Need some advice on a purchase.

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Razel

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I'm getting ready to get my first gun and was looking at some local gun shops. My buddy has a hi point 9mm and he says its the best gun for the money.

I don't know what to do, as I though about getting the S&W Sigma but then again that's a whole lot more money. I don't have a lot of cash so, I need to get the best firearm I can and can't afford to buy another one for a long time to come.

I've seen some good and bad things about them online. Is this mostly gun snobs? or is there more that I need to know? Mostly I want to use it for plinking at the range. I want something that will last for the long haul etc.

Thank you gentlemen for your help.
 
Makarov used 38 taurus or a 22 heritage rough rider hi points are ok I carry a sigma 40cal for a first gun your going to shoot alot and are on the cheap.For a revolver a ruger single six for a semi I would save my pennies and go for a trade in barreta 92. try armslist.com they usually have some good deals.
 
classic arms has beautiful Polish .380s under $200. I understand money is what it is but High Point makes the ugliest firearms I think I have ever seen. Think it over before you spend hard earned money.
 
I wouldn't get a hi point. Call me a gun snob or whatever you want, but they don't exactly scream quality. They'll probably work and are cheap, but I would much rather save up a bit more and pick up a quality gun. Mostly I look at stuff that military (not just US) and police are using, so Glocks, Sigs, HK, XD M&P etc.

If you buy used, you can get a really good price on some of these guns. If you can save up a bit more, you can find a very serviceable police trade in glock for under $400, or a used Sig P226 or P229 for around $500. Both are much MUCH better pistols when compared to the hi point. They will also be easier to find accessories in the future (night sights, holsters, mags) and will definitely last for much longer than a hi point. How many hi points have you heard of seeing more than 50,000 rounds?

If you can't quite swing that much money, Makarovs, CZ 82s and Bersa .380s are good guns and very reasonable price wise, usually around $200-250.
 
I am not a fan of High Point pistols and suggest you wait and save a little while if you can unless you need something right now for home protection.

Many excellent suggestions have been made already but just wanted to add that you can usually buy a new SIG SP2022 9MM pistol for around $400 new and they are a terrific pistol.
 
Sigmas are a good line. They get hammered because the trigger is a bit long and heavy. Hi-Points are a OK but their mags are lousy. 90% of issues with them can be traced back to the crappy magazines.

My brother has a Sigma 40 which I've shot a number of times. I don't think the trigger is bad at all. Have never had a jam and it's pretty darn accurate. Recoil milder than other 40s I've shot. I would be very confident in using it for range duty and home defense. HP for range fun ONLY. Maybe a toolbox gun if it proves reliable. I've had 3, none now.

If a Hi-Point is all your budget can tolerate, go for it and enjoy. Kel-Tec is another budget line to take a look at. Have a little KT P3AT now for pocket carry and it is excellent.
 
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All these peoplesay don't get one but every person who owns one likes it. If you don't have much money get one there clunky but they work great with the eight round mags. If you have 350 to 400 for a sigma buy a used glock for a little more or a used sig pro or s&w sd9. Stay away from any caliber you can't walk into any store and buy. Remember the Internet is where all the know it alls, gun snobs and everyone who wants to complain about their problems. Look at overall majorities of what people say and who has proof two back up their statements.
 
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Between those two, certainly you should stretch and get the Sigma. It is a superior gun to the Hi-Point.

You should also consider used. A good used police-trade-in Glock or similar would be a good bet.

If you're not going to carry this gun, you should think about getting a 22 instead of a 9mm or 40. If you're strapped for money for the gun, you'll certainly be strapped for money for ammo, and you can shoot top quality 22 for half the price of poor quality 9mm. It's more accurate too. Look for a used Ruger Mk. I, Mk. II, 22/45, or Mk. III or a used Browning Buck Mark.

I know this is the semi-auto forum, but I don't think you should rule out a nice police trade-in revolver. They usually have some holster wear, but have not been shot much. S&W 10s go for around $200, and are fine guns. (I'd take one over a Sigma, for sure; great triggers in them)

Why not go to your local shop, write down some ones that you'd consider used, and report back here?

Avoid: Lorcin, Jennings, Raven, and Jimenez.
 
Hi-Point, really heavy, Sigma really crappy trigger, if you want to learn to shoot a pistol start with a .22 target pistol. You probably will develop bad habits shooting an entry level 9mm pistol. If you must get a 9mm or larger caliber, then get a pistol that has available .22 conversion slides like a Glock, SIG, CZ, or a 1911 etc. Stop looking for a "new" 9mm firearm and look at used / trade ins. .22LR 1911 clones can be had in the low $200 range, and a Browning Buckmark Camper is around $300, twice the price of the Hi-Point, but worth every penny. I did not start with a .22 and developed bad shooting habits that haunt me to this day...Listen to a different drummer than your friend, be a good shooter not just a pistol owner.
 
Razel,

It sounds as if you're on a limited budget, so I would recommend a Ruger P-95. These babies new were only around $325 and the used price is much lower, and the High Point would never match the quality and customer service of Ruger. Never bet your life on a cheap off brand semi-auto my friend! ;)

LD45
 
s&w 5906 9mm (used) $300

ati 92c 9mm (new) (like a beretta 92) $300

walther pk380 (new) <--380acp $300

eaa zastava m88 9mm (new) about $280 i think maybe less

CAI arcus 9mm (new) (like BHP) little over $300

..and police trade-ins.

several neat .22lr too.

..or get the sigma.

a few more here.
 
CZ82.... $175
Polish Radom P-64 $179

These will be much better pistols than the hi point in terms of materials, function and performance.

The only downside is that you have to find Mak 9x18mm ammo. It is cheap and plentiful online but not always easy to find locally.
 
The Hi-Point works reliably. That's about the only thing that can be said for it.

It is, in fact, the best gun for the money, but that's because it's pretty much the ONLY gun for that kind of money.
 
I have a Hi-Point carbine so I don't hate the company, but...Damn they are hideous! There are lots of better pistols mentioned above.
 
The lowest cost auto handguns I can recommend would be:
Ruger P-series or SR series
S&W Sigma or SD series
S&W 3rd Gen police trade-in
Glock police trade-in

The Sigma has a heavy trigger pull, but that's its only downside. It's as reliable as any costlier gun.
 
It is, in fact, the best gun for the money, but that's because it's pretty much the ONLY gun for that kind of money.
Click to expand...

This.

Any kind of (financial) reach will get you a gun you're gonna be more happy with in the long run.
It's not that the hi-point is a bad gun per se. It's just not exactly a gun that you're going to develop any kind of affection with and seeing as the gun is the tool of both the sport and the defensive angle ... a personal like of the gun figures pretty highly in how much you will dedicate yourself to the discipline.
My advice:
Unless you're in danger *now* ... save up some money and go with something that feels good to *you.* Hold it, look at it, play with it ... and then see about getting it.
 
Some really great advice from Smaug and others above. If it is not for personal defense/carry then a good 22LR should be your goal. Ruger MK, Bearcat, Beretta Neos, Browning Buckmark, or Smith and Wesson wesson 22a. All of those are in the $220-350ish range since you plan to shoot a lot the money you save on ammo will pay for your next gun. :)
 
Never, ever, ever buy a cheap gun. That's not being a gun snob. That's being smart.

You can get a Sig P250 for around $370 new. Any P250 made in 2011 should be fine.
 
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