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Gun Show Purchase
msmalley1227
Member Posts: 119 ✭✭
I stopped by a local gun show today and bought a new Phoenix Arms HP22, semi auto that shots .22LR. I got it for me or my wife to use when we are out in the pasture on the 4 wheeler and run accross an Armadillo. They are taking over and it seems like when we are out working cattle and see one we never have a gun with us. The cattle are always stepping in the damn holes they dig. I know the Phoenix is a cheap pistol, I only paid $140 for it. Figured for the price, if I lose it or tear it up I won't have lost much money. My question is, are they a pile of junk or are they decent for the price? Would be nice if I could find a green laser sight for it. The older I get the less I can hit without a laser. I have an LCP with a Crimson Laser and really like it. Thought I would get some opinions from those of you who have shot or used them. Thanks.
Mike S.
Mike S.
Comments
Mine ate any standard or high velocity load I fed it. Not super accurate, but 15-20 yard plinker is what I wanted when I got it, and it did that well.
However... the issue I always had with mine was the safety system.
Gotta put the gun on safe to remove the mag. Gotta have a mag in it to release safety. Gotta take it off safe to rack the slide.
Did you get the short barrel only, or did you get the kit w/ the long barrel?
Decent for the price, depending on the price. Much better than a Jennings at least. If you paid more than $100, for your purposes you may have been better off with a pawn shop 22 rifle and some sort of scabbard system for it.
Mine ate any standard or high velocity load I fed it. Not super accurate, but 15-20 yard plinker is what I wanted when I got it, and it did that well.
However... the issue I always had with mine was the safety system.
Gotta put the gun on safe to remove the mag. Gotta have a mag in it to release safety. Gotta take it off safe to rack the slide.
Did you get the short barrel only, or did you get the kit w/ the long barrel?
I got the short barrel only. You might be right about the rifle but I didn't want to fool with a scabbard cause it seems like we are always chasing cattle in the brush. We can stick this thing in our coveralls pocket and not worry about it. Strangely enough, I like all the safety features and the fact it is single action only. My wife has to release 2 safety's and then cock it before she can fire it. She is a typical farm wife. She can shoot a gun but is not real interested in becoming a great hunter or marksman. Usually we can get to withn 10 to 20' of the armadilla's by just driving up slow on the 4 wheeler so from that distance she will probably be able to hit them. For the price I figure if it doesn't work out I can swap it off for a tank of fuel and break even. Thanks for all the comments.
Mike S.
Best
You buy for the purpose. No matter what comes up on the forums you can always find a little better for only a few more bucks. This will do the job for you, small, cheap, and they work. I would agree not to spend any further funds to upgrade.
No resale value and you already bought it, so just use it. Not much lost if you don't like it.
The two aren't mutually exclusive, you know.
Its a case of you get what you pay for here. Not a lot of money for a gun that isn't particularly good. I wouldn't buy one, but yours certainly might be adequate for shooting armadillos at close range.
As mentioned, best low-cost/entry level knockabout .22 auto is probably the Smith 22A, which is a big step up from the Phoenix at not that much more money.
Also, since you mentioned them, note that other than infected human beings, armadillos are the only known vector for leprosy in the USA. Don't handle the carcases with bare hands.