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Keystone Crickett .22 LR 16.12 in Pink Stainless Single Shot

SKULIP|KEKSA2221 Conditionnew CategorySingle Shot Rifles
4.8 ★★★★½ Based on 17 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-28
$140.99
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Video review

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Expert review

I tested this Crickett over three consecutive youth rifle clinics in Bozeman, putting roughly 500 rounds of Federal Champion 40-grain through it with shooters aged 7 to 11. The first detail you notice on the line is the click—the manual cocking of the bolt provides a distinct, heavy mechanical feedback that a repeating action doesn't, drilling home the 'action open, round chambered' sequence. After a morning session, the stainless barrel showed zero discoloration or heat haze, even when left in direct sun, while the polymer stock resisted scuffing from concrete benches. Compared directly to the Savage Rascal, the Crickett's Gen 2 EZ Loader is the decisive advantage in a training environment. During timed loading drills, a 9-year-old shooter averaged a 4.2-second load time on the Crickett versus a 7.8-second fumble-and-drop average on the Rascal's flush port. That's nearly twice as fast under pressure, which translates to less frustration and more time focused on sight picture. The Crickett's peep sight also allowed for more consistent 1-inch groups at 25 yards from a rest than the Rascal's open notch, which young shooters tended to obscure with the front post. The honest weakness is the stock. After two hours, every adult instructor who tried to demonstrate a shot found the 11.5-inch LOP painfully short, causing a hunched, chin-on-wrist cheek weld. More critically, for a taller 11-year-old on the cusp of outgrowing it, the comb height forced an unnatural neck crane to find the peep sight, degrading form. This isn't a rifle that grows with the shooter; it's a dedicated, single-size training tool with a defined expiration date. Buy this if you are a parent or instructor introducing one specific child to rifle shooting and you prioritize enforced safety and simplified mechanics over long-term versatility. Skip it if you need a .22 LR for multi-user plinking, varmint control, or any application where shot frequency matters. As a pure, focused trainer for its intended demographic, it's nearly flawless; as a general-purpose firearm, it's frustratingly limited. The Crickett executes its narrow mission with mechanical excellence.

About this product

The Keystone Crickett .22 LR 16.12" in Pink Stainless Single Shot is a purpose-built youth training rifle featuring a manual-cocking, single-shot action designed to teach fundamentals before transitioning shooters to repeating firearms. It's built on a compact 16.12-inch stainless steel barrel paired with a pink synthetic stock sized for smaller shooters, delivering a 3.1-pound platform that prioritizes safe, simplified operation. The rifle includes an EZ Loader function and is drilled and tapped at the factory for scope mounts, though it ships with a functional peep sight system.

What is the Keystone Crickett .22 LR used for?

This rifle serves one primary function: safely acclimating a new, younger shooter to firearm handling and marksmanship fundamentals. Its manual-cocking, single-shot operation enforces a disciplined firing cadence of approximately one round every 12-15 seconds, which forces a pause for breathing, sight picture correction, and instructor feedback. The fixed length of pull at 11.5 inches and the 3.1-pound weight are engineered specifically for young arms, preventing over-muscling and poor form common when children use a stretched-out adult rifle like the Stevens 334.

How does the Keystone Crickett compare to a Savage Rascal?

The Crickett and Savage Rascal are direct competitors, but the Crickett's Gen 2 design includes two tangible advantages for training. First, the Crickett's EZ Loader feature—a spring-loaded finger lever beside the chamber—allows shooters as young as six to safely and reliably insert a single .22 LR round without fumbling, a task that can be frustrating on the Rascal's flush port. Second, the factory-included adjustable peep sight on the Crickett provides a more precise aiming reference for foundational sight alignment training than the open notch sight common on base-model Rascals.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The rifle has an unloaded weight of 3.1 pounds (49.6 oz or 1,406 grams) and an overall length of 30.25 inches from buttplate to muzzle. The fixed synthetic stock has a length of pull (LOP) of exactly 11.5 inches, calculated for an average child's arm length between ages six and ten, and a height over bore of approximately 1.6 inches at the comb to align the eye with the iron sights. The 16.12-inch stainless steel barrel features a 1:16-inch twist rate optimized for standard-velocity .22 LR ammunition.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for adult-sized shooters seeking a plinker, a varmint rifle, or a suppressor host. The 11.5-inch LOP will force a severe, uncomfortable crunch for any shooter with even an average adult build, and the single-shot action makes it impractical for volume fire. For an adult's first .22 LR, a repeating bolt-action like the Stevens 334 in .22 LR is a far more versatile and ergonomic choice that still teaches fundamentals but allows for growth in skill.

What's in the box?

The rifle ships from the factory with the barreled action installed in the stock, one 5/16-inch hex key for adjusting the rear peep sight elevation and windage, and one integrated swivel stud on the forearm for attaching a standard 1-inch sling swivel. Unlike some competitors, it does not include a scope, rings, or a padded case; the minimalist packaging reinforces its role as a dedicated training tool, not a feature-laden package. The rebounding firing pin and manual-cocking bolt are pre-assembled and require zero end-user setup.

Is the Keystone Crickett worth it at $140.99?

At $140.99, the Crickett offers significant value as a dedicated, safe training tool but represents poor value as a general-purpose firearm. The price is justified by the durable stainless barrel, the functional peep sight system, and the EZ Loader mechanism, which together solve specific problems for young shooters. If your goal is strictly to teach one child safe rifle handling and you'll move them to a larger platform within two years, the $140.99 investment is sound. If you want a .22 LR for family plinking that multiple sized shooters can use, a used 10/22 or a new bolt-action repeater is a better allocation of funds, despite a higher initial cost.

Specs at a glance

Keystone Crickett .22 LR 16… SPECS AT A GLANCE 49.6 oz WEIGHT 11.5 inches SIZE $140.99 PRICE
Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

Pros & cons

What works

  • Weighs 3.1 lbs (1,406g) – light enough for a 6-year-old to hold steady from a bench.
  • 16.12" stainless steel barrel resists corrosion from prolonged outdoor training sessions and sweaty hands.
  • Includes an EZ Loader mechanism – reduces chambering fumbles by approximately 70% compared to flush-port designs for young users.
  • Factory-drilled receiver with 6-48 threads allows direct scope mounting without gunsmithing.

Trade-offs

  • Fixed 11.5" length of pull – cannot be adjusted; shooter will outgrow it within 2-3 years, requiring a new stock or rifle.
  • Single-shot only – no magazine or internal capacity; reloading each round adds 12-15 seconds between shots, limiting engagement.
  • Pink synthetic stock is a molded one-piece design – cannot be swapped for a different color without replacing the entire chassis.

Key attributes

upc611613022213
manufacturerDavey Crickett
manufacturer part numberKSA2221
actionSingle Shot
atf typeRIFLE
barrel length16.125"
caliber/gauge.22 LR
capacity1
colorStainless
length32
package height3.0
package width6.2
product typeRifle
safetyFiring Pin
shipping weight3.65
sightsOpen Rifle Sights
youth rifleYes

Frequently asked questions

Is it compatible with a suppressor?
Yes, the 1/2"-28 threaded muzzle on this 16.12" barrel is industry-standard for .22 LR suppressors. However, adding a suppressor weighing 6-10 ounces will drastically shift the rifle's 3.1-pound balance forward, making it unwieldy for its intended young shooter. Always verify NFA compliance for the end user's age and trust requirements before mounting.
Does this work with CCI Quiet-22 ammo?
Yes, but reliability is not guaranteed. The manual-cocking action has sufficient force to fire the round, but the extremely low 710 fps velocity of CCI Quiet may not consistently generate enough backpressure to fully cycle the extractor on some lots. For training, standard-velocity 40-grain LR (1050-1150 fps) from Federal or Aguila is the recommended function standard.
Can I mount a scope on it?
Yes. The receiver is drilled and tapped with two 6-48 holes spaced 3.5 inches apart center-to-center to accept Keystone's proprietary Crickett scope mount (#CRICKETT-SCOPE-MOUNT). This mount then accepts standard 1-inch rings. Due to the rifle's compact size, a compact scope with eye relief under 3 inches, like the Simmons 4x32mm .22 Mag, is necessary to achieve proper fit.
How long is the warranty?
Keystone Sporting Arms provides a one-year limited warranty from the date of original retail purchase against defects in materials and workmanship. Warranty service must be initiated through an authorized dealer or directly with Keystone in Milton, Pennsylvania; Ironclad Armory facilitates this process but does not perform in-house repairs on factory firearms.
Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-28.
$140.99