Yet ANOTHER "First Gun" question...

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Dolsak

New member
Alright, quick one for you today.

I know there are definitely better, (And Pricier), options out there, but would a Hi-Point carbine be a decent first purchase or entry-level firearm for someone new to gun ownership?

I figure it'd be good practice for cleaning, maintenance, upkeep, etc. without being too devastating if one were to make a mistake.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Musings, even?

Curious as always,
~Dolsak
 
We all can't start out with $1,000 dollar first guns, and I certainly didn't either. What is troubling to me is when you say "too devastating if one were to make a mistake". Any mistake with any type of firearm is devastating in my book.
 
Lurch,
What I meant was a mistake in upkeep/maintenance.
Like say, using the wrong substance to clean/oil, a part breaking, etc.

I certainly didn't mean 'Mistakes' like negligent discharges, or ANYTHING involving the actual operation of the firearm.

I guess what I'm saying is it wouldn't break the bank if it were made inoperable by user stupidity or mechanical failure.
 
I would strongly suggest a basic .22 semi-auto from a well-regarded gunmaker- Ruger 10/22, Remington Model 597, Savage 64, or Marlin Model 795 or Model 60.

FWIW the latter gun is arguably the best deal of the lot because it has been sold for decades without any substantial changes, and it used to be sold by big-box discounters under the "Glenfield" moniker, which many younger shooters don't realize is essentially the same as a Marlin. (Generally the only difference was lower-grade wood in the stock, if even that; for the most part, the Glenfields were identical.) I've seen pawn shops hawk these guns for as little as $60. Quality guns don't get much cheaper than this. :)
 
I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone that asks for advise on a first gun. Ask yourself "What is the purpose of this gun". Figure out EXACTLY what you want that gun to do and THEN go looking for a gun that fits the purpose and your budget.
 
Look at .22 rifles in the used racks at gun shops. Pick a bolt action that fits your shoulder and is rust free. Then shoot that gun a lot and have fun.

Get some lessons in too.
 
I've read dozens of net reports by owners of HiPoint CARBINES who really like them and find them reliable and a lot of fun at the range. Your idea sounds fine to me. There tends to be a higher proportion of (ahhhemm) "gun snobs" on these forums compared to the general gun-owning population, so one can learn a great deal about guns here and it's fabulous but there's a touch of elitism now and then.

I'm not one who preaches .22's only for newbs, either... I'm giving my green light for your HiPoint carbine desire. Are you thinkin' 9mm, .40, or .45?... 9mms gonna be cheapest to feed with ammo but it's your call. Here's a couple recent threads you might be interested in... Click:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=458369&highlight=hipoint+carbine

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=443015&highlight=hipoint+carbine
 
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The Hi Point carbine isn't a horrible choice, and it's not a horrible firearm. It's ammo is pricey to learn to shoot on, and I'm not a fan of semi-auto for new shooters.

I'd look at a Savage bolt action .22lr, it's under $120, accurate, shoots cheap ammo, and you'll use it forever. It's the traditional "first gun" and one you'll enjoy for your entire shooting life.

If you just have to have a semi-auto, I'd look at the Ruger 10/22 .22lr.
 
Dolsak,

Hi-points are cheap, and in my experience very reliable with little maintenance. But if you have to tear it down for cleaning, it is a pain in the butt. I wouldn't recommend a Hi-point for a beginner.

My first "gun" was a shotgun (Mossberg 500) and it was easy to clean/maintain, fairly cheap ammo for target-skeet, good for home defense, and versatile for hunting. An entry-level pump shotgun should be a staple in most gun collection so why not start there.
 
The Hi-Point Carbine would be my absolute last choice. There are much better options in the $300 price range. I purchased a used, but nearly perfect condition Savage 30-06 with scope for a little over $300. Lots of used bolt actions rifles available in that price range that you can keep and use for a lifetime. There's a nice Marlin Camp Carbine, 9mm on Gunbroker right now for $450: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=254059727 If I had to have a 9mm carbine, I'd probably buy that one......hmmmmm.......

If you do a little looking, for $300 - 400 you can find much better guns than the Hi-Point Carbine.
 
Great price for a gun that is easy to maintain, shoots well, and will withstand abuse.

I have a Hi-point .40 Cal pistol. One of my nephews does not like to clean guns after shooting, so he get to shoot the hi-point. (Somehow, after a year and a half of him only shooting that one pistol, it has become his gun, as in "Uncle Buck, can I take my pistol out and shoot it?")

Just because a gun is ugly does not mean you can not practice your shooting fundamentals with it.

Go for it. Buy the gun, practice shooting and then save your money up for another gun that you want.
 
There's Nothing Wrong With Hi-Point Carbines

True, they're not pretty nor svelt but they function just fine and are in your price range. If you intend to use your first firearm for HD then I would not recommend a .22LR nor a hunting rifle... a .223 with ballistic tip or HP cartridges maybe. If the latter then I'd consider a Saiga .223.
 
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There tends to be a higher proportion of (ahhhemm) "gun snobs" on these forums
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To the OP: The above statement is why, if for no other reason, I'd never own a Hi Point, viz. because if you ever decide to sell, you've severely limited your market. Most/many/a lot of gunners would never have one.

If you're looking for affordable and popular, carguychris recommended a Ruger 10/22. That's an excellent choice. You can get a used one and outfit it with a reliable (Simmons 4X) scope for a very modest price.

Most importantly you can buy a ton of 22 ammo (for practice) for what you'd pay for the equivalent centerfire ammo.
 
Yes, resale on a high point is low, but so is buying price. Almost everyone who has the 9mm carbine is satisfied with them. If you want a do it all defensive rifle the high point will do it. It's not a pretty gun by any means though.

If you want to plink, get a 22.
 
Yes, resale on a high point is low, but so is buying price.
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+1. Even if you fail to recover a healthy percentage of the purchase price, the absolute dollar amount lost won't be very high. It's kinda like selling a late-model used econobox vs. a late-model used Mercedes-Benz. Even though the Blue Book tells you that the M-B has better resale value expressed as a percentage of its original sale price, losing 15% of $50,000 equals a much higher dollar figure than 30% of $15,000. :(

FWIW one advantage of the Ruger 10/22 is that they're so popular to modify that there's a very healthy secondary market for good receivers. (The receiver is the serial-numbered part and is therefore the "gun" from a legal standpoint; the rest is considered harmless and unregulated bits of metal.) In my experience, a 10/22 can be completely thrashed other than the receiver and it will still sell for close to $150. The people buying it don't care; they're throwing the rest out anyway. :)

Of course, one of the advantages of buying a beat-up Marlin Model 60 or Savage/Ranger/Glenfield/Remington/etc. bolt-action .22 at a pawn shop for $75 is that, 20 years from now, it will still be worth the equivalent of the $75 purchase price if you keep it running and rust-free. :D
 
So the general vibe I'm getting is that it's six one way, and half-a-dozen the other.

I consider myself lucky that I grew up in a shooting family, and have experience shooting BEFORE I buy my first firearm.

I figure my first rifle probably will end up being a .22, but I was just curious about the pros/cons of a carbine.

Another curiosity; Does anyone make a bolt-action .556 or .223?
 
Just to chime in: shotguns aren't very expensive, are relatively simple, customizable, and can fill many roles.


Also, I'd be very surprised if not one company made a bolt action .223.
 
I've looked at the hi point 9mm carbine, kinda like it, just to have something I don't mind dinging up and can enjoy plinking it.
However if you can wait till you can afford something of quality, that would be the better route. I waited, first pistol I bought WaltherP99QA, first rifle Tikka T3, first shotgun Remington 870. All great guns, no BBQ guns but none the less nothing to scoff at.

You can find some neat Russian arms saiga AK style for 350-500, IMO a much better choice if price is a concern. 7.62x39 monarch is 4.99/20
 
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