U.S.A. – -(Ammoland.com)- It’s not likely you’ll find someone who knows even a little about firearms who hasn’t heard the name Hi-Point. It’s also very likely they’ll have something negative to say about them despite never having owned or shot one. I enjoy firearms literacy and feel that understanding a firearm’s intent and design is an important part of being able to properly experience them. It seems a shockingly-high percentage of the shooting community are illiterate when it comes to Hi-Point pistols so let’s take a closer look.
While it is easy to admire the latest $3,000 custom piece, many seem to have missed the intent of Hi-Point; to create a quality firearm that anyone can afford. Taking into account where most violent crimes occur this is a very noble cause. Who do you think it more likely to suddenly need a pistol for home defense, the six-figure executive or the inner-city single mother with an aggressive “baby daddy”? Hi-Points are priced at a point where most anyone could afford to pick one up on their way home without needing to budget for it. Better yet that firearm is backed by a warranty that has even accepted a carbine needing to be barreled after an unknowing owner got a few-dozen slugs stuck in it.
Whenever I post about Hi-Points the trolls inevitably come out and begin to trash talk them. As we all know trolls tend to be the most ignorant about any subject they so obnoxiously post about, so let’s give them some fodder. The two comments I hear the most are that Hi-Points are ugly and “trash”; more useful as a hammer than a pistol. Aesthetics is a personal opinion that requires no fact so we can let that part slide. Reliability and function however must be fact based.
Let’s give the trolls something fodder. Watch the range review video below:
As you saw the C9 only had issues cycling a rather obscure 100gr frangible load. With all other loads from 90gr to 158gr including hollow points, flat-points, and FMJ, steel-cased, aluminum-cased, and traditional brass all ran. Accuracy was impressive thanks to the fixed barrel of this blow-back-operated handgun. While on the topic of blow-back operation, that system is responsible in part for the affordability of the C9, and also the aesthetics.
Blow-back operation does not have a locked breech. Instead it is the mass of the slide or bolt combined with strength of the operating spring that keep the chamber closed until pressure has dropped off to a safe level. This requires either a lot of mass in the slide/bolt or a strong spring. To keep the pistol operable by the average shooter Hi-Point kept the recoil spring softer and instead increased slide mass. That is why Hi-Points are shaped the way they are.
To get a better look at the construction and design of the Hi-Point C9 see the tabletop video below.
I hope between these two videos the point of Hi-Point has been made clear, and although it’s a sample size of one, the C9 tested proved more reliable and more accurate than a few other pistols we’ve tested that cost hundreds of dollar more. If that’s got your interest in trying one of these incredibly-affordable pieces the specifications and features below were taken directly from the product web page.
- Barrel length:Â 3.5″
- Overall length:Â 6.75″
- Weight:Â 29 oz.
- Frame:Â High-impact polymer
- Finish:Â Black powder coat or hydro-dipped depending on model
- Capacity:Â 8-shot mag standard (10-shot avail)
- Sights:Â 3-dots, fully-adjustable rear sight
- +P rated
- High-impact polymer frame
- High-impact grips
- Durable, attractive easy-grip finish
- 3-dot, fully adjustable sights
- Free extra rear peep sight
- Last round lock open
- Magazine disconnect safety
- Quick on-off thumb safety
- Operations & safety sheet
- Lifetime warranty
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the local 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .
While I have never fired the Hi-Point 9mm, I have examined it and was favorably impressed. It is intimidating looking (a feature which could save you from needing to shoot in a confrontation), it fills the hand, points well and feels like it has authority. With the other features outlined in the video, I see no reason one should not seriously consider for at least home defense, or where legal, defense in one’s motor vehicle. Of course, the video’s sampling of ammunition brands must be taken into account for reliable shooting.
They are big, ugly, and smell funny but go bang when you pull the trigger and are fun to shoot. My C9 cost $150 brand new. Quit buying guns at Gander Mountain.
My only “criticism” of the C9 is that for the same size, weight, and money, you can get a carry gun with higher capacity. Price is no longer a problem when you look at the Taurus PT-111 Millennium G2 and newer G2C’s (the G2C’s are identical, just minus the goofy keyed slide lock that nobody liked or used on the older G2’s), commonly available for ~$200. They come with TWO 12 round magazines (or two 10 rounders if you live in a commie state). Every now and then Taurus will have a rebate going on these models too, which drops… Read more »
I bought aC9 over 20 years ago with a compensated barrel. To this day it is still fun to shoot and it cycles very well every time I shoot it. And with a lifetime warranty you can’t beat it. And back then it only cost a little over a hundred dollars.
I have a C-9. Purchased 5 years ago. Why you ask? Money was tight. $241 later I have a pistol that shoots n shoots. Granted, have had a few ftf’s, but also have m&p shields in 9mm n .40 and have that issue also. I mostly keep my C-9 close to where I spend most of my time. I have 4 10 rnd mags, and 3 8 rnd mags. Whenst I do take it to the range, it’s like a hungry beast screaming feed me. I run different rounds continually thru it. I carry my shields as the C-9 is… Read more »
I have owned Hi-Points, Carbines and pistols, Had good had a couple of problems. Most of my problems were with Ammo, stick with P+ and problems clear up, 1st pistol was great, traded off for a pricey 45, 2nd a whole different story, stove pipe, broken magazine springs, I thought I really screwed up, I called the factory and was told to send everything back, all went back, gun came back repaired, all magazines replaced, no charge. 3 months later, problems again, stove pipe again, I sent it back a second time with a letter that I couldn’t handle it… Read more »