WB
Fun with a cheap .22
Wednesday, October 30, 2019, 08:00

I got this cheap .22 made by Phoenix, I know you've seen them around. I do not really recommend them, except for a person whom you really do not want to have a firearm they can actually shoot. It would really be good for drunks etc. since they are very unlikely to get it into a firing battery in a less sober state. Even stone cold sober it takes some fiddling. It has (1) a magazine disconnect safety, cannot fire with magazine out of the pistol. Also it has a (2) slide safety, blocks the firing pin. There is also a (3) frame safety that locks the sear, and you cannot (4) remove the magazine from the gun without having the frame lever on SAFE. I think the firing pin (5) is rebounding type so it is unlikely to fire if dropped. If one had the mind to use it the hammer also has a (6) safety notch. The firearm is manufactured in CA which may explain some of the features. What is impressive is that if one truly works at it and is determined it will eventually be able to be fired. I like a challenge and the gun came to me with a broken mag release. Obviously some ham handed person got rough with the system and overpowered the flimsy button. The factory was very helpful in getting a replacement part for $5 and $6 shipping. It is likely this part is a frequently replaced part. I just bet due to safety feature no. (4). The part arrived promptly and with complete instructions how to “brad” it back into place by peening the end of the shaft after the button-washer is pushed over it. Not very conventional but I guess it is less likely to fall off. The barrel it came to me with was an extended 5” which was interesting and afforded a good sighting radius. I was able to ring the 25 yd. gong offhand more than not once I got the sighting figured with the too shallow rear notch. Sights are adjustable for windage too. I think I will file that notch deeper for my own preference.

Not having much interest in it as was I found a short 3” barrel online for $25 delivered and gave it a whirl. The 10-shot mag in the box had an extended plastic floorplate for finger rest. Mags are available with flush bottoms for about $20 delivered, so I milled the plastic off one of the “Target” mags to mimic the advertised flush models. I was into the rig deep enough $$. At least I can use it as a fun trail pocket gun. The Phoenix is not actually small, nor light, made from some pot metal. Size wise it is almost the same as my Kahr 9mm, only a little heavier. I got it running pretty reliably which is commendable for a cheap pocket .22. I used to enjoy the cheap little Jennings/Bryco .22 LR (not the black one – it jammed) when I was younger. Making hits on 3# coffee cans were fun at 50 yds. The barrels were pinned to the frame and actually accurate if you could hold and shoot it. I even hit a 5 gal. bucket a few times at 100 yds. for fun. This Phoenix is not as accurate with a barrel less rigidly fixed but is more to hold, so it is acceptable. They are also available in .25 ACP for those so inclined.

I’d actually pass if given an alternative but I was able to get the gun running and have some fun with it. It’s not really worth selling or trading but makes a fair tackle box or glove box gun for fun.

I'm still playing with slo-mo video. This is the same shot 3x. The short barrel makes a pleasing little fireball even in .22 LR.
https://youtu.be/GO3YjUTPUKM