Kalibrgun Cricket II vs. Taipan Veteran
- Thread starter cmatera
- Start date
Yes, if you own a Taipan it’s best if you don’t watch modding videos unless you have the skills to back it up. A year ago there were quite a few posts here from guys looking for parts. The parts guys were looking for could be directly traced to a YouTube video about mods. If a larger plenum, heavier spring with a higher reg setting doesn’t produce the power you want out of your Taipan, buy another gun. The last thing you want to do is F up a part on a gun that parts aren’t a phone call away. But that shouldn’t scare someone from a Taipan. I’ve had mine for 4 years and it hasn’t even leaked. I went 3 years without touching the scope. Crazy.
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Here's my take on it. If you don't need more than say 27-28 fpe......
Both the Cricket 2 and the Taipan are great guns. Forward cocking goes to the Criket, but the Taipan is much smoother as there is no linkages. Taipan trigger is the best around, but the Cricket trigger is very nice as well. More power I believe goes to the Cricket, but there's power plenums and Huma regs for the Taipan so it can be brought up there. Accuracy is a tie in my book, both are able to put pellets into a ragged hole (in good conditions) out to 46 yards (my max range) once you find the right pellet and tune. Loudness goes to the Taipan as there is little HS smack and shroud is a bit better, Cricket has loud hammer slap right next to ear - both can be silenced to mouse fart with additional moderation. Hold goes to the Cricket - even with the newer laminate stocks they Taipans are still a brick. Magazine loading is a little awkward on both platforms but the edge goes to the Cricket with 14 round mags.
With all that said, and back to my 28 fpe, the Cricket Carbine Mini in .22 is the best of both. Had the smooth unlinked cocking of the Taipan and the hammer is not right next to your ear. The ergonomics are just perfect. I removed the shroud and put on a Huma Mod30 and it's dead silent. I could get rid of both the Cricket 2 and the Taipan yet I would still keep the Cricket Carbine Mini.It's that good - just ask @Centercut.
Both the Cricket 2 and the Taipan are great guns. Forward cocking goes to the Criket, but the Taipan is much smoother as there is no linkages. Taipan trigger is the best around, but the Cricket trigger is very nice as well. More power I believe goes to the Cricket, but there's power plenums and Huma regs for the Taipan so it can be brought up there. Accuracy is a tie in my book, both are able to put pellets into a ragged hole (in good conditions) out to 46 yards (my max range) once you find the right pellet and tune. Loudness goes to the Taipan as there is little HS smack and shroud is a bit better, Cricket has loud hammer slap right next to ear - both can be silenced to mouse fart with additional moderation. Hold goes to the Cricket - even with the newer laminate stocks they Taipans are still a brick. Magazine loading is a little awkward on both platforms but the edge goes to the Cricket with 14 round mags.
With all that said, and back to my 28 fpe, the Cricket Carbine Mini in .22 is the best of both. Had the smooth unlinked cocking of the Taipan and the hammer is not right next to your ear. The ergonomics are just perfect. I removed the shroud and put on a Huma Mod30 and it's dead silent. I could get rid of both the Cricket 2 and the Taipan yet I would still keep the Cricket Carbine Mini.It's that good - just ask @Centercut.
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SCHWING!!!! Hells yeah. My favorite gun and I have quite a few good ones. The Cricket mini is near perfect for a 30 fpe .22 shooting 18.1 JSB. Light weight, easy smooth cocking, great trigger, CZ barrel, consistently laser accurate, no POI shifts, very consistent ES, easy to shoot off hand, and it’s a great looking gun to boot. The Cricket mini and my .22 Eddy R3 Long slugger are the only guns in the “permanent” side of my gun safe.
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I contacted Charlie , says it's TOTALY false. His importer is currently out , but when resupplied , so will he be.
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Kalibrgun has a lot of new guns coming now I’m petty interested getting the cricket II tactical. Check it out.
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As we can see, it's mostly subjective. Looks and feel in the hand are so subjective, as I think the Taipan looks awesome and don't really care for the look of the Cricket. @centercut has the opposite opinion and neither are wrong. Also, accuracy at this level of airgun is literally splitting hairs.
My Veteran was the most comfortable gun to shoot that I've had. It was insanely smooth and the trigger is to die for. When guys like @Motorhead are talking about how rugged and bulletproof the design is, you know it's something special. Give me that over any FX that is going to need a trip for repair after chucking it in the back of the truck for pest duty. And I'll take it over a Brocock, Beeman, Airforce, Weihrauch, Edgun, AGT, or Kalibergun that isn't as refined in the cocking and trigger.
I don't think you could find an airgun that I'd like more than I did my Veteran, unless we're talking a RAW or Daystate that literally costs twice as much. It's consistently cheaper and built tougher than the competition and it looks and feels incredible *to me*.
My Veteran was the most comfortable gun to shoot that I've had. It was insanely smooth and the trigger is to die for. When guys like @Motorhead are talking about how rugged and bulletproof the design is, you know it's something special. Give me that over any FX that is going to need a trip for repair after chucking it in the back of the truck for pest duty. And I'll take it over a Brocock, Beeman, Airforce, Weihrauch, Edgun, AGT, or Kalibergun that isn't as refined in the cocking and trigger.
I don't think you could find an airgun that I'd like more than I did my Veteran, unless we're talking a RAW or Daystate that literally costs twice as much. It's consistently cheaper and built tougher than the competition and it looks and feels incredible *to me*.
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Howdy Centercut. What kind of shot count are you getting on this favorite gun?
It's an awesome looking piece of equipment.
Thanks
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Krale has the Cricket mini for $1448+ship ...
https://www.krale.shop/us/kalibrgun-cricket-mini-carbine/
AOA has the Cricket mini for $1599 ...
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/precharged-pcp/kalibrgun-cricket-mini-carbine-wst/#tab-2
Am I looking at the same gun as mentioned by @centercut?
I've purchased from both vendors and had very good experiences.
https://www.krale.shop/us/kalibrgun-cricket-mini-carbine/
AOA has the Cricket mini for $1599 ...
https://www.airgunsofarizona.com/precharged-pcp/kalibrgun-cricket-mini-carbine-wst/#tab-2
Am I looking at the same gun as mentioned by @centercut?
I've purchased from both vendors and had very good experiences.
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Just adding some more input to this conversation ... BELOW A COPY / PASTE from another thread a few weeks back.
I'm currently Neck deep into a full tuning and modification of a .177 Cricket II ….. Honestly I'm not impressed.
Just like Vulcans TOO MANY little screws holding it all together, over tighten they will strip, locktite you may not get them back out.
Just like Taipans PORTING is that of a one receiver manufacturing practice having a transfer passage valve to barrel a HUGE @ .232" diameter ! The Plenum is HUGE as well & while great for a .22 / .25 /.30 cal guns creates a inconsistent refill cycle on a .177 that just sips air. ( BOTH need to be reduced for the .177 application IMO )
As in the past limited trigger adjustments for sear overlap, weight, travels etc … While not bad, it is a utility field trigger.
Hammer spring sits in there loose and rattles / pings horribly when shot ( it is getting guide collars on both ends ! )
Another that will create issue if you fiddle with barrel with the clamping …. barrel is fully floating within receiver and ANY CLOCKING ERRORS will create transfer passage to barrel port misalignment.
As in the past as well … Easy for dirt / debris to foul the action in around the cocking and trigger mechanics being it has a fairly open architecture that given a dirty use environment will require some prevention measures or maintenance in cleaning.
The safety a somewhat simply yet very cheap PLASTIC ring that has NO detent or positivity in its function.
Now all said … It is a SHOOTER and functions reliably being it's new and clean … time will tell ?
Just makes me respect even more the SOLID engineering & manufacturing of the TAIPANS …. there in a league of there own in comparison.
Sorry to offend anyone .. just speaking matter of fact on whats in front of me having much experience to tell what i'm looking at.
Scott S
I'm currently Neck deep into a full tuning and modification of a .177 Cricket II ….. Honestly I'm not impressed.
Just like Vulcans TOO MANY little screws holding it all together, over tighten they will strip, locktite you may not get them back out.
Just like Taipans PORTING is that of a one receiver manufacturing practice having a transfer passage valve to barrel a HUGE @ .232" diameter ! The Plenum is HUGE as well & while great for a .22 / .25 /.30 cal guns creates a inconsistent refill cycle on a .177 that just sips air. ( BOTH need to be reduced for the .177 application IMO )
As in the past limited trigger adjustments for sear overlap, weight, travels etc … While not bad, it is a utility field trigger.
Hammer spring sits in there loose and rattles / pings horribly when shot ( it is getting guide collars on both ends ! )
Another that will create issue if you fiddle with barrel with the clamping …. barrel is fully floating within receiver and ANY CLOCKING ERRORS will create transfer passage to barrel port misalignment.
As in the past as well … Easy for dirt / debris to foul the action in around the cocking and trigger mechanics being it has a fairly open architecture that given a dirty use environment will require some prevention measures or maintenance in cleaning.
The safety a somewhat simply yet very cheap PLASTIC ring that has NO detent or positivity in its function.
Now all said … It is a SHOOTER and functions reliably being it's new and clean … time will tell ?
Just makes me respect even more the SOLID engineering & manufacturing of the TAIPANS …. there in a league of there own in comparison.
Sorry to offend anyone .. just speaking matter of fact on whats in front of me having much experience to tell what i'm looking at.
Scott S
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Thanks, I get about four magazines (14 shots per mag) shooting the 18.1 JSB at 880 FPS. This gun is super reliable and never loses POI. In fact, after I shot EBR Speed Silo with it in October 2019, I put it in the gun safe, pressure was approx 200 bar and the gun was shooting at 880 FPS plus or minus 3 FPS. When I took it out six months later, it was still at 200 bar, and the first shot I took over the chrony (no burners) was 881 FPS. Does it get any better than that?
Yes, the guns in the links above are the same gun... P.S., I don't much like the Cricket2 either...
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Okay, after reading all this conversation I will do a comparison between Taipan and the Toyota Tacoma / 4Runner. For the last forever, the Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner have received some minor facelifts and similar, but it is basically the same vehicle for the last 10 plus years.
Toyota and more importantly their customers know Toyota make an excellent product that meets the expectations of their customers. The Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner hold their value and even higher miles the owner knows they can count on it. Toyota hasn't done an every three year update of what works, criticism or not. Taipan is similar, because while companies like Cricket have done a total redesign of a classic, the Cricket, Taipan has for now kept moving forward with what they have, the Taipan Vets.
Last I checked, Taipan has a cult following, like Toyota, even though it is essentially the same product for years, the Taipans are always sold out, depending on the model, used Taipans hold their value better than compared to other manufactures.
So essentially all of the above is summed up in this: if you buy a Taipan it is a safe bet than you will get a quality product that is a shooter.
Toyota and more importantly their customers know Toyota make an excellent product that meets the expectations of their customers. The Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner hold their value and even higher miles the owner knows they can count on it. Toyota hasn't done an every three year update of what works, criticism or not. Taipan is similar, because while companies like Cricket have done a total redesign of a classic, the Cricket, Taipan has for now kept moving forward with what they have, the Taipan Vets.
Last I checked, Taipan has a cult following, like Toyota, even though it is essentially the same product for years, the Taipans are always sold out, depending on the model, used Taipans hold their value better than compared to other manufactures.
So essentially all of the above is summed up in this: if you buy a Taipan it is a safe bet than you will get a quality product that is a shooter.
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I currently have a Veteran long in .22 and it’s a pleasure to shoot it. They have one of the best triggers available and I even prefer it over my two electronic Daystate rifles. I know many have wished for a forward cocking lever on the Taipan but I like mine just the way it is. I think Taipan has the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy and that’s fine with me.
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It really is just personal preference. The only way to know which one you like better is to shoot both. My first gun was an Impact. Got a good deal. It was a little too much gun for me for being my first pcp. Sold it. Then I got a Taipan vet long .22. It was a great gun. Then i bought a Huben K1. It was awesome but had some quirks i did not like and sold it. Then i bought a fx mk1 wildcat. It was good. I found myself picking up the wildcat first over the taipan. just liked shooting it better. I prefer the forward cocking. Then I sold both of those and got a fx maverick compact .22. It is my favorite so far. Have a M3 impact on order so we will see how that goes.
My point is, you just have to try different things yourself to see what you like. If you don't like it, sell it and get something else.
My point is, you just have to try different things yourself to see what you like. If you don't like it, sell it and get something else.
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Sorry for all the diversion, but I learned a lot. I pretty much came in thinking Taipan Veteran BUT I wanted to get it from Charlie Frear. When Frear seemed to be out of the Veteran business and parts were questionable I went back to the Cricket, although I actually prefer the older model. I got used to the rear cocking on my Artemis P15's and it does not bother me, although I am only 5'6" and have short arms, so I'm not really reaching all that far behind me. If I can get a Taipan Veteran .22 standard or long from Charlie, I'll be back to where I started, but I will also wait for Centercut to get weak and sell me his mini carbine. Thank you for all the replies.
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r5m taipan Argus and vuclan 2 which bull pup you Prefer to have? Or there is other best one you suggest? I thinking to get one of these high in bull pup air gun.
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The other CZ barreled AG. The much upgraded system over the Vulcan, the Uragan. PM ma and I will tell you exactly why. There are certain refinement in them that is simply not available in anything under 3 grand. And then only special order.
and even thoug you have owned one, I doubt you are aware of them. I posted some of the oin the Uragan Owners group and not one knew they existed. A Shame!Knife
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Out of all of them if length wasn't an issue probably Uragan. I loved that gun but at 33" it's no short bullpup. I really loved my Edgun R5M Standard .22 as well. I went with Taipan as it has all I needed but didn't have the forward lever I want. Definite want over a need. It's so smooth it's not a big deal being in the rear. Also comes with a single shot tray which I really like and wasn't a fan of other bullpups being well very difficult to single load or need to buy a single shot tray for one to work. And with a DonnyFL speed dialer I can adjust between normal power (30fpe ish) for most shooting but easily turn down to 15fpe for shooting in our barns. All without any tools needed.
Really there is no best bullpup IMO. Some very very very good ones but all with something they lack. Honestly if Taipan could make a forward cocking lever similar to Uragan yet keep the rest of the gun as it is, I'd put it as the best of the best out there.
Really there is no best bullpup IMO. Some very very very good ones but all with something they lack. Honestly if Taipan could make a forward cocking lever similar to Uragan yet keep the rest of the gun as it is, I'd put it as the best of the best out there.
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