Crickett Rifles
Crickett produces the “My First Rifle” — a single-shot bolt action .22 LR sized specifically for young shooters, made in the USA, and available in more colors and patterns than any other youth rifle on the market. Designed for hands as small as 5 years old with a scaled-down stock, light trigger pull, and manual safety that teaches safe gun handling from the first session, the Crickett is the first rifle for more American children than any other single platform.
Read our full Crickett Buying Guide ↓
My First Rifle: Designed for Young Shooters
The Crickett’s proportions are scaled for youth shooters — a 12.5” length of pull that fits children from approximately 5 years old, a lightweight action that doesn’t fatigue small arms, and a manual safety that is the first safety lesson every Crickett shooter learns. The single-shot bolt action eliminates magazine management, keeping the young shooter focused on the fundamentals: stance, grip, sight alignment, trigger press, and safety. For parents introducing their children to shooting sports, the Crickett’s intentional design removes every complication that isn’t the fundamentals of accurate, safe shooting.
Color and Pattern Options: Every Personality Covered
Crickett produces more stock color and pattern options than virtually any other rifle manufacturer — pink, purple, camo patterns, American flag, wood grain, and dozens of others that let young shooters pick a rifle that reflects their personality. For parents who want their child to be genuinely excited about the rifle rather than treating it as functional equipment, the Crickett’s color selection creates ownership enthusiasm that drives practice and engagement. The pink and purple Cricketts are among the most popular youth rifle configurations in the American market.
.22 LR: The Correct Caliber for Youth Shooting
.22 LR’s minimal recoil is fundamental to the Crickett’s purpose. Youth shooters who experience painful recoil develop flinch reflexes that are difficult to correct later and may discourage continued shooting. The Crickett’s .22 LR chambering produces essentially zero felt recoil, allowing young shooters to focus entirely on technique without any negative physical feedback. .22 LR’s low cost also enables frequent practice sessions without significant ammunition expense. See our .22 LR ammo page for practice and target ammunition options.
Crickett Accessories: Completing the Package
Crickett produces a full range of accessories specifically sized for their youth rifles — para-cord slings, bipods, and cleaning equipment scaled appropriately. The Crickett bipod provides a stable rest for young shooters developing their prone technique without the weight of full-size bipod systems. For parents building a complete youth shooting kit, Crickett’s own accessory line ensures proper fit and proportions across the complete setup. See our selection of Crickett accessories in stock alongside the rifles.
Crickett vs. Keystone Cricket and Henry Mini Bolt: Youth Rifle Comparison
The Crickett is produced by Keystone Sporting Arms, which also produces the Keystone Cricket — a slightly different specification from the same manufacturer. The Henry Mini Bolt is the primary competitor, using a similar single-shot .22 LR configuration in Henry’s American-made tradition. Both are excellent youth rifles; the Crickett’s color selection breadth and lower price are its primary differentiators. For the widest color choice and lowest price: Crickett. For Henry’s specific lever-action tradition in youth format: Henry Mini Bolt.
Related Pages at Impact Guns
Browse our .22 rifles page for all youth and adult .22 LR configurations. Compare with Henry youth rifles. For ammunition see our .22 LR ammo page. For women’s and first-time buyer guidance see our women’s guns page.