like me), then Hi-Points are danged effective. Unimpressive, but so what? Snobs who turn their noses up at them would probably react differently if a Hi-Point is all they could afford (or if one was being used against them). You pull the trigger, it fires. So it's ugly... *shrug* It'll be just fine until you have the $$ for a 1911 or XD. :)

[Andrew Wyatt]

for the record, the cheapest i've seen used guns here is more than the cost of a hi point.

[Grunt]

I've had times too when money was tight. A Russian IJ-70 Makarov in .380 was only $130 and what I went with until I got the Sigs, Berettas, 1911s, H&Ks, Glocks, CZ and a few others in the collection that were better quality. If you got a High Point that works and will hold up well, more power to ya and I hope it will always fire when you need it. Personally though with the cheap surplus handguns (Maks, CZ-52, Fegs, and 9mm Star BMs) on the market though, you ain't gonna find one of the zinc bricks in my hands when the better surplus guns are just as inexpensive.

[sigma 40ve]

I have a High Point 45. I bought it not because I couldn't afford something else, but because I wanted to see how reliable, and what the life of one would be. Mine has about 300 rds thru it now. It feeds anything I put thru it, mixed up mags also. Mine has a good trigger. IMO opinion it is decently accurate at 25 yds and been completely reliable.

Lots of people have snob attitudes IMO.. I would not hesitate to pick up mine if it was needed.

One member at my club has one that is going on 2000 rds without one hiccup of any sort.

[Grunt]

Really? Here's a link to Gunbroker.com (http://www.gunbroker.com) where I found this Feg PA-63 (http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=19186757) currently going for $92.30 and here's a Bulgarian Makarov (http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=19320116) currrently going for $138.99. On the other hand, we have a High Point polymer 9mm (http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=19325476) going for $99.00 and another High Point .45 ACP model (http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=19325478) going for $129.00. So no, I wouldn't say that a used pistol is necessarily going for more than a new High Point.

[Walt Sherrill]

I think I'd rather have a Hi-Point than the FEG PA-63. Have you ever tried one?

(The Makarov is a quality gun, and that would certainly be higher on my list.)

[sevenpoint62mm]

I would not hesitate to pick up mine if it was needed

Let use know how the prostetic hand works after your Hi-point goes Hi-explosive. ;)

[whm1974]

How come? It doesn't take up much space, especially for a pistol round. It's no more dangerous than 50 rounds lying around the house.

Well I don't use an AC during the summer and in the winter I keep the heat as low as I can. I'm just afraid to spend $100+ on ammo and find later that the ammo was ruined.

Bill Meadows

[WonderNine]

A LEO officer I asked "They're ok I guess. I wouldnt care one but I've seen them used in DRH (drug related homocides). They can't handle P+ so I hear"

They are rated for +P

At least the new ones are.

[railroader]

whm1974, 1st off if you buy say 500 rounds it isn't going to go bad because you don't turn on the air or the heat in your house. Heck there is surplus ammo out there that is for sale that is probably older than you are and it still goes bang. If you buy online you can get good deals on ammo. At Dan's ammo you can get 500 rounds of 9X18 hollowpoints for $60 shipped east of the missippi river and $10 more for west of the river. They also have unissued bulgarian maks for $165 which is kind of high but look to basicly brand new. If you don't want to spend much you can't beat the makarov, they are rock solid. http://www.dansammo.com/ammo.asp Mark
http://www.dansammo.com/images/inv/F001.jpg
http://www.dansammo.com/images/inv/AB91801.jpg

[Majic]

My brother bought a Hi-Point in .45acp years ago. Shaped like a brick, ugly as a fence post, hurt your hand after shooting several mags. It is still running just fine and next to never hiccup no matter the load. It may not win any beauty contests, but it is reliable and fairly accurate (not target grade, but certainly service grade).
It is a pistol that the snobs will look down their noses at, but I have yet to see one blow or even break and they sell like hotcakes. Those I've talked to that own one seemed quite pleased with the functioning of it though no one like the asthetics.

[sigma 40ve]

quote----"Let use know how the prostetic hand works after your Hi-point goes Hi-explosive"





Thanks sevenpoint62mm;

I guess you would caution me against picking up my Glock or SA XD if I needed them either. Especially since we all know there have been KB's with them.

If the situation ever arises where you have a choice of picking up a High Point or using your hand to hand skills, let us know how skinned up your knuckles are.

[denfoote]

I ain't gunna get into this again, except to say: NO!!!

[whm1974]

whm1974, 1st off if you buy say 500 rounds it isn't going to go bad because you don't turn on the air or the heat in your house. Heck there is surplus ammo out there that is for sale that is probably older than you are and it still goes bang. If you buy online you can get good deals on ammo. At Dan's ammo you can get 500 rounds of 9X18 hollowpoints for $60 shipped east of the missippi river and $10 more for west of the river. They also have unissued bulgarian maks for $165 which is kind of high but look to basicly brand new. If you don't want to spend much you can't beat the makarov, they are rock solid.

My stepfather brought a case of 8mm masuer ammo during the mid 80's. We shot quite a few rounds of it back then and they shot fine. Almost ten years later with the case being upstairs with a leaky roof the leftover rounds corroaded. Granted I don't have a leaky roof, but...

What's the best way to store ammo?

By the way the Makarov is one of the guns I would like to have.

Bill Meadows

[whm1974]

One question, how well does the Makarov handle hollowpoints? I don't want to get a Makarov and find out the hard way that it doesn't like the case of ammo I brought for it.

Bill Meadows

[Andrew Wyatt]

ain't gunna get into this again, except to say: NO!!!


I fail to see how your refusal to avail yourself of the available warranty repair services is an intictment of the hi point.

[Tropical Z]

We all know that .380,9mm Makarov,and .38 special are VASTLY superior to 9x19,.45acp and .40 S&W.Makarovs,CZ-52's and the parts disaster waiting to happen Star BM are much better choices.:rolleyes:

[9 m&m]

Hi-points are cooool!! My father has had a 9mm carbine and a C9, 9mm pistol. The pistol is extremely reliable and accurate same for the carbine. My carbine has had OVER 3000+ rds through it with no cleaning whatsoever and with NO jams. Now tell me whats bad about that??? :scrutiny:

PS- Read the flyers they send out. The carbines and their pistols are rated to handle +p+ ammo. I shoot it through my carbine and Ive shot it through the pistol some too. No ill effects.

[whm1974]

We all know that .380,9mm Makarov,and .38 special are VASTLY superior to 9x19,.45acp and .40 S&W.Makarovs,CZ-52's and the parts disaster waiting to happen Star BM are much better choices.

To begin with I'm looking for primary something to shoot. And yes I might keep it
loaded just in case.

I don't have ~$500+ to spend on a handgun. And why spend that much if a Makarov,
Hi point, or a good used .38 will serve me just as good?

The pistol is extremely reliable and accurate same for the carbine. My carbine has had OVER 3000+ rds through it with no cleaning whatsoever and with NO jams. Now tell me whats bad about that???

PS- Read the flyers they send out. The carbines and their pistols are rated to handle +p+ ammo. I shoot it through my carbine and Ive shot it through the pistol some too. No ill effects.

I'm going to a gun shop tommorrow and look around.

Bill

[had]

first of all 500 or 1000 rounds won't have time to ruin around me. i wish i had a 1000 rounds of 45 right now to send down range.
if you honestly like the high point best than other used, cheaper guns o well. but here in my local shop, in the paper, from swapmeets, gun shows
you can find nice used guns for 200 and new taurus ruger for 300. i had a ruger p95 with ss slide that never jamed and it costed 299.
it takes a little work but you can find good deals 100 bucks from private party who needs money.
good luck.

[perrytrails]

I have several high dollar handguns, P7, Sig 220, just to name a few and I also have a high point compact 9mm. No I'm not gonna say it groups just as well, feels as good in the hand, nor is the lightest, or even comes close to a good trigger. But over 2000 rds has been put through it and I can't say its a piece of sh%&. It has been twice as much as I thought it would be for $99. I have paid alot more for jammin junk. The high point has a place in the safe, along with the benelli's, H&k's, colts, and sigs.

Bottom line is, its my money, my ugly gun, and I like it.

[whm1974]

Bottom line is, its my money, my ugly gun, and I like it.

I like that thought. I'm not looking for a trophy piece, have no use for a wall hanger.

Bill Meadows

[bfox]

I bought a .45 to see what they were like .
Like others have said Heavy not pretty but it goes bang every time you pull the trigger. And they seem accurate enough . I do not regret buying mine .

Bill

[whm1974]

I do not regret buying mine

Thanks. I'm thinking of getting the .45 version. If I can get around going to a gun shop.

Bill Meadows