Daisy Adult Red Ryder Rifle: Tested By A Gunsmith

Thinking back to the Red Ryder of my youth, I put it to the test and was pleasantly surprised by its power and accuracy. Here's my hands-on review.

FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.

I had to do it with the Red Ryder lever-action BB gun. According to Hollywood, I should have shot my eye out, but fortunately I avoided that. The adult Red Ryder has no compass in the stock, so I may send it back as an incomplete offering. That's why it's not part of my main review list. You can find more powerful options in my Best High Powered Pellet Guns article.

However, you cannot ignore the fact that the Red Ryder is incredibly popular in the US. I tested it thoroughly to understand why, and here are my insights.

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Daisy Adult Red Ryder - .177 Cal. (4.5mm) BB Rifle

HIGHLIGHT:

Throwback to my childhood nostalgia and high ammo capacity.

CAPACITY & SETUP:

The gun can be ordered from Amazon, and they do have one with a scoped option. I am a purist regarding this offering and went with the open iron sights. This BB-only air rifle holds a whopping 650 rounds. Those 650 rounds sound like a maraca right out of a band setup, so sneaking up on small game is out of the question. For more power, though at a higher price point, check out my Gamo Whisper Fusion Mach 1 review.

POWER:

This is a proper adult size of the original beginner air rifle. The power is about the same as the smaller air gun. So this smoothbore works best for mice and paper targets, and also for helping new shooters get their skills wired tight with some of the most affordable ammo on the planet.

BB RECOMMENDATIONS:

My top pick for everyday plinking and practice has always been the Air Venturi steel BBs, although the Daisy 515 Ground Shot BBs also get the job done. The Air Venturi BBs deliver tighter groups, and as the price is roughly the same, I prefer them.

COCKING EFFORT:

Back to the matter at hand, the lever-action handle charges the pressure chamber. It's easy enough for most adults to operate, but kids may find it takes quite a bit of effort.

OPTIC SETUP:

The scoped version is the same gun, with the scope and rings thrown in the kit for an extra ten bucks. The rings are the pinch-on-the-rail style and will work for a while, then may eventually become loose. It is a simple setup and can be reassembled quickly. It should return close to zero, as much as this little air rifle can zero the scope.

SAFETY NOTE:

I have one safety note from my youth: Never open the lever, hold the stock, and pull the trigger. The lever returns very briskly and leaves a dent in all the fingers it hits. I did not suffer more than some searing, painful lesson and zero broken bones; it did not even break the skin. I remember that lesson 50 years later, and looking at the pictures on Amazon of the lever sitting open gave me a little shiver.

Get it from Amazon now: $59.90 & FREE Returns