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.
Load | Velocity (FPS) |
| Buffalo Bore 50-grain FMJ | 845 |
| Buffalo Bore 60-grain FP * This flat nose hard cast load is easily the most potent of .25 ACP loads | 870 |
| Fiocchi 50-grain FMJ | 740 |
| Hornady 35-grain XTP | 772 |
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.
A locking case is a good accessory for the .22/.25 combination. This group isn’t tight, but it was fired at 25 yards off the bench with a vest pocket pistol. 
The pistol’s sights are good for this size firearm. The black finish, good performance, and affordability are all hallmarks of the Phoenix. The pistol is nicely sized and well finished. 
Left to right: .25 ACP, .22 Long Rifle, and 9mm Luger for comparison. 
The author tried cranial vault shots. Don’t forget, the skull is very hard and thick. 
The pistol pack/combo is a good buy and features a spare .22 LR barrel. 
The author prefers the nickel-finished gun. Accuracy with the Phoenix Arms was sometimes surprisingly good. 
Note the robust extractor and good finish. 
Fiocchi ammunition gave good results in the firing test. The safety interlock is sometimes confusing but serves some purpose. The thumb safety is in the fire position while the hammer block, upper, is on safe.
A well written review, thank you! Sounds like a pistol to add to the collection and maybe give to a small stature person for self protection. I wonder how the HP would stack up against an Ortgies? .25 caliber ACP is a bit pricey but I lucked on some at an estate sale along with a Deutsche Werke 6.35x16mm SA pistol. It’s tiny in my hands but should be great fun at the range, at least I hope so.
I hadda HP .22 with stadard3” barrell. Bought it used. I was told to use by dealertouse Super X hollow point .22. I did as advised. No misfires, stovepipes, troubles whatsoever- over 400-500 rounds. Experimented with lther cheaper ammo. Several hundred rounds – 3 maybe 4 issues of mis or stovepipe.
Good defense weapon if use rhe Super X. No misses; very accurate compared to a walther .22 I also owned. Smaller, lighter, more accurate and more reliable.
Look up U Tube to remove the two stooppittt safeties. Takes 10 min with no esoteric tools.
Five stars and I am not scoring on price. 10 if that into account
Ya hey
I purchased a couple of the .22’s. I just leave the safety off because it has a hammer. It is a good plinker at close range and is very durable. At the price I don’t have to worry about scratching it up.
Mixed feelings. I bought a new old stock pistol and a 5” barrel kit at the height of Covid because I wanted an inexpensive .22 pistol. The 5” barrel is very accurate. But the gun won’t cycle standard velocity ammo (works fine with high velocity but that’s now not recommended). The windage adjustment of the rear sight on the 5” barrel is loose. I did the modification that makes the manual of arms more or less normal. I have other guns so haven’t spent a lot of time on those problems – but for the price if I had to do it again I’d get a KelTec P 17.
Mixed feelings. I bought a new old stock pistol and a 5” barrel kit at the height of Covid because I wanted an inexpensive .22 pistol. The 5” barrel is very accurate. But the gun won’t cycle standard velocity ammo (works fine with high velocity but that’s now not recommended). The windage adjustment of the rear sight on the 5” barrel is loose. I did the modification that makes the manual of arms more or less normal. I have other guns so haven’t spent a lot of time on those problems – but for the price if I had to do it again I’d get a KelTec P 17.
I had 10 of these HP22’s and used them in my Concealed Carry classes. While I would not recommend them for actual self-defense, they worked well for training and, since I supplied the guns AND the ammo for the classes, it was the cheapest way to go. All of these guns had thousands of rounds through them over 12 years. One developed a cracked frame. I sent it to the factory and they sent me a brand new frame, gratis. That’s Ruger-like customer service. I did experience an occasional misfire (he ammo was the culprit, not the gun) and this was actually a benefit because the students had to clear the misfire and continue, just as might happen in real life. When Ohio got “Constitutional Carry” the demand for CCW classes ended. I sold all 10 guns for 99 bucks apiece (almost what I had paid for them new back when) so I give these little guns a “thumbs up”!
PS: I bought, and still have, a .25 auto one and got a .22 slide so I have one that can shoot both cartridges. I like this little gun..
My gunsmith said there was an issue with the slides cracking. But the revised manuals say to use standard ammo only not high speed. Mine works great except for the complicated safety. Youtube shows how to disengage the magazine safety.
Have a hp22, actually find it a good reliable little gun. Have heard alot of negatives but none from me.. actually bought a second one. Inexpensive little guy, pleased overall.
Will grab a 25 if opportunity arises. Thank you for your review
Years ago (early 80’s) purchased a RAVEN 25. Back then there was a need for an inexpensive CCW type gun that one could afford to have seized by the authorities. Note that the 25 ACP round was created because ~100+ years ago, 22 rimfire ammo was very unreliable. Now many states have Constitutional Carry, so worries about one’s CCW gun being seized mostly no longer exist. As to the HP pistols, IF one has a stockpile or reloads 25 ACP, then go for the 25 ACP version. However, with modern 22 rimfire ammo, the 22 rimfire model 3″ model seems to be a prime candidate for a boat/truck/SHTF/hidey-hole gun. Like the RAVEN, appears HP quality swings widely from gun to gun. Also like the RAVEN, the HP appears to be the pistol one carries because you are not supposed to be armed. My RAVEN would consistently (5 out of 5) hit a ~5″ balloon at 35 feet, so I kept it. Wonder how an HP – 3″ model would do? Do consider that reloading the 25 ACP involves very small cases, bullets, and about 1 1/2 grains of powder. So as “older shooter”, a 22 rimfire HP is the only way to go. P.S. – BERSA 22s are much larger, same size as the 380 model. So not an apples-to-apples match-up to the HPs.
Thanks for reviewing a pistol that many can afford and a size that is easy to conceal. Not everyone can afford a $500 pistol for self protection. Onne convertible from .25 ACP to .22 LR makes this even more interesting. Good, thorough review. Thanks.
Had about six in the family
When lubed they work well.
.22s, 25s, all functioned with most loads. Good starter for training
Rick you sure you didnt drop the hammer with the safety on
I didn’t know there was a badass 25 ACP. out there! Thanks for the intell on the Buffalo Bore 50 gr.! also, a very enjoyable read on the multi-barrelled Phoenix…
I had a Phoenix HP 22 about 20 years ago. Mine came with two barrels but both in .22 lr caliber. With the short barrel it was a nifty little pistol to carry in your back pocket but the accuracy was better with the 5 inch barrel. Ultimately I sold it and bought a Bersa that was less complicated to load and fire.
Total junk. I bought one once, ran about 25 rounds through it at the range, firing pin snapped off. Metals are junk and not durable. Nobody would repair it locally. Too much $ to ship to company for repair. Tossed it in the parts bin. Don’t waste your money.