Hi-Point HP 15 review budget AR more of the same or shake up

Hi-Point HP 15 review: budget AR, more of the same, or shake up?

Some have referred to the sub-$500 AR-15 as a race to the bottom. I get where they are coming from, however, in this day and age, we should be able to produce an AR that is affordable for those who would like to have one but could not swing one of the more upper-echelon rifles. It is America’s rifle and can serve so many roles that everyone should have a few.

Many of the inexpensive ARs that became available were not ideal in terms of features and, more importantly, material, but we now have a jumping off point. Fast forward a number of years, and who would have ever thought the Hi-Point would ever enter the AR market with the HP-15? Hi-Point has made a name for itself by building affordable firearms that are reliable, reasonably accurate, made in the USA, and feature a lifetime warranty. With that in mind, would their HP-15 measure up?

A mixture of standard mil-spec features with some upgrades is standard fare in the new HP 15. Adjustable butt stock, A2 pistol grip, six and a half pound one-stage trigger, pencil barrel, carbine-length gas system, and A2 “birdcage” flash hider are as expected on an affordable AR.

A free-float fifteen-inch aluminium handguard with M-Loc on the port, starboard, and bottom is not something you expect to see on such a rifle. The only issue I found is that the QD socket at the rear of the handguard is located just above the barrel nut ridge and was too shallow to accept any of my QD swivels. I have it in good authority that Hi-Point is addressing this. All the controls are in the familiar spots, keeping true with the direct implementation of the AR platform.

M4 feed ramps add to the reliability.

All parts are at least mil-spec or better. The gas key is staked on the carrier as expected. It appears that parts of the fire control group are cast; however, this is a non-issue.

Conclusions 

Between the lot of us, we ran between 400 and 500 rounds through the HP-15, mainly with the B&T Print X, which can be QDed to the A2 flash hider with zero malfunctions. We attached the Meprolight M22 reviewed here and the Crimson Trace Hardline 4-16×42 BDC Carbine scope. Incidentally, this optic retails for & $643.99 and proved to be a solid optic that paired well with an AR and had enough field of view for 10 yards and enough magnification for good hits out to 500 yards. More info on this optic will be forthcoming.

Speaking of distance, we shot the rifle out to 100, 300, and 500 yards from a rest. The HP-15 was easily a MOA rifle or just under at 100 and 300 yards. For much past that, bullet selection is paramount with the heavier 75 and 77 gr bullets grouping between five and six inches, but the lighter 55gr bullets opened to the groups seven or so inches. This is as much as ammunition performance as rifle and shooter ability when stretched out past 300 yards. We focused our groups with Defender, DoubleTap, and Hornady ammunition.

3 shots from a rest

For a budget rifle, the HP15 is quite the bargain in my opinion. Plenty of the features you expect and a few upgrades get you what you need in a rifle. In the event you decide you are outgrowing the rifle, it is just as easy to change, swap out, and upgrade as you see fit. If you are in the market for a new AR or your first AR, the HP 15 is a great place to start. Available as a carbine or pistol in 5.56 and a pistol in 300 Blackout, you have some options.

I have always been of the mindset that money should be spent on good firearm classes and ammunition. You would be far better off buying a $500 rifle and spending a thousand dollars on ammunition and good instruction than a fifteen-hundred-dollar rifle. Don’t get me wrong, I like nice ARs, but budget rifles have a place and should be considered if you are keeping your shooting budget manageable. Take a class and be sure the instructor is reputable. There are plenty of affordable classes from Green Ops, Trace Armory Group, and one of my favorite places, Gunsite Academy. 

Specfications  

Hi-Point

DoubleTap Ammunition 

Defender Ammunition 

Hornady 

Crimson Trace 

B&T-USA