Firearms
Why You Should Stop Snickering at Hi-Point
We’re also giving them props for the hilarious name.
Don’t laugh, it’s paid for!
There is an old saying that that any gun is better than no gun at all. Times are tough. Things are getting more expensive day by day. For many families the choice can come down to buying a couple of eggs to eat or trying to fit protection into the budget. The good news is options are available to allow you to protect yourself and your loved ones should the need arise. When it comes to handguns, most gun snobs will immediately turn their noses up at the mention of Hi-Point firearms. Snickering will ensue and the insults will fly. That’s why we call them “snobs,” and here’s why you can ignore them.
As someone who has worked in the firearms industry for over 20 years, I have been asked for firearms advice from every kind of shooter you can imagine. From Mr. Rolex all the way down to Mr. Timex. When it comes to sales, a good sales person will always listen to his potential customer and never insult their choices or needs. A customer is a customer and every law-abiding one deserves the right to be able to defend himself and his family. Just like watches that come in every imaginable price range, the same is true with firearms.
There are customers where price point is the only thing that matters. When that is the case, I respectfully recommend Hi-Point. Again, that may not be your first choice, but I like to focus on the positives and inform the customer what Hi-Point can and cannot do. Naturally, the biggest positive I can give Hi-Point firearms is their price point. You can get a brand new Hi-Point from around $100.00 to around $200.00!
Now while we get Mr. Timex set up with something they can work with, the dirty little secret is this: I have sold Mr. Rolex quite a few Hi-Points, too. The Hi-Point price point makes it a clear winner for someone who needs multiple firearms. Even Mr. Rolex finds it hard to justify a super expensive piece for a higher risk environment like a garage or boat/tackle box gun.
So besides price, what other positives does Hi-Point offer? Did you know that Hi-Point offers a lifetime warranty? Yes LIFETIME warranty! According to their website, “Every Hi-Point firearm purchased in the United States is covered by an industry leading 100% lifetime warranty.”
I have personally tested this even with used pistols that looked like they fell off a truck and were dragged down the road. Hi-Point came through and took care of the customer, no questions asked. Now that’s service. The cost is cheaper than new, and if anything is wrong with it, Hi-Point will stand behind their USA made product.
As for cons, I won’t lie because there are a couple. That said, they can be easily overcome. Usually one of the first complaints is that the Hi-Point pistols are big and ugly. Look if you’re reading this and you’ve never won a beauty contest, does that make you big and ugly? Surely someone out there can stand to look at you. Same with Hi-Point pistols.
The price makes them attractive along with their personality. The same thing that makes Hi-Point pistols seem big and heavy is what can make them reliable. They use a blowback system, where the weight of the slide helps keep the slide shut as the gun shoots. The next complaint after weight is the recoil. Recoil management is a matter of just shooting your pistol and building that muscle memory.
The next biggest con Hi-Point pistols have is that they are Jam-O-Matics. I know for a fact that most of these issues are traceable to the user … lack of maintenance is the biggest cause. (Yes, these are the same people that never change the oil in their car either.) Firearms are machines that require some semblance of maintenance. A little cleaning and oil go along way!
I have heard from customers that they do not want to do any maintenance but want their pistol to work. Okay, there are modern solutions that I can recommend. Instead of trying to use hollowpoint ammo, try using the new Tumble Upon Impact ammo. You get the reliability of round-nose ammo without the over penetration issues. TUI bullets are special self-defense round-nose ammo that tumbles when it hits the target, therefore staying in the target.
Hi-Point has options for just about everyone. The pistols come in five different calibers including:
- 380 ACP
- 9 MM
- 40 S&W
- 10 MM
- 45 ACP
Each of the calibers are also available as different options including camouflaged versions or the Home Security Pack. The HSP comes with a steel locking safe box, allowing safe storage of your pistol. While Hi-Point made their name in the pistol market, they also manufacture highly regarded pistol carbines, including a California compliant version.
While most readers still will not run out and buy a Hi-Point, I truly hope you give them a shot … literally. For those of you that have that budget or may be just starting out and need something to get you going, know this: If you treat a Hi-Point right, it will treat you right. Your hard-earned money gets you a quality US-made firearm that is backed by one of the best warranties in the industry. All that peace of mind for a price that blows the competition out of the water–heck you can buy a Hi-Point pistol and carbine rifle for less than the price of the other brands’ budget guns. Check them out here!
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Rodney Steward
February 6, 2023 at 11:04 am
I’ve got two Hi-Points and love them both, they’re well worth the money.
Jim Orth
February 17, 2023 at 1:33 pm
I bought a new C-9. Never did get a magazine through it without a jam. I was told “keep at it. It will come out of it”. Nearly spent as much ammo as the pistol cost trying to get it to function. Lesson learned. Good riddance.
Todd
February 6, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Nope, not gonna happen. If you’re betting your life on the firearm that you choose, do better.
Wade U
February 6, 2023 at 12:27 pm
I have the .40 pistol and it has been a good “little” gun. Surprisingly reliability has not been an issue. Being a left handed it has provided pretty good groupings while shooting opposite hand. I don’t think I would use it for a daily carry, like my Springfield Hellcat, but in a pinch I think it would still do the job.
Ed Wollent
February 6, 2023 at 12:31 pm
I guess Hi-Point must have paid you a ton of cash to write up this article.
Ed Wollent
February 6, 2023 at 12:30 pm
I guess High Point must have paid you a ton of cash to write up this article.
Bemused Berserker
February 6, 2023 at 1:43 pm
I have long said that HI Points fill a niche. They get someone a gun for shooters on a budget. I also believe both their Pistols and Pistol Caliber carbines would be excellent “Cache Guns, for those that need to put a gun in a cache of equipment for future needs. In fact, I’ve a Hi Point 9mm buried in a length of sealed 6” diameter PVC pipe out by our garage (along with a couple of boxes of ammo), just for that purpose.
Properly cared for and fed a diet of ammo they like, they run reliably, and are reasonably accurate. Yes, they are bulky and blocky looking, but that’s because they are a Straight Blowback operating firearm. They don’t rely on intricate lockwork to cycle the action, so everything is dependent upon the recoil spring and the slides mass to slow down the slides Operation. You can only go so stiff on the recoil spring, before the operator loses the ability to manipulate the slide, so the only other option is to increase the mass of the slide to slow down the cycle. That’s why they’re bulky and blocky. The fixed barrel aids in maintaining accuracy.
I’ve handled and fired several Hi Point models. Those preferred FMJ’s and Hard Cast Lead over hollow points. I’ve not tried TUI ammo in one, but the theory is sound. My old S&W Model 39 doesn’t like hollow points either, and becomes a Jam-O-Matic when you try.
The Hi Point Carbine is a fun gun to shoot, and would make an excellent ranch gun to throw behind the seat of a truck (especially in the heavier pistol calibers).
Capacity is limited, but for those who live in capacity restricted States, it within those restrictions.
I’ve not had to deal with Hi Points Customer Service, but I’ve heard no complaints from those that have dealt with CS. The two guys I know that had to deal with CS, were pleased with the response.
I own quite a few higher end guns, but only snobs dismiss the economy offerings like Hi Points.
Primo
February 6, 2023 at 2:53 pm
I own a C9 and “cleaned”, yes, past tense, it regularly… but the feed/magazine issue has been CONSTANT! I tried the mag fixes, along with the feed rail polish fix, to no avail. The gun jams with FMJ from multiple “top” suppliers, all new (no reloads). It now rests in a door pouch of my gun safe, where it will remain until a REAL fix is forthcoming. As for their warranty… who is reliably shipping firearms in these Marxist times??
Gary
February 6, 2023 at 3:15 pm
I bought A HI-POINT IN 9MM AS A THROW-A-WAY GUN TO KEEP IN MY PICKUP .I HAVE SHOT IT AND FOUND IT HEAVY BUT RELIABLE. if IT IS STOLEN, EVEN FROM MY LOCKED PICKUP, IT IS NOT A BIG LOSS BUT MY 44 MAG. COLT ANACONDA WOULD BE.
Jonathan
February 6, 2023 at 3:26 pm
I have owned a Hi-Point C9 since 2003. I had exactly one problem with it in all that time: minor surface rust developed on one of the magazines. That’s it.
The new Hi-Point 10mm pistol has excellent features for the price point, and so far has tested well, being widely covered in the firearms media—and actually available, in numbers, on the street. It shares mags with their well-reviewed 10mm carbine model. I don’t think either should be dismissed. 10mm is in the middle of a resurgence, and a decent $200 10mm firearm making its way into buyers’ hands in numbers is only going to help it reach new heights. [Which it should!]
John P Haggerty
February 6, 2023 at 4:29 pm
The only Hi-Point I have is the 995 9mm carbine. It’s reliable, accurate, and looks different than anythining else out there.
Lance
February 6, 2023 at 7:38 pm
Shortly after returning from firing my first Hi-Point, I returned home to disassemble and clean it. Not finding instructions in the manual, I contacted customer service for help. When I told the representative what I wanted to do, his first response was “Why?” I explained my philosophy and desire to keep my machines in good working order. He replied “Oh well, if you feel you MUST clean it, they are “top rack dishwasher safe”!!! I promise, I’m not making this up. That being said, I have never had a failure to feed, failure to fire, or failure to eject with a Hi-Point pistol OR carbine. (And I have never tested the dishwasher treatment!!!
GI 19
February 6, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Hi Points are for people who can’t afford a real gun, or don’t know what a real gun is. And it’s no surprise that they are favored by street gangs when they can’t steal a Glock.
Robert Bagnell
February 6, 2023 at 11:18 pm
Recovered a lot of these from crime scenes I investigated; some were still able to be fired (operating condition) however I did find many not operable. I will agree about the maintenance issues most of the thugs and criminals were not big on maintaining their weapons (never in over 30 years did I ever hear of a criminal say ‘Nah not going out to do any robbery tonight just staying in to clean and maintain my gun’). Also agree with the heavy part so even if malfunctioning makes a good hammer to assault someone with
My biggest complaint is there are numerous more reliable firearms for virtually the same price or a little bit more. So my main concern/question is will you be willing to risk your life on a firearm that has a reputation of questionable reliability? Especially today when reliable firearms can be purchased fo the same price to approximately $40.00 more
EdGrimley
February 6, 2023 at 11:48 pm
Bought a used Hi-Point C9 from a local pawn shop for $129 to keep as a “surrender gun;” it’s the only one around here that’s papered. First time I took it out for a bit of fun I was quite surprised! That slight front-heaviness actually is helpful at reducing recoil lift, enabling me to keep on target with less time between shots to re-center. As for jamming, I’ve put 3000 or so rounds through it so far, including super-cheap dirty range ammo that spits sparks, and have yet to experience a single jam. Went from scoffer to believer.
Richiemags357
February 7, 2023 at 10:06 am
For all that simply put down Hi-Points, Gun Test Magazine has a few, and runs them a lot. THEY say that all they do is shoot (reliability), and that they go back for repair LESS than the big boys. So tell me again why you won’t give them a chance? Yes, they are big and ugly, but if that is what you have when you need one, it is the most beautiful gun in the world. G19, Ed Wollent, and Todd, take note.
Big Al 45
February 7, 2023 at 2:50 pm
All well and good, and I recognize the Authors 20 years.
However, I was there in the beginning, and sold quite a few Hi Points, and repaired quite a few too.
We had an indoor range, and often had to fix Hi Points in just a few rounds from being purchased and shot.
It was often exasperating to deal with new shooters who didnt understand how the paper work meant it was now their gun, and we couldn’t just take it back since it was now in the system.
Most often it was firing pins, and extractors breaking. and yes, the jammed alot, and no it wasn’t always the operator.
Sorry, it left a very bad taste for me, so no thanx.
Tim
February 7, 2023 at 3:02 pm
All these folks insulting the Hi Points…interesting. What kind of car do you risk your life in everyday? I bet there are thousands of folks out there that think you’re an idiot for having that kind of car. Just saying…you don’t know everything and you’re opinion is just as useless.
James
February 7, 2023 at 9:47 pm
Would like to see Hi Point come out with a 38 Super pistol and carbine rifle.
Ford Prefect
February 15, 2023 at 11:21 am
A decade ago I bought a HiPoint .45 JHP just for grins and tossed it in a box. Years later I take it out of the box and go to the range. Less than half a box of Federal ball ammo later I have a squib load leaving the bullet half way down the barrel, I go home and take it apart and can’t dislodge the bullet. I toss it back in the box. Years later I get it out and bang the crap out of the bullet until it comes out. I go to put it back together and there is a piece missing (the sear cam). I toss it back in the box. Years later I pull it out and look online for the missing sear cam. Turns out there are apparently 3 different versions of that piece. I call Hi-Point support to see if they can tell me which one is correct for me. They verify it is a JHP and tell me they will get the correct one out to me right away. A couple of days later I receive it in the mail and put the pistol back together. They sent me a part at no cost to me that was not broken or malfunctioning, I just lost the damn thing. That is customer service on a level you very seldom see, and it has made me a fan!
idaho redneck
March 20, 2023 at 11:49 am
I have never shot one, don’t expect to. What is interesting is when one the local police departments have a property auction, it seems they always have a lot of them to sell.