Jump to content

Phoenix Arms

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Phoenix Arms HP25)
Phoenix Arms
Company typePrivate
Industryfirearms
Founded1992; 33 years ago (1992)
Defunct2025
Headquarters
Ontario, California
,
U.S.
Area served
U.S.
ProductsHandguns
Websitehttp://phoenix-arms.com

Phoenix Arms was a firearms manufacturer established in 1992. A predecessor company owned by George Jennings, Raven Arms, ceased operations in 1991, after which Jennings retired and sold his designs to Phoenix.[1] Phoenix was founded and owned by Jennings’ ex-wife, his children, four of his grandchildren, and by Raven's former general manager. Phoenix is described by the U.S. BATF as one of the "Ring of Fire" companies, known for producing inexpensively-manufactured firearms often given the pejorative term "Saturday night special".[2]

Phoenix initially continued production of the MP-25, Raven's flagship model,[1] before later augmenting it with two new pistols: the HP22 and HP25, chambered in .22 LR and .25 ACP, respectively. Production of the new HP pistols began in 1993[3] while sales may not have started until 1994.[4] In 2001, the California Attorney General ordered Phoenix to cease manufacture and sales of certain HP22 pistols. Independent DOJ-certified laboratories had initially found mixed results for safety and reliability of the HP pistols, and ultimately it was determined that the 3" model in particular was not reliable enough to meet the 1999 standards.[5][6] The pistols were later revised as the HP22A and HP25A models. The pistols are constructed of injection-molded Zamak, a zinc alloy. The low cost metal moldings were not always cleaned of flash before being assembled into full firearms and sold.[7]

Phoenix Arms offered a lifetime warranty for the original owner of the HP pistols, provided they had registered their purchase with the company. Terms and limitations were outlined in the pistol manual.

In early 2025, Phoenix Arms ceased production and sales. Remaining parts and accessory inventory is available for sale from Garrettson Industries, though no full firearms or frames are available.[8]

Products

[edit]

HP22 and HP25

[edit]
Phoenix Arms HP22A and HP25A
A Phoenix Arms HP22A along with 100 rounds of .22 LR ammunition
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerPhoenix Arms
VariantsHP22 HP22A HP25 HP25A
Specifications ([12])
Mass20 ounces (570 g)
Length5.625 inches (142.9 mm)
Barrel length3 inches (76 mm)
5 inches (130 mm)
Width1 inch (25 mm)
Height4.125 inches (104.8 mm)
Cartridge.22 Long Rifle or .25 ACP
ActionSingle-action Blowback
Feed systemSingle-stack detachable box magazine; capacities:
  • 9+1 rounds (.25 ACP [standard])[9]
  • 10+1 rounds (.25 ACP [extended])[10]
  • 10+1 rounds (.22 LR)[11]
SightsBlade front sight
Windage-adjustable notch-type rear sight

The HP22 and HP25 are small semi-automatic pocket pistols chambered in the .22 Long Rifle or .25 ACP cartridge, respectively. They are blowback-operated pistols and come with 3-inch barrels. Optional five-inch 22LR barrels are available. The frame is Zamak zinc alloy. The detachable barrel is a steel sleeve inside of an alloy casing with an integral front blade sight and vented rib. The vented rib continues back along the alloy slide to the windage adjustable rear sight.[13] They are single-action pistols. The HP22 feeds from a single-stack 10-round magazine, and the HP25 feeds from a single-stack nine-round magazine. They have a slide-mounted manual firing pin block safety in addition to a regular manual slide combination hold open and safety. The pistol includes a magazine disconnect feature, which prevents the gun from firing without a magazine. The magazine cannot be removed without engaging the manual slide safety. They are available in satin nickel or matte black finish.[14] The HP22 is designed for use with standard-velocity .22 Long Rifle ammunition only.

A primary change of the HP22A and HP25A models was the addition of a half-cock hammer position, as well as internal parts changes that are not compatible with the previous models.[15]

Accessories

[edit]

A nylon holster, custom locking transport case, cleaning kit, various parts, as well as branded merchandise such as patches and shirts were offered.[16] Though available separately, the case was primarily part of their Rangemaster branded Range Kits. The HP22A Range Kit includes a five inch barrel, a magazine with an extended floor plate (as a pinky finger rest), a custom magazine well pistol lock (model PAL2) keyed to match the case lock, as well as cleaning supplies.[17] They also marketed a Deluxe Range Kit that includes all of the parts in the regular Range Kit and adds a regular length 3" interchangeable barrel as well as a second magazine with the standard flush floor plate.[18] A 2-IN-1 Conversion Kit with a 5" barrel and magazine with an extended floor plate was offered for the HP22 and HP22A. Early marketing materials mention a 5" barrel for the HP25, but parts lists in the manuals, as well as parts lists offered online, do not show it.[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Brown, Peter Harry; Abel, Daniel G. (June 15, 2010). Outgunned: Up Against the NRA – The First Complete Insider Account of the Battle Over Gun Control. New York: Simon and Schuster. pp. 57, 157. ISBN 978-1-4516-0353-8.
  2. ^ "Hot Guns: Ring of Fire". Frontline. PBS. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  3. ^ "VPC - Deadly Exceptions - Phoenix Arms".
  4. ^ "Phoenix HP22". Archived from the original on September 17, 2010.
  5. ^ "SB 15 Senate Bill - Bill Analysis".
  6. ^ "Attorney General Bill Lockyer Orders 'Ring of Fire' Handgun Maker to Stop Selling and Manufacturing Unsafe Weapon".
  7. ^ "Phoenix Arms HP22A .22 LR Pistol Review".
  8. ^ "Garrettson Industries".
  9. ^ ".25 ACP Standard Magazine - #330".
  10. ^ ".25 ACP Extended Magazine - #360".
  11. ^ ".22 LR Standard Magazine - #230".
  12. ^ "Phoenix Arms Model HP25 .25 Auto Variant-1".
  13. ^ "The Rimfire Report: The Phoenix Arms HP22 22LR Pocket Pistol".
  14. ^ "HP22A - Phoenix Arms". Archived from the original on September 12, 2024.
  15. ^ "Repairing a Phoenix Arms HP22".
  16. ^ "Collections - Phoenix Arms". Archived from the original on September 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "HP22A Range Kit - Phoenix Arms". Archived from the original on September 9, 2024.
  18. ^ "HP22A Deluxe Range Kit - Phoenix Arms". Archived from the original on September 12, 2024.
  19. ^ "Phoenix Arms HP 22 Pistol Brochure".

See also

[edit]
[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phoenix_Arms&oldid=1293178220#HP22_and_HP25"