Hi-point Firearms - opinions?

http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com ^ | 2-5-07 | Self

[Bat_Chemist]

So I'm looking over the web for a new handgun (the only one we own is my wife's 9-shot .22, a pretty little piece, but not much for home defense). I came across the website for Hipoint firearms, makers of "polymer frame" handguns, and I thought, "Wouldn't that be really unstable and fragile?" I wanted to get the opinions of the "strangers I trust" here at FR before I actually go drop a couple hundred there. And that's the other thing...these guns are American made and inexpensive. Are they too good to be true?

[Time4Atlas2Shrug]

I'm not a bang-lister, but I have an opinion. I have never used Hi-Point firearms, but most reviews and opinions I have read are negative.

Folks in the know suggested to me when I first started shooting that I visit a range that allows visitors to rent firearms. You could try several in one day to get an idea of what you may be interested in. Perhaps see if there is one in your vacinity.

Also, you can get a nice high quality used pistol from a reputable gun shop. Sigs and Glocks are great and are far less expensive refurbished. Smith and Wesson makes good revolvers, but their only good semi-auto is the new M&P from what I have heard. It doesn't hurt to look. A 1911 may be out of your price range if you are looking to keep cost down.

Also, there are buyer's guides in most magazine sections. Massad Ayoob is a great resource for firearm information, as well. And websites such as Glock Talk and Packing.org are full of info, too.

Good luck.

[yatros from flatwater]

One more opinion from Massad Ayoob:

Cheap guns are good enough

[ConservaTexan]

A shotgun would do well. Good advice. Just point and 'click.'

[mozarky2]

In my concealed carry class, the instructor said NEVER use rifles or shotguns for home defense. Studies show the long barrel is a huge disadvantage in a dark home. Intruders can and have grabbed the long barrels and turned the tables on the homeowner.
And, even with a pistol, hold it close to your body, not stiff-armed outward.
And, with pistols, you get what you pay for. Any name brand gun that you feel comfortable with should be a very good investment.

[Eagles6]

Lots of good quality, moderately priced stuff out there. Remember that a good revolver is better than bad semi. Rugers, Taurus, Bersa, Keltec are all good value. I've never heard anything good about Hipoint except that they are cheap. Go to a dealer that you know and buy a good used piece. You should be able to pick up good quality for $200-300 easily.

If you want a good home defense rifle you can't beat an SKS for about $200.

I'm sure you can pick up a good 12 ga. pump for that price.

[GladesGuru]

Respectfully, I must disagree. I am able to afford an array of firearms, but to anyone on a budget, consider that SHooting Times gave the HiPoint .40 and the HiPoint .45 what amount to near glowing approval.

Sure, if you shoot 50 to 250 rounds a week, there may be a longevity problem with the HiPoint - may, I said. But that is meaningless for the home defense buyer who shoots a few boxes a year. Cost and time make this the case for most Americans.

Let's look at the $500 level. One can buy about three .45 HiPoints versus one "high end" pistol. In terms of home defense, three guns at strategic in ones home is better than one pistol.

Lastly, read the Shooting Times review and note what it says about the "shootability" of the HiPoint pistols.

While I enjoy fine firearms, I also recognize that for many Americans, the HiPoint makes more sense.

[Heman11]

I have a highpoint 9mm. for anyone on a budget looking for home protection with more stopping power than the .22, the high point is a good option. the company is right up the road from me here in Ohio and has been around for a long time. The gun has never failed me, but I don't put a ton of rounds through it either. another option is the Smith and Wesson sigma series. I have the .40 S&W and it only ran me around $300. When shopping I asked the counter guy at a reputablesport shop what the difference between the S&W and the Glock and Springfield XD were. He explained that the more expensive guns were approx. 60,000 round guns and the S&W was a 40k gun.

[Spktyr]

Your instructor was an idiot.

[El Gato]

Save up and buy a quality gun from Colt, S&W, Ruger, Springfield, Glock or even a Kimber if you can afford it.

Better an inexpensive gun than no gun at all. Normally I'd recommend a pre-owned gun, but if one isn't all the familiar with firearms, you can waste money that way as well.

Other, slightly less expensive choices are EAA Witness, in steel, or polymer and steel, Taurus (both revolvers and semi-autos).

But for the most bang for the buck, a 12 gauge shotgun can't be beat. I have a Maverick (by Mossberg) but that was purchased at time of monetary distress, if I had it to do again, I'd get the Mossberg, but the only major difference is the action bars and the safety. (Mossberg has thumb safety, Maverick a cross bolt type, both work fine, Brownings also use the thumb type, Remington and others the cross bolt)

A Maverick can be had for less than $200, new. The Mossberg for more like $260.

The nice thing about the shotguns is that with a second barrel you can have a multipurpose gun, for hunting, trap, skeet, sporting clays, etc.

Mossberg 500 Special Purpose, 18.5" 6 Shot

Maverick 88™ 6-Shot Security

As you can see, very similar, and the prices I gave might be a little high.

[El Gato]

Polymer does not mean fragile. That said, until I know more abut HiPoint, my impression is that that they're a fly-by-by-night shop selling cheap crap. I could be proven wrong.

While the do sell cheap guns, they aren't fly by night, they have been around at least 20 years. They just fill a particular niche, for those who want a gun, don't have much money, but aren't that interested in them, and isn't intending on practicing much (Not Smart!).

[Spktyr]

In the case of the HiPoint, a cheap gun is worse than no gun - because it has a very high chance of not going "bang" when you need it to, as many people have found.

I'd mention the Hungarian and Argentinian copies of the Browning High Power as being good candidates - and they can be had at roughly the same prices as the HiPoints. Other options include Makarovs from the former Soviet Union and Eastern Block.

Names to avoid in pistols: Jennings, Bryco, HiPoint, Norinco.

[c-b 1]

Muzzle flash=Pucker factor.

[donmeaker]

If you need a home defense handgun, get a revolver. Smith and Wesson, Taurus, or Charger Arms will get you a good one.

If you do not want to restrict yourself to a handgun, and I wouldn't, go for a shotgun. What ever kind of shotgun you may get, buy number 1 shot, which will put the maximum number of projectiles all the way to the back of the bad guy. That is 25 each .30 caliber projectiles for a 3 inch magnum in 12 gauge. Just about as good as a whole magazine from a M-16. 16 projectiles from a 2 and 3/4 inch round.

Some like pumps. I would avoid automatics because they have to be tuned to work reliably. I prefer doubles, with double triggers because you have two chances for something to work. And no, you don't owe him a warning 'shuck shuck' sound. Use your voice.

Good luck!

[Postman]

A few things:

1) Go with something that you'll enjoy shooting at the range and that won't beat up your hand, arm and senses.
2) If you think about warranties and repair, you should stay with the big manufacturers such as Glock, S&W, Ruger, etc. which stand behind their handguns and make getting repairs relatively easy.
3) I've recently fired a friend's Kimber .45 1911, my wife's S&W .357 revolver 3" barrel and my Taurus .357 tracker revolver 4" barrel. The Kimber was the most accurate and the easiest and most fun to shoot. The Taurus next and the S&W last. A friend has a Glock 19 (9mm) which she loves and shoots very well with and our NRA instructor has a Glock 22 (.40)which he shoots competitively and uses as his primary defensive weapon. He said that Glocks just do not break down when properly cleaned and maintained and the others tend to be nearly indestructible as well.

Essentiually, you want something that will be there if you ever need to save your life or the life of a loved one. You want something that will be accurate, reliable and fun to shoot. This does not come inexpensively especially for a tool that you may have to stake your life on and I would recommend that since this may be the only other gun you get, pay the money for either a Glock or a Kimber or one of similar quality.

Another thing you should definitely consider is contacting the NRA and taking their basic practical handgun course which is offered nationwide by NRA certified instructors.

I'm certain that others will have other recommendations and critiques of my recommendations but it's an important choice and should be given a lot of thought.

[WLR]

Lot of good firearms but you really think thru and discuss your intended purpose.

Her experience, your experience, Will you and your good wife be practicing regularly (hope so). Carry Gun? Lot of considerations before a sound suggestion can be made.

A used firearm many times if properly selected will get you more bang for the buck :) The NRA grading system and a reputable gun dealer can help you find a serviceble piece.


357 is the smallest I would go myself but their are a lot of "Girly 9 fans" and newest super duper cartridge afficandos out there..

For the wise man

In the beginning God made Sam Moses Browning

Accordingly he made the 1911 and called it good.
It remains so.


God made S&W M19s & Colt Python 357s so folks would have something with zing, simple and reliable which would not confound.

God made the 9mm so the French would have a common cartridge to surrender to the Germans.

God made everything else along with the 9mm (cept 10mm which ain't bad) cause he enjoys a good laugh and knows gunshop owners and magazine writers need to make a living too.


Flame Suit-check Hood-check Gloves, googles check
Ok let er rip....lol
W :)

[B4Ranch]

Here's more info than you probably want. Have fun

http://www.theboxotruth.com/

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/theboxotruth.htm

http://www.gunfacts.info/

http://www.thehighroad.org/

http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?ID=3195

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1743182/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1660526/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1306506/posts

[volunbeer]

These things are junk. Very unreliable and I would not consider this brand for any scenario unless there was absolutely no other choice.

It beats throwing bullets by hand and that is the only positive thing I can say as a LEO, firearms instructor, and armorer.

[Jack Hammer]

1. Ruger's a good value for money.

2. If you're not going to practice much, a revolver may be a better choice than a semi-auto.

3. For home defense, a Remington 850 12 gauge is excellent.

4. Personally, I like the Sig 220 in .45 - but it's rather pricey.

[Ramtek57]

Here is a forum where owners of Hipoint talk about their guns. Lots of good info here.

http://hipoint.7.forumer.com/index.php

[processing please hold]

Give a hi-point .45 auto a try. My son has two...one for each hand. He swears by their accuracy. Price: $150.00 ea.