Phoenix Arms - HP22A - First Hand Experience

Earlier today I came across the Phoenix Arms HP22A small .22lr pistol on another forum. Pricing it out, seems I can have one including shipping and transfer fee around $150. After doing lots of reading, I'm seeing that the first model, HP22, was prone to the slide cracking and flaking nickel finish. But apparently they've addressed those issues, among others, and the HP22A is doing much better.

Some downsides that I already see are the safeties, having to put it on safe to drop the mag will be a pain and take a while to get used to. And, people are supposedly getting more reliability out of them if they go through them the second they take them home and finely smooth out the burrs throughout the pistol.

Now, I know this isn't a Buckmark or MKIII, but is there any reason I should steer clear of this pistol? For $150, I don't think I can go wrong at all purchasing it for even just a noisemaker. Not to mention, the Lifetime Warranty is supposedly a Free Replacement and the dates I'm seeing on forums are the Warranty is more generous lately than a few years back.

Final question, Nickel Finish or Blued?

http://pictures.auctionarms.com/cash...guns%20005.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...xArmsHP22A.jpg

Im sure its not what you want to hear, but why not save a bit longer and buy a used quality piece? I've bought 3 lately for less than twice what you have. One Buckmark for $225.

Ive never regretted paying more to buy good stuff.

I would stay away from them Phoenix they are involved with Raven and Lorcin and might even be part of or the same company some were down the line I believe.

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Originally Posted by Limited GM

Im sure its not what you want to hear, but why not save a bit longer and buy a used quality piece? I've bought 3 lately for less than twice what you have. One Buckmark for $225.

Ive never regretted paying more to buy good stuff.

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Its not about saving longer or itching to have something now. Its about having a small .22lr that does what it should, go bang. They supposedly eat up any ammo you feed them too, which would make it more affordable to go to the range.

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Originally Posted by Atrain1

I would stay away from them Phoenix they are involved with Raven and Lorcin and might even be part of or the same company some were down the line I believe.

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I've done my research, and yes, they were/are the same basic company. One guy started it all and then sold to someone else and then kept selling or something.

The HP22 was prone to serious problems, but supposedly the HP22A has had those issues addressed and they're relatively quality for the money.

I've seen people on here that buy HiPoints the second they come up for sale, and say the same thing that they go bang. Yet the majority of people who have opinions of them only have those opinions because they know a guy that knew a guy that had a boss whos uncle had a son that had a hipoint go kaboom in his hand and he lost 3 fingers. Rumors are spread because people read something and believe it. I'm not saying that some of the rumors aren't true, its just a majority of the time thats what happens.

Another instance, people on here swear by Primary Arms for an affordable red dot sight, yet when I ordered 2 of their M3s when they had them on sale, both of them went belly up on me within the first 200 rounds (laser came unglued from the tube and would bounce around with every shot). I was able to return them, and their customer service made me want to stay a customer because they offered to exchange them for new M3s, upgrade to their M4 style multi-reticle, or do a complete refund. At the time, I opted for the refund. Phoenix Arms has a lifetime warranty that they basically will replace the firearm if it has problems. And for the price of buying one new, its a little comforting to know that down the line if something bad happens to it, like it breaks, then I'll be able to get a replacement.

I guess along the lines, does anyone have experience with the Beretta 21 Bobcat? I just found that today in a little research of .22lr pistols, and it seems very similar to the Phoenix Arms HP22A (while twice as expensive) its from a reputable company.

Long time friends wife loves her Phoenix 22. They needed a small 22 and it works.
The tip up 22's are ok. I have a Minx in 22 short, it works.

If you gotta go cheap, consider the Bersa. I picked one up from Dave at Protekt a couple years ago on a whim. Definitely not a high-end pistol, but it feels good and runs great, and won't break your heart if it gets scratched up. It loves hyper-velocity ammo.

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Originally Posted by BuffCyclist

I guess along the lines, does anyone have experience with the Beretta 21 Bobcat? I just found that today in a little research of .22lr pistols, and it seems very similar to the Phoenix Arms HP22A (while twice as expensive) its from a reputable company.

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I have had experience with both, the 21A is well worth the money you can find them for 250 to 300 used you can also get the Taurus copy the PT22 for 250 new. I have 2 21A's for sale for 600 and they are brand new. Now the phoenix I have had one blow up personally and also have had a Jennings blow a slide off and hit me in the face, they are Bryco arms which I believe are all the same company at one time and if not it is the same type of fire arm, if you buy it you might get one that will shoot but I doubt it. I have been very careful when picking out my .22 auto they are more prone to FTF and FTE from my experience. And as far as Hi Point fire arms they are a darn good deal for the money I have owned 2 c9 9mm pistols 1 45 acp and I currently have a 40 to take with me on road trips, my brother in law has had a few c9 9mm and he gave them to a friend about 5 years ago only one has had to be sent in for repair and my brother has owned a c9 with no problems, people just like to say it is a crappy gun with nothing to back it up, yes it is a brick and it is heavy that is because it is a blowback design in calibers that should be locked breech.