I have a Phoenix TP25, I have no trouble with its springs. Racking the slide is not a problem.I have an 84, and it's hard to rack the slide. I also have a blowback 25 Auto, and it's almost impossible to rack it by hand. That's one of the reasons you'll find tip-up barrels on some of the small blowback autos. It's easier to load them that way than by racking the slide.
So, your 84 sounds normal.
It works fine with factory ammo. It's just the springs seem stiffer than I remember. I had an 84BB years ago. And I don't recall it being as difficult as this.Does it cycle with factory ammo? If it does, then it's normal.
I have a Phoenix TP25, I have no trouble with its springs. Racking the slide is not a problem.
No doubt. The Phoenix was an impulse buy. It was used, it was under $100.00. It sits in a drawer now and makes the occasional range visit. It has some features I like. But it has some I totally detest. I thought about selling it. Instead, I keep it as a reminder that not all impulse buys are good.My 25 Auto is a Taurus. It benefits greatly from the tip-up barrel.
I don't recall it being as difficult as this.
As a fellow has reached a certain age, may I gently suggest that some combination of memory and physical strength may have changed over the years?