Hi point pistols

[justin 561]

Let me start off by saying I own one. I LOVE this ugly giant .45 that weighs as much as my SKS, I have put over 3500 rounds through it, with NO problems, and have cleaned it twice.. I recently seen a store that carrys the .380 and asked the guy if I could check it out. After he put away the $540 used glock (looks like it was slid down a very very long bumpy street) he goes on to tell me how this (Hi point firearms) are the top used guns in crime, blah, blah, how its made out of the same thing the little match box cars are made out of, and how I shouldn't waste my money on something that will only last for 500 rounds max. As I looked it over and got his pricing on it, I laughed and walked out to find it some other store, even if I have to drive a little bit further.

This is not the first time I've heard gun shops and people at the range bad mouth Hi point firearms. Basicly, my questions: Why does Hi point firearms get such a bad rap? Is it gun snobs or is it warrented? Do I have a 1 in a million hi point? Or are these gun snobs just hating on its ugly looks and cheap price tag?

Also, these come with LIFETIME warranty "no questions asked."

 

[fallout mike]

I don't own a hipoint pistol but they are functional guns. Nearly everybody on here that talks bad about them all have one thing in common. They have never owned one and think that its garbage bc of the price. I have experience with their carbines and have never had any problems at all.

 

[Axel Larson]

My brother owns one of their carbines and it shoots fine and has never jammed. I have not shot any of their pistols but I would guess they work fine.
I think that price does effect how people look at a firearm and that is the case with hi points it is so cheap that people believe that they are worthless;however anyone who has shot one agrees they are not a bad gun not great but not bad.

 

[hgmike]

I think it's overlooked b/c the company itself is relatively new, established in 1992. Compare that to Colt 1836 and S&W 1852. Hi-Point also isn't offering anything new like Glock did when they first started producing guns in the early 80's. Glock is just the benchmark for plastic guns.

 

[makarovnik]

Probably because it has a non-steel slide and uses a blowback action and crude firing/sear mechanism. I like them too. I wish they would make something a little smaller even if it was a .32acp or high capacity .25acp.

 

[foghornl]

Hi-Point arms get bashed because they are low-cost guns, complete with "Pig-Butt-Stuck-in-A-Mud-Fence-Ugly" features.

That being said, I don't own any Hi-Point offerings, but I have shot most of the models at one time or another. My impressions: Ugly, but they send the lead where you aim and go Bang! on request, every time, or Hi-Point will fix it...FREE.

Once my employment picture improves, I WILL own one of the new 45 Carbines

 

[Fastcast]

A guy I've shot with has one of their 9mm.....He had me shoot it on my back property. It went bang every time so what. That's what I expect from a firearm. Otherwise, ugly, lousy ergos, engineering that looks like a 3rd world Country and just a cheap feel to go along with the price point. If that's what you want to spend your hard earned money on, go for it....Not me!

Maybe the US Military will consider these ultra reliable/durable US products for their next sidearm/carbine.....Seeing what our current financial affairs are.

Sorry, call me a snob if you like.....No Hi-Points for me.....The largest portion of your money is in ammo (3500 rounds of .45) so why skimp on the hardware?

 

[USAF_Vet]

I own a 9mm carbine, and I love it. I've fired the .45, and will buy one eventually.

the top used guns in crime

I've heard this so many times, but have yet to see any facts back this up.

I would think a lot of dealers don't like Hi Point because there is very little profit to be made.

 

[mgmorden]

Why does this same exact thread pop up every 7-8 days?

If you have one and like it, great. The people who dislike them often have valid reasons and it's not about snobbery. The slides are bulky and heavy due to them using a blowback action in calibers that really should be using a locked breech design. The aesthetics and ergonomics are terrible. They don't conceal well and even finding a suitable holster for open carry is difficult. They are a single stack design which unnecessarily limits magazine capacity in guns more than large enough to accommodate a double stack magazine. They utilize slides made of of a zinc alloy that will wear out an order of magnitude faster than a steel slide. Yes, if/when it does break you can send it back for your "free" repair, after you foot the bill for overnight shipping (looking at $40 per trip back there - minimum). So for high volume shooters after you've sent your Hi-point back to the factory 5 times and spent hundreds on shipping, you've already more than made up the difference in price on what you would have paid for a gun with a steel slide that would still be chugging along after 40-50k rounds.

If you're a low volume shooter who is looking to just have a gun to futz around with, then sure, they're cheap and "work", but with a fairly significant list of limitations. If it's "gun snobbery" to address the limits of a limited devices, then so be it.

And yes, I've shot them. 1 9mm Carbine and 2 pistols (the 9mm and .40 S&W). All shot ok while I was shooting them. The 9mm handgun's mag spring did snap in half after a few hundred rounds though (it belongs to my cousin so I've shot it a few times).

I'm very much against the whole "you get what you pay for" mindset most of the time. You don't need to spend a fortune on an H&K or a Wilson Combat to get a good gun. There IS a level where too many corners are cut to achieve a cheap price though, and Hi Point falls beneath that level. Step up not too much in price to a Ruger, or heck even a Kel-tec, Bersa, or Taurus, and you've improved your situation GREATLY.

 

[mgmorden]

I think it's overlooked b/c the company itself is relatively new, established in 1992. Compare that to Colt 1836 and S&W 1852. Hi-Point also isn't offering anything new like Glock did when they first started producing guns in the early 80's. Glock is just the benchmark for plastic guns.

Kel-tec started in 1991 and Kahr in 1995. Both also make plastic guns and enjoy a deservedly better reputation than Hi-point. Heck Kel-tec isn't even priced that much higher, but they employ good engineers that seem to know which parts it's ok to cut some corners on and which parts it's not.

 

[_JD_]

My wife SOLD THIS HI POINT to a straw purchaser when we lived in Lynchburg, VA, prior to that she worked at a gun store it the out burbs of Philly when we lived in PA, she's had a couple instances of having LE walk into the stores looking for info on Hi Point buyers, I forget the total but do recall that there were more straw purchased Hi Points than any other make of gun and more sales "denied by sales person" on people looking to buy Hi Points that exhibited off behavior indicative of a straw purchase.

No, it's not definitive but it's genuine.

 

[CoRoMo]

I don't like mine enough to shoot it very much at all anymore. I don't hate it enough to sell it for the $80 that I MIGHT be able to get for it.

Why does Hi point firearms get such a bad rap?

You already gave a good answer to this question, "...ugly giant .45 that weighs as much as my SKS...", but also the materials used, is a point that is often brought up.

Is it gun snobs or is it warrented?

Both.

Do I have a 1 in a million hi point?

Of course not.

Or are these gun snobs just hating on its ugly looks and cheap price tag?

Partly, yes, but again, the materials that make up a Hi-Point also receive a few laughs.

...there were more straw purchased Hi Points than any other make of gun...

This is no surprise.

 

[BigDaddyNEB]

I just traded a Hi Point C9 off for a Ruger SR9. I had owned the gun for only 6 months and had put about 150 rounds of Winchester white box through it.
the only real problems i had with it was that the 10 round mags would pinch my little finger when firing, the sights did not adjust very well, and it would not feed hollowpoint ammo. although Hi point does say not to use hollowpoints.
Other than that you get what you pay for.

Always polish the feed ramp!!!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have a 45 Hi-point and it just works and it fires HP's with no issues! It is my easy chair gun.

 

[Fastcast]

Here's another thought: Lets say $20.00 a box for .45 with tax, shipping etc.

3500 rounds .45 = $1400 + an American misfit $150.....Total investment $1550....What's left of your investment after the bang?....A Hi-Point .45

2000 rounds .45 = $800 + an American legend $800.....Total investment $1600....What's left of your investment after the bang?....A Colt 1911.

 

[group17]

Heres how you make a hi-point 45 a little nicer looking.

2000 rounds .45 = $800 + an American legend $800.....Total investment $1600....What's left of your investment after the bang?....A Colt 1911.
2000 rounds .45 = $800 + an American bargain $150.....Total investment $950....What's left of your investment after the bang?....A Hi-Point .45 and $650 to spend on your next compact .45.

 

[milefile]

My brother in law has one. It jammed first shot ever. Has never worked. He's not getting it fixed. It was really cheap and it's not worth it to him.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

These are what you buy when you need a handgun now but only have $150-$180 (average asking price at gun shows, depending on caliber) and no more. It beats a pocketful of rocks or a roll of quarters in your fist. The little carbines are a different story, particularly since a recent cosmetic redesign. I actually rather fancy one of those.

 

[justin 561]

My brother in law has one. It jammed first shot ever. Has never worked. He's not getting it fixed. It was really cheap and it's not worth it to him.

This is the worst attempt to make up a story I've ever seen. So you mean hes not going to get it repaired for free? He didn't return it to the seller since it jammed on the very first shot?, he doesn't mind throwing $150 in the trash? Can't you make up a better lie? I would of rather you said it bursted into flames and Satan him self popped out of the chamber and slapped him.

 

[Sniper X]

Troll alert.....

I have been into high end 1911s for years, probably thirty years. I am not only going to buy a C9, but the .45acp version, and probably both the 9mm carbine and the .45 version. I have seen them last ans last and keep shooting everything poeple put in them. I have seen test after test where the HiPonits were tortured to the point where I think even some NICE 1911s or plastic guns would have gone up in smoke! I can't justify buying a few to have for the long run. i can also say that I have never seen a true story about one not being exactly what they are, a gun that shoots every time you put rounds in it.

 

[Fastcast]

I have been into high end 1911s for years, probably thirty years. I am not only going to buy a C9, but the .45acp version, and probably both the 9mm carbine and the .45 version.

and probably sell your hi-end 1911s right? .....LMAO

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It jammed first shot ever.

I had a handgun I paid nearly $1000 (plus sales tax) for that also did that.
(Technically it was the second; it fired the round in the chamber but failed to feed the next one.)

 

[fallout mike]

So you decided to not use it again and just call it a loss of $1000 right, like thr guy a few spots up?

 

[marineimaging]

Hi-Point 9mm Carbine

I own a Hi-Point 9mm Carbine. It shoots every time so far with 1000 (plus) rnds through it. I find that it will eat just about any ammo and the 124 grn +P (NATO) has the best grouping at 50 yds for a commercial round.

I consider the Hi-Points to be rugged, dependable for short range, etc.,. However, also remember that the 9mm was designed for pistols and machine guns. Handgun rounds are just not intended for long range accuracy. The ballistic coefficient of pistol bullets is horrible. So, lets face it; if you realize a Hi-Point Carbine as an extremely reliable tool box gun with the ability to reach out further than a pistol, then you definately get your moneys worth. Realize the Hi-Point handguns as extremely rugged, extremely reliable personal protection, carry in the mud under the seat, in the bed side stand option to the high dollar (over priced in my opinion) classics, then you will be right on target.

I bought the Hi-Point and a 9mm Ruger SR9 on the same day and two weeks later a Savage .30-06 with a Nikon 3-9x40. In the closet I have my grandfathers old Sears .410 (a 101.4 if anybody knows where I can get a butt plate and the safety mechanism???) and a month later a Bersa Thunder .380 for a CC. So, I figure I have covered all the bases by having a different gun for each purpose.

Long range large game (deer, elk, hogs) and highly accurate target range = .30-06 w/scope.

Home protection and accurate close in target = Ruger SR9 with 34rnds in 2 mags.

Concealed Carry = Bersa .380 and 2 mags. Small game (rabbit and squirrel) = .410.

I bought the 9mm Carbine because it was (a) less expensive than any other 9mm Carbine on the market, (b) uses inexpensive ammo (10.00-12.00 box) and (c) I can legally carry it in my truck without worrying about a LE officer with a chip on his shoulder creating a fuss.

On the day my wife and I went to our CHL class a guy shows up with a brand new 1911. Hadn't even been fired yet. Every other or 3rd round jammed to the point that the instructor had no choice but to stop the line and have him leave. He was told he would need to come back to the next class during range time to finish his quals.

Next to him my wife qualifed with flying colors using a 9mm Llama which had just as much dirty talk as the Hi-points gets back when we bought it years ago.

We have 311,003,000 people in the U.S. The Hi-Point fits a percentage of that population with what it is looking for. God Bless America!

 

[Rocketmedic]

Hi-Points also have stellar corporate support, a rock-bottom price point, and are actually pretty fun to shoot.