So, I bought my 9-year old daughter a Crickett Rifle last week - little 22 single-shot, blued steel with a pink laminated wood stock. Here are my thoughts for anyone considering this rifle.
The rifle is sized and balanced perfectly for a child. It is easy to operate - no problem working the bolt, trigger, inserting a cartridge, etc. It's easy to aim and accurate. The laminated stock was nicely shaped and finished. Overall, a nice looking, easy to operate rifle. It's even drilled and tapped so a scope can be easily added. The only thing I didn't like on it was the plastic cocking handle and the plastic front sight. Both work fine, but a dovetailed front sight blade would be nice, and a steel cocking handle (bolt handle is steel) would be a nice touch too.
The bolt could be a little smoother to operate - but a little use and a touch of grease or oil (had no oil on it the way it came) will probably smooth it out a little.
We mostly shot 22 shorts out of it because it's a little quieter. This was her first time actually handling a rifle all by herself. She did great and really enjoyed it! It's a cute little rifle, I hope she doesn't outgrow it too quickly.
FYI, before shooting the rifle, I sat her down at a table and had her learn the various parts of the gun, how it operated, aiming, safety, and rules of shooting.
The rifle is sized and balanced perfectly for a child. It is easy to operate - no problem working the bolt, trigger, inserting a cartridge, etc. It's easy to aim and accurate. The laminated stock was nicely shaped and finished. Overall, a nice looking, easy to operate rifle. It's even drilled and tapped so a scope can be easily added. The only thing I didn't like on it was the plastic cocking handle and the plastic front sight. Both work fine, but a dovetailed front sight blade would be nice, and a steel cocking handle (bolt handle is steel) would be a nice touch too.
The bolt could be a little smoother to operate - but a little use and a touch of grease or oil (had no oil on it the way it came) will probably smooth it out a little.
We mostly shot 22 shorts out of it because it's a little quieter. This was her first time actually handling a rifle all by herself. She did great and really enjoyed it! It's a cute little rifle, I hope she doesn't outgrow it too quickly.
FYI, before shooting the rifle, I sat her down at a table and had her learn the various parts of the gun, how it operated, aiming, safety, and rules of shooting.