Phoenix HP-22a FTE

[APeter001]

Hi there,

First time out a couple months ago with Phoenix HP-22a, the gun performed pretty well. I'd say 95-97% perfect cycles and feeds with the longer 5" barrel and 100% with the 3" but I only shot about 2 mags through the 3"

Fast forward to yesterday and after the first 2 mags it would cycle enough to cock the hammer but not eject the spent case (stayed in the chamber, did not stove-pipe). Racking the slide popped out the fired shell and fed a new one just fine, but I had to do this 7 times in a row in 1 mag and 5-8 times in the 2nd. Both range times the same ammo from the same box - American Eagle 40gr round nose high velocity. (yes I know these recommend "standard velocity" but I've not seen that unicorn recently)

I saw in an old thread the extractor is pretty cheaply made- Should I be looking at the extractor or the ammo for this issue?

[Izzy43]

Yes check the extractor and yes what mrrabbit said. Use the ammo that the manufacturer says the pistol should use. Even if you have to shelve the pistol until you can find std vel ammo. You are asking for a cracked frame down the road on your pistol using high vel ammo.

[APeter001]

Yeah I know, I kind of assumed "purchasing" a Phoenix was asking for a cracked frame eventually, but they seem to have great customer service and this is a fun gun anyway.

I wonder what principal causes this, gun-physics-wise- the slightly elevated charge causing the faster-moving slide coupled with the roughly-machined extractor causing the extractor to completely slip off the rim and stay in the chamber?

[Neanderthal]

Keep it oiled on the slide rails.

And for Gods sake don't use high velocity ammo.

[NorcalGSG]

If anyone cares I made a post about this earlier, with regards to high velocity and the HP-22. I think if someone was smarter than me with cross referencing, they should be able to find a recoil spring with a couple pounds more strength, to reduce the frame hammering and maybe allow HV Ammo without the frames cracking so soon.

[Neanderthal]

If anyone cares I made a post about this earlier, with regards to high velocity and the HP-22. I think if someone was smarter than me with cross referencing, they should be able to find a recoil spring with a couple pounds more strength, to reduce the frame hammering and maybe allow HV Ammo without the frames cracking so soon.

without cracking ever is what I plan by using correct ammo. If the frame were steel instead of a zinc alloy , that might work , just like it does for many large caliber pistols.

[NorcalGSG]

Ya well Neanderthal I agree with you, and have only used CCI std vel. in mine, but the thin frame top is already bowing out slightly like its trying to crack one of these days...
I plan to trim away the thin material if/when it does let go, and keep running it for as long as I can. I have read some reports of guys doing this with pretty decent results.

[tigeyiji]

Even if you have to shelve the pistol until you can find std vel ammo. You are asking for a cracked frame down the road on your pistol using high vel ammo.