Keystone Crickett

About the Crickett

Keystone Sporting Arms introduced the Crickett in the 1990s as a purpose-built youth rifle — not a full-size rifle with a shorter stock, but a genuinely sized-down platform with a shorter length of pull, lighter weight, and a simpler single-shot manual of arms appropriate for beginning shooters. The Crickett has since become the standard recommendation for first rifles, with millions sold and a devoted following among families who want their children learning proper firearms fundamentals on a platform built for them.

Why Single-Shot?

The single-shot design is a deliberate choice for youth firearms education. Loading one round at a time teaches discipline, deliberate target selection, and proper trigger technique without the option of rapid follow-up shots. The Crickett's manual of arms — open the bolt, load one round, close the bolt, fire — is simple enough for young children to master under adult supervision. The manual safety and the single-shot design together make the Crickett one of the safest platforms for introducing young shooters to firearms.

Crickett Variants

Standard Crickett — Traditional synthetic or wood stock in standard colors. The baseline configuration and the most popular option. Available in black, pink, muddy girl camo, real tree camo, and other patterns.

Crickett Precision — An upgraded Crickett with a more refined stock design, improved sights, and enhanced overall quality for the youth shooter who has outgrown the basic Crickett but isn't yet ready for a full-size rifle.

My First Rifle — Pink/Colored Stocks — The Crickett's "My First Rifle" branding with colored stocks in pink, purple, teal, and other youth-oriented colors. The most gifted configuration and the most popular among girls entering shooting sports.

Crickett Combo Kits — Complete kits that include the Crickett rifle, scope, and sometimes a case — everything needed to get a young shooter started without sourcing components separately.

Specs and Sizing

The Crickett is chambered in .22 LR with a single-shot action. Overall length is approximately 30", length of pull is approximately 11.5" — sized for shooters approximately 4-10 years old depending on build. The rifle weighs approximately 2.5 lbs unloaded. As children grow, the Crickett's adjustable stock versions allow some fit adjustment before transitioning to a standard youth or adult rifle.

Next Steps After the Crickett

Most young shooters spend 1-3 years on the Crickett before transitioning to a repeating .22. The natural next step is the Savage Rascal (also single-shot but slightly more adult-sized) or a repeating .22 like the Ruger 10/22 or Savage Mark II. The skills learned on the Crickett — trigger discipline, safe handling, sight alignment — transfer directly to any platform.

FAQ

What age is the Keystone Crickett for?
The Crickett is sized for young shooters approximately 4-10 years old, though fit varies by child. The 11.5" length of pull fits most children in that range. Always have a young shooter handle the rifle before purchasing to confirm fit.

What caliber is the Crickett?
The Crickett is chambered in .22 LR — the most affordable, widely available, and lowest-recoil centerfire cartridge available. Ideal for beginning shooters.

Is the Keystone Crickett safe for young shooters?
The Crickett includes a manual safety and single-shot design that together make it one of the safest platforms for introducing young shooters. As with any firearm, adult supervision is essential and all standard firearms safety rules apply.

What is the difference between the Crickett and the Savage Rascal?
Both are single-shot .22 LR youth rifles. The Rascal includes the Savage AccuTrigger and is sized slightly larger than the Crickett. The Crickett is smaller and less expensive — better for younger or smaller children. The Rascal is appropriate for slightly older youth or as a step-up from the Crickett.