Phoenix HP22A Thoughts?

[Red-Osier]

I was looking at this gun online at my LGS, I was thinking for $130 bucks why not? Do any of you guys have one and if so are they any good? I just wanted it for plinking and such. Thank's.

[ojisan]

Good:
- nice sights
- decent trigger for a budget gun
- generally reliable
- nice price
- fits small and medium hands
- fun shooter
Bad:
- funky teardown and reassembly for cleaning
- mag well can crack at the top of the frame if high velocity rounds are used, standard velocity is best for long life.
- multiple safety levers (just put the top slide one on fire and leave it alone while at the range) and the Magazine Disconnect Safety can be challenging until the gun is known.

[Red-Osier]

So standard velocity like 1000-1325fps is fine?

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by mrrabbit

NO!

950 - 1150 FPS.

It's not a firearm for people who want to get to quickly to the point in 15 minutes or less...it's really for methodical people like myself.

Make sure you fully clean it first....and operate the slide a few dozen times. Where you see friction evidence - work it with emery cloth and light oil.

Once it closes 100% on its own without assistance, it's ready to go.

Also, take a 16mm cone wrench for bicycle hubs...deepen it about another 5-10mm. Use that to activate the takedown lever when tearing down the firearm.

=8-)

Ok 950-1150fps like thunderbolts?

[Garv]

Thunderbolts are listed at 1255.

Something more like CCI std. Velocity, 1070.

[Garv]

Consider a Buckmark.
Heavier, but more accurate and better loved by most CGers that is still on the roster.

[Red-Osier]

I guess I never had to give much thought to what 22lr my marlin 60 would take.

[Red-Osier]

Never considered +p rounds for 22

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by mrrabbit

NO!

950 - 1150 FPS.

It's not a firearm for people who want to get to quickly to the point in 15 minutes or less...it's really for methodical people like myself.

Make sure you fully clean it first....and operate the slide a few dozen times. Where you see friction evidence - work it with emery cloth and light oil.

Once it closes 100% on its own without assistance, it's ready to go.

Also, take a 16mm cone wrench for bicycle hubs...deepen it about another 5-10mm. Use that to activate the takedown lever when tearing down the firearm.

=8-)

Thank you for the insight into this little gun mrrabbit. I think I'm going to have to get it now. I like being mythodical about guns also.

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by Garv

Consider a Buckmark.
Heavier, but more accurate and better loved by most CGers that is still on the roster.

I will consider it , Thanks Garv.

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by ojisan

Good:
- nice sights
- decent trigger for a budget gun
- generally reliable
- nice price
- fits small and medium hands
- fun shooter
Bad:
- funky teardown and reassembly for cleaning
- mag well can crack at the top of the frame if high velocity rounds are used, standard velocity is best for long life.
- multiple safety levers (just put the top slide one on fire and leave it alone while at the range) and the Magazine Disconnect Safety can be challenging until the gun is known.

Thank's for the help ojisan.

[delsol]

I have both the buckmark & the phoenix, the buckmark is a much nicer and a lot more accurate pistol but for the money the phoenix isn't bad. Just make sure to use standard ammo like the guy's have said to ensure a longer life.

[mnichols]

I picked one up last year. I was surprised, it was very easy to shoot well. Decent trigger. I'm glad I got one.

Good advice above from ojisan and mrrabbit

[Red-Osier]

I seen they offer a extended barrel kit for the Phoenix, did any of you get one, and if so was it worth it?

[Red-Osier]

Cen-cal in ceres has one kit for $38

[.45 ACP]

Is this gun made out of pot metal?

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by .45 ACP

Is this gun made out of pot metal?

Here is the picture of it.Attachment 478400

[mnichols]

Yes, it's pot metal. And it works fine.

I didn't get the long barrel.
Pheonix sells all the parts and mags direct for cheap.
http://www.phoenix-arms.com/

[aghauler]

Originally Posted by Red-Osier77

Cen-cal in ceres has one kit for $38

Good price.

I just got the kit on eBay for $35 shipped, it came out of Reno.

Also got the mag bottom extension which extends the grip, much better feel for my hand now.

Also took a single stack push down type 380 mag loading tool and filed off some of the material on the post that pushes the 380 rd into the mag so it fits into the Phoenix mag,
makes loading the mags multiple time much easier.

A couple of used HP22As sold at live auction for over $100 this past week.

[Red-Osier]

Yeah I saw that extension on the mag, looked like it would fit the hand better.

[Red-Osier]

some of the reviews said loading the mags past 7 round's was a pain, Any info on the perfomance with the longer barrel?

[aghauler]

Originally Posted by Red-Osier77

some of the reviews said loading the mags past 7 round's was a pain, Any info on the perfomance with the longer barrel?

That's why I made the mag loader tool mentioned in my post above, a quick easy fix!!!!

[aghauler]

Originally Posted by Red-Osier77

Yeah I saw that extension on the mag, looked like it would fit the hand better.

I recommend getting them! Fer whatever that's worth

[aghauler]

Originally Posted by Red-Osier77

I'm going to put one in jail saturday, It seems like a good little gun for the price. I'm getting the barrel extension and mag kit also. Thank's for the tip's on the mag.

Fun little pistol just follow the guidelines and there are several videos on YouTube if you need help.

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by aghauler

Fun little pistol just follow the guidelines and there are several videos on YouTube if you need help.

Whats the highest fps 22 ammo you shoot through yours?

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by mrrabbit

I did, and took it back off. It's just looks dorky with the longer barrel in my opinion.

On the other hand, extended grip magazines are worth purchasing.

=8-)

The kit I was looking at has the barrel and mag, agreed kinda looks out of place on this gun.

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by mrrabbit

For ammo for the Phoenix Arms HP22a, download the PDF from Post #4.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=957815


Open the PDF and view the bottom two sections for:

Subsonic 40 Grain LRN
Subsonic 36-38 Grain LHP

Add to that list Remington Target 1150 FPS LRN.
Add to that list Aguila SuperExtra Subsonic LRN.

Remington Target, Remington Subsonic, Winchester T22, Aquila SuperExtra Subsonic and CCI Standard Velocity will be your cheapest - but work quite well.


The Eley, Wolf, SK and Norma stuff if pretty expensive for plinking ammo - better to save that for precision target shooting.

=8-)

Thank's, I currently don't have any subsonic round's. So I will add that to my list.

[Red-Osier]

That is alot of info, Thank's for putting in the time and research for us.

[aghauler]

Originally Posted by Red-Osier77

Whats the highest fps 22 ammo you shoot through yours?

CCI Standard Velocity

Also some hollowpoints without any issue, not sure of the fps, possibly in the 1100fps range, they are buried in the garage somewhere

Also the longer barrel may look "dorky" BUT do you want "cool" or "accurate"?
I've got both now so I use whatever the mood fits, about a 2 minute bbl exchange, no big deal once you know how to do it.

[HighWildFree]

I have had two they are fun for the price, lots of good info here so far. First one I had I used any .22lr I could find. Ended up cracking the hammer at the base. Sent if back and got a new one with two extra mags they tossed in.

[oktavist]

I also have both a Phoenix and a Buckmark. The Buckmark beats it hands down, but for the money, the Phoenix is a fun little toy.

I'm not fond of the sights and I find it a little heavy for its size, but I have no problem with the take down. The trigger is single action only and is a little on the heavy side, but it's not as heavy as a Walther P22 trigger. Slide does not lock back on the last shot just like a Jennings or Raven. The mag disconnect is right under the left grip and very easy to remove. I don't have any regrets about getting it, especially for the price.

Is this gun made out of pot metal?

There is no metallurgical standard for pot metal. The Phoenix is die cast Zamak. An alloy of zinc, aluminum, copper, and magnesium. And don't fear die casting. It's how the engine in your car was made.

it reminds me of a jennings .25

Ya, that's why I got one.

[89 Vision]

I had one and sold it. Not a bad little gun. I must say though......the little sucker is heavy!

[Red-Osier]

...

[HighWildFree]

Remove the mag block safety, takes five minutes. And bend back the tension bar in the mag catch. Many videos on this on YouTube.

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by HighWildFree

Remove the mag block safety, takes five minutes. And bend back the tension bar in the mag catch. Many videos on this on YouTube.

Reasons for this?

[Gun happy]

I think for the price it's not a bad choice and I've been thinking of getting one just to mess around with

[HighWildFree]

It has too much safety. The mags drop like crap. You can't drop a mag unless the safety is engaged. To each his own. But too many safeties make the gun unsafe to me.

[BLACK LION]

I liked mine...
The slide does bite the web of the hand pretty fierce though.
Mine was terribly accurate and generally reliable...
A PITA to thoroughly break down and clean....
It has a lot of safeties but they are a warm welcome on a sneaky little gun like that.
I loved the fact that they are manufactured in Ontario California and you can walk in to their facility and get anything you need for it.

[Red-Osier]

Originally Posted by HighWildFree

It has too much safety. The mags drop like crap. You can't drop a mag unless the safety is engaged. To each his own. But too many safeties make the gun unsafe to me.

Thank's, sound's like a good idea.

[Red-Osier]

I did notice on saturday, that for such a small gun it was heavy, and the slide saftey seemed like a bit much. Thank's for the input.