Author Topic: Quality of low priced handguns versus higher priced handguns (Read 2546 times)

John R. · « **on:** January 16, 2009, 02:59:14 AM »

I asked this question here, because I don't post on the Hi-Point forum anymore. I read a statement on that forum that said Hi_Point pistols (regardless of caliber) are just as good, if not better than MANY higher dollar pistols. What's your opinion on this? Do you think Hi-Points are the same or better quality than S&W, Berretta, Sigs, Springfields, Colts, Walthers, HK, etc,etc,etc. My opinion on this is an absolute NO. Hi-Points are fine for what they were designed for (a cheap plinker) but not enough quality for carring on duty. If anyone knows of a department that issues Hi-Points, please let us know.

jhm · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:18:54 AM »

Can you make a stronger statement than NO ?? They fill a need in the lowest price range, however as heavy as they are MT I cant imagine carrying one all day loaded concelled or exposed, If you just have to have a handgun in the house to make you feel better at night I guess it will do, but not in my house. Jim

John R. · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:51:16 AM »

Basically, what you said, they will do in a pinch (not in my house either), but NOT the same quality as higher priced pistols.

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2009, 04:13:11 AM »

Inexpensive handguns have their place. I am glad they are there to fill the niche for those that couldn't afford a handgun otherwise. They do not suit my taste, but I have no argument with those that like them. Most small manufacturers lack the support required to qualify for purchase by a law enforcement agency. Many, like the one in question, would be unlikely to pass the performance requirements for issue. Gun savvy people usually shy away from this type of firearm as well.
People tend to be a bit defensive about their choices of firearms. So if they are happy, so am I. I'm pretty happy with my choices of firearms. You won't find any Hi Points among them.
Savage

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2009, 04:25:24 AM »

I have zero first hand knowledge of the Hi-Point firearms and doubt I ever will. Some of the users of them tho seem fiercely loyal to them so I guess then can't be all bad. I believe they are made of what is often call pot metal not of steel or at least many of the lower cost guns are. Such metals are not as strong or as long lasting as steel or proper aluminum in such use.

I think there are many people who's income is so low they realistically can't afford to pay S&W, Beretta or even Ruger prices and if they are going to be armed must buy lower priced guns and hope they are good enough to do the job if/when the time comes. For such folks they serve a function. I think that if you are a real gun enthusist they are likely not for you. They just aren't going to hold up to the volume of shooting such a person will do.

I'd rather have one than a rock and for many such is really their options so for them they have a place.

the jigger · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2009, 05:52:37 AM »

I am not familiar with Hi Point, however I own two EAA Witness pistols. They are priced substantially less than Sig,S$W, RUGER et.al.
They are manufactured by Tanfoglio of Italy. They started as a CZ clone but over time have changed slightly and improved.
The two I have are Steel/Wonder finish. If you have been a polymer shooter they will seem a bit heavy. My compact forty is comfortable to carry all day.
In the past 40 or so years I have owned S&W,Ruger, Glock and have shot a multitude of others. My Witness pistols have performed as well as any I have ever owned and I paid under $500 for each.
I am not saying that they are better than any other. I am saying that I can afford whatever I want and I chose Witness this time.
I am also a Savage/Stevens fan when it comes to long guns. Just another example of economically priced superior performance.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!

John R. · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2009, 07:40:47 AM »

I guess what I'm asking is if you had to choose between a Hi-Point and a Sig, Beretta, Glock, etc,etc, to defend your life on a daily basis, would you choose a Hi-Point. I know I wouldn't

Savage · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2009, 08:42:03 AM »

John,
I think you have your answer in all the previous posts. But just in case mine wasn't clear,-------NO!
Savage

torpedoman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2009, 09:30:07 AM »

no experience with hi point but a few have given me grief over my R.I.A. 1911 until they try it then they find it as if not more reliable and accurate as their big buck models.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2009, 12:53:47 PM »

high point pistols are junk dont waste your money. Believe it or not there rifles arent bad. Ive got a .40 and the thing is so ugly youd want to cut your arm off if someone saw you with it but it never misses a beat. Not a bad survival arm for someone with a low budget. If i wanted a cheap handgun id look at a good used star or one of the older model rugers semi autos or a bersa. You can find either for around 200 used. Another good handgun cheap is the 15 and 10 smiths. But they are getting up there in price lately too. I you watch the gunshops closely you can still score a ruger single action for around 200 bucks. I just picked up a nice 5.5 inch super blackhawk that was in great shape for 200 bucks. Not a normal price but you can luck into them. Keep in mind one thing. If protection has any part in why you want a handgun you dont nessisarily need something with perfect bluing or nicks or scratches what you need is something that goes bang EVERY time.

Troyboy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2009, 02:26:01 PM »

I shot one of those pistols in 9mm worked fine and accuracy was acceptable. I just do not care for them. for a pickup gun i think it would be fine. for a carry gun no. I buy snap-on . If i was a professional i would carry a professional firearm and that aint a high point

Brett · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2009, 03:07:47 PM »

Quote from: John R. on January 16, 2009, 07:40:47 AM

I guess what I'm asking is if you had to choose between a Hi-Point and a Sig, Beretta, Glock, etc,etc, to defend your life on a daily basis, would you choose a Hi-Point. I know I wouldn't

If my financial state was such that I had to choose between a Hi-Point or go unarmed I probably would choose the Hi-Point. The point being not everyone can afford to shell out $500 to $700 for a S&W, Sig, Glock, Beretta, etc.

They may not be as polished with rougher castings, visible tool marks , etc, and their triggers may not be as smooth as those of their more expensive counterparts but some budget guns are solid, reliable performers. They may not last tens of thousands or rounds but we are talking about a personal defense gun not a range gun. Someone who cannot afford a more expensive gun is unlikely to shoot up a lot of ammo at the range.

With a little careful research I think you can still find a few bargans out there. I have a Kel-Tec P-11 which retails for a little over $300. I think this would place it in the budget category but I would put it up against any Glock, Beretta or Smith as far as reliability. It's DAO trigger is heavy (by design) but relatively smooth, better than some guns costing twice as much.

Then there are some cheap guns that are absolute junk. I have no personal experience with the Hi-Points so I have no opinion as to which category they fall into.

schnarrgj · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2009, 12:03:33 PM »

There are some very good but inexpensive handguns out there. I have two bersa thunders which are very reliable,accutate and inexpensive with a good lifetime warrantee. They sell for under 250. The finish may not be as good but other than that, I would put them up to others costing one or two hundred more.

Smilin' Jack · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2009, 05:59:37 PM »

If you read the Hi-point Forum- or did any research on-line (reviews, etc.) as regards the Hi-point pistols, you probably already know that they have a reputation for being accurate AND dependable.

Hi-points are manufactured to be inexpensive as they utilize a simple blow-back action ... and they are what they are, but they are NOT junk.

The "You get what you pay for!" truism, just isn't necessarily "true" any more. I have a CZ 40P, and a CZ 40B that I value and consider as equal to or better than my way more expensive top brand models. I paid less than $300 apiece for these CZs. Also, all those "Witness" pistols and many others are CZ clones.

The Bersa pistols have also been mentioned. I have a couple of them. The Bersa Thunder .380 is considered a clone of the Walther PPK ... but one that DOESN'T jam. The Bersa Tunder-9 which costs a little over $300, is a clone of the Walther model P-88 C and has been much heralded by many Walther shooters and owners. (I have a Walther P-88 C and if you can find a new one, it will cost you about $1500. ) Reviews on Bersa pistols are consitently positive as to their quality, accuracy, and dependability.

As for the Hi-point serving as a duty pistol ... N0. It is ungainly as well as ugly and would possibly be detrimental to morale- and not well recieved. But it will serve and function if pressed to do so, as well as many other but more expensive pistols out there. I do not own a Hi-point or particularly want one ... but I am convinced that a Hi-point pistol does have some considerable and well deserved merit.

williamlayton · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2009, 01:07:28 AM »

everybody has too do what he/she has too do.
What you got, from a ball bat too a hammer, if the need arises.
Matter of fact a ball bat is legal open carry.
I still prefer quality guns but I sure don't look down my nose if you can't get em.
Blessings

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2009, 01:35:34 AM »

bersas are a good gun that will hold up for not that much more money and if it were my money id be looking for a used ruger or id try to find one of the police trade in guns and if i couldnt find one of those id be looking for a used smith 10 as they can be found cheap too. You can tell me all day long that the hipoints are good guns but i dont buy it. I know two guys that bought them and they didnt hold up to alot of shooting. they may be ok for a guy who runs a clip through them a few times a year and sticks them in a drawer the rest of the time but a good used ruger is about indestructable. As are the bersas ive shot. Like i said ive got a highpoint rifle and its a tank of a gun. I dont think you could break it if you tried so if i thought the handguns were as good id sure say so. Now that been said i have to admitt that any gun can break if shot enough. But if its my money im looking for a good used well proven gun if i cant afford something new and nice.

Quote from: schnarrgj on January 17, 2009, 12:03:33 PM

There are some very good but inexpensive handguns out there. I have two bersa thunders which are very reliable,accutate and inexpensive with a good lifetime warrantee. They sell for under 250. The finish may not be as good but other than that, I would put them up to others costing one or two hundred more. as to the high point forum saying there great. try going to the smith forum or the ruger forum and asking what is great and ill about bet i can tell you what youll get for an answer without stroking a key.

bluecow · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2009, 01:49:53 AM »

had some experiance with hi piont. reliable accurate but ungainly. felt like the slide was a brick. still ive had the misfortune to have expecive pistols that just wasnt r reliable and that should be the frist consderation. no i dont have any hi pionts and no plans to

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2009, 02:13:58 AM »

I bought a hi-point some years ago, not because I could not afford a better handgun, but more to get actual hands on experience with the gun. The Hi- point handguns are pure and simple JUNK. I had so many jam ups and fail to fires, I threw the gun down range, and shot it with my 44 Mag. That is no joke either. I destroyed the gun, it was not fit for anyone to have it.

I knew going in, that the gun was junk, my gun dealer laughed when I bought it, he had so any of them returned for all kinds of reasons. He refused to sale them any longer, still to this day he will not order one for anyone, it is just not worth the hassle.

Would I bet my life on a Hi-point, NO. And if I could not afford a better gun, I would save to get a better gun.

Sure you are going to get some guys here that have one, that may shoot great. But it is not the norm for this gun. Anyone telling you that a Hi-point is a good gun, is not an experienced handgun person. Anyone worth a darn and knows about handgun, knows Hi-points are JUNK.

Foggy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2009, 02:28:11 AM »

Aren't they made by the HY-Point Anchor Company. Just run rope though the trigger guard it you get enought to anchor your boat.

S.B. · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2009, 04:05:39 AM »

Smilin' Jack, have you ever owned of shot a Browning Hi-Power?
Steve

plumberroy · « **Reply #20 on:** January 18, 2009, 04:21:14 AM »

I am going to make a statement that will upset a few of you but it based on my personal experiance
If I had to trust my life on a gun I would rather have a hi piont auto than a taurus auto.....
I have been involved with 40-50 hipoints , the young guys around buy them because that is all they can afford and being the resident old gun nut the come showing off their gun and want to go shooting. Out of that number of guns, I saw one that had problems. the factory was called, it was shipped out on mon. and was back friday fixed with a couple extra mags for his trouble. I had a 9mm compact for years It never failed to fire or jammed. I have out shot many people shooting guns that cost 5 times as much. It was all I could afford at the time and as mentioned before the carbines are good rifles. those are the only 2 nines I have had I never throw away brass, when a friend ask for some nine brass I gave him a full 5 gallon bucket of nine brass

Taurus autos on the other hand I have had 2 A 22 and a 380 between the two they went back to the factory 5 times out of twelve to fifteen pistols I have had experiance with (see the old gun nut part above) a full third have had to be sent back

I broke the front sight base on my hi point carbinethrowing it in the truck (i was pi$$ed about missing an easy shot) I called high point to buy another one , I told them I broke it . Their reply was it doesn't matter how it got broke it is under warentee sent it in or we can send you the part Had it the next day. I live in the same state

So if you have a problem and don't give them the oppertunity to fix it That is you fault because they will fix it ,show me anything else at their price level with that kind of backing.
Also my most used handgun is a taurus I like the revolvers just don't trust the autos
This is all based on personal experiance you milage may vary (just don't try to tell me hi point won't stand behind what they sell I know better)
Roy

Foggy · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2009, 04:49:23 AM »

I agree a bit with Roy. Taurus used to be a good auto but now they ar not much then again I'm a revolver person

funshooter2 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 18, 2009, 05:51:07 AM »

I have to agree that the old "You get what you pay for" attitude is not as true as it once was. I also agree with those that have stated that they'd rather have a Hi-Point than no gun at all. I'll give 1000 to 1 odds that even the most die-hard custom gun nut would take a Hi-Point over a ball bat if that was the only option. From the people that I know that have them, most seem to like them. I might have one of the rifles in .40 S&W, just for a plinker, and to use up the .40 ammo I have on hand.

When I was an aircraft mech, I had an old timer tell me "It's a poor mechanic that blames his tools." This old guy used an inexpensive set of tools, but could do a better job than most others could with the top name brand. His know how was that good.

There have been a few times in my life that I could have only afforded $100 or less for a gun, if I would have had to buy one at that moment. In that case a Hi-Point would have been something I'd have looked at. I ended up with a Bryco and a Jennings about then. I think a Hi-Point would have been as good. Any would hurt or kill an attacker if needed. You only need one or two shots at point-blank range and a Hi-point will likely kill you as dead as a Glock, S&W, ect.

They were now designed as a duty weapon, but they do serve a place. As far as price vs quality, I think the early $400+ Khars were only rated for about 6,000 rounds before wearing out.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #23 on:** January 18, 2009, 06:53:55 AM »

my experieces with them mirrored redhawk1s nothing but problems. I have lots of expensive guns but im not beyond buying cheaper ones too IF THERE A GOOD GUN! Even if i didnt have a single gun id have to pass on a highpoint. I still say buy a good used gun instead. Ive seen ruger 9s that went for two hundred. How many guys buy a high point for 150 and the first day they bought it shot up enough ammo that if they would have spent that ammo money and bought a good used gun. I still say if i had a 150 bucks id keep saving my change for a couple more months and buy something good. Bottom line is theres probably not a single guy on this fourm thats only gun is a highpoint pistol.

S.B. · « **Reply #24 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:06:12 AM »

Would you buy a seat on a flight that had a 10% chance to get to your destination? I'll stick with know performers, in handguns.
Steve

Smilin' Jack · « **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:19:16 AM »

RE: SB, "...have you ever owned or ever shot a Browning Hi-Power?
-----------------------------------------------------------

Yes I once owned a Browning Silver Chrome model Hi-Power / factory Pachmayer grips, which I sold to a friend. (Remorse)

I did replace it (happily) with a Belgium, Fabrique Nationale Hi-Power, with a deep-blued finish and walnut grips- that I acquired from CDNN Sports for $400. Both pistols 'happened' to be .40 S&W Cal.

I love Hi-Powers, which are just about the BEST, and by the way there ARE several Hi-Power 'clones 'out there that are quite inexpensive and are also very good pistols.

In some fashion, buying firearms, is like buyng a car or a truck. Some models are "plain" and others are "loaded" ... When buying a firearm watch out for the "loaded" ones.

Brett · « **Reply #26 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:04:01 PM »

Quote from: S.B. on January 18, 2009, 07:06:12 AM

Would you buy a seat on a flight that had a 10% chance to get to your destination? I'll stick with know performers, in handguns.
Steve

If it was the last one out of Gaza for instance you're darn right I would.

S.B. · « **Reply #27 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:40:25 PM »

OK, it must be my turn in the barrel but, I'm done now.
Steve

rockbilly · « **Reply #28 on:** January 18, 2009, 06:28:38 PM »

Several years ago I acquired a Brayco model 59 in 9mm in a trade. It was new in the box, the guy also gave me two boxes of ammo. I stuck it away in the safe for quite a long while (not to protect the gun, but to keep someone from kiling me with it!) A few years ago I took it out and hauled it around in the truck for a while, during this period I ran several boxes of ammo through the gun, I also fired about 2-3 hundred cast lead reloads through it. The ole gun never missed a beat. Like someone else said, it would probably be OK as a night stand gun if one could not afford better. To me, when my buns are on the line I prefer something a little more trustworthy.

williamlayton · « **Reply #29 on:** January 20, 2009, 01:50:08 AM »

There is a difference in knowing you can trust something and hoping you can trust something.
I know I can trust a ball bat or a hammer.
I know I can trust a Sig.
I know I can trust those things in the locked closet.
Not hope, KNOW.
The point is, you may buy one of these others and through trials come too know that you can trust it.
If you go thru these trials with it and find it less tha trustworthy then you are back too square one. Where are the savings? And, in the meantime, what if!
Now you can get a bad Sig, STI, Colt, Bauer, etc but there is someone too turn too, If you are betting on odds---get a Sig.
Blessings