Hi Point Pros & Cons: Is The World's Cheapest Pistol Right For You?

Published on May 5, 2023
Duration: 14:16

This review of the Hi Point C9 and CF380 pistols, presented by Honest Outlaw with 7 years of firearm review experience and thousands of rounds fired, offers a pragmatic assessment of these budget firearms. The analysis covers their low price point ($80-$200), notorious reputation, technical drawbacks like heavy blowback actions and difficult malfunction clearing, and accuracy issues stemming from sights and triggers. Despite these criticisms, the review highlights Hi Point's excellent customer service and US manufacturing, positioning the pistols as a 'better than nothing' option for extreme budget constraints in a home defense context.

Quick Summary

Honest Outlaw, with 7 years of firearm review experience, assesses the Hi Point C9 and CF380 pistols, noting their $80-$200 price and reputation. While praising their customer service and US manufacturing, the review highlights drawbacks like heavy blowback, accuracy issues, and difficult malfunction clearing, positioning them as a 'better than nothing' option for extreme budgets.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Hi Point
  2. 00:32Price and Reputation
  3. 01:58Scheels Mention
  4. 02:17CF380 Technical Overview
  5. 03:13Blowback Action Drawbacks
  6. 04:17Chamber and Malfunctions
  7. 05:17Accuracy and Trigger
  8. 06:29Ergonomics and Recoil Control
  9. 07:41Magazine Reliability
  10. 09:07Customer Service and Manufacturing
  11. 10:14Self-Defense Context
  12. 11:57Alternatives and Training
  13. 13:11Beretta APX Comparison
  14. 13:20Canik Mete MC9 Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main pros and cons of the Hi Point C9 and CF380 pistols?

The main pros are their extremely low price ($80-$200) and excellent customer service. Cons include a heavy blowback action, higher felt recoil, potential accuracy issues due to sights and trigger, difficult malfunction clearing, and limitations with extended magazines.

Are Hi Point pistols reliable for home defense?

While Hi Point pistols are considered 'better than nothing' for those on extreme budgets, their reliability can be questionable due to their design. They are functional tools but may require more attention to clearing malfunctions compared to higher-priced alternatives.

What are some alternatives to Hi Point pistols for budget-conscious buyers?

For a slightly higher budget, used Glocks (like the G19) or Smith & Wesson M&P pistols are recommended as more reliable and higher-performing alternatives. Modern budget options like the Canik Mete MC9 are also mentioned.

What technical aspects of Hi Point pistols are discussed in the review?

The review details the blowback action, explaining how the heavy slide and spring contribute to recoil. It also covers the high bore axis, small chamber size, trigger mechanism, and the limitations of single-stack magazines.

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