Why I carry a Phoenix Arms HP22!

[P95loser]

I have heard several people all over the internet yelling about how one should NOT trust a Phoenix Arms HP22 for personal protection. However, I feel that this little "saturday night special" fits the bill perfectly for me. Here are the reasons why:

1. Size: I am a younger man with a small frame who likes to wear blue jeans and t-shirts. I like the ability to throw the HP22 in my back pocket and ride. I also work in a retail environment, and can throw the HP in my glove box while at work. I have found that I won't carry my Ruger P95 because of its size and weight. A cheap gun is better than no gun.
2. Price: I am on a tight budget, and can't afford a more expensive pocket gun at this time. Besides the fact that my HP22 has never failed or malfunctioned and there have been reports of the guns lasting 10,000 rounds plus.
3. Fear Factor: Most of you will agree that 9 times out of 10 simply producing a firearm will quell almost any sticky situation.
4. Shot placement: .22lr can be just as deadly as 9mm when put in the right place.

When it comes down to it, there is no other gun that fits the bill at this point in my life. I proudly slide that little pot-metal barrell into my back pocket, and feel a little safer because of it.

 

[MCgunner]

I once carried a RG25. POS little gun, but like you say, better'n nothin'. I had to carry something tiny because at that time there was no such thing as a "carry permit" in Texas.

Besides the fact that my HP22 has never failed or malfunctioned

Well, consider yourself lucky. I don't know that I've had anything BUT malfunctions with mine. I'm currently waiting on three recoil springs I ordered. I can't make recoil springs last in 'em. They begin to sag and then after a while the gun won't go all the way into battery, resulting in misfires. I've found there is no resurrecting the spring, just stick a new one in. I actually had a slide crack in HALF, too! That one got sent back to the factory. They did a redesign, beefed up that part of the slide. Guess it was a common problem. Can't blame my reloads for it in a rimfire! Probably could blame wimpy recoil springs, though.

I won't use that HP22 for anything, but plinking now. I certainly wouldn't stake my life on it, or any .22 for that matter. While the gun always seemed to feed well, .22 isn't as reliable feeding as .25 and certainly isn't as reliable FIRING as a .25. I've had LOTS of failures to fire caused by the rimfire priming and ammunition that has a very limited shelf life compared to center fire ammo.

I do carry a NAA .22 revolver in a pocket for last ditch. If it fails to fire, just cock it again and go for another round. I change ammo frequently in that one even though it's only a last ditch back up.

My advice is, soon as you get to be able to afford it, buy a nice little pocket gun like the little Kel Tec .380 and have a reliable defensive tool in a more serious caliber. I agree, .22 is better than nothing, not much better, but better.

 

[SwampWolf]

Sorry, but your argument in point no. 3 is not a valid one IMO. You are justified in drawing or brandishing a weapon only when you perceive that your or another's life or limb is in jeopardy. And under those circumstances, the purpose of you pulling a gun is to keep you or another from being killed or seriously injured. If your defensive pistol is an inadequate "stopper" it has failed in its only purpose for being.
On occasion, the mere presence of a firearm in the hands of the good guy has certainly prevented an assault from escalating. But, make no mistake. The only reason to pull a gun on someone is not to scare him away but to put him away. And, "nine out of ten times" you better hope your weapon is up to the job. A .22lr isn't.

 

[MICHAEL T]

That would have made a good down payment on a a Keltec and a short lay a way would have taken care of rest. Iam not a KT fan by the way but I would feel a lot better with one of them over that pot metal 22.
I bought a used Beretta 950BS in excellent shape couple weeks ago for 175 out the door including tax ,paperwork
I hope you have shot a 1000 rounds to make sure it works 100% Then pray it doesn't break on round, 1001.
Enjoy and lets hope you never have to bet your life on it.Or any pistol for that matter.

 

[MarshallDodge]

While I still feel that you are under-gunned, if you practice with the gun and can place shots where you want then you are better off than no gun.

Have you tried Velocitors? My buddy had an accidental discharge with one in the back of his truck. It went through both sides of his tool box (4 layers of 18 gauge steel), through the back window, and shattered the rear view mirror. That's penetration!

American Rifleman had an article recently about people going on and on about what caliber you should carry but if you asked them where their gun was was their response would probably be "I left in the car" or "I left it at home". Probably because it was too big or too uncomfortable to carry. Most of the time I carry my Kahr E9 over my full size Kimber because it's comfortable and easy to conceal. Some people would consider the 9mm underpowered but I would be less empowered if I left it at home.

 

[trickyasafox]

rule 1: have a gun

you got me beat at this point