Glock or Hi-Point....

Sparktrician · Feb 8, 2011

I stopped at the local gun shop yesterday.....they had a Glock .357 "compact" (looked good for concealed carry) for $567.00, and I noticed a 9MM Hi-Point of the same physical size for $197.00 or somewhere there abouts......I know the Hi-point is made in Mansfield Ohio, I like that idea.....

Where is Glock made?
Is the Hi-Point a reliable gun?
The Glock seemed to be (according to salesman) pretty tough and reliable gun, with little up keep.

Any thoughts? I like to buy the biggest baddest bestest usually.....but for more than double the money.....I am not sure.

Also looking to get two....one for the wife also...

ttfb1911 · Feb 8, 2011

Glock is made in Austra and it is clearly the better gun actually one of the best made firearms you can buy, all Hi-Points are ugly but every one i have ever seen or shot works like they should no jams etc. they do have a lifetime no question warrenty and very good customer service.

KYfarm · Feb 8, 2011

If that glock is in .357 sig then that is some expensive and uncommon ammo around here in KY maybe more available in your area.

If the weapon you are looking is truely going to be for concealed carry then I suggest looking at a Ruger LCP in .380

Bus Driver · Feb 8, 2011

I have a Hi-Point. They are low cost and reliable. Pull the trigger and they go bang. Important positive qualities, in my opinion. Ugly, top-heavy and heavy overall. Not good for small hands.

Ohiohillbilly · Feb 8, 2011

I'm going to respectfully disagree a little. A .380 is great because they are easy to conceal. A .45 is better because you get a couple rounds off they are not likeley to get back up.
Any gun you carry is better than one you leave at home because it's too big. To me a .380 has very little stopping power, I'd hate to have to empty the thing to stop one guy. A 9mm with a premium self-defense round would be a minimum. I have a Springfield XD in .45acp. I am big and can hide it pretty well. I have been thinking of buying one of those little Rugers for backup and for when I don't have a lot of concealment options.
Have you taken your concealed carry course yet?? I would do that before I bought a carry gun.

TimV · Feb 8, 2011

Sparktrician: I'm guessing the Glock was either the Model 32 (compact) or Model 33 (subcompact) in .357 SIG. If so, the .357 SIG is a decent self-defense choice but doesn't really gain anything over such other well-proven rounds as the 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP, and loses out in the crucial area of ammo availability--all 3 of the other rounds will be available as long as handgun ammo is available, but the same thing may not be true of the .357 SIG. The Glock pistol itself is made in Austria and is one of the most reliable pistols money can buy, which is one reason they're one of the top choices of law enforcement. While Hi-point pistols (and I've shot several, and own one of their 9mm carbines) are inexpensive, have a lifetime warranty, and have good customer service (when a buddy's .40 S&W Hi-point pistol broke a spring they sent him an entire spring replacement kit free with free shipping and it was there in 2 days), they are, in my opinion, not reliable enough to trust your life to. I've seen too many failures to feed, failures to fire, failures to eject, magazines that won't stay in place, parts broken, safeties that won't stay engaged, etc. on the ones I've used to enable me to trust one for a primary self-defense firearm. Is your life and the life of your loved ones worth $567? If so, buy the Glock and be done with it, though I'd suggest doing a bit of comparison shopping--a Glock 33 runs $474 on Bud's Gun Shop--and think about going to a .40 S&W instead--nearly identical power and MUCH easier to find ammo for. A Glock in .40 S&W is pretty much the standard police carry gun nowadays, and that might tell you something.

dhermesc · Feb 8, 2011

My personal experience with Hi-Point is that they are a cheap ugly gun that goes bang every time you pull the trigger. Their ergonomics are abysmal and they don't carry hi capacity magazines but they are cheap. Besides being cheap they have two other factors in their favor they have a lifetime warranty (Glock only comes with a one year warranty but will do free repairs for years) and they are cheap.

I own a 995 carbine and have put hundreds (maybe thousands by now) of rounds through it and it has never failed - even when it’s embarrassingly dirty. I bought it for $135 new over 10 (15?) years ago. If I had paid $500 for it I’m sure I would take better care of it. A friend of mine bought a 995 carbine and a handgun (takes the same magazine) and he's put some serious rounds through it - a few springs have been replaced (by Hi Point) due to wear.

I would never say a Hi Point is as good as a Glock, but the “Hi Point is junk” crowd always seems a little too defensive.

Goose · Feb 8, 2011

The LCP is a neat little piece. I've put some 500 rounds through mine, and it's been totally flawless. Not one single jam, fail to feed, etc. Someone is even making a holster that looks like a wallet in your pocket.

I also own a Hi-Point 9mm automatic, Hi-Point .45 automatic, and Hi-point 9mm carbine. The carbine and .45 have been flawless, but the 9mm auto has one idiosyncracy. Firing Remington ammo, it's also flawless. Fire Winchester ammo, and it will stovepipe on the last round every time. The obvious solution is to use Remington ammo.

About the worst I can say about the three Hi-Points is, when holding it in your hand, the .45 auto feels more like a cordless drill than an automatic pistol.

ncpapaul · Feb 8, 2011

Hi Point is very poorly made......period. When I was an instructor they were banned from our range firing line. The Glock will keep shooting til you drop dead or run out of money to buy ammo. Paul

RayP(MI) · Feb 8, 2011

Frankly I haven't seen a Glock I would want to carry/use. Am not comforatble with trigger and grip safety, and not comfortable with the chamber configuration.

Can't speak to the HighPoint, check other's recommendations. Whatever you get, you need the counsel of a good instructor to find a gun that fits your hands, and shoots comfortably to YOU. Take your time to get the right one for you, not necessarily what the salesman is pushing this week.

I carry a Ruger or Beretta in 9mm, wife has the new Tarus PT 709 - Very slim, concealable, and quite shootable. Besides it's 9mm, and I don't have to make or stock another caliber. Not to get in a shouting match with the "BIGGER IS BETTER CROWD," but 9mm is a fairly good self defense round. .380, .32, are not so much, and besides, that ammo has been in short supply.

lucas boy · Feb 8, 2011

the high point is junk

nickg · Feb 8, 2011

Glocks are made in Austria. Very well made dependable durable gun. I have a 19 in 9mm and I also have one in .357 sig. Love both of them. You get what you pay for in a gun. The hi point mite be a lot less but your gettin a lot less gun and one of the few guns that dont hold any kind of value.Glocks have good warranties and a lot of places carry glocks. Ask yourself this why do a lot of police officers carry glocks or sigs and not hi point?

Jason the Red · Feb 8, 2011

Good evaluation!

davediehl@hotmail.com · Feb 8, 2011

I carry a Glock model 22RTF as a duty weapon. I also have a model 34 (9mm) as a backup. The 34 has documented more than 11,000 rounds through it and its only failed to eject one round. Very reliable guns. You get what you pay for. A model 22 shipped to the department with trijicon sights is $535. Figure the gov will add 90-130 for the individual to buy.

davediehl@hotmail.com · Feb 8, 2011

I should add the the guns and parts are mainly made in Austria. But if you need them, your call will ring into Smyrna, Georgia.

Gun guru · Feb 8, 2011

The Glock is a way better gun. 2 friends of mine each have 1. Never seen a hi-point.
One friend of mine just bought a Sig .357. $520 with laser sight. (very cool, I want one)

mjsnodgrass · Feb 8, 2011

whatever you decide to buy, make sure it is comfortable, and feels like an extention of your hand when you pick it up.

RN · Feb 8, 2011

good points on many posts- little background basics- Glock is a late last century design from a military/police request to a industrial design engineering outfit- the design uses modern manufacture methods and materials for molding and machining a fairly conventional lockwork design- polycarbonate can be referred to as plastic as simplest terms for grip frame- with features from Saur&Sohn, SIG, H&K lockwork. It works and uses some manufacturing methods that are now more common state of art. High-Point starts with a basic Browning 1910 design and goes to manufacturing using lower temperature precision casting- Ruger did similar years back- and gets a low cost, proven design to market. Glock has advanced features like a Kabuta, Hi-point is new production method remake of IHC H model for less cost but in plow power the 9x19mm is like a 2-14 that both can use about the same-- this make this post tractor related- but also a fair example of performance for cost. Hi-point will give you basic reliable performance cheaper with known maintenance requirements, the Glock will have some extra features that may be important to some users at a cost. Old technology still works, newer technology results in some extra conveniences and quirks. For amusing further fun - compare Hi-point to old Astra 600/400 design and the Davis/Raven pistols that used zinc casting instead of machining steel on same basic Browning design from about 1905. Time for coffee. RN

dhermesc · Feb 8, 2011

Actually Glock only offers a one year warranty - in writing. In practice they will service a weapon for years but they will not put it in writing. They are also pretty good at refusing to honor the warranty if you have modified the weapon in any way.

Hi Point offers a life time warranty in writing and I have never heard of them refusing to repair (or replace) a weapon for any reason.

Granted I'm sure some A-Hole has probably tried to return one that went through a house fire or shot the wrong size ammo through it that Hi-Point rejected their request for service do to abuse but no one I know has tried that.

dhermesc · Feb 8, 2011

Unless you have a Glock 27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVg0L66swHo

Or a Glock 19
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvhXS5KKmqA&NR=1

Or any of these:
http://www.google.com/images?rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS291US291&q=Glock+failure&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=v5pRTaTTLoLcgQfSt8iWCA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=8&ved=0CDsQsAQwBw

Richard from SE AZ · Feb 8, 2011

RN
What are you talking Zinc castings an an Astra 400??? I have one that I have had for a very long time. I bought it out of the American Rifleman mag. around 1962 for less than $20.00. I have shot the living bejesus out of it and don't recall it ever failing. I just went to look at it and I'll be darned if I can see any zinc. What parts are made of zinc????

redtom · Feb 8, 2011

Personally, I like my American made Rugers and my S&W MP 40C. If theres one place I can make my stand on imports, I'll do it when I buy a gun.

Mark-Mi · Feb 8, 2011

Ray, would you explain this grip safety on the Glock. Mark

RayP(MI) · Feb 8, 2011

Mark, you got me there - was thinking it had a grip safety like the Springfield XD series. Glock"s only external safety is in the trigger - they claim three safeties, built in, deactivated sequentially by pulling the trigger.

G.Fields · Feb 8, 2011

There are some things you shouldnt try to go cheap on, this being one of them. I got a hi-point 9mm on a trade. It took me 3 rounds to figure out why he got rid of it. Ill stick with my rugers, colts, and s&w's. Not a fan of glock because of ergonomic issues but i would definitly take one over a hi-point. You get what you pay for

hayray · Feb 8, 2011

Before buying a .357 Sig I would compare how easy and expensive the ammo is to other comparable cartridges. Not very many .357 Sigs in use comparatively.

Mike M · Feb 8, 2011

How much is your life worth ? Generaly more money = better quality.

I live close to Mansfield Ohio ,but have not ever yet to even hold a high point. I have heard alot of bad, but also some have NOT had any problems either. So all I can say is buyer beware. You may even get a bum Glock too ! I had a few Rugers that had problems too. I like Rugers designs on many of their items but kinda stay away from buying anymore new ones.

hayray · Feb 8, 2011

Ruger good for revolvers, auto loaders, not so good. I think the thumb safety on the Rugers are dangerous. I know one guy who almost got shot in a shoot out because he had that thumb safety on.

MarkB_MI · Feb 8, 2011

I've only fired a couple of Glocks, but I didn't care for either one. Horrible trigger pull and generally unpleasant to shoot. That said, Glock gets credit for totally changing our idea of what an auto pistol should be. And the Glock is, of course, the gang-banger's weapon of choice. (Maybe they're more comfortable to shoot if you hold them sideways.)

With automatics, "reliable" is a relative term. But don't think I would want to trust my life to a High Standard. I'll stick with my Browning Hi-Power. If it was good enough for both the Germans and Brits in WWII, I figure it's good enough for me.

bc · Feb 9, 2011

Around here the black gang bangers seem to find the Hi point 9mm as their choice for a cheap murder weapon. Definitely deadly.

largeandincharge · Feb 9, 2011

I own a Glock 22 RTF police, and a Ruger. I like the Ruger better. But only for looks. Both shoot equally well. I am looking at a Glock 23, might buy it, might not. I also have a Springfield Arms XD. I really like this gun. Quality is outstanding. It is mfg in the Czeck Republic. I would not put my life on the line with what I consider a Sat. nite Special unless it was a revolver. Less moving parts mean simplicity. I have one of those too, a shoot em and throw the gun away, RG 38 Special w/2 in barrel. I have carryed it for 40+ years since I was 16 or 17 (who needs a concealed carry permit?) I bought it then after being in a beer joint drinking beer when 2 guys went after it over an old Barfly. The guy carrying a 38 won (?) that fight, but was 2 drunk to throw the gun in the river behind the joint. I bet he gets out someday!
What ever auto you buy, I would get it in 40S&W. Good stopping power, and easy to find ammo. 9mm can't be had because military takes it all for the war.

You sound like a novice gun owner, I think you should go for a revolver, for simplicity's sake.

Just my opinion, every one on the forum will probably disagree w/me, I am,

Henry, a reformed person who learned his lesson about why momma said the gun was the Devil's right hand. ( Steve Earle, c. 1980)

RN · Feb 9, 2011

Astra has no zinc castings but is straight blowback design- steel forgings and machining, heavy slide let it use higher pressure ammunition- 9x19 and the 9x23 Largo/Bergman Bayard than would normally be expected.
The Davis and Ravens are the ones with the zinc castings- they use the lower pressure .22, 6.35 and 7.65 common in blowback designs- like Browning 1905- but the use of castings instead of machined steel allows a lower price while still retaining reliable function of the proven Browning design.
Ruger did castings years back to reduce cost of basic Mauser copy, they have proven functional.
Hi-Point is using a high pressure cartridge in a blowback design like the Astra but is using casting manufacturing methods like Ruger did to proven design to reduce cost to be able to market a cost competitive product with functioanality of basic design- not a fancy futuristic featured product but one with proven, patent expired features. Sorry for the confusion. RN

fightfire · Feb 9, 2011

Actually, I've got both. Hi Point in 9mm and .380 and Glock 9mm (911 edition). Glock is obviously a more refined, sleeker pistol. Hi Point, as others have mentioned- heavy, ugly and goes boom every time. Wouldn't want to carry one too long (like carrying a brick)- but would buy another (9mm carbine in my future). Think I'll stick with my Springfield XD40 for when I've got a jacket on and my 9mm Sccy for a backup or hot weather.
Actually, I've had more failure-to feed issues with the Springfield than any issues with the Hi Points...

Glock or Hi-Point....

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