The Hi-Point Throwdown

[Owen]

1. nice job skipping the cuss filter with a misspelling...
2. The competition is to determine if it is a good gun or not. Competitions like USPSA and Steel Challenge are good ways to judge this because they offer a way to measure not only the technical performance of the gun, but its interaction with the shooter.

If a gun isn't reliable enough for a game, why would you trust your life to it?

3. if by best warranty in the industry, you mean typical of the major manufacturers, I'll agree with you.

4. I'd be very surprised if it lasted 10s of thousands of rounds. I test guns for a living, and I assure you that is a very high bar. What's the MRBS, and MRBF? How fast does the accuracy degrade?

5. I have no problem telling people that if a hipoint is all they can afford, go ahead and get one. That said, if that's all someone can afford, how much practice will they get in? Chances are they have some much more pressing needs that the $150 bucks will handle nicely. Like good locks, decent exterior lighting, and food.

I emptied the entire 17 round magazines on an elk that was only 100 yards away, and the elk still got away from me.

Nice to know you are a responsible adult.

 

[Rail Driver]

[EDITED to remove non-contributory reference to deleted material]

2. The competition is to determine if it is a good gun or not. Competitions like USPSA and Steel Challenge are good ways to judge this because they offer a way to measure not only the technical performance of the gun, but its interaction with the shooter.

Competitions like USPSA and Steel Challenge are good to determine the ability of a shooter using whatever equipment happens to be allowed in whatever class that shooter is in, competition isn't used to determine the quality and reliability (ie: good or not) of a gun, although it can help. Personally, I don't know any competition shooters that use competition to determine what gun they use, but then again I only know 20 or 30 competition shooters...

If a gun isn't reliable enough for a game, why would you trust your life to it?

I would ABSOLUTELY trust my life to a gun that I wouldn't ever think of taking to a competition, however I wouldn't use a race gun for self defense. Tolerances on match grade firearms are much tighter than on "standard issue" or whatever you want to call it. I'd rather not trust my life to something that could jam from a piece of lint from my pocket.

3. if by best warranty in the industry, you mean typical of the major manufacturers, I'll agree with you.

Typically the major manufacturers warranties are limited to the original purchaser of the firearm... not so with Hi-Point. I think that merits mentioning.

4. I'd be very surprised if it lasted 10s of thousands of rounds. I test guns for a living, and I assure you that is a very high bar. What's the MRBS, and MRBF? How fast does the accuracy degrade?

I don't know about the MRBS and MRBF, or accuracy degradation of a hi-point, but I can assure you that the c-9 I sold in january had well over 12k rounds down the pipe when I let it go, and is still ticking.

5. I have no problem telling people that if a hipoint is all they can afford, go ahead and get one. That said, if that's all someone can afford, how much practice will they get in? Chances are they have some much more pressing needs that the $150 bucks will handle nicely. Like good locks, decent exterior lighting, and food.

Locks, while a good idea, are a waste of money if you're putting them in a door in most of the low income housing I've ever seen... hollow or foam filled wood veneer doors that MIGHT have sheet steel or aluminum over the wood? For a decent door and jamb you're looking at over $300 before you buy locksets, and that's if you install it yourself. What about new windows to match? Another couple grand. Exterior lighting might help some, but again... it's a package deal along with good doors and windows with locks. Food won't help if you're not there to eat it, and it certainly won't protect you in an emergency. Either way, protecting oneself and one's family is just as important as food and housing.

I emptied the entire 17 round magazines on an elk that was only 100 yards away, and the elk still got away from me.

Nice to know you are a responsible adult.

Not entirely sure you read the entire post you quoted from... Try going back and reading it again and you may understand.

*removed due to non high-road comment*

 

[mcdonl]

And justifying that the Hi-Point was close to all the others when the comparison is draw vs low-ready is just not the same in an actual competitions now is it?

Good point sir. I brought that up too. And, I am sorry I got worked up. I would never consider the gun as a CCW or Competition gun.

I really like the comment that the gun shot better than all but 8 others...as if the gun was the only factor.

Another great point.

 

[ohwell]

Food won't help if you're not there to eat it, and it certainly won't protect you in an emergency. Either way, protecting oneself and one's family is just as important as food and housing.

If I had to choose between food and a highpoint I'd say the odds of me living longer would be with buying food

 

[Rail Driver]

If I had to choose between food and a highpoint I'd say the odds of me living longer would be with buying food

I would have to disagree... It's not hard to get food with a gun, one way or another.

Even a Hi-Point 9mm will take a hog. Deer if you get close enough.

Now, if I had $150 in my pocket I'd most likely not buy a hi-point, but then I'm not in a situation where that's the only gun I can afford.

Generally, when a person is looking to buy a gun, they have a certain amount of money available for that gun... So you say save for something better? And what happens while they're saving up for that $500 GLOCK like what's in your gun safe or in your holster and Mister Intruder comes kicking in their door? The intruder walks out with whatever Mister Save-for-something-better has saved, not to mention possibly his and his family's lives.

Some people don't have the resources or income to buy a "nicer" gun and want or need a pistol for home or self defense, or for whatever reason. This brings us to the question of the day... Do poor people not deserve the same RIGHT to keep and bear arms that those of you who have money to fill your safes with guns you don't shoot?

Come on people, get real. When it boils down to it, a gun is a gun for the most part. Some are more reliable, some are nicer looking, and they range in price. Different guns for different purposes same as the tools in your toolbox. 90% of what you pay for, however, is the company name etched into the slide or grip.

 

[Cearbhall]

If you ever have to use your gun for defence against a home invader, the police will take your gun in for ballistics testing and you'll be lucky to ever see it again. Which one do want them to take, the Hi-Point, or your custom, 3000+ dollar gun?

 

[rbernie]

Tone it down, folk, or I'm gonna shut this down and leave all of y'all hanging without ever finding out how the test concluded.

There is waaaay too much emotion in this topic, and y'all know better than to be posting like that.

 

[Onward Allusion]

A little off-topic, but I'm so intrigued by the results that I'd bought a Hi-Point C-9 myself. I'll have it in a week and I'm going to put it through its paces just for grins. I'll report back here if this thread is still open. Keep in mind that this one will be a straight off the shelf piece and not one that may have been possibly cherry-picked off the line.

 

[akadave]

I own dozens of firearms and have owned many more than that over the last 30 years. I have bought used and new in equal amounts. In every case, I mean every case I have sent a used firearm in for repair that was not due to some negligence on my part or normal wear and tear, which was approximately 6 or so guns, it was repaired by the respective manufacturer free of cost, no questions asked. Ruger, S&W, FN and Freedom Arms. Recently Ruger even gave me a new revolver after I sent in one that I was the second owner of, that had issues not due to use.

With the possibility of injury to the user, all gun manufacturers are extremely liberal with their repair and replacement policy. Its part of the industry so Hi-Point's warranty isnt all that surprising.

 

[valorius]

That said, if that's all someone can afford, how much practice will they get in? Chances are they have some much more pressing needs that the $150 bucks will handle nicely. Like good locks, decent exterior lighting, and food.

How could you possibly know what someone else's pressing needs are?

American Rifleman's armed citizen has stories every month of poorly trained individuals using firearms to defend themselves. If a Hi Point gives you that opportunity, where otherwise you would have had no opportunity, i say buy one.

That being said, a used Kel Tec PF-9 or PF-11 is about the same price, if not just slightly higher, as a new Hi Point.

 

[millertyme]

With the possibility of injury to the user, all gun manufacturers are extremely liberal with their repair and replacement policy. Its part of the industry so Hi-Point's warranty isnt all that surprising.

Not EAA. Of course, they don't manufacture anything. Maybe I'll call Italy.

That being said, a used Kel Tec PF-9 or PF-11 is about the same price, if not just slightly higher, as a new Hi Point

I'm coming to your world. In the real world a new Hi-Point runs $150 for 9mm, about the same less tax for one used. A used PF9 is still around $290 and a used P11 is only slightly less. So you can buy two new Hi-Points for a little more than one used Kel-Tec. Even the P32 and P3AT are over $200.

 

[s2mason]

As I previously posted in, I picked up a HP 9mm just because of the debate generated in this thread. I had the opportunity to try it out this week end.
It performed very adequately IMO. Aim, pull the trigger and it goes boom and makes a hole close to where I was aiming. Cycled through cheap ammo well, and didn't have much for recoil. Comfortable grip and shoot. Can't ask for much more for $150 OTD.
Nice gun and well worth money.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

why hate hi point? they have a decent if not unspectacular product, market it well and back it up. judging by their warranty, they have integrity.

I'll be buying a Hi Point .45 at some point, whereas I WON'T be buying a Sig, and that's because of the way the company treats their customers...period

 

[Handgunner]

why hate hi point? they have a decent if not unspectacular product, market it well and back it up. judging by their warranty, they have integrity.

And they're American made.

 

[tkopp]

In the last locked high point thread I noted that I got to play with my buddy's C9. He bought it in a parking lot for $60, picked up a box of ammo for it, and never shot it. I finally dragged him out to the range, we adjusted the sights, and at 10y as a first-time shooter he was able to keep it in a 6" circle. Guy kept enough ammo for one full load of the weapon, one up the pipe, and put it away. He may never shoot it again, but at least we know it points straight. My main complaint was that the heavy slide and blowback mechanism made the recoil *seem* higher. Not as bad as my officer-size 1911, but more than you'd expect from a 9mm.

 

[akadave]

Not EAA. Of course, they don't manufacture anything. Maybe I'll call Italy.



I'm coming to your world. In the real world a new Hi-Point runs $150 for 9mm, about the same less tax for one used. A used PF9 is still around $290 and a used P11 is only slightly less. So you can buy two new Hi-Points for a little more than one used Kel-Tec. Even the P32 and P3AT are over $200.

Selma Alabama for EAA warranty stuff. I had to send in an FN Hi-Power for work that was no charge as well. In the US...didnt have to send it to Belgium lol!

 

[Girodin]

If you ever have to use your gun for defence against a home invader, the police will take your gun in for ballistics testing and you'll be lucky to ever see it again. Which one do want them to take, the Hi-Point, or your custom, 3000+ dollar gun?

If I have to use it in self defense that will be the least of my concerns and I would consider the price of the weapon what ever it was money well spent. If I have to use a weapon is self defense I want the "best" one not one that is cheap and I don't care if I ever see again.

Further more hi point or $3k custom is a bit of a false dichotomy.

 

[DesmoDucRob]

Sales resulting from the Hi-Point Throwdown

I can not imagine that there has ever been a better promotion for Hi-Point than the discussions that have resulted from this comparison. The sales generated from Justin's donated 9mm should prove to be the best investment Hi-Point has ever made. I may be speculating a bit early, but this has generated a lot of discussion, and as of late, there seem to be many gun snobs secretly sampling the C9.

I actually find myself wanting one of those ugly little suckers.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I actually find myself wanting one of those ugly little suckers.

I frequent a local gunshop on my lunch break. They have lots of interesting trades, so it’s always fun to stop by.

I’ve bought several firearms and related items. 1911’s, ar stuff, glocks…you name it. Today I stopped in and asked to look at a high point. He raised an eyebrow, but never commented on it. That’s why they get my business. I simply just wanted to handle one since I never have. I thought my glock felt like a brick…that thing feels like a brick with a fisher price handle. But after seeing the blog results, I gotta respect it for what it is.

I’ve got a little more disposable income so that wouldn’t be my choice at all, I’d rather use that money to put towards my latest hobby I want to start…reloading. But the highpoint is what it is. If it lasts through a few more rounds, it will have proven itself in my eyes. It is what it is…it just isn’t for me.

 

[herohog]

I am a proponent of the C9 but will readily admit that that big heavy slide slowly cycling back and forth up there IS a bit disconcerting!

 

[millertyme]

Selma Alabama for EAA warranty stuff. I had to send in an FN Hi-Power for work that was no charge as well. In the US...didnt have to send it to Belgium lol!

I have an EAA Witness-P in .45ACP that has a pin backing out a little over the course of several magazines. They said I'd have to pay for the repair if one was necessary. I got the pistol for a little more than a song so I'm not overly concerned with it, just reluctant to let anyone else shoot it.

 

[valorius]

I'm coming to your world. In the real world a new Hi-Point runs $150 for 9mm, about the same less tax for one used. A used PF9 is still around $290 and a used P11 is only slightly less. So you can buy two new Hi-Points for a little more than one used Kel-Tec. Even the P32 and P3AT are over $200.

You should come to my world i guess, i bought a used P32 about a year ago for $150. It's gone already. I traded it in with a CT laser installed straight up for a Ruger LCP. Not a big fan of Kel Tec.

 

[mcdonl]

I can not imagine that there has ever been a better promotion for Hi-Point than the discussions that have resulted from this comparison. The sales generated from Justin's donated 9mm should prove to be the best investment Hi-Point has ever made. I may be speculating a bit early, but this has generated a lot of discussion, and as of late, there seem to be many gun snobs secretly sampling the C9.

You may find this hard to believe, but between the gun club I go to occasionally, every man I know hunting and the dozens of people I have run into shooting at the local pits and ranges I have never met anyone who knew what THR is.

 

[CajunBass]

You should come to my world i guess, i bought a used P32 about a year ago for $150.

I'm always surprised what people consider "just a little bit more" when it comes to alternatives to a Hi-Point. Sure you got a good buy when you found that P-32 (which isn't really in the C-9's class anyway, other than it's a gun), and I might have bought it too, but that's not an average. I've certainly never seen one, new or used for that price.

Besides. You think I don't know if I spend more I can get something better? WOW. Stop the presses. That's not the question. The question is what can I get for "X" amount of money. Not "X+ whatever number you pick."

I have never met anyone who knew what THR is.

Me either. Or any of the other "gun boards" I read.

 

[s2mason]

I'm curious as to why there seems to be some propensity to bash or denegrade the HP product? I don't follow alot of posts, so I admit to being rather green to this sort of dialouge. I just don't get it. It seems like there are alot of really bad guns out there that merit some degree of bashing (some.....), but the HP seems to have a track record of being a decent performing gun, at a decent price. What's the hang up?