Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett Gen 2 .22 LR 16.12in Blu
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 3 lbs — 2.5 lbs lighter than the Stevens 334 .308 Win
- 11.5-inch length of pull specifically scaled for youth anthropometry
- Rebounding firing pin prevents accidental discharge during bolt manipulation
- Drilled and tapped receiver accepts optics without gunsmithing
Trade-offs
- Single-shot only — no magazine option exists for this platform
- Synthetic stock lacks cheek riser or length adjustments
- No iron sight windage adjustment — requires aftermarket aperture or optics
- Blue finish shows wear after 200+ rounds without frequent cleaning
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett Gen 2 .22 LR rifle? It's a purpose-built single-shot bolt-action firearm designed specifically for youth and beginner shooters, featuring a 16.125-inch blued barrel and synthetic stock that prioritizes safety and simplicity over firepower. This platform represents one of the most accessible entry points into rimfire shooting, with engineering choices that reflect decades of experience in youth firearms design.
What is the Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett Gen 2 used for?
This rifle serves exclusively as an introductory training platform for new shooters, primarily youth ages 8-12. The single-shot bolt action forces deliberate shooting cadence and teaches proper firearms handling fundamentals, while the light 3-pound weight and 11.5-inch length of pull accommodate smaller frames that would struggle with standard adult rifles like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win.
How does the Crickett Gen 2 compare to the Stevens 334?
The Crickett sacrifices all tactical utility for educational safety, making it fundamentally different from the Stevens 334 platform. Where the Stevens 334 offers centerfire power and magazine-fed capacity for hunting applications, the Crickett's single-shot mechanism and .22 LR chambering limit it to 50-yard paper punching under direct supervision - the Stevens is the better hunting tool while the Crickett excels at foundational marksmanship training.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle measures 30.5 inches overall with a 16.125-inch barrel and weighs exactly 3 pounds unloaded. The compact dimensions include a youth-specific 11.5-inch length of pull (compared to 13.5-14.5 inches on adult rifles) and a barrel profile thin enough to prevent muzzle-heavy balance that would fatigue young shooters during 2-hour range sessions.
Who is this NOT for?
Experienced shooters seeking any practical application beyond training will find this platform frustratingly limited. The single-shot action makes sustained fire impossible, the synthetic stock lacks adjustability for adult shooters, and the .22 LR chambering precludes hunting anything beyond squirrels at extreme close range - for actual field use, consider the Stevens 334 in .243 Win instead.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with basic iron sights installed and a factory manual, but requires separate purchase of Crickett-specific scope mounts. Unlike many competitor packages, Keystone includes no additional accessories - expect to budget another $35-50 for mounts and optics if moving beyond iron sight training.
Is the Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett Gen 2 worth it at $127.99?
At this price point, the Crickett represents exceptional value for its singular educational purpose despite the sparse packaging. The drilled and tapped receiver allows optics expansion as skills develop, the rebounding firing pin enhances safety beyond many inexpensive .22s, and the weight distribution shows genuine understanding of youth ergonomics that justifies choosing this over used alternatives.
Key attributes
| upc | 611613023029 |
| manufacturer | Davey Crickett |
| manufacturer part number | KSA2302 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 16.12" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 1rd |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 32 |
| package height | 3.0 |
| package width | 6.3 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Firing Pin |
| shipping weight | 3.6 |
| sights | Fixed Front/Adj Rear |
| youth rifle | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .22 LR scopes?
- The receiver is drilled and tapped for Crickett-specific scope mounts only, which retail for $24.99 from Keystone Sporting Arms. Standard Picatinny or Weaver bases will not fit without adapter plates that add another 0.5 inches to optic height.
- Does it fit adult shooters?
- The 11.5-inch length of pull accommodates shooters up to 5'4" with proper form, but most adults will find the stock too short for comfortable shooting. Keystone offers no replacement stocks for adult dimensions, limiting this rifle's longevity as children grow.
- How long does shipping take?
- FFL shipments typically process within 3 business days once paperwork clears, with transit times varying by carrier. Expect 7-10 total days from purchase to pickup for most continental US locations using standard ground shipping.
- Can I return it if my child doesn't like it?
- Firearms sales are final once the 4473 transfer completes at your FFL. Ironclad Armory accepts returns only for manufacturer defects within 30 days, subject to a 15% restocking fee and return shipping costs that typically run $35 nets.
- Does this work with standard .22 LR suppressors?
- The 1/2x28 threaded barrel accepts most .22 LR suppressors, but the manual cocking mechanism requires cycling the bolt between shots. This eliminates gas blowback issues common in semi-automatic .22s but limits practical rate of fire to approximately 8 rounds per minute.