The Hi-Point Throwdown

[Dionysusigma]

So... is the reviewing process over, then? Nothing new from Justin, either here, or on his blog.

 

[christcorp]

But hey, I would never say that unless one can afford a Sig 226 they should save and wait. All I'm saying is that there are alternatives out there. RELIABLE alternatives that don't require 500 rounds of break-in.

My Colt 1911 brand new did.

I little bit of exaggeration, I think. I don't see people talking about requiring 500 rounds of breaking in a hi-point. And as I already mentioned, if you don't plan on putting at least 3-4 boxes of ammo 150-200 rounds through a NEW TO YOU gun that you plan on using for self or home defense, then there is no sense discussing this subject. That is totally irresponsible to yourself and those who you're intending on protecting. I don't care if it's a glock, Springer 1911, colt, Sig, or H&K. That SAME 200 rounds you are using to test the gun, accuracy, becoming accustomed to, etc... can double as the same "Break in" ammo required. Matter of fact, most individuals don't even need 200 rounds to break in. So this whole think about spending money on "Break in" is pure B.S. If you're not shooting 150-200 rounds to get accustomed to the weapon and determine your capabilities and accuracy with it, then there is no debate here. That's purely irresponsible.

 

[s2mason]

I little bit of exaggeration, I think. I don't see people talking about requiring 500 rounds of breaking in a hi-point. And as I already mentioned, if you don't plan on putting at least 3-4 boxes of ammo 150-200 rounds through a NEW TO YOU gun that you plan on using for self or home defense, then there is no sense discussing this subject. That is totally irresponsible to yourself and those who you're intending on protecting. I don't care if it's a glock, Springer 1911, colt, Sig, or H&K. That SAME 200 rounds you are using to test the gun, accuracy, becoming accustomed to, etc... can double as the same "Break in" ammo required. Matter of fact, most individuals don't even need 200 rounds to break in. So this whole think about spending money on "Break in" is pure B.S. If you're not shooting 150-200 rounds to get accustomed to the weapon and determine your capabilities and accuracy with it, then there is no debate here. That's purely irresponsible.

You got that one right..... What difference does it make whether the gun cost $10 or $10K? Break in and assimilation are NECESSARY in any context. To think an HP requires more "break in" than another gun, based on the context the poster was using, is irresponsible and just plain ignorant.

 

[1911Tuner]

Break-in for what purpose? To seat everything and knock the rough edges off...sure.
In hopes that any functional issues will correct themselves and make the gun reliable...

Sheepdip.

The gun was designed to function. If it's designed and built correctly...it will function. It doesn't have a choice. It's a machine.

 

[christcorp]

Definitely true tuner, but in that "Seat everything and knock the rough edges off" part, different guns will take a different number of rounds. The first Hi-Point I bought, took about 3-4 magazines full before there were no more ejecting problems. A kel-tec I have, that was brand new, needed about 50 rounds before there were no more feeding issues. A brand new Springer 1911 had about 5-6 stovepipes in the first 4-5 magazine full. After that, it worked perfectly. Each gun is different. If you think these "Issues" with feeding or ejecting are "Functional Defects" and should never be expected in a new gun, I will most definitely, but respectfully, disagree. I've been shooting for about 40 years. For 20 of those years, I worked part time in CATM in the military. We worked on countless of brand new, out of the box weapons. M-16, 1911, m9, etc... To say that none of these guns didn't require some rounds through them to sometimes take care of feeding or ejection issues would be very naive. Does every single new gun in the world require a break in period to work out ejection and feeding problems? Definitely not. And there are PLENTY OF PEOPLE on the hi-point forums who will specifically ask about the "Break-In" period, because they DIDN'T ENCOUNTER ANY functional issues from shot #1. You logic would therefor apply that a brand new car can specifically start off out the lot doing 80mph on a 1500 mile trip. Yes, it most likely will. But no manufacturer recommends to do that. Yet, it's a machine. If you buy a new gun, and you don't encounter ANY feeding or ejection issues from day one, then that is fantastic. But if you do encounter some initially, that is not unreasonable. And those "rough edges" you speak of, many times in the reason for ejection and feeding issues. And I've seen this in at least 5-6 TOP NAME firearms. Colt, Glock, Springer, Sig, and HK. Probably more, but I have seen first hand on guns of these manufacturers where the first few magazines may be questionable.

And that goes hand in hand with my 2nd point. You should automatically be putting 150-200 rounds through ANY new gun, simply for familiarization and accuracy training. And if a person ISN'T doing that, then I believe they are being irresponsible. And if you are training/familiarizing/etc... with 150-200 rounds, then those first few mags or so should take care of your break in as well as learning the recoil and such. So the break in issue, really isn't an issue. Of course, if after say 50-100 rounds, that pistol isn't operating as reliable and dependable as designed, advertised, and expected; then there's most like a problem that needs to be addressed. And while I don't have a firm number of exactly how many pistols I'd shot that took a few magazine worth of shot ammo to take care of feeding and ejection issues, I will say that it's not that uncommon. Then again, I can honestly say that I've shot/tested/worked on more than 500 pistols and rifles.

 

[Ex]

I hear so many opposing comments on Hi-points. As said previously, most are from price tag snobs, or people who have never owned one.

I own 2 Glocks, 2 Rugers, a Sig, an American Derriger, and a High-Point C9. Yes, HPs are ugly. The stock rear sight was replaced immediately with a machined adjustable model.

Is it reliable? Very. Now have ~700 rounds through it. 1 round from each of the first 4 mags failed to move up the ramp correctly into the chamber. (My Sig definitely did this, but with 7 out of the first 80 rounds).

Since the first 4 mags, it has been rock solid and not missed a lick. My replacement rear sight was machined by a local guy who does it for fun and hobby ($30).

Do I like my Glocks better? Yes! Would I consider buying another High-Point? Yes! There are lots of pro-HP comments in this thread from people who own/use them and have presented sound reasoning for their positive comments regarding HP.

Bottom line, you want a pistol that will absolutely never have a mis-feed? Get a wheel gun!!!! Otherwise, actually try a HP before spouting about how bad they are!

Have included photos of the replacement rear sight and the polish job (photo swiped from the guy I got the idea from lol).

End rant!

 

[Justin]

So... is the reviewing process over, then? Nothing new from Justin, either here, or on his blog.

Unfortunately, the test, along with most of my regular shooting, had to go on hiatus due to a rather large freelance motion graphics/ video editing gig that fell out of the sky and in to my lap. From late August to early November I was basically working 80+ hour work weeks with very little time to get to the range.

The time I did spend at the range was almost all rifle shooting.

Then I had about two weeks off, and got called for yet another freelance job, plus I was in the throes of finishing up some projects at my regular work.

Long story short, All work and no play make Justin a dull boy.

In regards to the Hi-Point throwdown, I do plan to revive it as summer approaches and there are more matches to attend.

FWIW, I did opt to purchase the gun that was sent to me for T&E.

 

[mcdonl]

Justin, GOOD FOR YOU!! It is good to hear success stories in such a turbulent time. Fun will also be there, take the work when you can!!

Leroy

 

[Justin]

Thanks! I'm really hoping that this leads to further freelance opportunities with both this outfit and others.

 

[jmstevens2]

I little bit of exaggeration, I think. I don't see people talking about requiring 500 rounds of breaking in a hi-point. And as I already mentioned, if you don't plan on putting at least 3-4 boxes of ammo 150-200 rounds through a NEW TO YOU gun that you plan on using for self or home defense, then there is no sense discussing this subject. That is totally irresponsible to yourself and those who you're intending on protecting. I don't care if it's a glock, Springer 1911, colt, Sig, or H&K. That SAME 200 rounds you are using to test the gun, accuracy, becoming accustomed to, etc... can double as the same "Break in" ammo required. Matter of fact, most individuals don't even need 200 rounds to break in. So this whole think about spending money on "Break in" is pure B.S. If you're not shooting 150-200 rounds to get accustomed to the weapon and determine your capabilities and accuracy with it, then there is no debate here. That's purely irresponsible.

If you notice the time that that was posted, ammo in that quantity was hard to get. And with the amount of firearms and pistol use that I have, 100 rounds to see that it works is more than enough, unless it is a bizzare firing system.
I own all if the firearms that HiPoint makes with the exception of the C9 and .380. The pistols I just do not care for. The biggest problem I have had is the Viral attitude of many of the HP owners that I have come across. Many buy it for the right reasons and are fine, there are some that buy them because of the price and are straight up dirtbags. I will not go to HiPoints forum any more because of the caustic attitude the majority of the vocal ones have.
I am not saying HP owners are dirtbags, most are not, but many dirtbags and wannabes buy them because their allowance from mommy limits what they can invest. They make the guns look bad when the gun did not deserve it. Grown ups like them because they are a good plinker or truck gun that will take a beating.

 

[1911Tuner]

if you don't plan on putting at least 3-4 boxes of ammo 150-200 rounds through a NEW TO YOU gun that you plan on using for self or home defense, then there is no sense discussing this subject.

You'd probably be shocked to know the number of people who have done just that.
I'd be afraid to hazard a guess how many Smith & Wesson Model 10s that were bought...fired 6 times...and left in a nightstand for years or even decades without firing another shot, and...when and if the moment of truth came to that house...performed just fine.

Ditto for the number of (Name the pistol/revolver) buyers/owners who have done the same thing.

Hard for active shooters to grasp, but there are a lot of gun owners out there who really have no interest in the gun other than as an emergency tool. They don't care to go shoot it, and they don't have any desire to cut their split times or learn to speed reload. All they bought it for was to have on hand in case they needed it.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Glad you got some solid work Justin ! Get back to this test of Hi-Points when you can.