Hi-Point V. Taurus V. Charter Arms

Which brand for a cheap SD/HD pistol?

  • Hi-Point

    Votes: 14 9.6%

  • Taurus

    Votes: 86 58.9%

  • Charter Arms

    Votes: 24 16.4%

  • Other-NOT more expensive than Taurus

    Votes: 22 15.1%
  • Total voters
    146
  • Poll closed .
J

johnwilliamson062

Moderator
Cheap defensive handgun. Which brand would you personally recommend to someone who didn't care much about whether it was semi-auto, revolver, hi-capacity, etc. They just want a solid pistol for self/home defense.

Lets leave used guns out of this. I think my recommendation would be a model ten SW trade in if we went with used guns, but lets look at guns you could walk into a gun store and buy today.

This isn't a question for a personal purchase or even for a specific situation. I just wanted to see what everyone thought.
 
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I understand that people only have limited resources. Making a selection from the survey I say go with a Taurus. Probably a revolver or if a semi-auto a clone of another design like the 92 or 1911.

While not as nice as a Smith&Wesson or Ruger they are decent revolvers. A friend of mine has a .357 that has a trigger that is actually very good. It did require a couple of factory trips to achieve it but now it's great.

Truthfully, I think another good option is to buy a used gun from a better manufacturer.
 
bersa, ruger p-series, S&W sigma

hi-point is really good for as cheap as it is but I really don't like the feel or weight but ya gotta give up something for a sub-$200 gun
 
Where's the "used Ruger" button?

Seriously...

I did a holster for a friend's very early model Ruger DA 9mm auto - a P85-Mk2. They're worth about $250 used. 16rd capacity, stone-axe reliable in terms of feeding and everything else. Heavy, clunky, but they "just work" and as safe as anything you can carry...lower rate of accidental discharge than Glocks (due to the funky "gotta pull the trigger during takedown" issue on Glocks). Accuracy is respectable. That's only $50 more than a "Hi"-Point...and covered by Ruger forever even if bought used.

The generation after that with a polymer frame instead of aluminum is lighter and goes for $300, maybe tops.

In terms of revolvers, used S&W or Ruger stuff can be had down around $300 or less if you look around.

I just don't understand why anybody would screw around with brand new garbage guns.
 
Considering that "not more expensive than Taurus" includes guns all the way up to AT LEAST $700.....


Springfield
Para
Glock
Colt
Etc, etc, etc


Taurus is no longer cheap so-so quality. They are now mid to upper price point so-so quality.
 
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I've owned Bersa, Jennings, and Taurus pistols and out of the three, only the Taurus was 100% reliable out of the box. If your looking for a HD/SD handgun, then you have to have something that will absolutly go "bang" every time you pull the trigger until the magazine is empty and be able to hit a paper plate sized target at 12 feet. Everything else is just a bonus.
 
I've owned several Taurus pistols. The revolvers were great. I had an M85 Ultralight 38 and an M66 7 shot 4" 357. The M66 was awesome. I traded them in though and bought a Ruger SP101 357 with a 3" barrel. There wasn't anything wrong with the two Taurus but I wanted something in between. Most of my carry is in the woods and the Ruger being J frame-ish with a 3" tube and all steel construction fit the bill.

My PT22 was ammo sensitive and P911(I think) had some issues with the transfer bar. Both were from the early 90's.
 
Out of the three listed specifically, I'd choose a Charter .38 snub for personal carry over a Hi Point auto or anything Taurus. Hi Points are top heavy and have little to no holster support in the aftermarket. Taurus is what it is... a shortcut for people that refuse to save the additional cost of 6 boxes of ammo to get a better gun.

I'd buy the Charter, out of the three.

Given a free hand in the market place, I'd choose a 9x18mak surplus handgun. Makarovs used to be in that price point. PA-63's still are around $125-$150. If it's good enough for police and military officers in ComBloc Europe, then I can carry it on a broke budget.
 
I love my PT-22 although I have only fired CCI ammo through it. But overall I trust Taurus products, as they seem to have stepped up to the plate. I have heard many good things about their products, and while they may not be the same quality as Smith, Colt, Beretta, CZ, Ruger etc... they are still fine pistols.

On the other hand I have not heard many bad things about Hi Points, and one of the shops I go to, suggested them as a good range gun, tackle box gun, or throw-around gun that you wouldn't mind scuffing up.

Just my two-cents.
 
If you decide to go revolver go taurus, if you go Semi, I guesss you'll go Hi point if you go semi auto, but you might be better served buying a used higher quality gun.
 
Hi-Points were going for 1.5 MSRP around here a while back, but they have dropped back down.
I don't think it is too odd to find them for $125 now. That is about half the Taurus, not $50. Maybe other areas are different.
 
I did not include Bersa b/c it seems there were some periods where the pistols were great and some where they were not. Current production being some of the nots.
You can't tell a new shooter with no idea what they are doing to get an "x -year production" firearm. They will just have some store clerk tell them it is that year or be totally confused.
 
Cheap defensive handgun. Which brand would you personally recommend to someone who didn't care much about whether it was semi-auto, revolver, hi-capacity, etc. They just want a solid pistol for self/home defense.

Other-NOT more expensive than Taurus
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Your basic Taurus snub is a bit over $300. Equivalent Charter Arms about the same. If you're careful you could probably find a S&W Sigma in that range.
 
I had good luck with Taurus and I really like some of their newer pistol designs, especially the SA only triggers with no exposed hammer (such as the 24/7 Pro). So I voted Taurus. I don't own any of the others so you might say I'm biased though ....
 
Hi Point-reliable, if not crude. Only really worth it in .45 ACP, otherwise you get a blocky gun with a low round count for no reason.
Charter- they're okay. Not aware of them making anything semiauto. If you're going here, then you might as well consider Armscor and/ or Rossi. Armscor makes a neat little (kinda) Colt clone and an inexpensive 1911 that's really nice for the money spent. Rossi isn't bad although sometimes catch hell on forums... but hey, you were considering a Charter. Yeah, and avoid Charco and Charter 2000.
Taurus-No idea... So I'll leave you a bunny with a pancake on it's head:p
 
Cheap and defensive gun should never be used in the same sentence IMO. While I know what you meant by it, I still must ask this question: How much is your life worth?

I would like to think my life is worth more than the guns you listed. While my cary weapon isnt exactly expensive, it comes from a QUALITY manufacturer. All the pistols you listed are 100% A-OK for a recreational pistol, but I wouldnt bet my life on any of them.

Just my .02
 
the lowest cost firearm you listed is i believe the hipoint. for the money it is a reliable firearm and well worth the money. having said that i voted for taurus. taurus guns are miles ahead of hipoint (i have both) and they come in more models, more calibers, and more shapes and sizes. i have a 9mm hipoint and i think it was worth the money i paid. i also have 3 taurus semi autos and 2 taurus revolvers. the hipoint makes a nice house or car gun. the taurus guns make better cc guns. the hipoint costs about 1/3 of the taurus guns. i guess it depends on what you want to use it for and how much money you have to spend. my hipoint is reliable enough to trust my life to but i would carry a taurus over the hipoint. i have more expensive guns but i often carry a taurus 357 mod 605 snub nose revolver or my 45 semi auto pt145. i really like the pt145 :)
 
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