Disposable Heart
Grandmaster
Working at a range, here is the run down on the Hi Points from an RO viewpoint:
If they work, they work. If they don't, they don't. Unfortunately, for every 1 person that has one that works (decently, still a malf every blue moon), 10 have issues and not limited to lack of cleaning or break in when they recieve it. High Point owners are horrifically dedicated to their arms and will defend their choice to the end, similar to every Ford Escort, Geo Metro and Dodge Omni owner: They still get you from point a to b economically, but do not try to press performance out of them, you WILL be disappointed.
Used to think the carbines were good, but one of the nicer ones I have seen began choking recently and the one that ran strong began literally falling apart.
I have witnessed 1, count it, 1 High Point pistol that worked (a .45 model). Guy got it for doing some off the job plumbing work. He wanted to beat it up and beat it up we did. We even ran some .45 Super I had handloaded through it and it kept running. But, the rifling was literally stripped in the 300 rounds fired and ejector looked like a nightmare.
For a handout gun, meh, I would try to find a crate of some milsurp pistol somewhere. They are a Zamak bread loaf with a stock sticking out from the bottom where the cheaply folded magazine neatly inserts.
As an RO, I have had to clear more of these pistols due to customers being either unable to, incapable or unwilling to safely. They jam (often horribly so), they are usually owned by inexperienced shooters (sorry, fact 'o' life, 90% or greater of the folks that show up to the range that have 'em don't know what they are doing or learned how to shoot watching NCIS).
One thing I will say, despite my hate of things like HP, Bryco, Jennings, Phoenix, etc... is that they are still deadly. Laugh if you want if the guy pulls out one, but one round out of it can destroy yours or your families life ricky tick and just as quick as a round from a Les Baer or Korth. But, if that shot misses, your chances of survival do increase incrementally more due to failure.
Comparing a Hi Point to a Glock for example is, well sorry, foolishness, in saying they will do the same and perform the same. Sure, the HP will go bang (depending) and will kill something. But to reliably kill something over a long period of time, wide variety of cleanliness/environmental concerns and with a wide variety of ammunition, the HP is lacking, pure and simple and working at a range (the BEST of shooting conditions, not a cold stormy night or in the field) has shown that they are terrible, just terrible. They do have a great warranty, but a reliable warranty does not make a reliable pistol automatically.
But then again, if you want one, go for it. I was thinking of getting the .40 model just to have something in .40 to test loads...
If they work, they work. If they don't, they don't. Unfortunately, for every 1 person that has one that works (decently, still a malf every blue moon), 10 have issues and not limited to lack of cleaning or break in when they recieve it. High Point owners are horrifically dedicated to their arms and will defend their choice to the end, similar to every Ford Escort, Geo Metro and Dodge Omni owner: They still get you from point a to b economically, but do not try to press performance out of them, you WILL be disappointed.
Used to think the carbines were good, but one of the nicer ones I have seen began choking recently and the one that ran strong began literally falling apart.
I have witnessed 1, count it, 1 High Point pistol that worked (a .45 model). Guy got it for doing some off the job plumbing work. He wanted to beat it up and beat it up we did. We even ran some .45 Super I had handloaded through it and it kept running. But, the rifling was literally stripped in the 300 rounds fired and ejector looked like a nightmare.
For a handout gun, meh, I would try to find a crate of some milsurp pistol somewhere. They are a Zamak bread loaf with a stock sticking out from the bottom where the cheaply folded magazine neatly inserts.
As an RO, I have had to clear more of these pistols due to customers being either unable to, incapable or unwilling to safely. They jam (often horribly so), they are usually owned by inexperienced shooters (sorry, fact 'o' life, 90% or greater of the folks that show up to the range that have 'em don't know what they are doing or learned how to shoot watching NCIS).
One thing I will say, despite my hate of things like HP, Bryco, Jennings, Phoenix, etc... is that they are still deadly. Laugh if you want if the guy pulls out one, but one round out of it can destroy yours or your families life ricky tick and just as quick as a round from a Les Baer or Korth. But, if that shot misses, your chances of survival do increase incrementally more due to failure.
Comparing a Hi Point to a Glock for example is, well sorry, foolishness, in saying they will do the same and perform the same. Sure, the HP will go bang (depending) and will kill something. But to reliably kill something over a long period of time, wide variety of cleanliness/environmental concerns and with a wide variety of ammunition, the HP is lacking, pure and simple and working at a range (the BEST of shooting conditions, not a cold stormy night or in the field) has shown that they are terrible, just terrible. They do have a great warranty, but a reliable warranty does not make a reliable pistol automatically.
But then again, if you want one, go for it. I was thinking of getting the .40 model just to have something in .40 to test loads...