My dad is looking at getting into shooting, he asked me for advice with this statement "I want to get a gun, something good for home defense, reliable and accurate... but I dont want to spend more than $300" ... At first I laughed, then thought of the hi-point carbines in 9mm and 40SW that I always wonder at. Anyone have one? I searched online and found a lot of good reviews, the board search here had a few "good gun" comments but no detail.

So, is it a good home defense gun? (reliable and reasonably accurate) And, can you buy ammo without a pistol liscense?

If its as nice as some of the reviews I've read... I might get one to. What say you guys?

Quoted from AkunaMatata

My dad is looking at getting into shooting, he asked me for advice with this statement "I want to get a gun, something good for home defense, reliable and accurate... but I dont want to spend more than $300" ... At first I laughed, then thought of the hi-point carbines in 9mm and 40SW that I always wonder at. Anyone have one? I searched online and found a lot of good reviews, the board search here had a few "good gun" comments but no detail.

So, is it a good home defense gun? (reliable and reasonably accurate) And, can you buy ammo without a pistol liscense?

If its as nice as some of the reviews I've read... I might get one to. What say you guys?

I've heard solid things about them, especially for the low price. A lot of people will remark its ugly, but it serves its purpose well. As for ammo, dont expect to walk into walmart and get 9mm without a pistol license. Plus, its probably cheaper to buy ammo online for it. A friend of mine has a 9mm version and it was his first rifle. He liked it and never had any issues with it.

9mm ships form online? cool... I did not know that. Ugly was my initial comment too... But I kinda like ugly guns.

had one and loved it. only thing i noticed is that i had issues trying to hp through it. Not sure if they are all like that. Never had any issues with any other ammo though.

I have the 995TS-RD. Bruce from Hunter's Essentials has 1 in stock for $240.00. I saw it there on Saturday when I went to pick up my group buy gun.

I don't like the standard stock, but like the TS and the cheap red dot was a bonus.

Since Dad wants this for HD, my main concern is if it will reliably feed hollow point ammunition.
As stated above I have heard about issues with HD ammo, however I can state from experience that all the Hipoints that I have fired ran like a top. No FTF or FTE at all and I have fired several of them for hundreds of rounds each.

I say go for it, get to the range and make sure its a worker. Find out what ammo it loves to eat and you will be happy with the purchase.

It is ugly, but surprisingly accurate.  It groups very nicely and has excellent sights.  I buy most of my 9mm online, but have gotten some at Walmarts too (just have to talk to the manager slowly).  I have never had a problem with my hipoint after having shot thousands of rounds through it.  I paid 170$ plus tax from Cabelas in PA.  It is definitely worth the money.  It is backed with a no questions asked lifetime warrantee by the manufacturer no matter how many owners.  If you find a broken one at a good price, buy it.  Hi point will fix or replace all of their guns for life.  All you pay is the shipping cost one way, and I hear they give you an extra magazine when they ship it back to you.  It is a pretty fun and accurate gun for the money.  I think everyone should own one of these.

As an HD gun, however, I'm not sure I would trust it as such.  I can see how they are pretty nimble being a light carbine, but they just don't feel like something to trust ur life on.  I trust my shotgun because I undertand the internals and know it will always work.  Even though I have never had a problem with the HiPoint, I don't know enough about it to trust it.  I trust manual actions (bolt and pump) and I trust AKs, but I am iffy about blow back systems.  If it is all you have, it is better than a baseball bat, maybe. It would probably make a decent back-up HD gun.  Again, it is very light and easy to maneuver with indoors.  The 9mm is a good HD round, especially out of a 16 inch barrel.  Theoretically, it would make a great option; I just happen to trust my pump gun more.

Quoted from Highcaliber

Since Dad wants this for HD, my main concern is if it will reliably feed hollow point ammunition.
As stated above I have heard about issues with HD ammo, however I can state from experience that all the Hipoints that I have fired ran like a top. No FTF or FTE at all and I have fired several of them for hundreds of rounds each.

I say go for it, get to the range and make sure its a worker. Find out what ammo it loves to eat and you will be happy with the purchase.

I actually read an article once that said fmj .223 out of a carbine is better than using hollowpoint or softpoint ammo, unlike what is commonly believed as good HD ammo for pistols.  Something about the extra barrel length makes FMJs more effective. Not sure if this is true for 9mm carbines as well or if it just pertains to .223 ammo.

Quoted from Vintovka1891

I actually read an article once that said fmj .223 out of a carbine is better than using hollowpoint or softpoint ammo, unlike what is commonly believed as good HD ammo for pistols.  Something about the extra barrel length makes FMJs more effective. Not sure if this is true for 9mm carbines as well or if it just pertains to .223 ammo.

I've heard a similar thing, but when I heard it went "FMJ is almost as good" just because it moves sooo fast that the hydrostatic shock will do the killing... but this differs from what I've heard about 9mm being a "fast" pistol round does less damage than say a .45.

I've been reading up and it seems like 9mm and .40 are rather close in everything but price. 40 has a bit of size and power edge while the 9mm is easier to put 10 fast ones on target. Seems like for the moeny my dad wants to spend the 9mm is an obvious choice, but I'll make sure he reads that bit about trusting your pump action first. I know I feel the same, I trust my ruger mini, AK47, and pump shotgun before any other because of thier simple reliability even if their preformance 2nd rate to other guns... I know he'll buy the cheapo gun anyway though.  

HI Have put thousands of rounds through my 995 without issue. it fumbles a little with hollow points, but eats anything else I throw at it and begs for more. I put the ATI stock and a cheap red dot on it and it looks 100% better. I bought the .40 for my ex-wife with a scope and after a few hundred rounds through it the charging handle came off and the threads were stripped. Not wanting to mess with it, I sent it back to Bee Miller, they fixed it, returned in less than two weeks, sent me a hat and a new spare magazine with no questions asked. From what I understand from the Hi Point forum, as long as it still has a serial number on it they will fix it for free. I'm waiting for the 4095 TS to come out (promised first in March, now May) to buy a new toy.

IMO, Great gun for the money that's for sure.

another +1 for the 995 carbine. I just put the new TS stock on my old 995. freaking love it.

Quoted from AkunaMatata

I know he'll buy the cheapo gun anyway though.  

Nothing wrong with a cheapo gun.  Most of the guns I own are cheap and reliable.  One thing to note.  The trigger kinda sucks and the recoil is pretty snappy.  Once you get used to it, it is a very fun gun.

Quoted from Nukin_Futz

the charging handle came off and the threads were stripped.

Actually, my charging handle flew off twice.  Lucky I found it both times.  Second time, it came off after having used loctite.

Had the classic, then traded it in for the TS.  I think it's a great carbine for the money.  No issues with either one.  The trigger is better on the new versions and they also have last round bolt hold open.  The original classic doesn't have that.

I'm a firm believer in buying the best you can afford. But, a buddy of mine upstate, is just the opposite. He brought a Hi-Point pistol, complete with laser for $160.00 over a year ago. So far, he says he's put over 20 cases (500 rounds per case) of .45's through the gun without even so much as a hiccup. Not a single failure. Even the laser still works.

Now, he's gone out and picked up their 9mm and .40 S&W pistols.

I know many who bad mouth the Hi Point line, but as far as I've seen, they look like sin, feel like cheap toys, have awful plastic triggers, and keep shooting. And if you can do it with out breaking the bank, well there's nothing wrong with that. Just sayin ...

I just put 100 rounds of Hydra-Shocks through mine with not one misfire or FTF. The red dot did fly off though.

9mm go with HP,

380 is a round I would go with FMJ

I have a 9mm Hi-Point 995TS carbine and it is the cheapest gun I ever owner and runs like a champ. I have fired hundreds of rounds (only have it since October) without any issues my new S&W 15/22 stovepipes regularly at least one per magazine. and I paid over a hundred and fifty dollars more than the Hi-point. Hey its a 9mm I think for home defense at carbine velocity it will hit hard and mags are 10 shot and the whole pkg is lifetime warranty. what ever you use for HD practice as you would use it practice, if its going to sit it might get hard to use in the dark or low light situations. If  your not going to practice get a double or a pump real simple to use not much practice required.
Good luck with your decision.

I have two 995's a TS and a Classic I love them both alot of fun to shoot and so far haven't had a problem buying ammo at Dick's and most gun shops haven't tried walmart just told them it was for a carbine.

Thanks guys for all the great feedback, I think more or less we can say: It is ugly, somewhat accurate, reliable. (The only exception being some HP rounds, test to see what it likes).

Well he's read this entire thread and I think he's settled on getting one. I might too just to save on plinking, of course I'll be ordering that oh so pretty ATI stock. Of course my HD gun will stay the ever reliable and hard punching AK... but I'm sure the 9mm will be plently of fun if I go with it.

Quoted from AkunaMatata

My dad is looking at getting into shooting, he asked me for advice with this statement "I want to get a gun, something good for home defense, reliable and accurate... but I dont want to spend more than $300" ... At first I laughed, then thought of the hi-point carbines in 9mm and 40SW that I always wonder at. Anyone have one? I searched online and found a lot of good reviews, the board search here had a few "good gun" comments but no detail.

So, is it a good home defense gun? (reliable and reasonably accurate) And, can you buy ammo without a pistol liscense?

If its as nice as some of the reviews I've read... I might get one to. What say you guys?

They are coming out with a 45 ACP carbine in Aug 2010, however, about a month ago it was May 2010.

The ATI stock is made for the 995 classic but will fit the TS with a little dremel work for the parts that hold the action open for the last round. There is a guy from NJ on ebay how has the ATI stock real cheap. Don't hold your breath for the 45 it's been coming out for 2 years.Plus the 9mm is cheaper to play with.

I have a hi-point 9mm with ATI stock.
I love it. Great little gun, runs with out any issue. Can't beat the warranty (even if you are the 5th owner it is still covered)

get it. You wont be disappointed

I have one. For the price it is a very good gun. They are reliable, ez to load and operate, simple to maintain and clean. For a beginner it is a nice way to go.
I only thing i dont like about them is their look,they are a very ugly gun.
For home defense the 9mm is not a bad way to go. They make a lot of different rounds that would be ideal for personal protection. You could use glazers or hollow points for in doors,theses rounds stand less of a chance for going throw walls and hitting the wrong person. I would just buy a few mags with it and half load 2 at a time. Then every month  switch the ammo to the other 2 mags so you don't weaken the springs. I would also recommend  putting a flash light on it. Just in case you need it in the middle of the night at less you an see what of who your shooting at.
good luck and be safe
  

just got on a few weeks ago have not gotten to the range yet. the price is awesome i got it for 259 from edwards sporting goods in riverhead. older models are damn ugly but the newer 995 ts is pretty damn sweet looking heard nothing but good things about but for the price cant go wrong will put more info when i put some more rounds through when i get to the range. looking to go this weekend or for the lif meetup in two weeks.