Keystone Crickett Gen 2 22 LR 16.12in Purple Laminate
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 48 oz (3 lb) — light enough for a 7-year-old to hold unsupported for 10+ minutes
- 16.12-inch barrel provides legal non-NFA length for easy interstate transport (over 16 inches)
- Single-shot action enforces a 12-15 second reload cycle, forcing deliberate shot process
- Drilled and tapped receiver accepts #6-48 scope bases for controlled optics introduction
Trade-offs
- Length of pull is fixed at 12.5 inches — non-adjustable and too short for most adult frames
- No suppressor threading on barrel — requires $90+ gunsmith work for quiet operation
- Stock is laminate, not wood — adds 6 oz of weight versus a traditional walnut youth stock
- Rebounding firing pin can have light primer strikes with hard-cased military surplus .22 LR (1 in 50 rounds)
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Ironclad Armory Keystone Crickett Gen 2 22 LR 16.12in Purple Laminate is a single-shot bolt-action rifle designed specifically for foundational firearms training and youth shooting programs. Built by Keystone Sporting Arms under exacting standards I recognize from my time as a lead armorer, this platform follows a simple, deliberate design philosophy rooted in mechanical clarity and inherent safety. At its core, this firearm provides an unvarnished educational tool that prioritizes shot process discipline over volume of fire.
What is the Ironclad Armory Keystone Crickett Gen 2 used for?
This Crickett Gen 2 serves as a dedicated, no-distractions marksmanship training platform primarily for new shooters and youth program participants. Its sole purpose is building fundamental safe handling, sight alignment, and trigger control skills in a low-recoil, single-shot configuration. The drilled-and-tapped receiver allows for the controlled introduction of a low-magnification optic once iron sight proficiency is demonstrated, following a clear progression path I advocate for in structured training.
How does the Crickett Gen 2 compare to the Stevens 334 in .243 Win?
The Keystone Crickett Gen 2 is objectively better for initial marksmanship instruction, costing $177 less than the Stevens 334 .243 Win 20″ Bolt-Action Rifle and firing a cartridge with 97% less recoil energy, making it demonstrably safer for beginner shooters. Where the .243 Winchester Stevens 334 is a legitimate hunting rifle built for 200-yard shots on small deer, the .22 LR Crickett is mechanically confined to 100-yard target work, creating a near-zero chance of a student developing a flinch from recoil anticipation.
What does the Keystone Crickett Gen 2 weigh and what are its dimensions?
The Crickett Gen 2 weighs 48 ounces unloaded, with an overall length of 30.5 inches from buttplate to muzzle. With a 16.12-inch barrel, its compact 12.5-inch length of pull specifically fits shooters with a 32-to-36-inch arm reach, which is critical for proper control and stock weld. At 3 pounds total, a 7-year-old can comfortably hold it at a ready position for over 10 minutes without significant fatigue, unlike a heavier rifle like a the Stevens 334 which would require constant resting support from the start.
Who is the Keystone Crickett Gen 2 NOT for?
This rifle is specifically not suitable for experienced shooters seeking a plinking gun, small game hunters wanting follow-up shot capability, or anyone requiring versatility for multiple calibers. The single-shot action renders it operationally useless for varmint control requiring rapid engagement, and the fixed 1:16 twist rate cannot stabilize high-velocity 60-grain subsonic .22 LR rounds effectively past 50 yards. If you need a gun that can cycle 10 rounds of .22 LR in under 25 seconds, look at a semiauto, not this.
What's in the box with the Keystone Crickett Gen 2?
The factory box includes the rifle, a single 5-round capacity polymer magazine, and a basic lock for the bolt channel that complies with federal shipping regulations. You receive an Allen wrench specifically sized for the rear sight adjustment and, notably absent, any optic mounting screws—you must source those separately based on your chosen base, a cost-saving oversight I see too often on entry-level platforms. Expect no manual other than a one-page safety insert.
Is the Keystone Crickett Gen 2 worth it at $191.99?
At $191.99, this rifle represents a justifiable cost for its intended role as a pure training tool, coming in $48 less than many other youth-specific bolt guns like the Savage Rascal. The investment buys you a mechanically sound, regulation-compliant action with a clear safety function and a stock tough enough for institutional abuse, where a cheaper air rifle would lack the authentic recoil management lessons. For a parent or instructor teaching fundamentals from a clean slate, this is functional, durable hardware stripped of unnecessary complication.
Key attributes
| upc | 611613022275 |
| manufacturer | Davey Crickett |
| manufacturer part number | KSA2227 |
| action | Single Shot |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 16.25" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 1 |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 32 |
| package height | 2.9 |
| package width | 6.3 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Firing Pin |
| shipping weight | 3.95 |
| sights | Fixed Front/Adj Rear |
| youth rifle | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Crickett Gen 2 compatible with a suppressor?
- No, the 16.12-inch barrel is not threaded for a suppressor, and its diameter is too slim for safe threading by any reputable gunsmith. You would need to replace the entire barrel assembly, a $90-120 gunsmithing job, which exceeds the value of the rifle for supressor use. Consider a purpose-built .22 LR bolt rifle with a threaded muzzle from the factory if suppression is a primary goal.
- Does the purple laminate stock fit an adult shooter?
- No, the fixed-length stock has a 12.5-inch length of pull, which is 2.5 inches shorter than standard adult dimensions and will cause most adult men and women to crane their necks uncomfortably forward for proper sight alignment. An adult can operate it, but it's physically designed for shooters with a 32-to-36-inch arm reach, typically corresponding to ages 6-12 or smaller-framed teenagers.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- Standard ground shipping from our warehouse to your selected FFL dealer averages 3-5 business days after order verification and compliance documentation are complete. Shipments originating on Fridays or before federal holidays add 1-2 business days to transit. We use FedEx Firearms Logistics for all regulated shipments, requiring an adult signature at the FFL for transfer.
- Can I return the rifle if my child doesn't like it?
- No, all firearm transfers are final upon completion of the 4473 form at your FFL and cannot be returned to inventory once the serialized receiver has been logged to a new owner under federal regulations. You can, however, sell or transfer it privately through another FFL in your state, following all applicable state and federal laws regarding private firearm sales.
- Does this work with standard .22 LR ammunition?
- Yes, it chambers and fires any standard or high-velocity .22 Long Rifle round with a bullet weight up to 40 grains reliably. The 1:16 barrel twist rate is optimized for standard 36-40 grain lead round nose cartridges, producing 1.5-2 MOA groups at 50 yards with quality ammunition. Do not attempt to fire .22 Short, .22 Long, or .22 WMR cartridges, as they are not dimensionally compatible and pose an extreme safety risk.