Phoenix Arms HP22 Range Kit

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Hello, everyone...

I'm currently inquiring about a trade... A Kel-Tec P32 for the HP22 Range Kit. I know the values of the things, so that's not what I'm here to discuss.

What I'm interested in knowing is any experience people have had with Phoenix Arms or the HP22. How reliable are they? I don't require perfect reliability at the range, but I'd like to also be able to carry it as a back-up.

That brings up another question. Is it a decent option for pocket carry? I currently carry the P32 as my back-up, in the pocket. I know the HP is larger, but is it large enough to be ridiculous?

Any knowledge about this firearm would be appreciated!

 

[Clipper]

It's larger and lots heavier. My wife has a P3AT, essentially the same thing as your P-32, and a HP-22. One is for serious stuff, and one is strictly for fun. On the range with the 5" barrel, the HP is surprisingly reliable and Very accurate. The 3" barrel is OK for EDC, but you will find it will drag your drawers down if you try it with a pocket holster. It's easily as heavy or heavier empty as my PF-9 is loaded. I'd consider it fine for a casual plinker, even as a 'targets of opportunity' hiking gun, but it's still a rimfire, and I just wouldn't trust a RF autoloader as a serious backup.

 

[MCgunner]

NO WAY!!!!!! The little P32 is a quality gun you're thinking of trading for...frankly...a zinc POS. I own one, I know, nothing, but problems with it. I got it 20 years ago when they came out. First thing, slide cracked. they redesigned it to be thicker where the thing cracked and sent me a redexign slide that's held up. The recoil spring needs to be replaced about every 500 rounds, looks like it came out of a ball point pen... Then, the frame peened enough at where the slide contacts it upon recoil that it flattened the metal (malleable if it doesn't crack) such that it pinched the spring. That one I fixed by grinding out the inside surface with a dremel tool. Matter of time before the frame cracks there. I've got maybe 2K rounds through it, maybe, in its lifetime. I've already got 2K + through my ruger SR22 and I bought it in March. Moving, haven't gotten to the range much, or it'd have a lot more'n THAT. It is NOT a range gun, shoot it much and you'll have to test the warranty which costs shipping. I have the 5" barrel along with the 3" and the 5 inch shoots only marginally better than the 3" one.

Do yourself a favor if you want a small, pocketable, accurate and RELIABLE .22 pistol that will stand the test of time, just go buy a Ruger SR22. I still have the HP22 and will make that trade in a HEARTBEAT.

JMHO through experience with said pistol.

 

[MedWheeler]

Keep the Kel-Tec if you're gonna use your little gun as a BUG. The Phoenix is a solid and good performer, and can be fun to shoot, but it is not suitable for carry, especially in the manner in which the Kel-Tec shines the best.

First off, the HP22A is a single-action pistol and has three (count 'em!) safeties. Not a good setup for a potential defensive piece. One of the safeties is a slide-mount hammer-block, one is a frame-mounted trigger-block, and one is a magazine-disconnect. Also, the only way to clear the chamber is to insert an empty magazine first, as the slide cannot be retracted without a magazine in place. The Phoenix is more than twice the weight of the P32, too.
I carried one very briefly as a hideout gun until I got my P32, and I carried it with the hammer down on a loaded chamber and both manual safeties off. That requires training to thumb-cock the hammer as the gun is being brought into action. But, there is the concern that either of the safeties can be inadvertently flicked on (or off, if it's already on) as the gun is being carried, worn, or handled.

The HP22A makes a decent defensive piece, caliber notwithstanding, in the hands of someone who is well-trained with it, and who has no other options. But, the Kel-Tec P32, though not nearly as much fun as a trail or plinking gun, is a far better defensive piece. I absolutely love mine.

I still own the HP22A, though not with the "range kit". But, I've also acquired since then a Taurus PT-22, which I like a lot more, though it is a DAO-design.
If you really want a "dual-role" pocket-pistol and cannot get one without using your P32 to fund it, the Taurus would likely be a better bet than the Phoenix, though there is no "range barrel" for it. The trigger on the Taurus is going to be like the one on your Kel-Tec.
The Ruger MCGunner mentioned is even better, but quite a bit bigger, so it might not be as "pocketable" (depending on your pockets.)

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Well, I don't have the money right now to purchase a new firearm. I was just thinking that, if it was small and reliable enough, it could replace the KT as my back-up, but also be much cheaper to shoot and fun at the range.

Thanks for the information!

 

[Onward Allusion]

The_Armed_Therapist
Phoenix Arms HP22 Range Kit
I'm currently inquiring about a trade... A Kel-Tec P32 for the HP22 Range Kit. I know the values of the things, so that's not what I'm here to discuss.

What I'm interested in knowing is any experience people have had with Phoenix Arms or the HP22. How reliable are they? I don't require perfect reliability at the range, but I'd like to also be able to carry it as a back-up.

That brings up another question. Is it a decent option for pocket carry? I currently carry the P32 as my back-up, in the pocket. I know the HP is larger, but is it large enough to be ridiculous?

Don't do it!

The KT P32 is lighter, thinner, more reliable, simpler to operate, and the cartridge has a little more energy.

The HP22 Range Kit is fun but the pistol is way over engineered with 3 safeties. The metal is soft and is prone to peening due to the soft metal after a few thousand rounds. You also don't want to downgrade the cartridge even if it is just for a backup.

 

[Kiln]

The HP22 is good for what it is intended for, which is to be either a cheap defensive pistol or a decent pistol for those just getting into shooting.

These guns are not as bad as some will tell you but do have one flaw that always shows itself in the HP22 eventually, which is the frame cracks inside the magazine well.

My HP22 is very reliable, fun, and accurate. The durability is not great though so if you're using it alot I'd say get something else. The frame right above the safety will most likely crack at around 3.5-4k rounds.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Thanks, everyone. I'm sticking with the P32.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I like my HP22, but it's a range gun. Accurate, good trigger, decent ergonomics and cheap to shoot. I paid $106 for it, another $35 for the range kit. Worth every penny.

However, between it and the P32 for a pocket carry defensive gun, I'd take the P32 every day and twice on Sunday. Lighter, thinner, more reliable and more potent.

 

[GLOOB]

The HP22A is small, but it's a small brick. Zinc alloy is as heavy as steel. I'd stick with the P32 for carry.

 

[smalls]

I don't understand why you'd trade a smaller, larger caliber gun for a larger, smaller caliber gun if its for defensive duty. That makes no sense.

 

[MedWheeler]

^^ Smalls, in post 8, he says he's reconsidered (I think he got the point.)

 

[aarondhgraham]

Bad customer service with Phoenix,,,

Mine quit firing after about 150 rounds,,,
It makes a very faint dent in the rim.

I sent it back to Phoenix,,,
They authorized the return but I had to pay shipping.

The pistol came back with no explanation of what they did,,,
It still would not fire the cartridge.

I called them and after a heated discussion,,,
They agreed to pay the shipping for a 2nd return.

They returned the gun and said they test fired it and nothing was wrong,,,
I called them and said I tried it and the gun still would not fire,,,
They told me they would not accept it again,,,
So much for their lifetime warranty.

Mine is now a very cute paperweight on my desk.

Aarond

.

 

[MCgunner]

Thanks, everyone. I'm sticking with the P32.

Trust me, you done good with that.