Phoenix Mark 11

[gingernut]

A friend is very keen on these and has two.
He is on good terms with the chap who makes them and took a mate to the factory to buy one in .177.

This gun came up for sale as the owner gave up shooting.
I bought it with scope and bag only because the price was so low and he wanted rid.

I had seen the gun in action and noted it was very accurate and quiet but thought it was a bit of an oddity with weight at rear and a lever action that was probably an acquired taste.

After learning how it operates and a couple of shooting sessions I am a fan.

Everything works as it should and the lever action is excellent -no effort involved and very slick.
So quiet with the PH silencer but now sports an HW one which is a little better.

The rear bottle is easy to use.
I dont object to these type of bottles as some do.

You get a nice spares pack which includes o rings new valve and a valve removal tool.
Looks like a tyre valve to me.
Thoughtful.
I rang Pax guns for a spare magazine on Thursday arrived today £37.50 inc recorded delivery.

I think I am going to have fun with it and it is Made in England.

Would I buy a new one over the usual suspects? No -but ask me again when I have shot it more.
Second hand it is a yes from me.

[KeithW]

ah yes, but if you could get a new one for £699 including a Quick Fill system ....?

[darryl]

It's a .22 and non-FAC, but it's again being sold here in the US by Airguns of Arizona. I found mine on it's used airgun page. It's a Mkii and is serial #00178. It looks brand new, and I'm looking forward to learn more about it (in my second day of ownership). It's rare, and quirky, but it's very well made, and the fact that it's an under lever PC is very appealing to me. I hope this one becomes a true keeper in my small collection. I will appreciate any advice and insight on this rifle from anyone on this forum. I have been emailing Hugh Earl, owner of PAX Airguns, and I'm sure he's tired of hearing from me, so I thought I'd pester you guys!
thank you,
darryl

[martlind]

ah yes, but if you could get a new one for £699 including a Quick Fill system ....?

I had one of these but sold it as I couldn't get used to the bottle filling, is the quick fill used without the bottle being taken out of the gun?

[gingernut]

Hi Darryl
The nice thing about this gun is that is that it doesnt seem to have any secrets or tricks you need to know.
Which has made it a favourite of mine.

I dont like guns that people tell you "oh you must/ musnt do that!" As If you should know!

Mine is .177 so I cant help on pellet choice.
I would guess Air Arms Diabolo field would be fine.

I am probably going to get the new quickfill cylinder.
I am sure it stays in the gun otherwise it isnt a quickfill !

I will try and answer any specific queries you have.
Not an expert just an owner.

[darryl]

Thank you for the quick reply. I'd say it answered any question I might have when you stated the Phoenix does not seem to have any secrets or tricks. That makes it an honest rifle in my eyes. Being a PCP I can see that it will be prone to PCP commonly expected failures, mainly o-ring leaks. I'm not put off by that, having resealed PCP rifles before. One thing Hugh Earl told me was the rifles like a 5.52-mm pellet head diameter. That's good enough for me. He also said the imports to the US have the BSA barrel. Those barrels are highly regarded here (except where BSA went through a period of quality issues with off-center bores). Old BSA PCP classics are prized. Hugh told me about the quick-fill cylinders. I've asked him for information regarding the acquisition of a FAC model in .22

There is one thing you can tell me about. How do you find your rifle to group at distance, and what size groups can the rifle give you at what distance?
Glad to be among the chosen!
darryl

[urx]

had two of these for several years carbine and rifle and enjoyed both immensely...just beware if you buy 2nd hand bottles.
there are mk1 and mk2 Phoenix and the bottles look similar and will screw in ...but the shoulder at the valve area is different and can damage either rifle or bottle if you try to screw it in tight...