The slides are PAINTED (powder coated), enough for appliances but not for firearms.
However, you can't send in your washing machine to be replaced with a new one if the paint gets scratched.... you can with a Hi-Point!! They are what they are, but given a choice between carrying a hi-point and going defenseless, I'd have absolutely no qualms grabbing a HP. Can you send your washing machine in for a new one, free of charge, if it fails after 2000 loads of laundry? You can with a Hi-point!!! In reality, that $150 doesn't buy you a "new gun". It buys you as many guns as you (or your uncle's brother's friend's sister that you sold your hi-point to back in 1997, for that matter) can wear out, rust out, or otherwise destroy. I'm not saying they are the ultimate defensive handgun, and tyhat you'd be foolish to own anything else, but for $150 bucks, most people end up getting far more gun they they expected. I don't own one, but thats more becasue I have no need for one rather than distrust of them.