Thnaks for the neat forum

[magnut]

Hi guys Im new. I regestered on Glock Talk just for this forum. Finally there is a resource for these little gems. Three years ago I bought 5 Ravens NIB for $175. I was extremly pleased with the little 25. Since then I have bought a 25 jennings, And some of the Davis derringers. All have been completely reliable. I actually think most of these SNS get a bad wrap. I am always looking for more to add to my junk gun collection. Here are my rules of thumb, and tips on buying the ring of fire junk guns.

#1 Stay away from 22 autos, they usually have feeding and extration issues

#2 The 25s are usually reliable with ball ammo, if they are not it is usually the magazine. Most of these guns are based on the original Raven design which was meant to be a 25. When they try to turn it into other calibers they can have problems.

#3 When you buy one completely disasemble it. All you need is basic tools. You will learn to understand the designs and there limitations. Also, ROF gun parts are very cheap, if you learn to take them apart you can fix them very easily. You will also learn to trouble shoot for problems and ware and tear.

#4 Dont try to make them something they are not. The design of many of the ROF guns simply will not stand up to thousands and thousands of rounds.

#5 Stay away from the 9MM blow back versions of the ROF guns, I believe the materials used in this design with that round make it extremely unsafe to fire. I do not believe this apllys to the Hi Points as it is composed of more durable materials.

these are just my feelings. I anyone has a different insight on these issues please respond.

once again thanks for the only forum of its kind.

;f ;f

[gunguru1]

No problem, and welcome to Glock Talk!;c ;c ;c

[ChuteTheMall]

Originally posted by magnut
Hi guys Im new.

Oh good, someone new to argue with!:cool:

Here are my rules of thumb, and tips on buying the ring of fire junk guns.

#1 Stay away from 22 autos, they usually have feeding and extration issues
Nope, go ahead and enjoy the .22 autos, they are the most fun and the ammo is cheap, and ALL .22 autos can have feeding and extraction issues, even Rugers. Big heavy guns work better than tiny light guns, in general, due primarily to limpwristing. The .22s are great fun, and because of the wimpy caliber, are unlikely to be carried for self-defense. So any jamming tendencies should not be life-threatening.
Start with the Phoenix HP-22 if possible, and pick up the spare target barrel too! The Jennings J22 is a classic, yes it may jam more often than a .25, but so what? Buy bulk ammo at Walmart and have fun.


#2 The 25s are usually reliable with ball ammo, if they are not it is usually the magazine. Most of these guns are based on the original Raven design which was meant to be a 25. When they try to turn it into other calibers they can have problems.

I have no use for any .25 acp, period. I see no need for anything smaller than .32acp unless it is a rimfire!



#3 When you buy one completely disasemble it. All you need is basic tools. You will learn to understand the designs and there limitations. Also, ROF gun parts are very cheap, if you learn to take them apart you can fix them very easily. You will also learn to trouble shoot for problems and ware and tear.
True that. Better to learn this at home, than at the range, where you will be mocked by the gun snobs.


#4 Dont try to make them something they are not. The design of many of the ROF guns simply will not stand up to thousands and thousands of rounds.
Shoot them until they fall apart, then buy more of them. Don't expect thousands of trouble-free rounds, but what's wrong with wearing them out? Go for it.


#5 Stay away from the 9MM blow back versions of the ROF guns, I believe the materials used in this design with that round make it extremely unsafe to fire. I do not believe this apllys to the Hi Points as it is composed of more durable materials.

I never tried any of the 9mm blow-backs ( 9mm Makarov is fine, but it's more like a .380)and I suspect you are correct.


these are just my feelings. I anyone has a different insight on these issues please respond.

once again thanks for the only forum of its kind.

;f ;f

Welcome, and thanks for stirring the soup!;a

[magnut]

I have heard good stuff about the Pheonix Arms 22 but have yet to shoot one. What kind of reliablility did you have with your 22 say out of about 50 rounds, and what ammo was most reliable. If I could get one to shoot fairly reliable I would probably pick one up. My jennings 25s have been 100% with ball. Any other 22 Rof semiautos out there that are decently reliable. I shot a Spenco once and It jammed about every round, kinda stunk because I really wanted that one.

[ChuteTheMall]

I have great reliability with my HP-22. It has 2 safeties, both tiny, and an external hammer. I bought the optional 5" target barrel separately, and it had been machined improperly, too wide to fit. So I sent everything back to Phoenix Arms, then in Ontario, California, and they fixed it fine for free, and fast. I ordered a spare recoil spring for $1.00 with a note indicating it looked easy to lose. They sent 6 instead of one. I also ordered 4 spare mags, much cheaper than from anywhere else.

It has nice, discrete, but adjustable sights (by pocket gun standards) and I find it very accurate. The single action only trigger is nice. I rarely use the original 3" barrel anymore, I like the cool P38ish look of the target barrel.


Here's a review which compared it to several target pistols, such as Hammerli, Walther, Ruger, etc.
http://www.ssaa.org.au/OFFICIALREVIEWS/22lrpistol/22targetpistol.htm

http://www.ssaa.org.au/OFFICIALREVIEWS/22lrpistol/phoenixhp22.jpg
Phoenix Arms Model HP22 Deluxe Rangemaster

Calibre: .22LR
Action: Semi-automatic
Barrel: 127mm (5")
Weight: 500g
Length: 190mm (7.5")
Supplied by: G&N Guns Pty Ltd
Score: 16.5 - Good value for first-time junior or women shooters


The reviewers were a little taken aback with the Phoenix at first because of its unusual safety features; however, after a little examination - even without the owner’s manual - they figured it out and were quite impressed with the gun. While they all agreed that the gun was a little small, they said it was comfortable to hold and would be an excellent first gun for junior or women shooters.
The Phoenix was very good value and had excellent accuracy in an experienced shooter’s hands. Carl Tooth thought the sights were a bit more like rifle sights than pistol sights and Mike Papps made a note of considerable ‘muzzle jump’. This may have been more obvious due to the smaller size of the firearm.