[group17]

Looking for a cheap 22 plinker and read good and bad about Phoenix 22A.
Any one with owner experience?

[big shrek]

If the safety works (doesn't fire when on), it might be worth buying for around $100 or less.

Otherwise I'd run like heck.

[group17]

Because of all the great feedback I bought one.
Deluxe kit came with a 3"& 5"interchangeable barrels, two mags and lots of cleaning stuff in a lockable plastic case.
Took it to the range and had fun blasting targets all afternoon. Great little accurate plinker! Had zero problems.

Has two safeties that both work.

[dwwright]

I've got the same one. Have ran about 500 rounds through it with only 2 FTE's (blaming cheap ammo). I also got the 5" barrel, but the slide was sticking bad with it. After a lot of filing of the sides of the barrel I finally got it working right. Was putting all 10 rounds within 1" group at 25' easily.

I have been reading about the recoil spring stove piping around 1000 rounds, so I called Phoenix today to order some more springs. I asked to purchase 3 springs, after I gave her my address info, she said they would be sending them out free of charge. Wasn't my first good experience though. I ordered 3 extra magazines from them (much cheaper than the gun shop) and they sent me 4 as well as the holster. Checked my invoice and they only charged me for the 3 magazines.

p.s. I've done the magazine release mod, very worth doing. I did by an extra safety from Phoenix though to have on hand in case I ever needed to send it in for service or sell it.

[group17]

One of the reasons I wanted to try the phoenix was all the good reviews on service.

I had hit them up for springs not knowing how many rounds had gone through my used pistol.

Just like you the springs where free.

After changing the barrel out you kind of notice the contortions the guide rod less spring goes through.

Great idea to have some spares.

I also had read that just like Hi-point they send you a free mag for your trouble.
I'm liking this little plinker more every day!

[dwwright]

Yeah, I thought about modifying mine to add a guide rod, but not sure it would do much good since there so little room that it would bind anyway with the slightest kink in the spring.

[cheetah84]

I purchased a used one about a month ago. I was looking for a small metal pocket pistol.
I wanted NEW but found that almost everyone was out of stock.
For $100 this little pistol fit my hand perfectly. Shooting was a pleasure (even one handed) After firing 4 full mags There where no FTF or FTE's.
Most 22 cal's are finicky about the ammo they like but the HP-22 actually ran perfectly
with cheap bulk ammo. It was very accurate even during rapid fire shooting.

The only negative I can report is that my pistol was a older model. The newer mags I purchased won't drop out when you hit the Mag release button. I called Phoenix Arms
( Nice People) and found that they had started using new molds to make the pistol. The newer mag well is slightly larger as are the magazines. There is NO problem as long as you use the extended finger grip mags. You can simply pull them out. The flat bottom mags have to be pried out.
With the newer pistols

All in All a really nice pistol for the money.

[wb_carpenter]

Originally Posted by cheetah84

I purchased a used one about a month ago. I was looking for a small metal pocket pistol.
I wanted NEW but found that almost everyone was out of stock.
For $100 this little pistol fit my hand perfectly. Shooting was a pleasure (even one handed) After firing 4 full mags There where no FTF or FTE's.
Most 22 cal's are finicky about the ammo they like but the HP-22 actually ran perfectly
with cheap bulk ammo. It was very accurate even during rapid fire shooting.

The only negative I can report is that my pistol was a older model. The newer mags I purchased won't drop out when you hit the Mag release button. I called Phoenix Arms
( Nice People) and found that they had started using new molds to make the pistol. The newer mag well is slightly larger as are the magazines. There is NO problem as long as you use the extended finger grip mags. You can simply pull them out. The flat bottom mags have to be pried out.
With the newer pistols

All in All a really nice pistol for the money.

There is a tab you can grind down to allow them to fall out.

I have one of these and the first thing i recommend is doing this modification to allow it eject magazines without messing with the safety.
bryco-jennings-jimenezarms.com :: View topic - My new Phoenix Arms HP22

Without this mod I could not tolerate this gun. with it I love it and shoot it really well.

I had an issue with the slide cracking because of a frame defect and they replaced it with new(after sending it in twice)

[cheetah84]

Originally Posted by wb_carpenter

There is a tab you can grind down to allow them to fall out.

I have one of these and the first thing i recommend is doing this modification to allow it eject magazines without messing with the safety.
bryco-jennings-jimenezarms.com :: View topic - My new Phoenix Arms HP22

Without this mod I could not tolerate this gun. with it I love it and shoot it really well.

I had an issue with the slide cracking because of a frame defect and they replaced it with new(after sending it in twice)

Thanks, wb_carpenter! That's the beauty of using forums. If you have a problem there is always someone to help you solve it.

[Mannster]

This really is a great little gun. I've fired hundreds of rounds, and after the first 50 or so, I haven't had any jams, using a variety of rounds.

Two mods that are recommended: the slide lock with the magazine in and the ability to drop the magazine instead of pulling (as mentioned above). I found this video very helpful and was able to successfully mod my hp22:

YouTube - Phoenix Arms HP22A Disasembly and Modification

YouTube - Phoenix Arms HP22A Disasembly and Modification