Phoenix Arms HP22A Constant Failures

So we decided to do a Reliability test on the Phoenix arms HP22A. For this test we used CCI Segmented Hallow points. The failures we got were consistently the same issue. Have to recheck the hammer, and strike the round again. This gun has had about 500 rounds through it now, and we had another issue occur. The trigger started to malfunction. After the 200 round test we took it home cleaned, and oiled it. Then we found the issue. After looking around online we found it is a common issue, but couldn't find a video on it so we made one. Link below
.
• Phoenix HP22A common t...

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Link to the Issue/Fix video I did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2KqiKWqg9eehdU

[@d.tombentz3382]

I have had two revelations about my HP22a pistol after I bought it. The first one was the firing pin. I replaced it only after about a hundred rounds or so. I discovered also that by changing the first pin it had been installed incorrectly at the factory. Quality control evidently broke down on the handgun I bought. Also I learned that it doesn't like all ammunition. CCI and Federals seem to function the best in mine. Like anything mechanical one has to work out the bugs sometimes on a budget firearm. Expensive firearms can have flaws too from the factory. I keep my firearm clean and well lubed so it works well now, but then I am not trying to be some hot shot. I am older and have learned to be more patient with things where a young man gets more frustrated when he expects perfection out of a budget firearm. The Phoenix Arms HP22a is a good pistol for the money. I would use mine for self-defense.

[@2A_CaliGuy]

I believe mine may also need a look over. It’s been awhile. They have both been great range guns. They definitely do like CCI, or federal. I’m pretty sure the firing pin is an issue. After finding the grip looser, and seeing the drag issue that’s what caused the trigger to have issues for me, but I still think replacing my firing pin will help with the light strikes

[@samuelmorado70]

I carry Winchester Silvertip and Federal punch. It shot Aguila subsonic to my surprise. Mine hasnt let me down. I have like 20 different manufacturers 22 Ammo. I like Aguila Interceptor but considerd High Velocity. I alternate sivertip, punch, silvertip, punch, etc.,in a magazine .

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Nice. I replaced my springs, and it has been working great. Still has the occasional failure to fire , but is otherwise great! Thanks for watching

[@jeremyperez7286]

So what rounds do I need so it won’t jam?

[@mikeofmanymikes2630]

I have the same problem with mine and has happened since new. Did you ever figure it out? Is it the firing pin?

[@2A_CaliGuy]

After I replaced the firing pin, and recoil spring it stopped the light striking. To my surprise these little pistols are covered by an excellent warranty. I reached out to Phoenix Arms, and they sent me the parts asap.

[@mikeofmanymikes2630]

@@2A_CaliGuy Thanks for letting me know. I was going to order the parts but I think I will call them first and see if they will help.

[@SCH292]

There's gonna be "that one guy" who say something of similar like this..."just as good! Never had any issue! Thousands of rounds!" or blame the ammo.

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Definitely. I’d say mine was a lemon, but 2 friends also grabbed one when they were $99 on sale, and they have similar issues. Great range gun for plinking. Manufacturer recommends low velocity ammo only. After replacing a few parts it still has light strikes, and issues. However I still like

[@LuisTorres-xg7yi]

Does that because it’s already dirty. 22lr is more of a for hunting , ducks, and rabbits etc. we al know that. not for a life and death situation

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Also because the springs needed replaced. Popped in a McCarbo set, and haven’t had many issues since.

[@reidmauldin3203]

They love CCI!

[@2A_CaliGuy]

100%

[@nickspistolsfl9736]

you only get what you pay for. Buying a pistol for $100 and complaining that it's not good enough is stupid. For the money, this is a great toy. Attention! man, just take the box and find the instructions in there. Read it.

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Valid points. Not many others in in price range, and with a little care, the correct ammunition, and some loc tite it’s been working pretty good. Fun range gun all in all

[@ethanthompson5999]

Oh yeah, 22 lr is known for being the best round for going up against a bear

[@2A_CaliGuy]

🤣.

[@FlyManChimera]

Beats throwing a rock at it i guess lol

[@ethanthompson5999]

@Baalxebub idk. I've never seen a rock jam before lol.

[@timhallas4275]

Every issue with the HP22A is solved when you trade it for an HP25A. The .25 ACP cartridge is far more reliable, and this guns cycles perfectly with the rimless cartridge. .22LR was designed for a rifle. Adapting a handgun to use rim-fire ammo was never a good idea. I have several .22LR handguns. All of them require specific brands and power levels of ammo. There is not one that works well in all of my guns,, but I have never had an issue with any ammo in my Marlin 60 rifle. In 30 years, it has seen at least 40 different types of .22LR, from 60 grain subsonic (900 fps)to 30 grain high performance (1,700 fps) Neither of those will cycle reliably in my handguns.

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Yeah my 22LR handguns are each unique in what they like 😝

[@timhallas4275]

@@2A_CaliGuy I think it's a quality control issue. .22LR is so cheap, they just don't bother making it good.

[@jasonhensley3071]

I watched a couple other videos of yours one about the trigger not working in. It's no wonder that you're firing pin doesn't work worth a crap you dry fire the hell out of. You've destroyed the firing pin

[@2A_CaliGuy]

🤣. Yeah. I have 4 extra new firing pins. Decided to send it in, and get some spare parts. Mine had issues other then those I caused dry firing it.

[@sophiehensley121]

And yeah buddy I'm that guy I haven't had any serious malfunctions with mine. But I don't drop the hammer on a Rimfire firing pin on an empty cylinder either. And as far as expensive guns go I just got rid of a H&K p30l that would not run. No matter what ammunition I used in it whether Iran it's soaking wet with the lp bone-dry or anywhere in between. Firearms are a crapshoot doesn't matter how much you spend you can get a good one a bad one or somewhere in between. They are a piece of Machinery Machinery fails and specifications and tolerances don't always get met

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Well put. I have definitely Mia treated this one 😝, but after having it gone over proper have been better to it, and it’s been better to me. Still has occasional issues, but not nearly as many. I agree price doesn’t always reflect quality. I had a lower receiver for an AR15 that was cut out of spec in regards to the detent hole for the front pin. It’s the only one I ever had an issue with, and it was the most expensive one 😜

[@melissasmess2773]

Did you ruin the firing pin dry firing it? Definitely kills some models of guns.

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Possibly, but I replaced it after finding the issue I point out in the fix video.

[@rbm6184]

@@2A_CaliGuy I saw your video and have never had that trigger problem where the trigger bar skips the sear because the grips were loose and not tightened down. I had a bur on my frame that I had to file down that locked up my slide but that was an easy fix. Other than that I make sure my recoil spring end is oriented in the correct position so it does not wear on the frame to cause a stoppage. I only shoot standard velocity like the owner manual states but I do sometimes run Federal Auto Match bulk pack that is close to standard velocity. I change my recoil spring out after every 1000 rounds with a new one. I don't shoot high velocity to any great extent or fail to change out the recoil spring after 1k rounds that can result in a cracked frame or cracked slide. I modified my mags by filing down so that the rear points of the mags do not rub on the underside of or slow down the slide and I added a small zinc screw to the rear of my mag followers that will lock open my slide after the last round. This keeps me from excessive dry firing and premature firing pin wear. I do have videos on my channel telling about and showing these modifications. However the video to see how I did the mag follower screw modification is on my Gunstreamer RobertM channel. The follower screw will reduce the number of rounds of the ten round mag to nine rounds.

[@2A_CaliGuy]

@@rbm6184 nice my friend . I definitely abused my first firing pin. I really like the slide lock mod as well. Yeah you loose a round, but will extend the life of your F pin. Thanks for the comment, and for watching

[@melissasmess2773]

Your friend thinks a 22LR is a good idea for bears😂, you both earned a thumb down fellows.

[@2A_CaliGuy]

He’s being sarcastic. His idea of a bear gun is a S&W 500 😂. Anyways thanks for watching. The whole thing was more of a joke. I bought the guns Because they were so freakin cheap. They have both ended up being fun ranger guns. The 22 gets shot way more. Parts are fairly inexpensive, and easy to replace.

[@donaviaetheridge5609]

That was the ammo dude.....

[@2A_CaliGuy]

I like the idea it was the ammo. It actually wasn’t. It ended up being something super easy to fix, and now it runs much better. I did a video on what the issue was, and a super simple fix. It does still have the standard rimfire occasional failure to fire, but nothing like it did this day.

[@mauri181]

What brand ammo?

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Many types/brands. Federal, Blazer, CCI, Remington, Winchester, agulia

[@bkennb]

BS video it needs service. HP22A is very reliable if cleaned and lubed and replacing the recoil spring occasionally. You would have a hard time finding a more reliable 22 pistol.

[@2A_CaliGuy]

Mine may just have been a bad one. My buddy picked one up, and he hasn’t had a single issue. After fixing the issue I pointed out in my other video, replacing the firing pin, and recoil spring it has been working pretty well. Still have occasional no fires, but not nearly as many.

[@MrAvidOutdoorsman]

I keep my 25🤣🤣

[@2A_CaliGuy]

I’m going to run 200-500 rounds through the 25 to see if it has any issues. . Some suggestions were to run CCI Mini-Mag ammo in the 22 for better performance, but the manufacturer recommends ammo that’s 1150 FPS max as well as round nose lead.

[@mauri181]

Did you try the Winchester ammo

[@2A_CaliGuy]

It seems I have an issue with my HP22. When I get the new parts in I’ll update. The issue didn’t seem to be with any one specific ammo, but more random.