How good or bad are the hi point pistol?
I found a couple I did like the size and look of them.
One is a 45 and other is the compact 9mm.
Just wondering how reliable they are....

I talked to the clerk at Wildlife taxidermy here in NH. He told me they sell more Hi-points than any other handgun. I asked about issues. Out of about 1000 sold they have had 3 with mag issues, and one w/ a bad chamber. For $169.00 I guess that ain't to bad. Most of their sales are to LEO's for a back-up, and newbies. He told me most guys come back and buy a second in a different caliber and have fired thousands of rounds without issues. I would like to try one! JP

I own the 9-C Compact. Have had it over a year. Out of the box it was 6 inches low at 10 yards. Moved the shights and have put over 1000 rounds through it.

It shoots, it shoots straight, it shoots every time.

What else do you want. Oh, BTW if you contact them they will actually answer your email or call you back!

If you can get past the brick-like ergonomics... and you find one that is reliable, well, it's hard to argue with the price.

If it's for personal protection, ask yourself: Just how much is your hide worth to you, anyway?

Let's just say there is a variable reputation for quality.

They aren't much to look at, but the "nines" are about as reliable as most pistols costing twice as much (even if they are not all steel). The company backs their product, "no questions asked", if you have a problem. IMO the 40's are not quite as reliable due to (mostly) magazine issues. The 45's, which are not as popular, work well but are really "oversized" guns even for their bigger caliber. The .380's work as well as the 9's and are essentually the same size (no advantage gained). They pistol does not have many safety features, nor do they hold many rounds; however, they are a "no frills" reliable pistol, with good "backing", that is worth buying for those that can't afford more or just don't want to invest more. They make a good "back up" pistol for a vehicle or "tackle box" that seem to work well even when not given the best of care. IMHO, the Hi Point (Compact 9 in particular) is the least expensive brand pistol I would bet my life on if I could afford no more. Riley

If you can get past the brick-like ergonomics... and you find one that is reliable, well, it's hard to argue with the price.

If it's for personal protection, ask yourself: Just how much is your hide worth to you, anyway?

Let's just say there is a variable reputation for quality.

Mike you must have little hands. One of the things I like about it is I can get a grip on it. As for looks, I think Glocks are ugly!

... They pistol does not have many safety features, nor do they hold many rounds; ...

Riley, How many safeties do you want? It has the standard slide safety. As for rounds, how many do you need? More than 8+1?

I know you said mostly good things about it I really am curious especially about the safety.

I think the older models had a bad reputation, but the new ones seem to be getting good reviews. Check out this review in Shooting Times (http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/hipoint_100605/).

A couple of my friends have Hi Points (9mm & 40 S&W). Everybody gives them a lot of grief about them. Once you get past the clunky ergonomics, size & weight, trigger, and generally crude appearance, however, the ones I've tried haven't been that bad shooters.

They're generally larger and heavier than other handguns because they're blow back operated, but, I guess, they have fewer parts than can break because of this. The last one I shot was a 9mm that had adjustable sights, and it's a good thing it did because it took most of the adjustments to get it zeroed. Once you get used to the trigger, I suppose it was adequate for its intended purpose, especially when you consider the price.

The Hi points pistols are made in Mansfield, Ohio (near where I live), and the carbines are made in Dayton. The Remington factory rep for my area started out as the Hi Point rep years ago. From what he's told me, it sounds like Hi Point will do anything to make it right with you if you ever have a problem. It seems that most of the problems with those have been magazine related.

A blowback operated gun may be sensitive to ammunition, FYI. Just something to watch for.

Hazcat - Give me alittle slack here; some of us "elephant shooters", as my "Gunny" used to say, need more than 9 rounds to hit anything :D . Seriously, I don't feel that 8+1 is a drawback in a pistol, for I carry a 5 shot .357 alot of the time and don't feel "handicaped". My comment about the safety is a personal opinion in that the "little flip" safety on the side is the only safety on the pistol. If the pistol has a round in the chamber, that one small item can easily be actuated in the wrong direction at the wrong time (possibly by the wrong person) that's why I shoot an XD rather than a Glock. I would not impugn your choice of pistols if you feel the safety is adequate. Most of the sales I've witness made with Hi Points have been either to "inexperienced" (read, first time) pistol shooters or experienced ones that are buying a "knock about" pistol for informal shooting. The experienced shooters are usually surprised just how good the pistols shoot and function! (Very seldom do you get something for comparably so few dollars.) I stand by my comments that it is a reliable pistol. Regards, Riley

Hazcat - Give me alittle slack here; some of us "elephant shooters", as my "Gunny" used to say, need more than 9 rounds to hit anything :D . Seriously, I don't feel that 8+1 is a drawback in a pistol, for I carry a 5 shot .357 alot of the time and don't feel "handicaped". My comment about the safety is a personal opinion in that the "little flip" safety on the side is the only safety on the pistol. If the pistol has a round in the chamber, that one small item can easily be actuated in the wrong direction at the wrong time (possibly by the wrong person) that's why I shoot an XD rather than a Glock. I would not impugn your choice of pistols if you feel the safety is adequate. Most of the sales I've witness made with Hi Points have been either to "inexperienced" (read, first time) pistol shooters or experienced ones that are buying a "knock about" pistol for informal shooting. The experienced shooters are usually surprised just how good the pistols shoot and function! (Very seldom do you get something for comparably so few dollars.) I stand by my comments that it is a reliable pistol. Regards, Riley

LOL about the elephant shooters. I know how you feel. I took a hunters safety course this weekend and my son out shot me with the 22 rifles, then I nailed it with a muzzle loader. The RO said "Maybe you should stick to firearms of your era". :p