HI Point...FUN???
I recently got my FOID and began searching for a cheap 1st firearm for home defense and plinking. While browsing Gunbroker I discovered the Hi Point Carbine 9mm priced about $160. At first I didn't give serious consideration because of it's looks and cost. After research I found that everyone considers the Hi Point a fun and accurate gun.
What is it about this gun that makes it fun? What's good ammo for this gun? How often does it need to be cleaned? Is the laser a good addition? Whats the range on the 9mm bullet?
Any insight on any of these questions will be appreciated.
What is it about this gun that makes it fun? What's good ammo for this gun? How often does it need to be cleaned? Is the laser a good addition? Whats the range on the 9mm bullet?
Any insight on any of these questions will be appreciated.
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It might be fun to shoot,but I would not depend on this gun for self-defense. 
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I bought one for my son. It is fun to shoot and is fairly accurate out to 50 yards. The gun requires no more cleaning than any other firearm. My son has shot untold amounts of 9mm ammo through it without a single malfunction. I too would be reluctant to use it for home defense not only because it is a "low end" gun but i don't really care for the 9mm round (for the purpose of self defense that is)I would much prefer a shotgun or a model 1911 in .45 cal. I personally think the 1911 is at the top of the food chain for self defense. mho [8D] 0 -
Everyone??
Nope, junk is junk. If your life is cheap, then get a cheap gun to defend it.
"The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised!"
-- Gen. George S. Patton
referring to the M1 Garand0 -
I guess I might have just gotten lucky with mine.Bought it used($100)and have not had any problems with it.However,I did find out that IT DOES NOT LIKE "WIN CLEAN" AMMO!Anything else it just gobbles up.Makes a fun plinker and a good truck gun.Can't complain about the accuracy either.Just last week I had it out plinkin' and put two full mags in a 3" square at 50 yds off hand.And I am NOT a very good off hand shooter.
BTW,WELCOME TO GB!!
BW
IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.0 -
I have shot 2 of the pistols at the range with some of my buddies and we have never had a problem with them, sure they are ugly but why do you need a "pretty gun" for self defense, as far as 9mm goes, as long as you have a full clip and hollow points you should be able to stop almost anything, as long as you can hit it[;)].
Monkey fact for the day:
Man who go to bed with itchy butt, wake up with stinky finger!!0 -
quote:Originally posted by magicman791
I recently got my FOID and began searching for a cheap 1st firearm for home defense and plinking. While browsing Gunbroker I discovered the Hi Point Carbine 9mm priced about $160. At first I didn't give serious consideration because of it's looks and cost. After research I found that everyone considers the Hi Point a fun and accurate gun.
What is it about this gun that makes it fun? What's good ammo for this gun? How often does it need to be cleaned? Is the laser a good addition? Whats the range on the 9mm bullet?
Any insight on any of these questions will be appreciated.
Its a fun gun because its lightweight, inexpensive, relatively accurate (for a $160 gun!), and takes inexpensive, low-recoil, (relatively) low-noise 9mm ammo. You're not going to win any beauty, or accuracy contests with that gun, but you can shoot a lot with it, without breaking your wallet (or your shoulder).
Any standard ball 9mm ammo should be OK. I've heard that this gun actually isn't very picky, and will feed and shoot virtually anything, but obviously you have to test any ammo you'd want to use in it before relying on it. Unlike some of the other carbines (and pistols) the Hi-point carbine is rated to accept unlimited 9mm +P ammo, which is significantly more powerful.
People love to knock the 9mm round as "weak" but if you wanted to use it for defense the hotter 9mm +P specialty ammo like CorBon is actually a pretty good stopper. Out of the longer barrel of a carbine, I'd bet the ballistic performance of that kind of 9mm +P probably is about as good as a low-end .357 magnum from a 4" pistol (we're talking same weight projectile, same diameter, same velocity). The .357, being considered one of the best pistol man-stoppers available, is every bit as good, if not better than, the .45 ACP, with more muzzle energy, a flatter trajectory, and more penetration to boot.
Useful range with any pistol cartridge is limited. I'd say 50 yds is probably a practical maximum, but you could probably squeeze out 75 yds if you were a good shot. There's probably no legitimate reason you'd want to be shooting further than that with this thing anyway.
Personally, assuming the gun fed and cycled reliably (and of course I'd test that before trusting my life to it!) I'd actually rather have a carbine in a defensive situation than a 1911, since the carbine should have both higher capacity, more accuracy (A rifle is much easier to hit with than a pistol, even assuming the same intrinsic "benchrest" accuracy), and faster followup shots. Downside is more bulk, weight, and less concealability.
I don't know that this particular one would be my first choice if I were looking for a defensive carbine, but it sure wouldn't be my last choice either!0 -
Where's Mark C. when you need him![;)]
Ruric, NE OHIO0 -
beantownshootah
Good post.
I'm a Hi Point lover[:p], but I would look at the .40[:D] before I would go with the 9 MM. Just my opnion[}:)].
Dean
quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
quote:Originally posted by magicman791
I recently got my FOID and began searching for a cheap 1st firearm for home defense and plinking. While browsing Gunbroker I discovered the Hi Point Carbine 9mm priced about $160. At first I didn't give serious consideration because of it's looks and cost. After research I found that everyone considers the Hi Point a fun and accurate gun.
What is it about this gun that makes it fun? What's good ammo for this gun? How often does it need to be cleaned? Is the laser a good addition? Whats the range on the 9mm bullet?
Any insight on any of these questions will be appreciated.
Its a fun gun because its lightweight, inexpensive, relatively accurate (for a $160 gun!), and takes inexpensive, low-recoil, (relatively) low-noise 9mm ammo. You're not going to win any beauty, or accuracy contests with that gun, but you can shoot a lot with it, without breaking your wallet (or your shoulder).
Any standard ball 9mm ammo should be OK. I've heard that this gun actually isn't very picky, and will feed and shoot virtually anything, but obviously you have to test any ammo you'd want to use in it before relying on it. Unlike some of the other carbines (and pistols) the Hi-point carbine is rated to accept unlimited 9mm +P ammo, which is significantly more powerful.
People love to knock the 9mm round as "weak" but if you wanted to use it for defense the hotter 9mm +P specialty ammo like CorBon is actually a pretty good stopper. Out of the longer barrel of a carbine, I'd bet the ballistic performance of that kind of 9mm +P probably is about as good as a low-end .357 magnum from a 4" pistol (we're talking same weight projectile, same diameter, same velocity). The .357, being considered one of the best pistol man-stoppers available, is every bit as good, if not better than, the .45 ACP, with more muzzle energy, a flatter trajectory, and more penetration to boot.
Useful range with any pistol cartridge is limited. I'd say 50 yds is probably a practical maximum, but you could probably squeeze out 75 yds if you were a good shot. There's probably no legitimate reason you'd want to be shooting further than that with this thing anyway.
Personally, assuming the gun fed and cycled reliably (and of course I'd test that before trusting my life to it!) I'd actually rather have a carbine in a defensive situation than a 1911, since the carbine should have both higher capacity, more accuracy (A rifle is much easier to hit with than a pistol, even assuming the same intrinsic "benchrest" accuracy), and faster followup shots. Downside is more bulk, weight, and less concealability.
I don't know that this particular one would be my first choice if I were looking for a defensive carbine, but it sure wouldn't be my last choice either!
If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?0 -
I don't think there is anything wrong with the Hi=Point other than the fact that is doesn't cost a lot of money. There are a lot of other guns I would rather have, but nothing wrong with the Hi-Point that I have heard, other than the fact that it's cheap. I was setting up at a gunshow today, and overheard two people talking. One mentioned he had bought a Hi-Point and the other scoffed. The Hi-Point owner said something to the effect that "Yeh, I wouldn't bet my life on it, but my kids and I have shot several hundered rounds through it and never had any problems". I had to ask myself, if it has proven itself to that extent, why not bet your life on it? Maybe if your typical use was dragging it behind you in a swamp, you might want to evaluate it in those conditions, but if you have a gun of any sort, regardless of price, and it has proven itself under your normal shooting conditions, what's wrong with that!
No, I would never care to own one as a primary weapon, I own firearms that are worth 20 times what a Hi-Point would cost. Why would I want to? But that's just a snob thing, quite frankly. If you had a Beretta BM59 and a High-Point sitting next to each other, and had to grab one in an emergency, I know which one I'd grab. But I bet if my choice was between a .22 single shot and a High-Pointy I'd come to trust, I'd grab the High-Point.
I have a friend who has never spent over $400.00 on a gun. He owns about 50 such guns. He shoots them a lot. They all work great. Anyone who owns a USGI 1911 and would care to go up against this guy based on the price of the guns each guy owns is an absolute fool.
For that matter, anyone who would care to go up against a carbine weilding opponent with a 1911 should be evaluated for mental abnormalities. I love handguns, and relatively speaking, am a better handgun shooter than a rifle shooter. But all factors being equal, if I was in a firefight, I'd choose a carbine. The exception to that would be situations where long guns are not the best, such as for a night stand gun, or pocket gun, or something I wanted to use in really, really close quarters, or under special circumstances.
By all means, look at other options, like the SKS. Or if you are partial to the 9mm, the M11/9 styled carbine. Heck, you could even go with an AR15 styled carbine in 9mm if money was no object.
That would be a good point to make. If you were in a real serious SHTF combat situation, which would you rather have, a 1911 pistol or an AR15 styled 9mm? My choice would be very, very quickly made. And it wouldn't be the pistol.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0 -
WELL PUT , BOEBOE !!
DEPENDABLE,ACCURATE AND AFFORDABLE. SOUNDS LIKE A WINNING COMBINATION . NOTHING WRONG WITH GETTING YOUR MONEY'S WORTH ! I HAVE HI-POINT CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE PURCHASED A 2ND. OR 3RD. HI-POINT BECAUSE THEY WERE HAPPY WITH THE 1ST AND CAN AFFORD A 2ND. . THATS GOOD FOR YOUR AMMO BUSINESS TOO.
THINMAN0 -
high point handguns ,no way would i own one ,unless i was using it for ballistic test
now the high point carbine is a nice shooter ,and don't look to bad for the money0 -
The March 05 American Rifleman says they are a good buy for the money.
Dean
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
now the high point carbine is a nice shooter ,and don't look to bad for the money
If they don't trust us with guns, how can we trust them with the government?0 -
Of the inexpensive shooters out there, Gun Tests rated the Kel-Tecs much higher than the Hi Point, of course that opinion was based on their testing of the one specimen each.
If you're looking for good home defense for a bargain price and are considering a long gun anyway, you might consider a Remington 870 pump shotgun w/ 18" barrel. You can get one for about 270.00. Mossberg has a similar deal, theirs comes with a pistol grip to replace the shoulder stock and I've seen these as low as 190.00.
Just a thought!0
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