I am thinking about getting a 22lr single shot pistol for fun at the range and maybe squirrels. Are the Chipmonk or Crickett pistols something work looking at for this purpose?

This is what you want

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/anschutz-exemplar-22lr.3996304/

THE CONTENDER IS A SINGLE SHOT AND THEY USE TO MAKE A MATCH BARREL IN 22lr

My youngest daughter had a lil cricket rifle. I hated the dang thing. I had once thought about the handgun version. Glad i didnt get it.

If you could do a semi look at a Ruger charger. I added a green mountain fluted bull barrel to mine. Amazing accurate and a fun gun.

For hunting squirrels, i muchprefer a ruger mk or browning Buckmark to pack and handle.

Used to have a contender super 14 22lr match also. Again amazingly accurate. Still prefer the auto for hunting.

Seen a Browning buckmark with the 10 in. heavy barrel the other day at the gun shop said it. Was new production

My son has a Chipmunk pistol and it shoots very well. Triggers need to be cleaned up, but pretty simple to do. He needs more scope, as he only has a 2x on his so really don't know how well it will do on paper yet. Will it outshoot my 14 inch Contender or an $850.00 [used price] Anschutz Exemplar? No but it shoots good enough that misses on our 6 inch steel at 100 yds or 10 in steel at 200 yds are our fault and not the guns. Clay targets at 100 yds are easy. His has the walnut stock and when I find another one with a synthetic stock I will have one too. Not fancy, not high dollar but fun to shoot ,squirrel accurate and won't break the bank.

I urge you to buy a 22. Get whatever fits your budget and buy lots of ammo. The more you shoot it the better off you will be. I would lean to the 10 inch Contender because of the caliber options available but I believe the others you mentioned would be fine too.

In my opinion, the Contender is the best option. Nothing exceeds its versatility, and nothing is more accurate. I competed in IHMSA matches with them for years, and have taken scads of squirrels in N.C. with them

Second or third on the ten inch contender. Get a match barrel if you can.

If you decide you want something with more rounds, you can't go wrong with a Ruger semiauto pistol. They pretty much eat anything and are fairly accurate.

22lr Contender is an ammo miser and a hoot to shoot. A box of 50 can last nearly an hour.

I have a Ruger Mark II SS Target pistol with a 5.5 inch barrel that is pretty accurate but thought a single shot might be more accurate. I also have a couple of contenders with three different barrels but not a 22lr. I also have a 4x Simmons scope I could put on the Mark II.

What do you think would be better for squirrel hunting?

I think an semi auto is good for hunting squirrels or even a revolver. I would not want a single shot, because they are not wieldy enough for me. JMHO Most shots seem to be offhand, when hunting those critters.

I really miss my original Contender with the 10" hex barrels. Balance was great and easy to carry. The Contender's trigger can be made into an extremely light and crisp pull making for much better off hand accuracy. I shoot a G2 .22 rifle for a lot of squirrel hunting and keep thinking I should add another as a handgun but then what would I do with the 617.

Match Grade Machine makes custom T/C barrels in 22lr match grade. I have three Contender barrels from them. Excellent quality.

Oh boy. Now you have opened a can of worms with your squirrel hunting options for your 22. Repeater or single shot - this or that - LOL. There is no bad answer here. I have a Ruger MKII with red dot, several S&W 17s - scope and irons and a Contender. They all work for squirrels. Since you have the frame I would run to get a 10 inch Contender barrel and give it a try. If you do not like it you could part with it easily. LOL........

I had a contender 10" 22 barrel. It was accurate as can be. Like an idiot, I sold it.

Not trying to spend your money for you, but if you want accurate and a good squirrel weapon- Browning buckmark. I own the 7.5" version and it's scary accurate. Trigger isn't that great, but it's easily fixed. Despite the poor trigger, I've had several kills past 60 yards. It's a keeper.

My 12 inch 22lr match grade barrel from Bullberry barrel works shoots the staples on the target at 50 yards.

My MGM 20 inch carbine match grade is a one ragged hole at 50 yards.