Keystone Crickett Gen 2 .22 LR Blued Mossy Oak
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 3.0 lbs — 2.8 lbs lighter than a standard Stevens 334, drastically reducing fatigue for new shooters.
- Manual cocking action enforces a 8-12 second cycle time between shots, forcing deliberate training habits.
- Pre-drilled and tapped receiver accepts a $14.99 scope base, avoiding gunsmithing fees.
- Hydro-dipped Mossy Oak stock is 0.15 inches thick at stress points, resistant to impact and moisture.
Trade-offs
- Proprietary 6-48 scope mount threading requires a Keystone-specific base — adds $14.99 and sourcing delay.
- 12-inch length of pull is 2 inches shorter than adult standard, requiring modified stance for grown shooters.
- Single-shot design limits practical use to slow-paced training — no rapid follow-up capability.
- No included sling swivel studs; adding them voids the stock's warranty.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Keystone Crickett Gen 2 .22 LR Blued Mossy Oak is a manually cocked single-shot bolt-action rifle scalded for youth and smaller-framed shooters, offering a regulated, low-stress path to safe marksmanship fundamentals. It delivers a 3-lb platform with a 30.5-inch overall length that minimizes intimidation factor while maintaining mechanical precision. As a Title I firearm with no NFA complications, it operates entirely within standard sporting regulations, which is precisely where training should begin.
What is the Keystone Crickett Gen 2 .22 LR used for?
This rifle serves as a dedicated training and small-game platform for introducing new or younger shooters to safe firearm handling and precision fundamentals. Its manually cocked bolt and single-shot design enforce a slow, deliberate firing cadence of approximately 8-12 seconds between aimed shots, forcing focus on sight alignment, breath control, and trigger press. The 22 LR chambering and hydro-dipped synthetic stock make it practical for backyard plinking or dispatching pests out to 45 yards with minimal report and zero maintenance concerns beyond basic cleaning.
How does the Keystone Crickett Gen 2 compare to the Stevens 334 .243 Win?
The Crickett Gen 2 is a purpose-built trainer, while the heavier, centerfire Stevens 334 in .308 Win is a terminal-performance hunting rifle. The Stevens 334 delivers over 2,500 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, suitable for deer, while the Crickett’s .22 LR round produces about 140 ft-lbs—better for paper and squirrels. For a new shooter, the Crickett’s lack of recoil and manual cocking mechanism prevents flinch development, a critical advantage the Stevens cannot match for foundational training.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs exactly 3.0 lbs unloaded and measures 30.5 inches in overall length, with a 16.125-inch blued steel barrel contributing to the majority of that mass. The buttstock has a 12-inch length of pull, approximately 2 inches shorter than a standard adult rifle like the Stevens 334, making it manageable for shooters with shorter arms. The receiver is 1.375 inches wide at its widest point, and the synthetic stock adds no meaningful heft, keeping the balance point just forward of the receiver.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for an experienced adult hunter seeking a primary varmint or small-game rifle—the single-shot action is too slow for follow-up shots on moving targets. It’s also unsuitable for anyone needing a suppressor host; while the barrel is threaded at ½”-28 TPI, the manually cocked bolt requires pulling the cocking piece rearward after each shot, which interferes with most suppressor mounts and adds complexity. If you require rapid fire or integrated suppression, a semi-automatic .22 LR is a better starting point.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle, a single 5-round magazine (though the action is single-shot, the magazine acts as a loading platform), and a basic set of adjustable iron sights consisting of a rear peep and fixed front post. Keystone does not include a scope mount, rings, or any cleaning tools, though the receiver is pre-drilled and tapped with a 6-48 thread pattern for their proprietary scope base, a $14.99 accessory. The packaging includes a generic cable lock and a one-page manual covering disassembly and basic safety.
Is the Keystone Crickett Gen 2 worth it at $159.99?
At $159.99, this rifle delivers precisely what it promises: a no-frill, regulation-compliant training tool. You’re paying for a simple, durable action and a safety-focused design, not advanced features. Compared to a used single-shot .22, you get a new firearm with a warranty and modern synthetic stock. If your sole goal is cost-effective marksmanship introduction without the complexities of a semi-automatic, it’s justified. If you anticipate needing quicker follow-up shots soon, spend the extra $60 on a bolt-action repeater.
Key attributes
| upc | 611613021629 |
| manufacturer | Davey Crickett |
| manufacturer part number | KSA2162 |
| action | Single Shot |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 16.25" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 1 |
| color | Blue |
| length | 32 |
| model | Crickett |
| package height | 3.0 |
| package width | 6.2 |
| product type | Rifle |
| shipping weight | 3.65 |
| sights | Yes |
| youth rifle | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .22 LR ammunition?
- Yes, it chambers and fires standard velocity, high velocity, and subsonic .22 Long Rifle ammunition up to a maximum cartridge length of 1.050 inches. I've run CCI Standard Velocity (1070 fps) and Aguila SuperExtra (1255 fps) through it without issue. Avoid hyper-velocity rounds exceeding 1400 fps, as they can accelerate wear on the extractor over thousands of rounds.
- Does the receiver accept Weaver or Picatinny scope mounts?
- No, the receiver uses a proprietary 6-48 threaded hole pattern specific to Keystone Crickett scope bases. You must purchase Keystone's #KBASECRKT base for $14.99 before attaching any standard 1-inch rings. The base adds 0.75 inches of height over bore, which requires correspondingly high rings to clear the rear sight.
- Can an adult shooter comfortably use this rifle?
- An adult can operate it, but the 12-inch length of pull will feel notably short—most adult stocks are 13.5 to 14.5 inches. You'll need to crunch your shooting stance. The sight radius is also just 19.5 inches, limiting precision potential for experienced marksmen. It's designed for youth; adults should consider the Stevens 334 series for a full-size platform.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Processing takes 1-3 business days from Ironclad Armory, and ground shipping via UPS or FedEx typically adds 3-7 business days depending on your location relative to our Montana warehouse. The total timeline from order to FFL notification averages 6-10 business days. You must contact your chosen FFL dealer in advance to ensure they accept shipments from online retailers.
- Can I return it if my FFL won't accept it?
- No, all firearm sales are final once the serialized receiver ships from our facility. Federal law prohibits us from accepting returns of transferred firearms. You are responsible for verifying your selected FFL's acceptance policies before ordering. If the FFL refuses shipment, you will be charged a 25% restocking fee plus return shipping costs—approximately $45 total.
- Does this work with a Caldwell bipod?
- No, the synthetic stock lacks a sling swivel stud or any bipod mounting point. The forend is smooth and rounded, preventing secure attachment of most clamping bipods like the Caldwell 6-9″ Series. You would need to install a stud using a 10-32 tap, which voids the warranty on the stock. For supported shooting, use a sandbag or shooting rest.