Next step up from Hi-Point?

[powwowell]

My Opinion

To meet your criteria for concealed carry, get a Kel-Tec. You should be able to get a P-32, P-3AT, P-11 or PF-9 for under $300. If it must be a 9mm, then a P-11 or a PF-9 will do. The PF-9 is single stack and so is slimmer. I understand that the PF-9 also has a better trigger than the P-11. I personally would opt for the P-11, because I like mine. My favorite concealed carry piece is a Kel-Tec P-32. Front pocket carry in a Pocket-Pal holster. Practically undetectable. Most pleasant of the Kel-Tecs to shoot.

None of the Kel-Tecs, in my opinion, is a good range pistol. The light weight of them produces pretty stiff recoil. For shooting a lot, the previous posters have listed a good list to choose from. I really like the Witness. This is the most acurate 9mm I have. Around $350.

Larry

 

[PacketStorm]

I would suggest a revolver over a Hi-Point semi auto. They are much less likely to have issues and are still pretty cheap.
Check out these for an inexpensive purchase:

Aim Surplus Sig P6
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Sig_Sauer_P225_P6_9mm_Pistol.html
Awesome price on the Sig 9mm.

Summit Gun Broker
http://www.summitgunbroker.com/
He has a bunch of used/trade ins at pretty decent prices.

Phoenix Distributors
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SellerAuctions.asp?User=778456
Used firearms at low end prices. Be careful which one you get from this guy as some of these are really beat up. I did see a Beretta 92 go for something like $225 last week.

Buds Gun Shop Used Glock 40
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411535038
Great price on a Glock 40 (2nd Gen)

 

[Hans Esker]

I tried a Kel-Tec P11 at the range and It did not work for me at all. It was nearly impossible to shoot straight. It also kept grabbing the empty cases before they could clear the breach (although they said it had just been worked on, so it might have been a bad gun).

It did however fit my hand well and is the size I am looking for. I am leaning towards a steel frame in that size factor.

I wonder what the narrowest 9x19mm handgun is.

 

[butters]

I am a bit biased, but a Bersa Thunder 9mm UC/Firestorm mini 9mm would be a good choice for a nice handgun for not a lot of $$$ (I paid $290). I love mine.
On a side note, I own a Hi-Point 9mm and although it is far from my favorite pistol it was well worth the money I paid for it. Had a few feed issues at first but after a few hundred rounds it goes bang every time now. I got tired of all the Hi-Point bashers and decided to see for myself. I was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't use it as my primary weapon given other choices but if that was all I could afford it would fit the bill.

 

[Drgong]

Pa-63 or a P64 are both in Hipoint price ranges, Walther PP clones using the makarov round.

 

[velobard]

+3 (or however many) on the Bersa Thunder 9, or any of the other Thunder series guns. We have one and it's a great little shooter.

 

[skinewmexico]

what about CDNN?

 

[Hans Esker]

Is the Bersa single stack or double stack?

 

[ccsniper]

i have a highpoint and its just as reliable as my rra 1911 was, no where near as accurate but pulled off decent groups at reasonable ranges. other than that id say get a pa 63. same price and good combat arm.

 

[Curiousity]

I will say Taurus, Ruger, CZ, SIG in that order...

 

[Rex B]

First time I tried a P11 I had problems also, so I returned the gun. I have had two since, no problems whatsoever. I suspect I was limpwrisiting.
The P11 fits my hand perfectly for some reason.

 

[plexreticle]

The $300 Sig P6 is an amazing price.

If you decide to upgrade or sell it you won't have any problems getting your $300 back.

 

[Drgong]

You can get a PA-63 for ~$150 if you look. (I getting mine for $180 with a couple of extra mags and a case)

Higher up the Sig P6 is not bad, and the people who own the bersa love it.

 

[Beskytte]

Daewoo is cheap and more reliable. And the Makarovs and Tokarevs are also cheap and reliable. Only what I've heard, I don't have much gun experience. These are the cheapest things out there.

 

[mgregg85]

hipoints are good reliable guns that would work for HD or range fun but they are way too big for carry.

Look for a good quality used gun, save up if you can and go for one around $400. You can get a new ruger SR9 from budsgunshop.com for just under $400.

 

[trekgod3]

Kel-tecs are great. I have a P11 and a P3AT. Both are flawless and conceal easily.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

Knife Knut: I was wondering, what the next step up from Hi-Point is in handguns.

In terms of pure aesthetics..............................anything!!

I agree with others on here; Hi-Points are reliable, affordable, albeit butt-ugly weapons for home defense or range time, but they are too large for good concealment.

Sam

 

[rkhal]

"another good choice is the S&W Sigma for under 300 normaly with a rebate, free mags, or both"

I would rather have the Hi-Point. IMHO the Sigma is no more dependable and has a far worse trigger.

 

[loop]

new name

 

[Carl N. Brown]

One of the recent gunshows had a whole table of police trade-ins, mostly S&W Model 10s some with heavy 4" barrel and Pachmyr or Hogue grips, carried a lot shot a little, and in the 220.00 to 250.00 price range.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Taurus 24/7 Compact. Saw them for $350 at a show a couple weeks ago. Felt great in the hand, and I've heard good things. I bought a Beretta PX-4 Sub-C instead, but at $200 less, the Taurus was tempting.

Lifetime warranty, although some say service is slow...

My only Taurus is a PT-92 I bought in 1988 NIB, I still have it, and it is still flawless.

 

[velobard]

Is the Bersa single stack or double stack?

The Thunder 9 is double stack. The UC version holds 13 and the full size holds 17. The Thunder 45 is single stack and holds 7.

Another good value, as has been mentioned, is the Sig P6 German police trade-ins. They're single-stack 9mm.