Quality of Hi-Point?

[todayzprophet]

Well, I definitely want to pick up a new carry pistol that will also double for my home defense weapon if, God forbid, ever needed. Looking around, I want something with defensive power so I am accepting 9mm but nothing less than that. My only restriction is price of weapon and price of ammo if I choose to ever practice with the weapon for any length of time. Therefore, being on a restricted budget but still needing to meet the necessary criteria mentioned beforehand, what is the best options for myself?? $400 is my ceiling for total price, and, of course, that brings into mind ammunition costs. Any ideas? I was looking at Hi-Point because they offer 9mm's and even .45's that are dirt cheap and easily affordable. However, should I trust such a cheaply priced weapon with defending my life, my family, and my home? Let me know what you guys with more experience think. Thanks

 

[watindes]

not a fan

Considering your price at a max of $400 it may be a little difficult to find 45acp guns but you can find these at gun shows in .45 with a laser usually fo rless than $250. The are top heavy really ugly and I have HEARD they jam alot, again I havn't shot one but you can proabably find better.

Jesse

 

[Deanimator]

The Hi Point could be made by Hammerli and it would still be a bad idea, especially as a carry gun.

Cartridges as powerful as the 9x19mm require a locked breech. The Hi Point is pure blowback like a Jennings. That means that the slide must be ludicrously heavy in order to keep the action shut until pressures have dropped to safe levels. That makes the gun heavy and unwieldy.

There are plenty of other well designed and reasonably priced firearms that you could carry, especially the police surplus SIGs and Glocks, nevermind the S&W Model 64 and 65 revolvers.

 

[hueytaxi]

About 6 years ago I purchased a used Hi Point 9mm. Not sure of the usage, but fit was loose and that was very evident at the range. I tried shooting at night to simulate a home invasion and the flash ruined my night vision. I sold it immediately after that. Since then I have enjoyed my Hi Point carbine

 

[todayzprophet]

Yeah, I've been researching around quite a bit. I was just about deadset on buying a brand new Ruger P95. It's within my cost window, it's 9mm, and I can get the 15+1 high capacity. So not a bad deal at all, in my opinion. I was also interested in buying a CZ82. But I do believe that I've settled on the P95 as my everyday carry and home defense weapon. I just noticed the Hi-Point selection, and they are offering all chambers less than $200 basically. I was really wanting to inquire as to their quality since they are so cheap. Should I get one and save that much needed money or go ahead and invest in something dependable when the "s%&t hits the fan"?

 

[Deanimator]

Considering your price at a max of $400 it may be a little difficult to find 45acp guns but you can find these at gun shows in .45 with a laser usually fo rless than $250.

He should be able to meet or beat the $400 price with a standard Rock Island M1911.

 

[SteelManCM]

Almost bought one until I researched them. Great range plinkers, but issues with jamming. If you have a $400 limit, look at the Rock Island Armory 1911 line. You can get a GI setup for less than $400 in either a 45 or 9mm.

You could also look at the Taurus Slim line. The PT709 Slim and the PT740 Slim (9mm and .40cal respectively). That way if you decide to carry, you have a lightweight gun with which to do it.

 

[todayzprophet]

Thanks Deaminator, I really appreciate the technical details. It's nice to get a free education on here and have everyone help eachother along. I appreciate it. So, in everyone's opinion, would the Ruger P95 (15+1) suffice?

 

[Deanimator]

Should I get one and save that much needed money or go ahead and invest in something dependable when the "s%&t hits the fan"?

How much is your life worth to you?

Is it not worth the difference in price between a Hi Point .45 and a new in the box Rock Island M1911 or a used Glock, SIG, or S&W revolver?

 

[todayzprophet]

I agree, Deanimator. I was just curious as the Hi-Point quality since I have no experience with them. I am a big fan of the 1911 series and the Rock Island would definitely fit the bill. My only issue would be limited to 6 rounds. No, no one wants to be missing so much to require more than 6, but, being ex-military, I know that you have to be prepared for the worst and running out of ammo is the worst. That is why I am still leaning toward the P95 (15+1) because of the high capacity yet still with good killing power.

 

[Deanimator]

My only issue would be limited to 6 rounds.

What makes you think that the Rock Island has a six round capacity?

It uses standard M1911 magazines, which means seven or eight rounds to start, and longer ones if you want them.

 

[pabst_20]

Never had a problem

I have a Hi-Point that i bought 4 years ago its a 9mm i bought it for $125 brand new. it was the first pistol i bought and it has never Jammed or malfunctioned in any way. ive always cleaned it after every use its a pain to get apart with the way you have to lock the slide back and knock the roll pin out. but i would trust it with my life if i had to, but saying that my Sig 226 9mm sits on my night stand everynight.

 

[The Don]

Here we go again it seems to be Hi Point day! I have not had any issues with Hi Points. I have a .40 and a 9mm they are not as flashy as some other weapons but I have never had an issue. But I did get mine new. I will close in saying buy what you can afford and can shoot well, and as always practice, practice and practice some more! Good Luck.

 

[RX-178]

The Ruger will work. It might be a little big for concealed carry though, if you decide to go that route, or on the other hand, it might not be too big. That depends on variables I'm not in a position to address.

RIA does offer both a Govt 1911 and an Officer 1911 for under $400, and you can take your pick of those also.

If you hunt around you can also occasionally find Springfield XDs and Stoeger Cougars for that same price point, and $400 is about the going price for Ruger SR9s and SR40s now too.

If I had to just recommend ONE though, I'd go with the RIA 1911 Govt. Even with the 5" barrel, it's slim enough to be carried comfortably IWB, it's in .45 ACP, and it's a 1911. There's something about the 1911 design that's practically elemental when it comes to handguns.

 

[kayak-man]

I don't think I've ever actually cleaned my Hi Point 45, short of running a brush down the barrel. Its only jammed on me once. OK, technically, It didn't jam - I was limp wristing for eight rounds, and it cycled them all, but the slide did not lock back when it ran dry.
I like high points. I don't think they are all that great for carry, just because they are large and heavy.

If you can afford it, I'd recommend getting a used pistol, maybe an RIA for carry, and one of the carbines for home defense.

Also, if you don't mind my asking, where are you guys finding all these Rock Island Armory guns for under 400? I've been looking for a Full Sized GI model, but they seem to run closer to 425 around here

 

[hso]

High Points aren't well regarded by folks that can afford to spend more on a pistol, but they work. They are not a good choice for carry unless you're the size of Andre the Giant because of their bulk.

In your price range you should be able to find some good used or surplus handguns that will be able to serve both roles. Take a look at Centerfire Systems' website, Southern Ohio Guns and Aim Surplus for some handguns in your range. Rock Island 1911s, Charter Arms revolvers and S&W 5906s are available for under $400. http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F1SW5906&groupid=3

 

[Promod1385]

I have handled and shot one once. It was owned by a guide on a hog hunt. I watched him shoot about 40 rounds through it without any problems.

Seems like they get a bad rap but for the money i am sure they have a place in some collections.

 

[BCRider]

Just a thought for you to consider...

Shooting handguns well isn't all that easy. If you're not going to commit to enough time and ammo to learn to shoot well and ongoing practice then you run the risk of not only missing what you want to hit in a home defense situation but of the missed bullet punching through walls of yours and the next house and possibly injuring someone next door.

If a Highpoint is all you can afford that will allow you to practice and perhaps even compete in something like IDPA on a local club level so you get used to moving and reloading and thinking in a somewhat tactical manner while dealing with stress then buy the Highpoint and get in more practice than you'd get from buying a more expensive gun and not being able to afford to practice enough.

If this doesn't sound like a plan then forget the handgun and get a short barrel shotgun. You'll still need to practice but at least you won't need to practice as much.

 

[Imon]

I've talked to a lot of people about guns at work and it seems that someones opinion of Hi-Points are most strongly shaped by whether he/she has ever had personal experience with one.
It seems that usually people who have owned Hi-Points speak favorably of them in terms of reliability - sure it's no looker but it's cheap and, hey, if you get a bad gun they have a lifetime warranty. On the other hand, the gun is heavy, somewhat inelegant, and has a single stack magazine but if it came down to a match between Hi-Point and Bryco/Jennings/Jimenez I'd stick with the Hi-Point.

 

[cabinet-cruncher]

I agree with Imon. I have a Highpoint P9C, assume well as a XD-9 Service, & Sig SauerP250 9mm SC & 40 s&w c. & a Taurus PT609 9mm. I bought the High Point 9mm because that was all I could afford @ that time. It is big& heavy but it has never failed to put the bullet where I aimed it. It has been my experience that most of the Negative people have never shot one as well. They are just repeating what they have read. Someone. Else told them.
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[DasFriek]

The HP would be fine imo for HD and plinking but forget ccw.
But for $400 you can do much better imo.
I know RIA 1911's in .45acp can be had for $400 and are very reliable guns, But you may have an issue with buying ammo as 50 rounds of .45 is $16 for the cheapest i can find.

I just bought a RIA CS Officers compact 3.5" barrel in .45 and its a great ccw gun when your used to carrying heavier 1911's.
I did my best to make that gun jamb on the first 150 rounds and i couldn't do it, Even feeding it steel cased Tula and hollow points that had bullet setback it ate them all.
My other 5" 1911 wont feed the bullets with setback and they snag on the feed ramps lip, And its the gun that creates them if i chamber them more than twice.

Ruger as stated above is a great option at $400 also.
Taurus has many good options in the Millennium Pro series under $400 also.

 

[ohioguy]

Welcome to High Road, way to kick things off with a Hi Point thread! A Hi Point would of course be better than a sharp stick and harsh language, but personally I would not want one for carry and defense. That's not the gun-snob in me, I saw one with a cracked slide once (here on High Road I think) and the steel was pitted and nasty. I have a Hi Point 9 mil carbine and it is a fun plinker, affordable and has never malfunctioned, but not a great carry option . People have had success with them, but IMHO there are other, better options. A CZ 82 is a great choice, Makarov isn't as prevalent as 9x19, but cheap especially if you buy in bulk. You could conceivably carry with a little work, but they are more of a service gun. Rock Island 1911 is a good idea, only 8 rounds sure, but you will probably only need to shoot once! I have seen used Sprindfield XDs for less than 400, I am a big fan of Springfield myself. Plus, Springfield has a lifetime warranty. Another to consider is a Bursa Thunder 380, a lot of people like them. Ammo is not really cheap, but I have not had trouble finding 380 lately. Southern Ohio Gun http://www.southernohiogun.com/ has a lot of milsurp and police trade in, like the SW 4043 40 cal. It has 11 rounds, but may not be the best carry piece. Find one you like and have your local FFL get you one. Also check http://gun-deals.com and of course forums and gun shows. You can find some great deals there. Last, look at the Kel Tec pf9 or p11. I carry a KT 380. Not really range pieces, but could double as a night-stand gun. You do not seem to want a revolver, but a used SW .38 could go for less than 400 dollars. I've never been to one, but you could check pawn shops I guess.
You have a lot of information to process, good luck.

 

[bikerdoc]

would the Ruger P95 (15+1) suffice?

Sure, good gun, plenty of used ones around.

 

[hardworker]

Hi points are good guns for the most part. They might put out a few more lemons per thousand than the higher dollar gun makers but it's not that many more. If you buy it, shoot the crap out of it. Any issues that the gun may have will become apparent in those first few hundred shots. Although, if you haven't finished your master's thesis in mechanical engineering I'd stay away from taking it apart.

 

[Deanimator]

Negative people have never shot one as well.

Negative people have seen OTHER people shoot them... or TRY to.

What you seem to be saying is that having watched TWO of them on the same night not get off more than two consecutive shots without a failure to feed, I would somehow want to BUY one, with MY money, to see if the same thing happened... and that leaves aside the ridiculous weight and bulk mandated by the wholly inappropriate method of operation.

I have ABSOLUTELY no doubt that I could build a gas operated semi-automatic pistol from an Enfield #1 MkIII. And it would "work", in that it would [mostly] feed and fire.

That wouldn't make it any better of an idea than a Hi Point.