Anybody have a Hi-Point .380?

[pa mountain man]

Just curious, I need something utilitarian to carry while cutting firewood on the national forest(lots of weirdo's out there). My reasons for the hi-point.

1.I can afford $150 right now.

2.Lifetime warranty

3.+P rated

4.Ain't scared to scratch it.

I chose the .380 because it can be very nasty with the Buffalo Bore +P rounds, they claim .38 special results with the added bonus of an auto with 8 rounds vs. 6. I have a Ruger .40, but it has failed more than once, and I don't trust it as a life saving hand gun, don't get me wrong, I have 2 ruger rifles that are exellent, but that pistol...

I've read some reviews, and it seems like the biggest complaint is its ugly, which will fit right in with me. ;D

So, anybody have one? How do you like it?

[slonezp]

Don't have one. I really didn't see any negative reviews on the gun. Have you picked one up? How does it feel in your hand? It looks a little awkward. I have a Bersa thunder .380 which can be had for about $100. more than the Hi Point. I bought that because of the low price and it got excelent reviews. Feels really good in the palm, and I have big hands. Nice little gun.

Be careful with that Buffalo Bore. I damaged my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan firing their 360 grain .454 casul rounds. Ruger repaired the gun for no charge and I have switched to a Winchester 260 grain on their recomendation with excellent results.

Don't sell Ruger short. I also have a Ruger P95 9mm which I've put countless rounds thru without a failure. I like it better than my Springfield .40

[preach4bass]

I've got a HP .45 and I love it.  Very reliable and accurate.  The only negative is the size.  HPs are huge, but if you don't plan on trying to conceal it, that shouldn't be a problem.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Had a HP 9mm and couldnt get that thing to fire more that two consecutive shots.

Disassembled many times, cleaned, lubed, tried different mags.

They are ugly and heavy.

I will say that they are accurate (if you can get it to fire).

There are much better options if you save up some nickels.  Perhaps consider purchasing a used pistol. 

[pa mountain man]

Slonezp,

I'm not knocking Ruger, I love my 10/22 and M77 MKII in .338 win. mag., I just got a lemon of a pistol. I've shot the HP .40, only 1 mag. but it felt pretty good in my small hands, alot less recoil than mine. Like I said, I'm just looking for something strictly utilitarian I don't mind dropping in the mud or banging it around with firewood.

[Stasher1]

In general, the HiPoints get fairly decent reviews from the people who own them. I would strongly urge you to reconsider your choice of caliber, though. Since concealment isn't an issue, why would you settle for a "borderline" caliber like .380? Even with the best loads available, it still falls far short of the 9mm in all categories.

If you're serious about carrying a firearm for protection, carry a serious caliber. 

[K_Mac]

In general, the HiPoints get fairly decent reviews from the people who own them. I would strongly urge you to reconsider your choice of caliber, though. Since concealment isn't an issue, why would you settle for a "borderline" caliber like .380? Even with the best loads available, it still falls far short of the 9mm in all categories.

If you're serious about carrying a firearm for protection, carry a serious caliber.

I have handled a couple Hi-Point pistols. The compact 9mm felt good in hand.

I think it is basically the same size as the .380. The .40 and .45 are huge but feel solid. I did not fire any of these weapons. My local dealer has sold quite a few in the last 3 years with no problems. If you read the gun forums there are many who don't own Hi-Points, who consider them junk. Like some fishermen with fishing tackle, inexpensive automatically equals bad.  Fishermen and gun owners have a tendency to be snobs... I have read many reviews by owners and a review by a writer for the Shooting Times that all rate Hi-Point highly, esp considering the price. They are American made with a lifetime warranty. I considered buying one to carry in my boat, but decided to go with a .357 Ruger GP100 revolver in stainless. Like many old guys, I really like the feel of a revolver.

I agree with Stasher 1 regarding caliber. If a .380 is needed for concealment, then it will have to do. A .380 is a lot better than nothing. If concealment is not necessary 9mm or bigger would be a much better choice IMO. The new Ruger SR9c is a good shooting 9mm that is small enough to conceal, and with the right ammo big enough to stop bad guys. For $390 out the door, I had to order one. :

[I.rar]

The new Ruger SR9c is a good shooting 9mm that is small enough to conceal, and with the right ammo big enough to stop bad guys. For $390 out the door, I had to order one. :

did you get yours yet? how do you like it? ive been eyeing those since they came out but those sights seem to have some sharp points and could possibly snag on clothing. i plan on picking a pistol up sometime next year and im going through my options.

sorry to threadjack OP.

[Stasher1]

If I were in your shoes, pmm, I'd get rid of the unreliable Ruger. Take the money you get from that, add it to the $150 you allotted for your new gun, and buy a quality revolver in .357 Mag.

Enough power to handle predators of the two or four-legged variety, reliable, relatively jam-proof, and there's always at least one in every dealer's used gun case.

BTW, isn't that HiPoint a single-action blowback design? If so, you have to either leave the chamber empty with a loaded mag in place, or carry it with a round chambered and cocked, with the safety on (bad idea). Not the best recipe for a defensive carry weapon, imho.

[K_Mac]

The new Ruger SR9c is a good shooting 9mm that is small enough to conceal, and with the right ammo big enough to stop bad guys. For $390 out the door, I had to order one. :

did you get yours yet? how do you like it? ive been eyeing those since they came out but those sights seem to have some sharp points and could possibly snag on clothing. i plan on picking a pistol up sometime next year and im going through my options.

sorry to threadjack OP.

I have not received the new one yet. I did not notice any sharp edges. It handled well. I should have mine in the next week or two, and I'll let you know what I think after a couple of hundred rounds.

Stasher1 it is a single action blowback mechanism. As such is not a carry friendly weapon IMO. The thousands of 1911/mini 1911 owners who carry, "cocked and locked" would not agree.

[Stasher1]

Stasher1 it is a single action blowback mechanism. As such is not a carry friendly weapon IMO. The thousands of 1911/mini 1911 owners who carry, "cocked and locked" would not agree.

The difference is, the 1911 was designed to be carried cocked and locked.  I carried a 1911 for several years and am quite comfortable with "condition 1" carry. It's definitely not recommended for everybody though, and not for bouncing around in the woods cutting firewood.

I had a Kel-Tec P11 that was DAO, held 10 or 12 rounds of 9mm, fit nicely in a pocket, and was only $200 (at that time, anyway). Wasn't pretty, but it could be carried with a round chambered, and went bang every time.

[K_Mac]

I know "condition 1" works for some of you guys, but I've read a couple stories of guys getting to the end of the day with the lock not in place. I'd be a nervous wreck. I am not even comfortable carrying a DAO pistol without a manual safety, though I am comfortable carrying a DA/SA revolver. :-? I understand what makes a revolver work. There is some magic that happens in pistols that scares me a little. :-[

[NOLERSWAMP]

Had a HP 9mm and .380. Got a faulty clip with the .380 at first, but was replaced. They both shoot well and seemed reliable. Had no problems with them, but had to sell because I wanted a Glock .40 ha. Good buy with the High Point though, can't go wrong with em.

[BadKarma42]

I'm not a fan of the Hi-Point.  I had two 9mm and the 9mm carbine.

I found the the hadgun jammed, frequently.  The carbine is fun to shoot, however.  The carbine was also one of the guns used in Columbine.

I believe Hi-Point is based in Mansfield, OH, my hometown.

Years ago, the knock on them was the they were good only as a "belly popper" becasue of accuracy issues.  I know I had to do some significant adjustments on the sight to get it close.  There was some comfort in the weight of the gun...if I had to beat someone with it  ;D.

I have shot the .380 and the recoil was the same as the 9mm.

If it was me, I would save more money and get something different.  Personally, I like the Glock.  I carry one for work and for off duty.

Whatever you do, pick out a few different models and shoot them before you buy one.

[silver yote sniper]

I have had a 380 highpoint for over ten years with zeroe complaints. i have shot several boxes of shells through it without a single jam. Best little handgun for the money as far as i am concerned. i have had rugers, kimbers, desert eagles, and always kept the highpoint around. Dont get me wrong the highpoint is not the quality as the others but it is a decent handgun. I do wish sometimes i bought the 9mm but am satisfied with the 380.

[bassnleo]

Take a look at a Kel-Tec PF-9 (9MM). Early versions had spring issues but the company corrected it. I own one and it's my off duty carry gun plus I carry it in an ankle holster as a on duty back-up. It so small and light I never notice it's on my ankle.

It will take +P rounds. It's an accurate little gun, only weighs a little over 1 pound fully loaded, small and thin.

Off duty I carry it in an Uncle Mikes nylon pancake style holster and even in shorts and a t-shirt you can't tell I have it, unless you're looking of course. Most of the time my wife can't even tell I'm wearing it. Most people probably assume it's a cell phone case under my shirt.

They can be had in the $200 range.

edit-just realized this thread is about a year old for what it's worth.

[RyneB]

I dont own the Hi-Point, but i have shot about 250 rounds through my friends. It is one of the more accurate pistols iv shot. He loves it, and i have no complaints.

[Micro]

I don't own a Hi Point and can't add anything to the discussion. Except that some of the videos on YouTube of people trying to destroy them are fun to watch. It seems if you can get past the butt-ugly appearance, they are tough, reliable, nearly indestructible guns.