Dad wants to buy a Hi-Point .40 S&W - Your thougts or opinions needed

[tcmech]

I don't personally own a hi point and I am not sure if I would buy one, mostly because they don't make anything I don't already have from someone else. I don't need another 9 mm, I have a shelf full. If I am buying another 45 I want a good quality 1911 (just because I have never owned one), and if I were to buy anything else it would be a 10mm.

From my understanding they are the mossberg of the handgun world. I don"t have anything against a mossberg, I actually own a couple and I think that the only shotgun you could buy that is any better is a beretta. What I would like to know is how many people out here own a mossberg shotgun and would not but a hi point.

 

[wrightme]

I don't personally own a hi point and I am not sure if I would buy one, mostly because they don't make anything I don't already have from someone else. I don't need another 9 mm, I have a shelf full. If I am buying another 45 I want a good quality 1911 (just because I have never owned one), and if I were to buy anything else it would be a 10mm.

From my understanding they are the mossberg of the handgun world. I don"t have anything against a mossberg, I actually own a couple and I think that the only shotgun you could buy that is any better is a beretta. What I would like to know is how many people out here own a mossberg shotgun and would not but a hi point.

Me.


I own a Mossberg M500, and would not buy a Hi-Point. BUT, it isn't for the reasons presented in this thread. I owned a Hi-Point .45, and it was exemplary in its operation and accuracy. In fact, its operation and accuracy was WELL ABOVE what would be expected at that price point.


"So why don't you still own a Hi-Point?"

Well, it was ugly, just didn't 'feel' right to me, and I never got used to the magazine release. But, line the three dots up, pull the trigger, and a hole showed up at the aimpoint. Each time. Without fail. The only limits to my accuracy with it were inherent in MY operation of it, and the limitations of any .45 from a barrel of that length.

 

[GWbiker]

I don't own a Hi Point handgun, but I personally saw two at my local gun range that were broken. Both had a cracked frame. On that alone I would not purchase a Hi Point.

OP might consider a used but not abused Police trade in, from SIG, H&K, Beretta or Glock.

 

[230therapy]

This is a life saving tool.

Does your dad buy the cheapest fire extinguishers, brakes, oil filters, and tools he can find?

You're purchasing probabilities over time. Any gun requires maintenance at some point in order to remain functional. Do you know what that round count is for the Hi-Point? It's well known for 1911's, Glocks, and so forth. Can you even acquire parts for it?

While there may be people who have Hi-Points that perform, do you think that such a gun will withstand the rigors of training? How will it behave over thousands of rounds? Will it hold up to several hundred rounds a month? I went cheap and purchased a Phoenix HP22. It lasted 99 rounds before something in the trigger mechanism broke. I ended up buying a Ruger MK II...I effectively increased the cost of that Ruger by $110.

Additionally, does the gun have the features that are viewed as an advantage? Not all are needed for defensive purposes, but items like night sights do increase the gun's performance in certain circumstances. Do you really want to install $100 night sights on a $125 gun? Is the magazine well beveled? Do the magazines flow freely upon demand? Are the stock sights large enough to use?

Don't get me wrong...if it's a fun gun, have at it. One guy on the 'net is doing a torture test on his Hi-Point. But, for serious work?

 

[ososik]

I own a Hi-point C-9. I love it, carry it openly daily for self defense(never been laughed at). My C-9 performed flawlessly out the box. If it doesn't adjust mag lips, or box it up send it to hi-point. They'll shoot it and fix 'til it shoots flawlessly. And when hi-point returns your pistol there will be a new magazine "for your troubles". Whats that you want parts? Just call them with the parts you need, they'll get your info and have said parts in mail next day. No cost. Oh and Hi-point recommends cleaning your pistols after 500 rounds. Whats that you don't like the "take down" procedure... Send it in they'll clean for you! And you get free mag! As for accuracy issues. Did you adjust the sights? They're adjustable, not fixed. I get a nice grouping.
My complaint, is the weak safety system. I would like a more modern safety system. But I personally have never had an AD or ND with my Hi-point. Just a happy customer.

Before I get Laughed at. Let me say I've been victim of a home invasion, and been shot 5 times. The BG had (i think) a S&W revolver. It missed a beat. And with 5 shots of his .38 I'm still alive (one was to the head). I have 8 shots of 9mm i'm confident they'll fire when asked and hit where aimed. (I had a Glock19, but it happened so fast i couldnt even grab it, due to where wife made me keep it (Hi-point is now kept in holster fixed to bed rail) My point with this is, I know a better gun is ideal. But i'm not able to afford one yet. But i'm not prepared to be unarmed until i can afford a Glock or H&K. I hope no one laughs at me!, I only have one eye! LOl

 

[IcrewUH60]

This is a life saving tool.

Does your dad buy the cheapest fire extinguishers, brakes, oil filters, and tools he can find?

You're purchasing probabilities over time. Any gun requires maintenance at some point in order to remain functional. Do you know what that round count is for the Hi-Point? It's well known for 1911's, Glocks, and so forth. Can you even acquire parts for it?

While there may be people who have Hi-Points that perform, do you think that such a gun will withstand the rigors of training? How will it behave over thousands of rounds? Will it hold up to several hundred rounds a month? I went cheap and purchased a Phoenix HP22. It lasted 99 rounds before something in the trigger mechanism broke. I ended up buying a Ruger MK II...I effectively increased the cost of that Ruger by $110.

Additionally, does the gun have the features that are viewed as an advantage? Not all are needed for defensive purposes, but items like night sights do increase the gun's performance in certain circumstances. Do you really want to install $100 night sights on a $125 gun? Is the magazine well beveled? Do the magazines flow freely upon demand? Are the stock sights large enough to use?

Don't get me wrong...if it's a fun gun, have at it. One guy on the 'net is doing a torture test on his Hi-Point. But, for serious work?

To answer the first set of questions, no, no, no and no. I see the point in comparing a defensive handgun to other lifesaving devices and it makes sense to me. But with many of life's journeys most people take baby steps. He spends his money on things that "will do the job" when needed, so it is something that he needs to be able to rely on. The extra $2.50 on an oil filter, to him, just doesnt seem worth it, when an OEM spec approved filter will do. Not to say that he's cheap, but he is frugal with his money.

I don't think he will become an OC'er anytime soon, so this wont be a handgun for "everyday use". For all practical purposes, he is looking for something that he can train with, become comfortable with and use it to defend his home if needed... this purchase will be his first handgun.

 

[Armed and Harmless]

I have owned 3 Hi-points over the years in 9mm, .380, and .40 s&w. I can't say that I've ever had a really terrible experience with any of them, but I no longer own any of them either. They are a gun that's worth about what they're priced. One thing I haven't seen anyone mention yet on this thread is that Hi-points are a single-action semi-automatic, and in MY HUMBLE OPINION, NOT SAFE TO CARRY A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER. When the slide is racked it cocks the firing pin, and the firing pin remains ready to fire until the trigger is pulled....or the small, inexpensive cross-pin breaks. Unlike other single-action semi-autos such as the 1911, the workings of the Hi-point are entirely internal and therefore the firing mechanism is held back by a very small pin, not a solid steel sear like one which would hold back a hammer. Again, it is MY OPINION (and also the opinion of many others) that Hi-point, Jennings, Lorcin, or any gun with this principle design is completely unsafe for a round to remain chambered to carry in a holster. That being said, Hi-point is probably the best option in that price category for a target gun, or one to carry unchambered for activities like hunting and fishing. If your father can afford something better and safer than a Hi-point, I would personally buy better quality. If not, it's certainly better than nothing AS LONG AS HE UNDERSTANDS THE GUNS WORKING FUNCTION AND ITS LIMITS.

 

[rhino1121]

Hi-point fire arms are not only well made, they have a life time warrinty

I myself have owned many firearms over the years and still have everyone of them. My first pistol was a 1911 colt, I also have purchased glocks, swith & wesson, Tarus ect. A year and half ago I can across a couple of articles written by some well know gun guru's on the Hi-Point fire arms line. After doing a litte research, contacting the companys, what I found was to say the least astounding. The have a warrinty program that is 100% on every Pistol or carbine they sell not matter what owner you are. That means from the first to the 500 hundredth. Next I bought a couple 40's. 380's and four 45's. Fist off out the box I disassembled and cleaned them as I do with every weapon that I have every bought. I completlely strip them down and clean them 100%. After I reassembled them I went to the range and fired 500 rds though each one them. I had to make some minor sight adjustment being a left handed shooter. With each one I had not problem putting each and every round where I wanted it. At no time did have a jam, misfire, and or any break down of any kind. Reliable absolutley, depenable yes every after I covered them with mud, sand and dipped them in the water tank. I even ran over one the 45's with my 1 ton Truck to test it. I now open carry my Hi-point 45 every where I go. Also to further illestrate how good High-Points customer service is a young man who had bought an old Hi-Point model JH, it needed some work to bring it back to be fully fucntions again. I called the company talked to Dreama who promptly sent out a full rebuild kit for this pistol, including new sights and two mags. I paid for the mags but all the rest was sent free of charge and I was not even charged shipping. After rebuilding his pistol we went to the range and he fired 250 rounds with no problems at all. When I encounter people who talk down about Hi-Points products I find they base their opinon on the low price, and they are gun snobs. They seem to foget a lot of the more expensive brands started out at low price ranges too. I bought my fist glock for less a 125.00. same with most of the others I own. As time goes by and a company gets a following and they advertise then the price of weapon will go up. After all it takes money to advertise, sponsor a show, ect. Every day I carry my Hi-Point with me, I have no problem betting my life on this fine 100% American made weapon. Not to mention a company who totaly located in the U.S.A and employees Americans to make their weapon. So do not be fooled by the gun snobs out there or misled Hi-Point is a fine choice. I by the way do not work for Hi-Point in any way, I do however own my own shop where I restore, and repair arms of every kind, and been doing this for over thirty years now.

 

[Dieselcrawler]

I have limited exp with HiPoint, have shot a friend's 45acp a few times... sure it's heavy, but it never jamed the days we were shooting it... didn't put 100's of rounds thru it, but it works.

You get what you pay for, but in this case, you get alot for what you pay...

 

[Texas Pride]

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to say and this is my first post and a new Member but I had to sign up just to defend the High point since I own a HP 45 acp pistol and had it for a year and put little over 1500 rounds thru it and I have not even cleaned it yet nor have I ever had any issue with it since the first day I took it out of the box and shot it at the gun range.. and I paid 209.00 with 2 mags and I never had to call customer service nor did I ever had to send it in.. I have had a few gun snobs talk their noise and ended up shutting their mouths up at the gun range and guess what they ended up losing their 800.00 + pistols too me at the Gun range.. now tell me gun snobs do you really want to go there with people that own High Points..

 

[golddigger14s]

Well?

My Dad is considering purchasing his 1st handgun and taking a few firearms training courses. He's in his late 50's and in decent shape. A Hi-Point .40 S&W caught his eye and he has asked me for advice. I know nothing about the brand so I am looking for advice to pass on to him. 1st hand experience is preferred but if you can quote a reliable source, I'd like to know that too.

Anyone own one, shoot one, bought one, carried one? Your thoughts please.

Lots of comments and debate. Have you (OP) made a decision? Me: Pro HP.

 

[IcrewUH60]

Lots of comments and debate. Have you (OP) made a decision? Me: Pro HP.

I'm actually traveling to visit my Dad this weekend. We'll discuss many of these points on the forum and maybe find a place that will let him hold and shoot so he can try the fit out and determine for himself if it something he wants to invest in.

After reading all the pro and cons now, I am sold and will probably pick one up for myself just to find out first hand. :banana:

 

[Texas Pride]

I'm actually traveling to visit my Dad this weekend. We'll discuss many of these points on the forum and maybe find a place that will let him hold and shoot so he can try the fit out and determine for himself if it something he wants to invest in.

After reading all the pro and cons now, I am sold and will probably pick one up for myself just to find out first hand. :banana:

good luck..

 

[heresyourdipstickjimmy]

Ok, I tried to call another one of our instructors out last night. He's claimed he has NEVER had a HighPoint on the range NOT have a malfunction. My first class I had a student that was shooting a HighPoint and did not express a single malfunction, it performed quite well.

Unfortunately my effort backfired. I challenged one of our students to be the HighPoint Hero at class and demonstrate that his would survive the class and he just blurted out "well, mine tends to malfunction A LOT". As luck would have it...2 jams and 8 light primer strikes out of 40 rounds. I got sick of it and offered to loan him my Glock. No more issues for the next 50 rounds...and it fired off those light strikes.

My suggestion: Stay far away from the High Point, save up some money, and buy something MUCH more reliable.

Don't let that lifetime warranty fool you. If it was a quality product, would they really need a lifetime fully transferable warranty? No they wouldn't.

Don't get me wrong, so far the High Point is reliable. You can rely on it to jam and have soft primer strikes quite often. But....it sure was accurate! Student put 40 rounds in the X zone on a B27 target with just a single stray.

 

[Texas Pride]

Ok, I tried to call another one of our instructors out last night. He's claimed he has NEVER had a HighPoint on the range NOT have a malfunction. My first class I had a student that was shooting a HighPoint and did not express a single malfunction, it performed quite well.

Unfortunately my effort backfired. I challenged one of our students to be the HighPoint Hero at class and demonstrate that his would survive the class and he just blurted out "well, mine tends to malfunction A LOT". As luck would have it...2 jams and 8 light primer strikes out of 40 rounds. I got sick of it and offered to loan him my Glock. No more issues for the next 50 rounds...and it fired off those light strikes.

My suggestion: Stay far away from the High Point, save up some money, and buy something MUCH more reliable.

Don't let that lifetime warranty fool you. If it was a quality product, would they really need a lifetime fully transferable warranty? No they wouldn't.

Don't get me wrong, so far the High Point is reliable. You can rely on it to jam and have soft primer strikes quite often. But....it sure was accurate! Student put 40 rounds in the X zone on a B27 target with just a single stray.

that's funny I got rid of a glock36 yesterday and it was the biggest POS and I repeat the Biggest POS I have ever owned.. my highpoint was a 1000X better than that glock. the glock keep jamming up and i done everything I could.. I am sorry but that is my my humble oppinion

 

[heresyourdipstickjimmy]

that's funny I got rid of a glock36 yesterday and it was the biggest POS and I repeat the Biggest POS I have ever owned.. my highpoint was a 1000X better than that glock. the glock keep jamming up and i done everything I could.. I am sorry but that is my my humble oppinion

I have heard mixed reports on the 36 and the 30 slim frame (SF). I own twin G34's and have had zero problems. Of course I never buy the .40S&W or .357Sig models and tend to shy away from the .45 due to how the grip feels. I stay strictly with the 9mm Glocks, though I have owned a standard G30 that had 10,000 rounds through it and all that caused was a sharp edge on the bottom of the striker engagement, which Glock happily replaced.

 

[Texas Pride]

I have heard mixed reports on the 36 and the 30 slim frame (SF). I own twin G34's and have had zero problems. Of course I never buy the .40S&W or .357Sig models and tend to shy away from the .45 due to how the grip feels. I stay strictly with the 9mm Glocks, though I have owned a standard G30 that had 10,000 rounds through it and all that caused was a sharp edge on the bottom of the striker engagement, which Glock happily replaced.

thats cool the one I go rid of just felt so Light to me but the was because I got so used to the HP 45 Acp and the glock just kept jamming up on me. Maybe I was missing something very simple with it but after awhile i just got fed up with it badly. but I like to say use whatever you feel comprotable<--- sorry for the spelling but I just got used to my HP since it really never gave me no problems.. but I dont mind trying out other guns and maybe I will buy another model who knows

 

[Christopher]

My Dad is considering purchasing his 1st handgun and taking a few firearms training courses. He's in his late 50's and in decent shape. A Hi-Point .40 S&W caught his eye and he has asked me for advice. I know nothing about the brand so I am looking for advice to pass on to him. 1st hand experience is preferred but if you can quote a reliable source, I'd like to know that too.

Anyone own one, shoot one, bought one, carried one? Your thoughts please.

I actually open carry a hi-point C-9 :lol: yes i know.... But with that said if you polish the feed ramp with some super fine wet sand paper and a dremel it will eat any crappy ammo you can feed it, yes they are a bit heavy, no the new one's won't discharge on you with one in the chamber if dropped, with the safety on it blocks the sear, i have tested this theory without one in the chamber by banging it against the ground and the wall and basically beating the hell out of it, guess what Nothing happened. Yes they are ugly as hell lol, they feel cheep in the hand and they are heavy. But that is the onl;y bad thing i can say about it. The pros: Reliable (after polish), If you run out of ammo you can throw it at somebody and probably kill them, it is extremely accurate hands down it shoots just as good as everything else out there adjustable rear sights, Best of all NO QUESTIONS ASKED LIFETIME WARRANTY. :banana:

 

[IcrewUH60]

He made his decision

and purchased a Rossi 3" .357 Revolver from Academy Sports in San Antonio, TX for around $289.00. Neat little gun, but I was looking forward to taking a new Hi-Point out to the range with him. Guess I have to actually buy one for myself now....

 

[Texas Pride]

and purchased a Rossi 3" .357 Revolver from Academy Sports in San Antonio, TX for around $289.00. Neat little gun, but I was looking forward to taking a new Hi-Point out to the range with him. Guess I have to actually buy one for myself now....

I used my Highpoint 45 acp to qualify for my level 3 commision license not bad for a high point. that was at 50 yards which was dead center and 75 yards those are that ones section 8, 7 and the outer 1 to the left.. not bad at all.