Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle Blued

Description

The Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle: A Trusted First Firearm

The Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle is a purpose-built bolt-action rimfire designed specifically to introduce young shooters to the fundamentals of safe firearm handling. Scaled down from the ground up rather than simply shrunk from an adult platform, this single-shot.22 caliber rifle features a 12-inch length of pull that fits smaller frames comfortably, letting new shooters mount the rifle properly and develop correct form from their very first range trip. Every dimension, from the trigger weight to the overall length, was engineered around the needs of a beginner, making this one of the most respected training rifles in the youth shooting sports category.

Built by Crickett, a brand synonymous with youth-oriented.22 rifles, this model pairs a lightweight synthetic stock with a blued steel barrel and action for a rifle that is easy to carry on long days afield or at the range. The bolt-action design keeps the shooting process simple and deliberate, reinforcing safe habits like one-round loading and manual chambering. At roughly 3 pounds unloaded and just over 30 inches in overall length, it is light enough for a child to carry, aim, and control without the added weight or awkward proportions of a standard adult rifle.

Key features of the Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle

One of the standout features of the Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle is its rebounding firing pin safety system, which automatically blocks the pin from resting on a live round after the trigger is released. This design significantly reduces the chance of an accidental discharge, giving parents and instructors additional peace of mind while a young shooter learns fundamentals like trigger control and follow-through. Paired with a crisp trigger pull of approximately 2.5 pounds, the rifle offers predictable, consistent feel shot after shot, helping new shooters build confidence instead of flinching in anticipation of a heavy or gritty trigger break.

The 16 1/8-inch blued steel barrel is fitted with a 1:16-inch twist rate, a specification well matched to standard-velocity.22 Long Rifle ammunition commonly used for practice and small-game hunting. Standard iron sights come installed out of the box, giving beginners a straightforward introduction to sight alignment and sight picture before they ever move on to optics. The EZ loader feature simplifies chambering a round, reducing fumbling and frustration during those first few range sessions when fine motor skills and firearm familiarity are still developing.

A black synthetic stock keeps the rifle lightweight, weather resistant, and low maintenance, which matters for families who spend time at outdoor ranges or in the field. Factory-installed sling swivel studs allow for the addition of a sling right away, useful for carrying the rifle safely between shooting positions or on a walk to a hunting stand. Every element of the build, from the blued metal finish to the trim overall proportions, reflects a rifle designed around the realities of teaching a child to shoot rather than adapting an adult gun to fit smaller hands.

• Caliber:.22 Long Rifle
• Action Type: Bolt Action, Single Shot
• Barrel Length: 16 1/8 inches
• Overall Length: 30 1/2 inches
• Weight: Approximately 3 pounds
• Length of Pull: 12 inches
• Stock: Black Synthetic
• Metal Finish: Blued with Sling Swivel Studs

Crickett KSA2240 specifications

These specifications make the Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle easy to compare against other first-rifle options on the market. With a 2.5-pound trigger pull, 12-inch length of pull, and 3-pound overall weight, it is scaled for shooters who are still growing into their first firearm. The rebounding firing pin, standard iron sights, and blued finish round out a specification sheet built entirely around safety, simplicity, and durability for new shooters.

Who this youth rifle 11.5 inch length of pull suits

The Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle is built for parents, grandparents, and instructors looking for a dedicated first firearm rather than a scaled-up adult rifle. Its light weight, short length of pull, and manageable trigger make it appropriate for kids who are ready to graduate from pellet guns or airsoft to a genuine rimfire rifle under close supervision. Hunter education courses, 4-H shooting programs, and family range days are natural settings for this rifle, where its single-shot operation keeps the focus on fundamentals like sight alignment, breath control, and trigger squeeze rather than magazine management or follow-up shots.

It also fits well in a family’s broader lineup within our Rifles selection, serving as an entry point that can later be paired with a full-size.22 or centerfire rifle as the shooter grows. Because Crickett has built its reputation almost entirely around youth-specific firearms, buyers can trust that features like the rebounding firing pin and 12-inch length of pull were designed with a child’s safety and comfort in mind. For more background on the complete lineup and accessories, the Crickett official site is a useful resource for parents planning a young shooter’s first firearm.

Why choose a rebounding firing pin safety rifle

Choosing the Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle means choosing a rifle purpose-built for teaching rather than a compromise borrowed from the adult lineup. Its rebounding firing pin, light synthetic stock, and modest trigger pull work together to make early range sessions safer and more encouraging for a new shooter. The blued barrel and action are simple to maintain, and the EZ loader keeps range time focused on marksmanship instead of mechanics. For families ready to introduce a young shooter to real rimfire shooting, this rifle offers a dependable, confidence-building starting point that can serve for years of range trips ahead.

The sights, and the safety that matters

The Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle has, by Sports South records, a fixed front sight and an adjustable rear peep, which is a better arrangement for a beginner than a notch: a peep is easier to use correctly because the eye centers it without being told to. The Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle also carries a rebounding firing pin safety, and the receiver is drilled for a base if you decide a scope helps more than irons. We stock the Crickett scope mount base kit for exactly that.

Ammunition for a single shot 22 bolt action, and how much of it

The Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle eats less ammunition than a magazine gun, which is the point. Armscor 22 LR 36 grain HVHP is what we hold deepest and it is the sensible bulk choice for a first season of shooting. Buy more than you think you need: the Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle costs almost nothing per round to shoot. The rifle is cheap to feed and the only thing that builds a new shooter is rounds downrange with someone watching.

The rest of the Crickett range

The CPR model in tan and black web with a bipod adds a rest for young shooters who cannot yet hold the Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle offhand, and the Crickett G2 is the updated action. There is a 22 LR Sporter Compact with a walnut stock for a slightly older shooter, a 20 gauge Crickett for the step up to a shotgun, and a padded case to keep it in.

A word to the adult buying it

The Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle is a single shot 22 bolt action. That is a feature, not a limitation. One round at a time means every shot is a deliberate act, the rifle is verifiably empty between shots, and the person supervising can see the chamber. At three pounds with an 11.5 inch length of pull it fits a small shooter properly rather than asking them to stretch. None of that replaces supervision, and a Crickett 22 LR Youth Rifle should be stored locked and separate from its ammunition like any other firearm.