By Mike Searson
Review and field test of the Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun.
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Making the rounds on the local gun circuit, we are often asked “What gun are you working on now?”
Sometimes we are under NDA’s and have to keep quiet, but when UPS or FedEx drops off a few things to test out that we can talk about, we let our fans know. So we told them “a Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun”.
“Why a Hi-Point?”
“That’s what they sent me.”
“Are you going to trash them?”
“Why would I do that? I’ll shoot it and write an honest review like I always do.”
“Yeah but you always find something wrong with everything.”
“Right, but that’s not trashing something. That’s just being honest. The reason I do not work full time in the industry anymore is so I can be objective in my writing.”
“Are they gonna let you keep it?”
“Probably not. In all the years I’ve been doing this I got exactly 2 guns for free. Any review guns that I keep, I have to pay for.”
To be honest this was not the author’s first brush with a Hi-Point pistol.
It was 20-some odd years ago and a new round was taking the shooting world by storm: The 40 S&W round.
We read nothing but good things, it sounded like it was going to be the future, unfortunately, we knew no one with a handgun in that caliber. A local shop had a used Stallard Arms (one of several names the company had before settling on Hi-Point) handgun in 40 S&W for $95. For less than $100, we gambled on it just to try the round.
After putting several hundred rounds through it we sold it off to upgrade to a Browning Hi-Power in 40 S&W.
A year or so went by and we mentioned it to another shooter who scoffed at the choice. We honestly had no problems with the pistol beyond its crude looks and were not all that surprised when this “competition shooter” admitted that he had never actually tried one, he had just heard about them somewhere.
So a few weeks ago, Hi-Point sent us their JHP 45 ACP pistol to test out and we approached the review with an equally open mind.
Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun The good
Despite its weight, the pistol did fit our hand well. At 25 feet we achieved admirable groups and put 400 rounds through the pistol courtesy of our good friends at Freedom Munitions who sent us a case of their test ammunition.
Prior to shooting, we broke down the pistol, cleaned it, and lubed it. While shooting we experienced no malfunctions of any kind.
The key feature of this pistol is its low price point. We see this as the handgun for folks who need to defend their homes and families, but may not be able to run out and pick up a new SIG Legion or even a used Glock 19.
Many of us are fortunate and can buy what we want within reason of course, but think of those young families where a parent may be working multiple minimum wage jobs and $200 for a handgun and ammunition may be all they can afford for protection.
Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun has is a small accessory rail and the pistol is rated to handle +P ammunition.
Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun The Bad
This is a blowback-operated pistol, which means that the slide has to have some significant mass to keep the handgun from unlocking at the wrong time.
In other words, its weight (despite the polymer frame) is significant and the slide mass makes it feel heavier than it is. She doesn’t exactly have it in the looks department, either.
Yet, when you are designing a handgun for the masses and trying to keep the cost to a low level, you aren’t going to have nice little nuances in machining or 30 dpi checkering, ivory grips or anything else for aesthetics.
Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun The Reality
While it would not be the author’s first choice for a pistol, the Hi-Point is reliable, accurate, and affordable.
For someone on a budget who needs a handgun for personal defense, it is about as basic as you can get.
This is not a competition handgun. There is no threaded barrel to attach a silencer. It is very heavy to carry concealed and we do not see any police agency or military unit clamoring for one.
But it pretends to be none of those things.
It is a simple, working and affordable firearm made by an American company for people who may not have the means to buy something that costs more than $200.
There is a lot to be said for that.
Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun Specs:
- Barrel length: 4.5″
- Overall length: 7.75″
- Weight: 35 oz.
- Frame: High-impact polymer
- Finish: Black powder coat with polished sides
- Capacity: 9-shot magazine
- Sights: 3-dots, fully-adjustable rear sight
- MSRP: $199
Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun Resources:
- New & Used Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handguns for Sale
- The Unauthorized, Unofficial Armorer’s Manual for the Hi-Point Pistol
- Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Ammo
- Hi Point JHP 45 Handgun Videos
- Hi Point JHP 45 Handgun Holster & Accessoires
About Mike Searson
Mike Searson’s career as a shooter began as a Marine Rifleman at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989.
Mike has written over 2000 articles for a number of magazines, websites and newsletters including Blade, RECOIL, OFF-GRID, Tactical Officer, SWAT, Tactical World, Gun Digest, Examiner.com and the US Concealed Carry Association as well as AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.
- Home page: www.mikesearson.com
- FB: www.facebook.com/mike.searson
- TWITTER: www.twitter.com/mikesearson
FYI: Hi-Point offers the Hi Point JHP 45 ACP Handgun in Desert Camo:
At gun shows, I’ve handled a number of High Points. I would surely add to its qualities, awesomeness. It’s massive, fills the hand, points beautifully and is intimidating- a factor which might eliminate the need to shoot the perp. And with that price, what isn’t there to like?
A steel 1911 weighs around 40 oz. This is only 35 oz. It makes no sense to say that it is too heavy to carry! 1911’s are carried every day!
Read lots of reviews and bought a jhp for my truck console. Got
an extra magazine and holster from hi-point. Have never had a
jam or fail to fire. Empties drop right at your feet. Accuracy is
fine at 21 ft. Gun is a heavy tool that is reasonably priced and
reliable. Bought a second one since first one worked well. Fully
satisfied with the two jhp’s and could pick up one more and still
hot have spent a typical 1911 price.
Thanks for you honest review,
They also have the best warranty anywhere!
When selecting her second pistol, my wife tried several poly framed pistols and found them all to feel “top heavy.” I had to agree with her. She did settle on a Beretta 92F with its steel frame and learned to shoot it quite well.
Whereas I’m kinda old fashioned and stick to my Colt Government Model 1911 Mark IV Series 70.
Although I understand the Colt Walker makes a better club after you fire all six rounds.
😉
How do you get five year old comments on an article written yesterday?
I just purchased my third Hi Point pistol. I have a 380, 9mm and a 45. Just fired the 45 the first time yesterday. I think they are perfect. Dont have to spend boo koo money to enjoy target shooting
I love my Hi Point 45 ACP JHP! It is fun to shoot! And, it is a great camp gun! The Bad: The gun is advertised at 35 ounces. Mmmmmm, actually it is 43.4 ounces(on my Postal Scales) with out magazine or ammunition in chamber! Still, less than $200 bucks! A great buy! Made in the good old USA!
Utilitarian is what comes to mind when I Play with my C9 on empty beer cans and 2liter mountain dew bottles . Are you trying to be fashionable when some tweaker kicks your door in and wants to rape you and your family ? You just want to squeeze a few out and find a reason to put a new concrete deck on your back porch right ? I never understood gun snobbery even a cheap Cheap in all ways Jimenez is better than no weapon in a nightmare scenario . Personally I like the design and I have butchers… Read more »
I’ve owned several HPs over the years, both handguns and a carbine and they’ve all been great. When I was getting ready to deploy to Iraq for a private security contract, I picked up a .380 at a yard sale and put 1000 rounds through it practicing at the range over a two month period and it ran like a champ.