Hi point C9

[Can't buy anything here]

First gun should a revolver anyway...how about a used 4" model 10 or 19?

[unusedusername]

One downside to a C9 for a new shooter is that they are REALLY complicated to field strip when compared with other handguns designed for the same use. If you have ever taken the slide off a Ruger MK series 22lr target gun then you get the idea. Make sure you get some tools when you buy the C9 as it does not come with the punches needed to remove the slide in the package.

Another negative that has not already been mentioned is that the pattern in which the empty brass is thrown from a C9 is more "random" then the pattern from more expensive guns, meaning you are more likely to have the brass hit you on the forehead. While experienced shooters may be used to brass rain, new shooters (especially women) do not usually appreciate being pelted with hot brass.

As far as HD use, be aware that hi-point states that the C9 will not work with hollow-point ammo. I use power-ball (plastic tipped HP) ammo in the one I've used and it works fine.

Also since it is a blow-back design it has more recoil then other handguns in the same caliber so follow-up shots will be slower, and the plastic trigger and trigger components make the trigger worse then a glock trigger (which is IMHO the second worst "from the factory" trigger I've ever used).

For target use, all of these factors can be annoying.

Probably, not much of this matters for HD use. The gun will go "bang" when it needs to and the bullet will come out the correct end. At 7-15 feet a C9 is perfectly able to reliably hit a person-sized target with an effective round, and that is really what is important anyways.

For $150 it is a heck of a lot more effective then pepper spray and a baseball bat.

If you are using it as a target-shooter, just get something else as a C9 will annoy the heck out of you. If you are broke and need a HD gun then it isn't bad.

[1998 m4a1]

I had one before. Mine was picky on magazines. C9's are cool for range toys, just be prepared for all the trash talk and laughter; that also comes with Hi Points..

+1 although mines was good on all the mags, I just had to learn not to ride the slide and just let it chamber the first round by racking it like I had a pair. Their great guns for the money and work good. also, they are safe as apparently unless you double or tripple charge the rounds and then pound a bolt in to the end of the barrel and shoot it, they dont blow up like a lot of other guns do. even then they dont really blow up, they get stuck because the barrel will just buldge.

[FS00008]

I don't like em. Fixed barrel contributes to excellent accuracy though.