The boss has been after me to get a rifle that I could handle. I may have found one--at least from what I've read. I'm looking at a Hi-Point .45 ACP Carbine. Is anyone familiar with this weapon? I would appreciate your comments

What do you need/want to do with a rifle? If you just need to shoot
it a few times a year it might work fine for you. If you want to shoot
more, and want to have a gun that holds its value, a High Point
might not fill the bill.

I've fired a High Point 9mm a few times. It went bang and I even
hit a few steel silhouettes with it. I was less than impressed with the
gun overall, however.

I would be more inclined to look for a deal on an M4 .223, an M1 Carbine, or possibly even a lever gun in a pistol caliber.

Sorta disappointed with your comments, although I am glad to hear them.

The point for getting this was so that I could provide backup to the boss's Ruger when the zombie squirrels attack! I've heard that they have been biting and infecting larger critters, too.

Seriously, I would probably use this mostly for target shooting; the boss might have taken it hunting. The boss would like me to have it for home defense, too, I guess.

Pardon my frankness,but I can't think of any gun with a worse reputation than Hi Point,unless maybe a Lorcin. I would re-think my purchase were I you.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Just for squirrels? How about that?

Ruger® 10/22® Distributor Exclusives Autoloading Rifle Model 1296

Or a S&W M&P15-22...

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Jorge

You're not going to find a lot of love for Hi-Points on a forum like this but from what I've read elsewhere, their products do perform, as ugly as they are, particularly the carbines, and it's hard to beat the prices. I know the company enjoys an excellent reputation regarding customer service/warranty issues. If you're not concerned with resale/collectibility and desire an affordable American-made gun that simply works and it's not the end of the world if you drop it or it gets banged around, it might be the right gun for you. Do some research and look around.

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SWHF #448

What? No one else around here knows about zombie squirrels???
I understand that they mutated from Southwestern ground squirrels but are now bigger and a lot meaner than their ancestors....You don't want these guys in your garden.

I am appreciating all the comments that have been made so far. It is helping me clarify my thinking, giving me directions in how to direct my research, and helping me create a list of features or "must haves" to look for.

1. Have to be able to handle weapon comfortably. Looks per se don't matter, but it needs to be fairly short and light. The boss's shot gun and Ruger are difficult for me to handle.

2. Price needs to be less than $800.00.
3. Needs to be fairly easy to clean and maintain.
4. Don't particularly care what it looks like but want reliability and sturdiness.
5. Want manufacturer help if needed. I haven't had problems with my S&W, but it good to know they will help me if I do.
6. Want to be able to obtain ammo easily.
7. Prefer to buy gun built in the USA.

I might add to this list later, but these are the big concerns now.

As I have been reading, I also ran into two other carbines that might be good to look at. One was the Aero Survival Carbine and the other was a Henry Arms Survival AR-7. So the search continues...

Incidentally, looked at the reference about the autoloading rifle model 1296. Interesting!

I'm glad to hear from everyone.

Hi-Point gets a bad rap undeservedly from gun snobs. They have about the best warranty and customer service in the industry. I bought their 9mm pistol to make the transition from wheel guns and it was reliable and as accurate as any other pistol right out of the box. My son now owns it. We both qualified with it. Thousands of rounds without a hiccup. None of the LGS here can keep them in stock. If you can get by their looks don't be dissuaded by the low price. To me they are no uglier than any other polymer firearm.

I have had a HighPoint 9mm carbine for years and the only issue I've ever had with it is that the charging handle has to be tightened every 300 rounds or so. It has sub MOPP (Minute of Paper Plate) accuracy at 100 yards so you can hit a pop can enough to be interesting. Since the whole family shoots it well and reliably it serves as a Bump In The Night firearm at home and the cabin/tent/truck gun when we go camping. But that's just my experiance and your milage may vary.

I don't know if I've ever laid eyes on the carbines, but I had a Hi-Point 9mm pistol that I fired more ammo through than any other individual gun I've ever owned, bar none. I tried my best to make that think fall on it's face. It never did. I can't say it never malfunctioned, because it did. A half dozen times, four of which came out of one box of "range reloads" of unknown quality. It was a fun gun to have. When I started to thin the herd, I got almost as much for it as I paid for it (got my asking price with no trouble), and had people standing in line to buy it if the first deal fell through.

The carbines are well spoken of around the other boards I read, especially the 9mm version. The 45 is fairly new AFAIK. If I just wanted a "fun gun", I'd be tempted to grab one.

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John 3:16 .

A friend has a Hi-Point 9mm carbine that shoots well. My favorite little rifle is a 1943 Inland carbine that I use for coyotes.

Might suggest you look at a Ruger Mini-14, although I am not sure what "the boss" might hunt with it--if larger game then maybe a Mini-30.

1. Have to be able to handle weapon comfortably. Looks per se don't matter, but it needs to be fairly short and light. The boss's shot gun and Ruger are difficult for me to handle. Not sure what Ruger he has.

2. Price needs to be less than $800.00. It's under $800
3. Needs to be fairly easy to clean and maintain. Find mine pretty easy to clean
4. Don't particularly care what it looks like but want reliability and sturdiness. I'd consider them to be both
5. Want manufacturer help if needed. I haven't had problems with my S&W, but it good to know they will help me if I do. Ruger stands behind their products, and have heard great things about their Customer Service
6. Want to be able to obtain ammo easily. You can get .223 Remington almost anywhere
7. Prefer to buy gun built in the USA. Would be built either in New Hampshire or Arizona

Ruger mini-14 or Saiga .223. Other than the fact that the Saiga .223 is built in Russia, it fits your needs.

2. It'll cost around $400 in unconverted form
3. The AK platform is super simple and easy to maintain,
4. AK platform is the ultimate in reliability
5. I would guess that Izhmash would stand behind it, but AKs are so simple you can fix almost anything yourself.
6. .223 ammo is available is many different weights and bullet types
7. Russian gun, but they build the AK right.
As far as number 1, the AKs butt stock can be left off with no effect on the function of the gun, and so shortens it by around 10 inches or so. The addition of a pistol grip to a Saiga is easily done with home tools in about 15 or 20 minutes, (it requires just grinding or cutting off 3 rivets and drilling out 1 spot weld), and a new Hogue pistol grip (my fave) runs around $20 (the nut is $5). This, and moving the trigger group ($30) would allow the gun to be kept without the butt and still fired, but is very maneuverable. The receiver already has all the holes for everything in the right place.

This one has a folding stock on it ($40), and a different grip than I mentioned, but will illustrate the idea:

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Taste the wares, Email.

Hi-Point???


Right fair mobile home kitchen appilances.........The firearms not so good.


Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

For $800 you have plenty of choices....

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Jorge

Beat me too it!. If you have a $800 budget there are much nicer guns you can get,

That being said and what others have said the Hi Points are big, heavy, ugly but they do work and have excellent CS. Heck, they will clean your gun if you send it to them. LGS sells boat loads of them and never has a problem. Folks at the range shoot the snot out of them and they keep on working.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I've had a Mini 14, won't make that mistake again. I still have a Hi Point Carbine in 9mm and wont' let it go.

As Walnutred mentioned earlier my charge handle would loosen too from recoil, but a dab of nail polish took care of that problem. I've known a lot of folks that bought their handguns and like them a lot. I've loaded ammo for most of them it's hard to find a bullet that they won't feed and they are more accurate than most people around here can shoot.

The plot thickens...The Boss and our friendly FFL [and our friend] and I began to discuss various options. When we got to the Aero both said, "Never heard of it...changeable barrels???" Took a look at the video, got all excited. Now Boss is talking 9mm because ammo is cheap.

Still my primary purpose would be to be able to kill the zombie squirrels and have some fun at the range. I am going to try and locate someone with a Hi Point Carbine, that I can try and find out more about the Aero. I am hoping the local rifle range will have a Hi Point around so I can handle it.

Incidentally, the new Aero is being marketed in blue, green, and pink, as well as matt grey. They acknowledge that they want this rifle to appeal to the entire family. I'd buy it in pink, if it were cheaper, just to irritate the boss a little.

Meanwhile, my two dream revolvers still elude me...the Model 25 [or maybe a .357 with a scope] and the Model 547 - 9mm Revolver.

Again, I appreciate everyone's comments. I learn a lot here on the forums.

S.W.A.T. magazine gave the Hi Point some high marks.I've been looking for a 9mm carbine for about four months. Have five gun stores looking for one but so far no luck.

Check out nutnfancy gun review on the hipoint handgun and rifle. You will be surprised as i was. Pretty much a good cover/hide in the durt type of gun. It works but ugly as they get. Would i trust it for defense situation?, id like to hope i have better options but its better than nothing. Would i trust it like and M&P rifle? heck no but if its the only thing i had to fight of the zombies with id be ok with that.

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Aim small miss small

I've found that most folks with this opinion have never owned one. They are ugly no doubt, but they're reliable, accurate cheap.

That being said, I'd rather have my Camp Carbines (9 & 45) or Marlin lever (.357, .44, .22, .3030).


Please excuse my typos...posting from iPad

Bring it to a pawn shop.

I am sure it will get its use.

While I like my HiPoint carbine just fine for the purpose I purchased it an $800 budget greatly broadens your options. For zombie squirrels I'd look at the HK MP5 A5.

Does Boss = Wife?

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Rob

Nope. Boss=Hubby.

While I really enjoy shooting S&W revolvers, I had aspirations of "acquiring" his Ruger .22LR [get those zombie squirrels before they ruin the watermelons], but I just can't handle it--well, I can, but I can't properly control it, so I wouldn't be a safe shooter with it. The shotgun his grandfather gave him is even heavier, so I've been looking for something shorter and lighter.

BUSTED! Then again,I've never owned a Smith with a lock either. I guess I'm just a gun snob.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Buying Hi Points is like marrying an ugly overweight counterpart in life . . . not the most satisfying, but serviceable if you're not picky and you don't have to worry about anybody stealing them . . . .

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Qui plantavit curabit

Hmm--I could say about the same about the dogs I've owned. I've always tended towards mongrels of unique description ever since my purebred dog was dognapped when I was a kid.

I purchased a 9mm carbine from Hi Point because of two reasons. 1. Price point. 2. It was so ugly. 3. My auto pistol was 9mm. Ok, three reasons. I never found fault with the Hi Point. It seemed to be quite accurate and and that opinion was shared by everyone who shot it. And everyone that stopped by wanted to shoot it! It was kind of heavy which helped in stability. I was really fun to shoot. The reason I say was, is I sold it to someone who begged me to sell it to him. I had modded it some and it looked pretty cool. I do miss it and someday may buy another. It is worth the money and virtually indestructible. By the way, I ruined some parts when I did the mod, and wanted to purchase new parts in case I returned it to factory condition. Hi Point's customer service would not accept payment as it was under warranty. Even after I told them I had intentionally ruined them, they still supplied new parts free of charge. Can't beat that for customer service.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

I'm another guy that has to say the High Point Carbines are worth the money.. not going to win a beauty contests but functional as all heck! I'd recommend the 9 mm over the .45 I think, for you anyway. I'm jonesing for the .45 myself! The 9 will cost less to shoot by a good bit, will work forever, is cheap and, as has been said, has some of the best warranty support going.

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Old paratrooper in NC

Might give the Beretta Storm carbines a look. I have 1 in 9mm and another in .40 caliber. They do make a .45 version as well. Very compact and accurate. Under 800 real world cost. They are my night time zombie guns. With a weapon light on the side rail and a red dot on top, you can hit things at night out to 75 yards.

Nothing wrong going the cheaper route.

I have the CX4 in 9mm. Just put in the mag adapter so I can use 30 round 92 mags. Its a great shooter. Cost is a little high, but its well made and easy to maintain.

I put an H-1 on it and shoot ragged little holes. While there are cheaper options I don't have any regrets paying more.