Posted: 12/21/2010 10:54:21 AM EDT
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I recently saw a post by my friend Postban where he bought a single shot .22 pistol. It was a new Cricket Chipmunk pistol, with a laminated stock.
Here's a picture of the type he bought. 
Here’s his original post. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=1098176&light= I was impressed that the pistol was on sale for $168 from Bud’s Gun Shop. It looked like a fun gun for plinking and sniping squirrels. I decided that I would look for one. We do not have a Bud’s Gun Shop in this neck of the woods, but we do have a Gander Mountain and I went to see if they had one of these pistols. When I got there, I saw a sample in a locked cabinet behind the counter and asked the salesman to please let me look at it. It was a standard model, without the laminated stock, and it looked like it had been there a while. It was as beat up as any new pistol I’ve ever seen. It had the following problems: 1. The front screw was missing from the trigger guard 
2. It had scratches in the stock around the trigger guard. 
3. It had dings on the front of the barrel. 
4. The front sight was broken and missing the hi-vis insert. 
5. The stock was beat up and scratched all over 
6. And they had a price tag of $199.99 on it. 
The salesman admitted that it was in very poor condition. I asked if they would be willing to make me a deal on it, but the Manager was gone for the day. They told me to come back tomorrow. I printed out the flier from Bud’s Gun Shop with the $168 price on it and returned the next day. I got them to get the gun out again and I started to talk with the Manager. I showed him the poor condition of the pistol and the sale price from Bud’s. I told him I was interested if they would make me a deal. He said, “How about $139?” I showed him some more of the scratches. Him, “Okay, what would you offer?” Me, “How about $80?” Him, “Well, for that I will just repair it and sell it for used.” Me, “Okay, what’s your best offer?” Him, “How about $109?” Me, “Make it $100 and I’ll take it.” My buddy Vern was with me, and he had recently had surgery on his neck and was wearing a neck brace. The Manager asked me, “Did you bring your friend along with the neck brace for sympathy?” I said, “Whatever will help.” He said, “You’re killing me.” But he took it. 
While we were waiting for the paper work, my buddy Vern said, “Looks like you have a project.” Here’s the pistol as it was when I got it home. 
I took it apart and started the work. It was apparent when I took it apart that it was indeed “New In Box”, and was not a used firearm. I first stripped the remaining finish and sanded the stock smooth. The grain was very “open” and it was hard to clean up. My buddy Ted was in for a visit and he spent some time scraping it with the edge of his knife until he had it clean and smooth. Then I stained it and then finished it with spray on Polyurethane. I sprayed a few coats and let it dry 24 hours. Then I lightly sanded down the “whiskers” raised by the finish and sprayed a few more coats on it. I also put in an order at Midway for an inexpensive red dot scope and an order with Cricket for a scope mounting bracket. I also smoothed out the dings in the barrel and re-blued the area. I removed the broken sights, as I wouldn’t need them with the red dot scope. I also took time to clean up and lube the metal parts of the gun. Here it is after refinishing. 
I finally got the scope base in and Vern and I put it on the pistol. 
Vern put some Loctite on the threads before we tightened them down. 
I had bought an inexpensive Tasco Red Dot scope for the project. Here it is with the mount and scope on it. 
Let’s see how it shoots. We will try it at about 25 yards, the distance to my back fence. I shot a few rounds to zero the scope than then we were ready to shoot some groups. 
I will try some “quiet” ammo in it, as I already have plenty of loud .22s and this one is going to be for short-range fun. I tried some of the Remington CBee22 “Low Noise” .22 Long Rifle loads. But much to my disappointment, they seemed to be almost as loud as other .22 long rifle rounds. But, they did shoot into a nice group. 
I then tried some Wolf .22 Target ammo, which is usually the best I can find. It did well, but not as well as I expected. 
I then tried some Wildcat bulk ammo, and it really liked this stuff. Four of the five shots went into one hole. 
I also tried some CCI Mini Mags. 
I also shot some Aguila, .22 Colibri, marked “20 grain bullet, No Gunpowder”. These were as quiet as a pellet pistol, but hit several inches low, even at 25 yards. But they will be best for in-town use on tomato-stealing squirrels.
All in all, a fun project and I will enjoy shooting this pistol. And I bet the grandkids will love it. 
And the squirrels are gonna hate it. |
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Another great thread, O_P! Thanks so much! Also, that's quite a bad case of shelf rash on that little pistol. It goes to prove that "NIB" certainly does not guarantee mint condition. The Manager just couldn't understand how a NIB pistol had gotten so beat up. But I was glad it was. 
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Nice project. Interestingly, I have a Marlin Papoose that shoots the bulk Wildcat stuff better than anything. Doesn't make sense given how cheap that stuff is, but I ain't complaining. I know what you mean. I usually find the Wolf Target to be the best grouping ammo in many .22 guns. But this one likes the Wildcat, which I have seen in other .22s also. .22s are finicky about what ammo they like, and this cheap Wildcat ammo is usually one that they like. |
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Another great thread, O_P! Thanks so much! Also, that's quite a bad case of shelf rash on that little pistol. It goes to prove that "NIB" certainly does not guarantee mint condition. The Manager just couldn't understand how a NIB pistol had gotten so beat up. But I was glad it was.
I would guess something ran through the trigger guard to secure it, making the scratches and broken trigger guard happen eventually. Too bad for the manager, but at least it's getting used now. |
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just as an FYI to all the youngsters -
sometimes you need to try a whole bunch of different 22 ammo in a given gun, your gun might shoot 1/2" groups with some cheap PMC Zapper and shoot 4" groups with CCI target ammo. you never can tell. 22s are typically uber ultra finicky compared to other guns. |
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Another great thread, O_P! Thanks so much! Also, that's quite a bad case of shelf rash on that little pistol. It goes to prove that "NIB" certainly does not guarantee mint condition. The Manager just couldn't understand how a NIB pistol had gotten so beat up. But I was glad it was.
Gander Mountain is the only gun store I know of where you can pull guns off the rack yourself and look at them. So they get as beat up as the slow selling air-rifles at Bass Pro. Nice work O_P. That's sort of like adopting a hard case kid and raising him right. |
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O-P - not to hijack here, quick question
I noticed you mentioned how the grain on the stock was "open". When I refinished my little Chipmunk rifle, I sanded and touched with water, dried, sanded, touched with water, sanded OMG a thousand times. I was just about to give up when I finally said "OK lets try the laquer" I think I put 30-something coats on there, and it finally ended up looking very much like a little browning stock. My only dissapointment was the few remaining places which are still "open" like little holes in the finish. I assume this is due to the stock being so porous. What can I do, not almost 5 years later, to fill these holes and complete the stock? |
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I learn a lot from your refinishing threads, O_P. Enjoy it! PS - Do you eat your squirrels? Seems the tomatoes they try and steal could end up in the same pot as them and make a tasty stew! I've eaten squirrels many years ago, but these are just tomato-stealing varmints now.
But it sounds like you don't like to waste anything. I guess if I followed your advice, I'd kind of get my tomotoes back in a way.
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Snip I also shot some Aguila, .22 Colibri, marked “20 grain bullet, No Gunpowder”. These were as quiet as a pellet pistol, but hit several inches low, even at 25 yards. But they will be best for in-town use on tomato-stealing squirrels. And the squirrels are gonna hate it. I've shot fox squirrels with Colibris before, and it doesn't do anything to them accept maybe sting them a little. What about the 60 gr Aguila round? |
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Another great thread, O_P! Thanks so much! Also, that's quite a bad case of shelf rash on that little pistol. It goes to prove that "NIB" certainly does not guarantee mint condition. The Manager just couldn't understand how a NIB pistol had gotten so beat up. But I was glad it was.
Gander Mountain is the only gun store I know of where you can pull guns off the rack yourself and look at them. So they get as beat up as the slow selling air-rifles at Bass Pro. Nice work O_P. That's sort of like adopting a hard case kid and raising him right. As a matter of fact, Gander Mountain here has just re-designed and changed their gun section around to have most of their guns behind the counter. I suppose for the very reason you mention. |
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wiat. Left-handed bolt but a righthanded pistol grip? seems weird to me. Is this a 'normal' config for rifle-action handguns? I've never noticed. XP100s aren't that way... Very common for a bolt action pistol. It allows you to open the action without releasing your right hand from the grip. Take another look at those XP-100s.
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Glad to see you could save this pistola, wonder how it got so badly mistreated sitting on the shelf. Twas no accident - clearly this was a long planned caper by the Texas Two. Vern (AKA "Iron Gizzard") would venture in weekly over the course of a year and ask to handle the gun each time. While OP distracted the clerk with tales of days gone by, Vern would surreptitiously whack the weapon against his mighty anvil of a neck. Alas, poor Vern's neck could take the abuse no more, resulting in the aforementioned surgery and subsequent neck-brace and OP was forced to make the gambit premature, thus missing the intended $80 mark. 
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Haha, I love the bargaining description. What an odd pistol. It reminds me of the cap and ball pistols you see pirates using in the movies. I love to bargain for firearms. Some folks think a big store will not bargain, but you never know till you try. Half off sticker price isn't too bad of a deal.
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Glad to see you could save this pistola, wonder how it got so badly mistreated sitting on the shelf. Twas no accident - clearly this was a long planned caper by the Texas Two. Vern (AKA "Iron Gizzard") would venture in weekly over the course of a year and ask to handle the gun each time. While OP distracted the clerk with tales of days gone by, Vern would surreptitiously whack the weapon against his mighty anvil of a neck. Alas, poor Vern's neck could take the abuse no more, resulting in the aforementioned surgery and subsequent neck-brace and OP was forced to make the gambit premature, thus missing the intended $80 mark. Okay, that made me laugh out loud.
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Sweet, Someday I will have myself a nice piece of property with my wife and I to will have a little "shooting range" in my backyard
I have already talked to my wife about it and she is STOKED about being able to shoot on our own property, She said "we need to be able to shoot ATLEAST 500 yards" LOL gotte love my wife since she is like most guy's in a lit of ways as far as "go big or go home" mentality, And she has been buggin me for a good year now to buy her some night vision goggles LOL |
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wiat. Left-handed bolt but a righthanded pistol grip? seems weird to me. Is this a 'normal' config for rifle-action handguns? I've never noticed. XP100s aren't that way... Very common for a bolt action pistol. It allows you to open the action without releasing your right hand from the grip. Take another look at those XP-100s.
It's good for shooting from the creedmore position if you're shooting silhouette. You can work the action without completely disrupting your positioning. |
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Snip I also shot some Aguila, .22 Colibri, marked “20 grain bullet, No Gunpowder”. These were as quiet as a pellet pistol, but hit several inches low, even at 25 yards. But they will be best for in-town use on tomato-stealing squirrels. And the squirrels are gonna hate it. I've shot fox squirrels with Colibris before, and it doesn't do anything to them accept maybe sting them a little. What about the 60 gr Aguila round? I have some of those on order. But I shot some grapefruit with the Colibris and they went right through the whole fruit. I would expect them to kill a squirrel, at close range. |
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O-P - not to hijack here, quick question I noticed you mentioned how the grain on the stock was "open". When I refinished my little Chipmunk rifle, I sanded and touched with water, dried, sanded, touched with water, sanded OMG a thousand times. I was just about to give up when I finally said "OK lets try the laquer" I think I put 30-something coats on there, and it finally ended up looking very much like a little browning stock. My only dissapointment was the few remaining places which are still "open" like little holes in the finish. I assume this is due to the stock being so porous. What can I do, not almost 5 years later, to fill these holes and complete the stock? Woodworking is a whole 'nother subject.
I used some Honduran mahogany to build some furniture years ago. I had to take some "filler" which was a paste and mix it with turpentine and use it to fill the grain of the wood prior to finishing. I don't know what kind of wood this is on this pistol, but it looks kind of like walnut. But whatever finish they had on it came off the surface easily, but then stayed in the pores. As I mentioned, my buddy Ted scraped it with the side of a knife blade and was able to smooth it out and get it all the same color so I could stain it. It actually came out pretty nice, especially considering where we started.
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The Gander Mountain here is horrible firearm wise. I was in there a couple of weeks back and at least 5 of the 8 rifles I handled had varying degrees of rust on them. Kid working the counter said "all new rifles come in like that, we just clean them up prior to sale" Whatever.
OP - I know you probably know someone to transfer that from Bud's for nearly nothing, but good on ya for beating Gander out of it. Get it threaded and canned and nothing you shoot out of it will be "loud". After you created the Sistema rush I was able to get 2 of them from GM for $450 OTD. Wes |
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O-P - not to hijack here, quick question I noticed you mentioned how the grain on the stock was "open". When I refinished my little Chipmunk rifle, I sanded and touched with water, dried, sanded, touched with water, sanded OMG a thousand times. I was just about to give up when I finally said "OK lets try the laquer" I think I put 30-something coats on there, and it finally ended up looking very much like a little browning stock. My only dissapointment was the few remaining places which are still "open" like little holes in the finish. I assume this is due to the stock being so porous. What can I do, not almost 5 years later, to fill these holes and complete the stock? no offense, but the way you did it was not going to work. you cannot sand the pores out of the wood do this: sand the wood to whatever grit you like, say 200 wet the wood, let it dry. this will raise the grain. sand it again lightly then start applying coats of finish. you need a hard finish like tru-oil or polyurethane, not boiled linssed oil or tung oil. after each coat of finish, sand the stock with high grit paper, like 400 . this will let you fill the pores without getting that built-up bloppy look basically what you are doing is filling the pores with varnish layers, without building up a thick finish on the surface then, when you have the pores filled to your satisfaction, apply a couple of final coats of varnish and don't sand. sounds to me like you should use minwax gloss poly that's thinned 50% with mineral spirits so you can wipe it on with a rag. dont try to thin the semi-gloss, it has flatting agents in it. if you fill the pores with varnish and then keep sanding the buildup off the surface, you can make a finish that looks like a grand piano. there are no big magical secrets to wood finishing, the science and methodology have been worked out for you http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Wood-Finishing-American-Woodworker/dp/0762101911 http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Wood-Finishing-American-Woodworker/dp/0762101911 |