Tag Archives: single shot 22

The Sheridan Knocabout Pistol: This .22 is no toy

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Today everyone remembers Sheridan as a player in the airgun market, with many of us having cut our teeth on one of their pump .177 guns as youngsters. What not everyone knows, however, is that the company at one point tried to move into the actual firearms market and in the 1950s came up with a 22-rimfire pistol that was well received for what it was: the Knocabout.

Founded by Mr EN Wackerhagen, Racine, Wisconsin-based Sheridan Products started in 1945 with the stated purpose of giving the founder’s son a ‘better airgun than anything then on the market’. Soon their Super Grade, Bluestreak, and Silverstreak models of pneumatic air rifles were the glimmer in the eye for both kids and dads alike. Why such cross-generational interest? The Sheridan products had been designed by a gunsmith, rather than an airgun maker, which gave them the feel of actual rifles.

In 1951, the company was looking to expand and decided that a safe bet would be a rimfire pistol. At the time, semi-auto target pistols by Colt, Smith and Wesson, and a new upstart known as Ruger, were popular. The best way to compete with these makers was to offer a ‘beginner’ level pistol, for a good price.
Read the rest in my column at GUNS.com

sheridan knock out ad 1953

The Neat Little Davy Crickett Rifle

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Your child’s first gun is a momentous choice to make. Children who are brought up without an introduction to firearms become adults who are afraid of guns. One of the best firearms on the market today is the Cricket series of single shot 22 rifles.

This is no high-power sniper rifle that you can run out and take Cape buffalo with at 1000-yards during a hailstorm. Its super-simple youth model rifle that is just…tiny. The has a short length of pull, an ideal for those pint-sized shooters. The firearm will only accept one round (in the chamber) and after inserting the .22 caliber cartridge, you have to cam the turn bolt forward then cock the striker before you can fire. This gives the user, especially new shooters, a simple and safe experience.

A nice little rear peep sight that is adjustable for windage and elevation with a tall ramp front post help train those basics of proper alignment. A pushbutton safety on the bottom of the rifle will lock the bolt from being able to cycle. This safety button pin has a locking key that Mom or Dad can use to disable the rifle to keep those unauthorized little hands out of it….

Read the rest in my artcile at Firearms Talk.com

cricket