Phoenix Arms HP 25/ HP 22 Pistol — Interesting But…

The little pistol we are reviewing in this report is something of a change for me. I normally review service size or concealed carry handguns. The pistol was found in a pawn shop, and I paid a little too much. Just the same, the Phoenix Arms HP series are well worth their price — especially the version I purchased with an extra barrel and magazine.

The pistol is mechanically interesting. Some folks purchase an inexpensive gun, because they don’t want to spend money and others cannot afford anything else. If you don’t like the HP pistol, you are only out less than $200.

Phoenix Arms Features

The Phoenix Arms HP pistol is a simple blowback-operated design. It is a single-action handgun with a fairly complicated interlock between the safety, slide, and magazine. It is best suited to recreational shooting. As we will see, it is more accurate than I would have thought.

The pistol features a 10-round magazine. Surprisingly enough, the pistol weighs in at a stout 20 ounces. It is well balanced. The barrel is three inches long. The pistol is offered in both matte black and nickel-plated finishes. The nickel version is more attractive. Each features black plastic grips.

Construction is a mix of aluminum and nonferrous alloys. Fit and finish are good — no complaints on that point. The three-inch barrel features a nice rib, not a bad touch. The rear sight is adjustable. The extractor, I noted, is robust and larger than it needs to be — a good engineering touch.

The grips feature well-designed checkering that offers a good gripping surface. I measured trigger pull weight on an RCBS scale and averaged 3.75 pounds for three trigger presses. It isn’t the nicest break I have tested but completely acceptable.

The HP pistol is considerably smaller than even a Ruger LCP, if not lighter. Yet it is larger than the Baby Browning or Colt Vest Pocket .25. The HP is hammer fired, while the others are striker fired or hidden hammer. It is similar to the Astra Cub in size, but not mechanically.

The HP pistol is a nice little size although it isn’t a vest pocket gun. The grip doesn’t allow a three finger hold, but you don’t need one. Now let’s look at the pistol’s manual of arms. It is complicated, too complicated for my tastes, but not particularly difficult to master with study and practice.

The pistol’s magazine release and safety are large and easily manipulated. The pistol also features a lever on the top of the slide near the rear sight. This lever may be moved to act as a hammer block. With this lever in the safe position, the hammer cannot contact the firing pin.

The safety design is interlocked with several features. The slide is locked (as an example) in one mode. The magazine may only be removed by placing the safety in the safe mode. On safe, press the magazine release and remove the magazine. The slide cannot be manipulated when the pistol is on safe.

The pistol also features a magazine safety. The hammer cannot be cocked without the magazine in place. That is a lot of safety features in a small pistol. Having to place the pistol on safe to remove the magazine isn’t the best feature, but it may be learned. Just imagine this… fire off a magazine, place the pistol on safe, remove the magazine, insert another, take the pistol off safe, and resume firing.

The pistol falls into the category of an interesting diversion from more serious work. Safety is always serious, but shooting isn’t. The pistol fills the notch filled by curiosities such as the Astra Cub .22 Short or the Stoeger Luger .22. Not viable for much but clearly well suited to fun times.

The HP pistol was supplied with a locking box and two keys. I also managed to pick up this setup with a five-inch barrel .22 LR accessory barrel. That is a neat trick. I did not have any 11-round magazines on hand. These magazines are not so valuable for the extra cartridge, but the finger rest supplied with these magazines.

Range Work

I lubed the pistol on its bearing surfaces and loaded the magazine with Fiocchi 50-grain FMJ, beginning the test with the .25 ACP setup. I have fired the Astra Cub at 10 yards and kept rounds on the paper, so I began at a modest 5 yards. The pistol has no recoil to speak of. Muzzle flip is modest.

I was able to put all 10 rounds into the middle of the target in a fist-sized group. I moved to 10 yards and enjoyed practically the same results. As small guns go, this is an accurate combination. On a lark, I settled into a braced firing position using the range bag for a brace after placing the target at 25 yards.

I held center of mass and fired. Four of the five shots went low into about a six-inch group, while one went high. I was surprised. but nicely surprised. This would be a pleasant plinker save that .25 ACP ammunition is twice the cost of 9mm Luger.

The five-inch .22 LR barrel was easily mounted. The procedure is the same. I found that standard pressure .22 LR ammunition from Fiocchi works just fine. High-velocity ammunition, the Fiocchi hollow point, also works fine.

The longer sight radius is an aid in accurate fire. I fired a box of both stand pressure and high-velocity ammunition with good results. There were no malfunctions of any type. The HP 22 proved markedly more accurate than the HP 25 setup. At 15 yards, several groups were three inches or less. At 25 yards, a well centered, four-inch group resulted. That is good shooting for a lightweight pistol, even from a solid benchrest position.

At the next firing session, I switched back to the HP 25 configuration. I elected to run a few rounds over a chronograph. A friend who often carries a Baby Browning had a quantity of a loading I was not aware existed, the Buffalo Bore .25 ACP. I fired two of each of these over the chronograph. I also fired standard FMJ loads and the Hornady XTP.  The results were interesting.

Final Thoughts

The Phoenix Arms HP 22 and HP 25 are neat little guns and a lot of fun. The desire to experiment with different loads and change out barrels is accommodated by this pistol. The HP 22 is a pleasant plinker. In the worst case, the pistol may be on hand when another isn’t.

What’s your opinion of the Phoenix Arms HP 25/HP 22? Have your fired one? What role would it serve for you? Share your answers in the Comment section.