[RJ likeguns]

Anyone have any experience with the 5" Phoenix .25? I have heard some bad things regarding Phoenix but they seem to be a hot seller in the local gunshops. I have an opportunity to purchase one relatively cheap. Thanks in advance for any input!

[WonderNine]

My father bought a nickle 5" model off of Auction Arms a few months ago that was advertised as unfired for $90. I'm 100% sure it was fired though. :rolleyes:

Anyways it was like new though. First time out at the range it had alot of failures to feed. Second time out when my father shot it and I shot it, it still had a few failures to feed and extract. However I shot it some more personally the third time and I shot 4 clips through it of cheapo .22lr and it ran like a top. It functioned perfectly. I guess it needed a breakin period or I just shoot it stiff wristed enough to make it reliable or else it didn't like the grab bag of .22lr ammo we were feeding through it before. Haven't shot it since, but will take it out with me again next time if I'm with my dad or friends. We borrow each others guns. What a nice father/son relationship :D

Anyways, the dual mag and slide safety is annoying, but that's ok, because a gun like this is just a range/fun gun. So no harm. Was thinking of disabling the mag safety as mentioned in another thread, but why bother as it's just a fun gun. It was pretty accurate, but not Ruger MKII accurate. The adjustable sights leave a little to be desired. They are nice and low profile, but they adjust roughly and either *click* the rear sight is too far left or *click* the rear sight is too far right. Do it a couple times and it'll be pretty close to center. They don't seem to adjust up or down which is the only reason I like adjustable sights.

Over all, so far it's been a good value for a pot metal gun and also appears to be well made for an el cheapo gun. Definately at the top of the bottom shelf if you know what I mean.

Oh wait, did you say HP-25? Nooooo, get the .22 long rifle one instead. .25ACP is one of the worst calibers ever devised and it has less power than a .22lr and costs alot more to shoot.

[DontShootMe]

Not sure about the .25, but I used to have a HP22, and it was a great shooting, fun gun, until I 'shot it out.' Only took about 600 rounds for the internals in the slide to wear down and cease to cycle.

I sent it back (lifetime warranty, but $40 to ship UPS) and shot it out AGAIN, and realized that this is not a shooters gun, it's a shoot-once-a-year gun.

my 2¢