After lots of research on the web I bought a Hi Point 9mm pistol about three weeks ago. I bought it for several reasons; price, new to semi-auto's, made in Ohio, lifetime warranty. Today was the first chance I got to try it out. Here is my initial impression.
Keep in mind that this is my first semi-auto; I'm a single-action guy (Ruger Blackhawk), and really know very little about semi's.
I used Winchester FMJ 115 grain factory loads and fired at a local indoor range. The Hi Point manual recommends jacketed ammunition.
I loaded two rounds in the magazine and started shooting. I continued to load two rounds each time, only loading four rounds the last time. I shot a total of 50 rounds from distances ranging between 5 yards to 15 yards. While 50 rounds is certainly not a true test, it is a beginning. I had no malfunctions. I was thinking that since the last round in the magazine has less spring pressure on it than all others in the magazine, this would be a good method to test for malfunctions. Again, I am new to semi-autos so this line of thought may be all wet.
No malfunctions, but accuracy was another matter. I shot free hand using only one hand as I do with single actions. The first two shots (at 5 yards) missed the 8 1/2 x 11 paper target but hit the backing board that is about 20 inches x 30 inches. The shots were low and to the right. Two more shots showed the same location. I adjusted the rear sight with the only screwdriver I had at the time ( a Swiss Army knife). The next group was in the paper target but still to the right. After several adjustments I could consistantly hit the paper from 5, 10, and 15 yards. Not what I would consider a "nail- driver", but off-hand is not the best test when looking at accuracy. The last four shots I purposely fired as fast as I could with the target at 15 yards. Out of a total of 50 shots 40 hit the 8 1/2 x 11 paper target and 49 shots hit the backing board. Only one shot missed entirely and that one was in the last group of four that I fired as fast as I could. Three of those shots hit the paper target within about a four inch circle.
Conclusion; the gun functioned as expected with no problems. It's a bit clunky and probably to large to carry concealed comfortably. A true test of accuracy would require a bench mount, or at least a sandbag rest. As for recoil; it seems to be more than my Ruger's, but not so bad that target reacquisition is a serious problem. The next time out I'll try a full magazine and see how it functions. After the initial sight adjustments, a bad guy within 15 yards would be in trouble.
JR
