Keystone Crickett .22 WMR 16.12in Mossy Oak Break-Up
About this product
What is the Keystone Crickett .22 WMR 16.12in Mossy Oak Break-Up? It's a purpose-specific, single-shot bolt-action rimfire rifle chambered for the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) cartridge, explicitly designed as a training and small-game platform for youth and beginner shooters by prioritizing safety management and ergonomic fit at the critical introductory stage. This configuration represents a deliberate design philosophy focused on mechanical simplicity and situational safety awareness over speed of follow-up shots. Its synthetic camo stock and 16.12-inch barrel make it a distinct tool in the introductory rifle category, often overlooked by enthusiasts focused purely on performance metrics.
What is the Keystone Crickett .22 WMR used for?
The Keystone Crickett is primarily used for teaching fundamental marksmanship and safety to new shooters, specifically youth, and for small-game hunting at ranges under 75 yards where the .22 WMR remains effective. Its single-shot, bolt-action design forces deliberate fire discipline and conscious reloading, making it an excellent platform for foundational training. The Mossy Oak Break-Up camo pattern provides practical concealment for varmint hunting in brushy terrain, though its primary value is in building responsible, repeatable habits from the first trigger pull onward.
How does the Keystone Crickett .22 WMR compare to the Stevens 334?
Compared directly to the Stevens 334 .308 Win, the Keystone Crickett is a fundamentally different tool, being a single-shot rimfire rifle for training versus a centerfire, magazine-fed rifle for hunting larger game. The Stevens 334 is superior for adult hunters requiring multiple rounds and greater stopping power at distance, while the Crickett is better for building foundational skills with minimal recoil and lower ammunition cost. This isn't an upgrade path; it's a designated starting point, whereas the Stevens platforms are designed as primary field rifles from the outset.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Loaded and ready to fire, the rifle weighs 3 pounds (48 ounces) and measures 32.5 inches in overall length. The primary ergonomic dimension is its 11.5-inch length of pull, calibrated to fit shooters with a shorter reach, typically corresponding to users under 5 feet 4 inches tall. The 16.12-inch barrel length, when combined with its overall weight, produces a specific point of balance approximately 7.5 inches forward of the trigger guard, aiding in steady offhand holds.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for experienced hunters seeking a high-volume varmint rifle or anyone requiring rapid follow-up shots; its single-shot capacity is a teaching limitation, not a tactical feature. It is also not suitable for adult-sized shooters with a length of pull exceeding 13.5 inches, as the short stock will cause significant shouldering discomfort. Do not purchase this as a substitute for a multi-shot platform like the Stevens 334 .243 Win if your application involves shooting at multiple, fast-moving targets or predator defense.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with the barreled action installed in its synthetic Mossy Oak Break-Up stock, the adjustable rear peep sight installed, and nothing else; there are no optics, sling swivels, or cleaning tools included. You receive one firearm, meaning the purchase is just the starting point for a functional kit—plan to budget for a quality .22-caliber bore snake, a 1-inch scope mount base kit if adding optics, and appropriate foam-padded case. This is standard for entry-level rifles and keeps the initial cost focused on the core mechanical platform.
Is the Keystone Crickett .22 WMR worth it at $159.99?
At $159.99, it is worth the investment for its singular purpose: providing a safe, reliable, and properly scaled introductory firearm for a new shooter. You are paying for a dedicated training tool with a rebounding firing-pin safety and youth-specific ergonomics, not for features like a threaded barrel or adjustable trigger. If your goal is to instill fundamentals before transitioning to a more capable rifle, this price represents a focused entry cost with no unnecessary mechanical complexity to confuse the learning process.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 3 lbs (48 oz) — manageable for shooters under 100 lbs body weight
- 11.5-inch length of pull — specifically scaled for users with a 24-28 inch arm length
- Rebounding firing-pin safety — mechanically blocks pin until trigger is fully depressed
- 1-round capacity — enforces deliberate firing and reloading discipline
- 16.12-inch barrel — provides full .22 WMR velocity burn in a compact package
Trade-offs
- Single-shot only — no magazine option exists for this model, limiting practical rate of fire
- Non-threaded muzzle — cannot accept a suppressor without permanent gunsmith modification
- Synthetic stock has minimal texture — provides less grip security than overmolded or stippled options in wet conditions
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 611613022848 |
| manufacturer | Davey Crickett |
| manufacturer part number | KSA2284 |
| action | Single Shot |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 16.25" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 Magnum |
| capacity | 1 |
| length | 32 |
| package height | 3.0 |
| package width | 6.5 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Firing Pin |
| shipping weight | 3.65 |
| sights | Fixed Front/Adj Rear |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .22 LR ammunition?
- No, it is chambered specifically for .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) cartridges only. Firing .22 Long Rifle (LR) ammunition in this chamber is unsafe and will likely cause a case rupture due to dimensional differences. Always verify the stamping on the barrel, which reads ".22 WMR," before loading.
- Does the drilled and tapped receiver accept a standard rimfire scope base?
- Yes, the receiver is drilled and tapped for a #6-48 screw pattern, compatible with most standard .22-caliber 1-inch scope mount bases from manufacturers like Weaver or Warne. The distance between the front and rear mounting holes is a standard 3.8 inches center-to-center. Ensure you use a base designed for rimfire rail profiles.
- Can an adult comfortably shoot this rifle?
- An adult can operate it mechanically, but the 11.5-inch length of pull will be uncomfortably short for most users over 5-foot-8, causing a cramped shooting stance. For adult use, consider a full-sized platform like the Stevens 334 series, which features a 13.75-inch length of pull. This rifle's ergonomics are a design constraint, not an oversight.
- How long does it take to field strip for cleaning?
- A basic field strip—removing the bolt for bore access—takes approximately 15 seconds: lift and pull the bolt handle straight rearward. Full disassembly of the action from the stock requires a single 3/16-inch hex key and adds about 90 seconds. Routine maintenance does not require full disassembly.
- Does this work with a suppressor?
- No, the barrel is not threaded for a suppressor (muzzle threads are absent), and altering it to accept one would require gunsmithing, potentially violating warranty terms and adding $150-$250 in cost. If suppressed .22 WMR shooting is a goal, you need a factory-threaded platform from the outset, which this is not. NFA regulations also apply to suppressor ownership.