EDIT: She got the pink cricket tonight! (PICS)

[les strat]

My little girl is turning 9 this month and loves to shoot my Marlin M60 and the BB guns, so she has been saying she wants a pink .22. She is very responsible, doesn't have a facination with guns as she has been raised with the, and knows what they can do, but she still loves to go to the range with daddy, and I have been teaching her gun safety since 6 yrs.

So today, I picked her up a Cricket .22 with scope (a decent scope I might add). I hope she loves this and that it will be a next step into a lasting part of our relationship. I think doing things like this with your kids, even daughters, will keep them out of trouble and something they will remember their entire lives.

This little thing is really an awesome little bolt single shot. It has a peep sight, but came with the scope and mount. I hope she likes it. I will get pics of the actual gun soon (cause I know you guys are dying to see a pink gun, lol :19:).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/KevinJenne/cricket.jpg

[Bawanna]

Those are very nice rifles and the ones I've seen were very accurate. At one time I had 4 Chipmunks, still have 2 or 3. One for each kid and a spare for their friends. I've given away 3 or 4 others to responsible young people with normal parents.
I like that they are very safe and pulling the striker back is hard. They get to work the bolt but can't pull the striker back.
First time my oldest advanced to a semi auto he couldn't believe he could just pull the trigger again. The smile on his face was priceless, one I'll never forget.
I've often dreamed of having a table at the gunshow with enough loot to just have nothing but Crickets and Chipmunks (the same thing I believe) and give them away or at least cost or below.

Kind of make me feel like Santa you know.

Good for you and for your daughter.

[DeaconKC]

Les, that is great! Check these out for her.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/348524/caldwell-e-max-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-25db-green

[crazymailman]

Way to go Les! I think your daughter will love it.

[AJBert]

I've been wanting to get my two granddaughters each their own pink Crickets. For some reason my daughter and son-in-law think they are too young. Heck, they are 3 and 4 for Pete's sake!

I already bought my youngest grandson his first .22, a refurbished Savage Favorite 1917 (or 1915?) and he is only 1 1/2. Guess I'll have to wait a year or two more before I give it to him.

Good on you teaching your daughter the shooting sports. I'm sure she will love the little Cricket and cherish it for many years to come and will pass it on to her daughter one day.

[Alfonse]

This and Tinman's shoot are both such happy stories today! I'm smiling and going to call it a day.

Thanks!

[Planedude]

My Son's Cricket is of the wooden stock variety and he recived it for his eighth Christmas. He is now 24 and has an 18mo old Son of his own. He can't wait to share range time with my Grandson. Good days to come...
Those little guns are great! They make a pretty good rimfire silhouett shooting pistol with the right stock.

[les strat]

Les, that is great! Check these out for her.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/348524/caldwell-e-max-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-25db-green

She and my wife already have a set... in pink ;)

Here it is with the scope all mounted up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/KevinJenne/pink22.jpg

[muggsy]

My dad started me shooting at the age of 6 with a cut down single shot bolt action .22. We shot in the basement at targets hung in the coal bin. One of my earliest memories.

[gm412]

I just bought my nine year old daughter a bb gun. She wants a 22 and I am looking for one. Not sure what I am going to get. On a side note I was shocked at how powerful her bb gun is. I set up a cardboard box with a target on it in the garage. We were shooting and I was surprised they were going through both sides of the box and hitting the metal garage door 10' behind it. Then I looked at the garage door after a couple of days. They not only hit the garage door - they put dings in it. And a couple imbedded so deep I can't get them out. Wife was not happy. So I put 1/4 plywood behind the box. The bbs went through the box, through the wood and dented the garage door again. When did they make these that powerful? As a kid I do not remember these being that powerful.

[Planedude]

Link here: http://www.crickett.com/index.htm?osCsid=9gidjurat4p5cnj6re253nbs67

I didn't relize Crickett had branched into so many different models. I had an aquaintance at my clubs range that shot his old Chipmunk in a pistol stock for Silhouette comp. I laughed at it and him when I saw it, at which point he proceeded that day to win in his class...
Good shooters!

Link: http://www.chipmunkrifles.com/

[Bill K]

The relationship you have with your daughter is priceless. Didn't even notice the rifle. ;)

[les strat]

I just bought my nine year old daughter a bb gun. She wants a 22 and I am looking for one. Not sure what I am going to get. On a side note I was shocked at how powerful her bb gun is. I set up a cardboard box with a target on it in the garage. We were shooting and I was surprised they were going through both sides of the box and hitting the metal garage door 10' behind it. Then I looked at the garage door after a couple of days. They not only hit the garage door - they put dings in it. And a couple imbedded so deep I can't get them out. Wife was not happy. So I put 1/4 plywood behind the box. The bbs went through the box, through the wood and dented the garage door again. When did they make these that powerful? As a kid I do not remember these being that powerful.



Holy smokes! That IS a powerful BB gun. Sounds like what a .22 would do! Is it a pump?


Link here: http://www.crickett.com/index.htm?osCsid=9gidjurat4p5cnj6re253nbs67

I didn't relize Crickett had branched into so many different models. I had an aquaintance at my clubs range that shot his old Chipmunk in a pistol stock for Silhouette comp. I laughed at it and him when I saw it, at which point he proceeded that day to win in his class...
Good shooters!

Link: http://www.chipmunkrifles.com/

I too am surprised at how well the are built and the accuracy to be had with these. I first got experience with one at the range. A gentleman had his grandson of about 4 yrs there with one scoped. He was tearing targets to shreds at 50 yds consistently! The scopes are pretty dang good.... better than some of the Walmart junk I have experienced.


The relationship you have with your daughter is priceless. Didn't even notice the rifle. ;)

Thank you :) I'm going to get my son one for Christmas in camo

[les strat]

I took her to the range today. She didn't even know I had it for her. Pulled it out of the case, and she freaked. I set the scope with a few shots at 25-50 yds, and let her at it. Her form was great. Triger pull was very controlled. She's a natural! She could hit a quarter sized circle at 25 yards consistently. She liked to shoot a plastic milk jug sitting balanced up on another jug.

I knew she would like it, but not this much. She said, "Best birthday present ever!" That's all I needed :)

I also shot my new Colt LE6920MP-FDE AR15.... just about a 30 round mags-worth, that's all. But hey, this evening was about her!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/KevinJenne/IMG_7428.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/KevinJenne/IMG_7429.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/KevinJenne/IMG_7430.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/KevinJenne/AR15.jpg

[Bawanna]

Doesn't get any better than that! Even matches her shirt.

Tell her to cut back on the cute pills, I think she's double dosing. Your gonna need a shot gun in a few years.

[DeaconKC]

Great job Dad!

[les strat]

The AR and the old man shot pretty well too. She outshot me with the .22 :o

[les strat]

Doesn't get any better than that! Even matches her shirt.

Tell her to cut back on the cute pills, I think she's double dosing. Your gonna need a shot gun in a few years.

I'm good in that department ;)

[LorenzoB]

Way to go dad! Priceless times with your daughter! I look forward to something similar (in about 7 years). My wife and I started late, so I'm old enough to know time passes really fast. I am enjoying every moment I can while they are young. I have another daughter on the way in about a month, so I better stock up on two pink crickets!

P.S. Bawanna is right about those cute pills!

[les strat]

Lorenzo, congrats on your one on the way! Shooting, kayaking, camping, and even hunting is not just for boys. I have read that a good relationship with a girl's father can make a girl less likely to be promiscuous as a teen. God I hope so. I'd hate to break out the shotgun!

[johnh]

Great pics! My little girl is really into the idea of shooting. She is just getting big enough (literally, she is tiny) to handle a long gun. I will likely take her to the range this summer to shoot her big brother's GSG-5. Unfortunately I have a feeling she will out shoot him. That may lead to some sibling rivalry... :)

[jlottmc]

I had an original Chipmunk (back when they were hand made in SC, wish I could have passed that on to my daughter, but another story that) I used to love shooting that little gun. They are accurate, and perfect to teach a kid on. I want my daughter to learn to use iron sights first, so no scope for her. I got her a laminated purple stocked Crickett, she knows she has it, but we have yet to shoot it. I will also say that the color in it is far richer and deeper than the pics on the website. When I collapse the stock on my AR she fits the rifle, but can't hold it, she can hold the Crickett, but it's a hair or two too long. My plan is to start with the safety aspect, then take her out when she can hold her rifle correctly, and maybe after a little bit of time she can work the AR off the bench too. I do need to put a set of sling studs on her rifle though. Good job.

[CJB]

I took her to the range today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v385/KevinJenne/IMG_7428.jpg


Ladies and gents.... I hate to rain on the cute parade, but I have some problems with what is pictured above.

Its not a kids and guns thing. Its a safety thing. Here we are shown a shooter with a new (unfamiliar) rifle, closed bolt and finger on the trigger. I'm sure dad made sure everything was safe. I'm sure many would be very pleased to see such a young shooter with her own rifle, with... an open action, and finger off the trigger.

And... for the record... her dad is great! Kudo's to you Dad!

[downtownv]

Les, that is great! Check these out for her.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/348524/caldwell-e-max-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-25db-green

Get her a pair of Pink Remingtons w/ matching eye protectors instead!

[les strat]

I had an original Chipmunk (back when they were hand made in SC, wish I could have passed that on to my daughter, but another story that) I used to love shooting that little gun. They are accurate, and perfect to teach a kid on. I want my daughter to learn to use iron sights first, so no scope for her. I got her a laminated purple stocked Crickett, she knows she has it, but we have yet to shoot it. I will also say that the color in it is far richer and deeper than the pics on the website. When I collapse the stock on my AR she fits the rifle, but can't hold it, she can hold the Crickett, but it's a hair or two too long. My plan is to start with the safety aspect, then take her out when she can hold her rifle correctly, and maybe after a little bit of time she can work the AR off the bench too. I do need to put a set of sling studs on her rifle though. Good job.

She has shot a lot with iron sights on the bb guns. The length of pull on this is perfect for her at this age. The table she was shooting off of, on the other hand, was a bit of a stretch.


Ladies and gents.... I hate to rain on the cute parade, but I have some problems with what is pictured above.

Its not a kids and guns thing. Its a safety thing. Here we are shown a shooter with a new (unfamiliar) rifle, closed bolt and finger on the trigger. I'm sure dad made sure everything was safe. I'm sure many would be very pleased to see such a young shooter with her own rifle, with... an open action, and finger off the trigger.

And... for the record... her dad is great! Kudo's to you Dad!

I knew someone was going to say this. I had just pulled it out of the case, never been fired, cleared and cleaned. We talked multiple times about finger-out-of-the-guard until ready to fire, and she did it consistently when ammo was introduced. So, just for you and any other person that it bothers, I am pulling the pic. I will say she had better safety etiquette while shooting than most grown men I have ran across.

[Bawanna]

Put her back. We can take it. The striker is clearly down and they are difficult to c0ck, could she do it by herself?

Running a nail gun day in and day out in an earlier life I still have to be diligent and correct my finger index all the time. Nail gun you pull the trigger the minute you pick it up.

[Tinman507]

I vote keep it up. It's inspirational for any daddy with a little girl.

[Bawanna]

I vote keep it up. It's inspirational for any daddy with a little girl.

Yeah, listen to Tinman. And we can surly stand more cute around here. My cyber brides do pretty well but no such thing as too much cute, ya know?

[CJB]

Put her back. We can take it.

Indeed we can take it, and the picture is adorable.

Maybe we could use a "more safety correct" picture as well.

I want to also say - there was no ill will meant in my post... she is adorable, and has a very good dad. Glad you got her up to speed on safety. Once learned, it will not be forgot. You didn't have to pull the picture... your explanation makes it all clear.

Put it back, please!?!?

[les strat]

It's ok. Although I know everything was cleared and ok, it is bad representation of safety for someone (read liberals) who would be looking for an excuse to claim how bad it is for youth to shoot firearms, especially a little Bama redneck girl with a pink Crimson Tide shirt on ready to start trouble ;)

[Bawanna]

I should have saved the picture. I was gonna make it a screen background but figured Jocko would label me a perv.

Maybe there will be another opportunity for a photo shoot? What ya doing Saturday?

[les strat]

Panama City Beach ;)

[Bawanna]

Panama City Beach ;)

Do they have a range there? Panama? Ain't that a whole nuther country?

[Paistemage]

I was never raised with guns.

My kids are 4 and 1.5

Did you guys learn on rifles first? I am assuming this would be easiest. Instead of a ruger sr22 pistol.

Did you guys hold the rifle do everything and let them aim , while you hold, and they then pull the trigger?

I was raised in Chicago where the cops, gangbangers, and mobsters have guns but the average joe was legally not able to protect themselves. I have since moved...

[Bawanna]

I suspect Chicago is a good place to be FROM..... Glad you got out.

I started my kids with 22 rifle but very soon afterward went to handguns as well. I used a Ruger Single Six 22. All I'd do is pull the hammer for them. Very safe. A Bearcat would be even better but I didn't have one and still don't YET.

It made their day when we went to auto's and didn't have to work a bolt or pull a hammer to shoot again. The smiles were priceless. Have to watch them very close at first as they aren't accustomed to it and can get a little sloppy and unsafe with the semi auto.

[gm412]

I was never raised with guns.

My kids are 4 and 1.5

Did you guys learn on rifles first? I am assuming this would be easiest. Instead of a ruger sr22 pistol.

Did you guys hold the rifle do everything and let them aim , while you hold, and they then pull the trigger?

I was raised in Chicago where the cops, gangbangers, and mobsters have guns but the average joe was legally not able to protect themselves. I have since moved...

My father taught me to shoot with a 22 rifle. I was 5-6 and could not hold the end of the rifle. He would hold the barrel part and I would aim and shoot. I remember once I was shooting the ground next to the target because I thought it looked like a battleship shelling the beach. My dad said I was missing the target and I told him what I was doing. It must have amused him because he laughed about that for years.

He also bought me a pellet gun which back then we could shoot in the backyard. I even remember him setting up a 22 rifle range in the backyard. Try that now days.

[les strat]

Do they have a range there? Panama? Ain't that a whole nuther country?

Panama City Beach, Florida :cool: Can't wait!


I was never raised with guns.

My kids are 4 and 1.5

Did you guys learn on rifles first? I am assuming this would be easiest. Instead of a ruger sr22 pistol.

Did you guys hold the rifle do everything and let them aim , while you hold, and they then pull the trigger?

I was raised in Chicago where the cops, gangbangers, and mobsters have guns but the average joe was legally not able to protect themselves. I have since moved...

I started with BB guns, shotguns, and rifles.... was a big hunter as a kid/teen until I found women and cars. Once I had a family, I realized, as a husband/father, it is my duty to be able to defend my family, and will do so with a fury if need be.

[CJB]

I started with a pellet gun at age .. oh.. ten? At 12 I quickly graduated to a .22 rifle, and then soon wanted more. At 14 I got a 12gauge shotgun for birthday. Then by age 21 I was into smallbore centerfire and handguns. Still got that great little 6mm Remington... what a great little rifle.

[LorenzoB]

My dad taught me at age 5 or 6 (can't remember exactly) on a .22 Winchester single shot bolt action rifle. I was mature for my age,so he explained safe handling, and then let me do everything after he showed me how to operate it. It was so much fun, and I still have that rifle!

I think the maturity level has more influence on to when to start shooting than age. I also think this sport is a perfect opportunity to teach responsibility, respect, stewardship, and so many other things today's society is lacking. Teach them to grow up into young adults, not big babies.

[LorenzoB]

Lorenzo, congrats on your one on the way! Shooting, kayaking, camping, and even hunting is not just for boys. I have read that a good relationship with a girl's father can make a girl less likely to be promiscuous as a teen. God I hope so. I'd hate to break out the shotgun!

Thanks! I'm with you there!
Thanks for sharing the photos too... I showed them to my wife and she said that would be cool for me and our daughters when they get older. :D

[Sage]

I'm always glad to see someone raising their children instead of just letting them grow up. The things she can learn from you will last and can be passed on.

[jlottmc]

...
Did you guys learn on rifles first? I am assuming this would be easiest. Instead of a ruger sr22 pistol.
Did you guys hold the rifle do everything and let them aim , while you hold, and they then pull the trigger?


Technically speaking it is easier to learn on a pistol first (short sight radius, less muscle required, and shorter distances etc.) Having said that I have not seen anyone that didn't learn on a long gun first. the maturity level is the biggest factor, followed by a gun that fits them. This is where the Crickett shine. I was taught about not pointing at anything I didn't want to shoot, then pretty much thrown in the deep end for some time. I learned much more later, and am still looking for a way to teach sight alignment, trigger control, etc. in a way that will keep my daughters attention. Remember, she's 4 and has the attention span of a gnat. I have her going pretty well right now with the safety aspect, but still need the rest. The only thing I would do when it's time for live fire is set her up, make sure she's safe, maybe load it, but for sure pull the striker for her. A bench is a good idea for much of the beginning parts, then move to other positions. I will be putting sling studs on in the near future, and will incorporate the use of that later. I also shy away from the pellet/bb gun with the little shooters, again it is easier to learn on a gun that actually fits the shooter.

[jlottmc]

I think the maturity level has more influence on to when to start shooting than age. I also think this sport is a perfect opportunity to teach responsibility, respect, stewardship, and so many other things today's society is lacking. Teach them to grow up into young adults, not big babies.

This