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 .
The only Hi point I would own is a carbine as camp gun in 45 acp, and /or 9mm
I rather use my wrist rocket sling shot than a hi point handgun.This is the ultimate throw away for all criminals.

I own an old Charter House bulldog in 44spl it weighs a whopping 21 oz empty! When you touch it off with hot defensive rounds.ouch!

Taurus, I had one for less than 30 days, it was a disappointment to say the
lease and turned me on to just how bad this brand is and was.There service
had such adjectives and adverbs that really embellished what type of service work was often not done.

These three brands are low end fire arms and they fill a niche in the market.
If it was me I'd save my money and buy a used ruger which are well made
and super value.
 
If these companies were not doing something right they would not be in business.
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Promotion... I work in insurance. I have people call in to complain about certain companies that run gobs of TV commercials promoting their low rates every week. I have to mediate claims where their insured is at fault regularly and hear my clients complain to me about it.
 
Of the above I voted Taurus. Nothing against the charter, but for home defense I favor more ammo capacity.
If you're really on a budget, I say Ruger P95 or S&W sigma. Two good inexpensive reliable handguns with good factory support, and they are less expensive than the Taurus equivalents.
 
Well, I wish I could go back and edit my original post. It seems a lot of people are saying a $700 Taurus is what they would pick. I thought the "spirit of the question" would obviously point to one of their less expensive guns. Something around the $300-$325 price point.

I rather use my wrist rocket sling shot than a hi point handgun.This is the ultimate throw away for all criminals.
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What kind of firearm could I, someone with no machining experience or real knowledge, produce with that machinery? There is more to it than the machinery, although it is important. The machines they are using are outdated and far less automated then most of their competitors if my understanding is correct.
 
The thing I don't understand is why are we (the OP) limited to a new firearm? What is the advantage of a new taurus over a used Ruger? Does the person think that used firearms are dangerous or lemons or do they not know how to shop for used guns? I think if someone is on a budget the FIRST thing they should do is limit themselves to used guns. This way, they can still get lucky and get quality while saving $$$ at the same time. Hell, its what I do in essence. Who would take a NIB Charter Arms over a well taken care of Ruger, S&W or Colt etc when the price can be the same. If someone wants a quality firearm on a budget, sometimes used is the only answer ESP when the gun will be used for SD. I'd take a used quality gun over a NIB taurus with their warranty, which forces YOU to pay the S&H both ways for which erases the savings in 1 or 2 trips anyday of the week.

I guess if this hypothetical and between these 3 brands only then OP question makes sense. But if the person has no bias at all, theres no advantage to buying one of these 3 NEW vs a better handgun used provided you know what you're looking for or looking at, etc.
 
Does the person think that used firearms are dangerous or lemons or do they not know how to shop for used guns?
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This is a "one gun" household. First and last purchase(they think we all know an afternoon at the range will change that). They have no idea how to shop for used guns. They have are buying "the great equalizer," nothing more, and if they screw up, a whole lot less. They want a NIB gun they trust to function that they can wlk into their local store TODAY and buy.
 
I recommend the Hi-Point .45 for the two simple reasons that (in my experience) it works, and because if it so happens that it doesn't work Hi-Point has excellent, excellent customer service. But I've never had a problem with mine.

If you're allergic to ugly, though, you might want to consider a Taurus. I've heard the PT92 is solid.
 
I think if its for a woman, which it sounds like, a 38 special charter arms is the best choice. I wouldn't pick an auto for a woman nor would I pick a 22LR a 32 or a 357 mag. 38 special snub is the best all around choice I think. Plus the charter arms have the "pink lady" - SD in style! ;)
 
I think if its for a woman, which it sounds like, a 38 special charter arms is the best choice.
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Entirely hypothetical question. People come to me for advice somewhat frequently because I am somewhat sane and known to be involved in 2A politics. I don't know as much as I would like. I just want to get some opinions on this issue so I can address queries properly.

To date my advice would be:
semi-auto: Hi-point
Revolver: Stainless Charter arms
Both leave a lot to be desired aesthetically and the hi-point at least makes a terrible range gun as it is very uncomfortable to shoot more than a few mags through, but both have solid reputations for functionality out of the box. If they didn't like the purchase I would probably be willing to take either off their hands at what they paid. I am in the process of purchasing/trading for a poor HD recommendation at the moment as I feel responsible for the purchase not working out.

I would of course recommend a 22 with similar ergonomics if they were at all willing to spend the money.
 
Out of that group, I've only owned a Taurus. It was a M85 revolver and it was froze up after 200 rounds. I certainly wouldn't consider it reliable.

Out of those listed, if I had to, I'd try Charter Arms but I don't really know if there are better, or worse, than Taurus.
 
None of the choices in the poll would I trust to save my life. But I do have a Hi Point C9 I bought used to plink with at the range. Other than a 22LR you could not find a cheaper gun. All I can say is the Hi Point goes bang everytime and is accurate enough. It has not jammed on me once yet. But to trust a $115.00 pistol as a home defense weapon?:eek: I think not.

Thanks
roaddog28:
 
For the price range - I'd recommend a used gun. The S&W 915's are typically $300 or less and are EXCELLENT shooters. SIG P6's were also on the surplus market for $300 or less recently, but they've mostly gone up a bit now. Now that the SR9 is out I've also seen a fair number of Ruger P89's and P95's on the market in the $275-350-ish range.

Any of the above would serve you well and is worlds above what you listed.
 
Saying "It has to be cheap and it's for serious social work, but it can't be used" is exceedingly foolish. At the sub-$300 price point a NIB gun is just as likely to have/quickly develop problems as a higher quality used model. Anyone too lazy to invest even a minimal amount of time googling around as well as anyone who just wants a gun as a magic talisman really shouldn't own a gun imho.

For the "how much is your life worth" nonsense, let me put it this way. You have a large family, market crashes and you're underwater on the house, you get laid off and can't find work in your field, you've never owned a gun but the uptick in violent crime convinces you to be armed to protect the family. The question then is "Do I pay the mortgage, buy food, keep the lights on etc or buy a gun?" I'd rather see someone with a $200 S&W .38 police turn-in from J&G than either neglecting more important bills or being unarmed for months.

Also, consider the total budget here. It's not just a gun, it's a gun and a storage place (if you have kids esp) and a holster and a carry permit and ammo. Especially, especially ammo. The guy with $500 to spend who gets a $250 gun and $250 worth of ammo is way ahead of the guy with a $450 gun and one box. This is also why slide guns are bad budget choices, as the magazines are each expensive and you need several.
 
whats your emphasis

I think it needs to be said that if your emphasis is affordability go with the Hi point. We own and carry the 9mm in a purse. We shoot it all the time and its never had a hiccup. It has a fixed barrel, which helps it shoot very accurately. And its made in ohio, so you are buying American.

i like Taurus. i have one and like it. If i were to recommend one it would be the 608 or 605 revolver. Though Taurus has more revolvers models than many gun companies have employees. Remember that Taurus has actually paid to copy some of Smiths designs. And Many of their pistols appear to be Beretta clones. Beyond that info i would only be concerned about the quality of the materials and the workmanship. The Brazillians love their revolvers.

I don't own anything made by Charter Arms but they appear to have some interesting products. They are made in the states. The only downside i can see is that none of the revolvers they make come in longer than a 4 inch barrel, even the target models. hrrmm?
 
I'll say this about any snub revolver of any brand. After 100 rounds or more a thorough cleaning is needed around the ejector star, ejector rod, around the cylinder face, and the inside the frame where the cylinder sits. Add to that the firing pin hole as well.

These various brands have very tight tolerances and are in need of a cleaning after any range session.

So dissing a brand on that is patently ridiculous.

All these brands are proven to do a good job. They are not high priced spread guns, but they function and take care of the owners. Many a tactical or police journal has this info in them and these brands are documented to do the job.

This is more so with the Charter and Taurus than with the Hipoint pistols, but the carbines are documented as working and that police agencies use them. Maybe not issue them, but these guns are on the recommended lists and the individual police officers do buy them for their use on and off duty.
 
No matter what a beginner purchases, I would recommend going to a quality gun store that stands behind what they sell, both new and used, and will service any problems. It may cost a bit more but it's more than worth it.
As far as MY faith in Taurus reliability goes, a small frame 605 revolver on my hip for CCW and a PT111 on the nightstand. I have Smith's and Rugers as well but these two suit my needs best.
 
Other-NOT more expensive than Taurus

Too easy

Taurus .45 = $480 - 700

Glock .45 = $455 - 515

I will take the Glock all week long and twice on Sunday. :)
 
I owned

the Taurus PT 92 AF. It was an awsome firearm. No jamming issues whatsoever ! My Ruger P94 (.40) has jammed twice and the Glock 27 (.40 and .357 sig), never. With the long barrel it was easily as accurate as my Ruger but not as good as the Glock. I got higher than normal FPS and Muzzle energy, I am assuming this is also because of the barrel length.
The only issue I had with the gun was that the rear adjustable sight screw came loose. I had to custom set the sight again and retighten the screw. I think the screw came loose because of 1000s of rounds being fired it (the Taurus). A highly reliable gun.
I had a high point 9mm about 4 years ago. Never jammed. Its weight was off in my opinion but this did not hurt it. In my opinion it actually helped control the recoil but hurt the quick aim techniques necessary in split second Urban Survival situations. For an Ultra Cheap (!!!!) in home or in the auto last resort survival instrument, it works well when you budget is under $200. Great gun for people with low income (AKA No Income). At under 200 it is almost free. I would spend the extra 200 and get the Taurus though.
 
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