It's nice when we know that all in all, most of us here are on the same page. What makes forums "Difficult"; whether it's a gun forum; ford mustang forum; computer equipment forum; college admissions forum; etc... is that forums are usually comprised of 90% geeks who are really into the subject matter as a hobby or major interest in their lives. If it's the mustang forum, they like working on their cars and spend a lot of time at it. For guns, they tend to shoot more often, have more than one gun, and have a deep interest. The other 10% of forum members, no matter the type of forum, came there because they have questions, concerns, problems, etc... They are simply looking for an answer. E.g. What type of gun should I buy for concealed or home. Once they find their answer, they don't spend much time there again. In the mustang forum: How do I replace the fuel tank sending unit. Once they've done it, they just go back to driving their car, and rarely show up at the forum again.
So, when we all chat on this forum and refer to the 3rd person; e.g. This guy at work, my brother, etc..., we have to determine if the needs of that person are strictly a gun they carry, shoot once a year, and clean once a month (or longer); or is it a person who will shoot 50-100 rounds a month, rotates different guns for different purposes, becomes proficient with their guns, etc... And the advice and opinions we give, need to keep that in mind.
My advice on getting and using a hi-point is not for everyone. As I said, the person who will never practice, keeps the gun in a drawer, and wants it only for home, I recommend revolvers. Matter of fact, if it's carry gun and they never practice, I recommend a revolver. If concealed is an issue, I don't recommend hi-point. If the person is into competition shooting, I don't recommend hi-point. But if a person says that they don't want a revolver, and they want something for home use in the night stand, then I have no problem recommending a hi-point. I don't however recommend keeping a round in the chamber. The hi-point is a true single action - striker fired pistol. I don't find the round in the chamber method very safe. But, for home defense, you have time. If you have time to get to the pistol, you have time to chamber a round. Concealed carry is different, but I don't normally recommend the hi-point for that. Then again, I don't carry my 1911A1 concealed, and ONLY carry my Sig P220 concealed in the coldest months when a lot of clothing on both the shooter and target are involved. And anyone paranoid enough to walk around their house with a pistol on them all the time, probably is the type who doesn't leave home without a pistol either. So they are in a different class of shooters.
Anyway, I think that's why there are so many disagreements on this forum. Not because we actually disagree, but rather because we are viewing the subject from different requirement and purposes of the individual. We have to keep in mind that what we use a gun for, may not be what another person uses a gun for. And while one person might ONLY EVER have a hi-point if they couldn't afford anything else, another might be able to afford ANYTHING imaginable, but wants a gun that they can keep stored in their garage, the drawer of the spare bedroom, or on their boat, or in their camping backpack. These are definitely scenarios where a hi-point over a glock, S&W, or springfield would make a lot of sense. Just because I can afford better, why would I WASTE my money on a $600-$800 gun, when a $150 gun will do EXACTLY 100% the same thing??? The hi-point definitely has it's place. And NOT just among those who can't afford anything else.