Gregory Kielma • November 9, 2025
Is it worth spending extra on a Glock or similar firearm, or is a Hi-Point sufficient for most basic needs?
Gregg Kielma says"Glock My Choice" Has Been for 40 Plus Years
Is it worth spending extra on a Glock or similar firearm, or is a Hi-Point or similar firearm sufficient for most basic needs?
What About Training?
Gregg Kielma
USCCA Instructor-FFL-Gunsmith
There are several topics to discuss here. Let's Take A LOOK.
First: If you are new to firearms, you want a pistol that works for you, is reliable, and can fit your budget. But remember that cheap is not necessarily good; it can be, but it’s not generally the way to go; what matters is that it fits you, and you are effective with it.
I can’t emphasize that enough. I always tell new firearm owners that they must try different pistols to find the one that works best for them. THE best-feeling pistol I’ve ever held in my hands was a Glock 19. It felt as if it had been purpose-designed to fit my own hands. It felt…wonderful. I have owned my Glock 19 35 years, 40K rounds through it and never had a single issue. I’m a Glock firearms proponent in every sense of the word. It will always be firearm of choice. As a gunsmith, this is my choice.
For you? I have no idea. I know competitive shooters who do quite well with Glocks; they like them a lot. The point is that you can’t know, just by the brand name. Yes, Glocks have a great reputation. This is what I recommend to my students and clients.
Second,
a High-Point is an inexpensive gun. You may be able to tweak it to be able to run reliably, but to do that, you need to know something about pistols. You don’t, so I would, hands-down, urge you not to buy one. Presumably you want this for personal protection and defense; you do not want to put that reliance on a cheap, possibly ineffective firearm. Quality matters here.
I’ve owned a High-Point 9mm pistol. I’d read about how it could be made to run reliably (primarily by tweaking the magazine feed lips and polishing the feed ramp), and that sounded like something I’d like to try. So I bought one and proceeded to play with it and tweak it.
It ran reliably, for the most part, once I modified it. It was an ugly gun, designed to be cheap, and it was. But all it took was one of these and that was it for me. What am I talking about?
A jam. I used all different ammunition manufacturers and my own loads I made which are in my opinion perfect. The round didn’t feed into the chamber (the open space just to the right of the bullet), it jammed left of the barrel and chamber no matter what I used. Not something you want when in a difficult spot.
For whatever reason, the High Point didn’t like that bullet profile. It was an absolute bear to get that jam cleared. and that was it for me. The gun would load and shoot standard FMJ (full metal jacket) bullets quite well, but not my own TCB handloads. It's now sitting in my collection of firearms I'll never use again.
Third,
you want a firearm that fits you, with which you are accurate, and which uses ammunition cheap enough that you’ll practice with it. A 9mm pistol fits this bill best, IMO. A lot of new shooters will gravitate toward .380 pistols, but it is not only a less-capable round, but its ammunition is also expensive compared to the 9mm offerings. That means you will likely shoot less because it costs more. Shooting is a perishable skill that you need to refresh on a regular basis.
Fourth,
you really, really want to get some training. Me, Gregg Kielma from Tactical K Training and Firearms can teach you about shooting, so you learn good habits from the start. A good teacher will instruct you in grip, sight picture, stance, and trigger control. As an FFL and range owner I can also help you find the best pistol for you. I have several models you can test for fit and ease of use.
This is crucial; if you don’t know much about firearms, please get some training with Gregg. Yes, it’s going to cost, but if you can’t use a firearm effectively, what’s the point in buying one?
Fifth,
while Glock is an excellent name, its fame is tied to being one of the very first effective polymer-framed handguns. Many manufacturers now make excellent pistols. You know what my first choice is, Glock. Don’t limit yourself to thinking about the cheapest (High Point). Get a reliable firearm you know will not jam when you need it most. Have fun figuring out what is the best gun for you, enjoy the process. We have over 150 firearms for sale get one that’s right for you!
Good luck, and please call me to get the training you need.
Stay Safe!
Gregg Kielma
Tactical K Training and Firearms
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
