Soda cans full of water are my favorite target. With the Red Ryder, if you shot it near the top, it would not fall over, just pour out water. Then hit it near the bottom and it was down. Thank you for the comment....keep shooting.
I still have mine from ‘84 (I think). Made in the USA is stamped on the top of the receiver. It’s now my 5 year old daughters. She shot it for the first time yesterday. Proud dad here.
I got mine when I was 9 at Christmas in around 2014. I always pinched my hand skin in the lever. I only fired it twice, it's still sitting in it's sleeve in the corner of my room, cocked and loaded
Thank you for sharing. You should give it another chance and shoot it. Leaving it loaded is no problem, but if you leave it cocked, for long periods, it can weaken the spring.
I had the same one between the ages of 4* to adulthood. My dad said I must have fired at least a million rounds through it. The sights broke off early in its life, so I developed a deadly quick skill talent. I could hit what I aimed at no matter the range. When I went into the Army, what to my surprise but we began training with daisy adult BB guns. I'm a Viet Nam vet, and by the time I went in (1972) jungle military tactics had evolved. We paired off. One soldier pitched a quarter-sized metal disk into the air, and the shooter learned how to point shoot without sights with lead, etc. I started out hitting the disks. One simply didn't have time to line up sights in a jungle ambush. * Yeah, I was young, but I was also always big and mature for my age. By the age of 4 I had my first bow & arrow, first Bowie knife, first camp axe, and first BB gun. My parents taught responsibility early, I was elected to follow the rules, and I knew why they were necessary. Yep, it's a different time, but better? -- you be the judge -- my childhood was over long, long ago.
My rear sight broke off long ago as well and I also developed the point and shoot method. I still shoot my old Red Ryder from time to time, but I am a better shot if I use a Red Ryder with both sights. You may think that your childhood is long over, but if you are anything like me, shooting a Red Ryder in the backyard will bring back those memories of childhood and make you feel like a kid again. Thank you for your Red Ryder story. And thank you for your service.
As a millennial south american, I envy your childhood. That's how a classic man is formed. I'm sorry for the shit you had to put up with in 'nam. At least people of that age recognized the evil of totalitarian regimes and how lucky USA is (although not as lucky it used to be). May God bless you, friend!
Thank you for this informative video. I just bought an original Red Ryder at an antique shop. The plating says it was made in Plymouth Michigan in 1939. The former owner must have cared greatly for this small treasure as it is in decent shape with minimal ware and is only missing a single bolt from the side. I’m not sure if it shoots but I am excited to pick it up later this week and restore it back to its former glory
It sounds like you found a nice original Red Ryder. They are hard to find, because even though they are built well, time and rough treatment can take their toll. Good luck getting it shooting.
I got a red Ryder and it was from my grandparents from 1938. Still shoots very well not that much rust and I'm going to keep it in the family for a long time.
I just got my 1st Red Rider ever last week and it's great! I got the newer adult version and that one does come with the metal lever. By the way the 1st gun I bought was a Enfield 303 British for 90 bucks at the local hardware store across from L.L. Bean in Freeport Maine.I was 16 years old. LOL! Took me all summer to save for that! I'm having a blast with the Red Rider now though! Have fun Shootin' Ya'll
What a flashback! I was going to buy one of those Enfeilds from Rose's, back in the day I think 1988, but the last one in inventory had a crack in the stock, and I didn't want it, even for 90 bucks. Thank you for sharing your story. Have fun with that Red Ryder.
I bought a new Red Ryder for my grandson about 15 years ago and it had the plastic cocking lever. after about six months it developed a crack in the cocking area. I wrote Daisey and sent a copy of my reciept. I offered to pay for a new lever but instead they sent me 2 replacements free of charge. I'm still using the first. My experience with Daisey support was definitely pleasant to say the least. I hope this may help someone else who finds themselves in the same situation.
I have heard many stories of Daisy and their great customer support. Thank you for sharing yours. I think the plastic levers are strong, but every once in a while someone gets a plastic lever with a weak spot. Thank you again for sharing your experience.
Almost 70 years ago when I was 14, with the old version, dressed only in my floppy underwear in the middle of the night, I heard a large dog harrassing my pigeons. Rushing to their aid, I tried to quickly cock the lever between my thighs - it slipped. It took almost 60 years for the last scar on my, well... to heal. But thanks for the memory. Now my wife knows what I was talking about all these years.
Got my kid one for his 13th birthday which turned into a drinkin shooting tournament with my buddies. Birthday boy did real good. Not one beer bottle in tack. Lol
Never had a red rider. 51 now and had a few rifles and guns. My first was a sawed off pellet gun found in a family friends junk pile back in 78ish. Just bought my son a red rider bb gun for Christmas he just turned 8. I think we will have lots of fun with it.
Make sure he has more fun than you. I was very excited when I first got my Red Ryder. Dad went over the rules of safe shooting. The main rule was that I could not shoot it unless he was there with me. Dad waited until I asked him if he wanted to shoot it before taking a couple of shots and then handing it back to me. I think my dad had more fun watching me shoot. I have done the same with my son and daughter. Once they get older and more competent with shooting safety, it is fun to get a couple of Red Ryders and shot together. Thank you for sharing your bb gun story and have fun shooting with your son.
I got a Red Ryder BB gun in about 1946, 47. Loved it and shot it many times! I believe I still have what’s left of it(my mother let my nephew use it for years….he was rough on every thing and pretty much tore it up). I was hoping you were going to compare a real old one from the 40’s to current production. One thing I believe was different was the way you load the BB’s. If I can find mine I’ll have to check it. As I remember, you turned the end of the barrel (on the old model) to open a small hole where you poured in the BBs. The later model had an opening in the side of the barrel which has a sliding plastic cover. It allows the BBs to go in much easier. Could be my memory is bad….LOL! Later owned a Daisy pump BB gun, a model 25, I think! Then moved on to a JC Higgins semi auto 22.
I have got the same model Red Ryder you are talking about. You do remember correctly the bbs loaded thru a small hole that was accessed by turning the end of the barrel. I need to make a video comparing the four main models of Red Ryders thru the years. There is a guy on RUclips called Restomoddaisy that repairs old Red Ryders. He might be able to repair your old Red Ryder. Thank you for your comment.
Got mine for Christmas around 1960 or so. Missing that rear sight is no big deal, one developed a keen snap-shot eye for windage and elevation with a Red Ryder after a couple 10's of thousands of BBs through it. My younger brother got one probably 5 years later and he and I shot anything and everything, from birds to baby food jars floating on the pond, to coke cans, to Red Squirrels. Once Mom caught us shooting at bumble bees in the corner of the garage, and every miss left a small BB dent in the siding. She took our guns and put us on notice for when Dad would get home from work. Dad walked out to the garage with us, and first thing he said was: "Can you hit them?" So, half an hour later, Mom found all three of us slinging BB's at Bees. FWIW, we used to shoot into various traps and re-use the BB's probably not a great idea. Now the sad part of the memory; five years ago when we were moving Dad to a more suitable home, there was a huge auction of the collection of things from 275 years of our family life (yes, the house was built and deeded to ancestors in 1740) on the farm. And that trusty little Red Ryder got away from me as I was busy moving among the crowd answering questions and helping carry and load things for buyers. I suppose I could have claimed it before the sale, but I didn't - live and learn - I hope. Thanks for the memories.
Thank you for your memories of your Red Ryder. Most of the old bb guns I see on ebay come from estate sales. I often wonder what memories those old bb guns created over the years. They are built so well that I am sure they will be creating memories for many more years. Hopefully whoever got your old Red Ryder is having fun shooting at all kinds of targets. Thank you again for the story of your Red Ryder.
Man.. just hearing it when you fire them takes me back to being a kid. My dad bought one of these for me when I was 8 years old, I am now 35 and I had it forever but I don't know whatever happened to it. I wish that I still had it to give to my son.
Thank you for the comment. I have a couple of older models of the Red Ryder that I am going to be making a video on. Keep a look out on my channel for that video in the future.
Just bought my daughter one of these she already shoots a 22 pistol and rifle at the range but this she can plink in the yard and still enjoy shooting on her own with very little risk
Red Ryders are perfect for marksmanship practice. Another benefit is that bbs cost almost nothing compared to even .22 rimfire rounds. Thank you for you comment.
I had a Red Ryder in the late 1960's. I loved it. I shot more BB's through that thing than I can remember. I made a mistake! When I got married, I stored the gun at my dads house in the attic. That more or less tore it up. I also had a crossman pump action bb gun that fell apart do to the heat. I will have to say, I have a new Red Ryder that shoots accurately at roughly 10 yards. I get a bit over 325 fps with usual zinc BB's. Mine isn't Chinese made, but made in USA. It was purchased new a couple of years ago. I have the authentic wood stock, none of the Chinese markings. I am thinking that these were a stash of old Red Ryders that I was lucky enough to find.
Its sad that these iconic bb guns are made in china now i understand they would cost triple if they were made in the usa but id still pay it we all would i get a new one every year because of new editions being made with emblems we cant make anything anymore and thats why our country is in the shape its in red ryder belongs in one place the united states!!
I have a 1938B from the very early 90's. It is a combination of the two rifles. It is made in USA, but it has the plastic lever without the ratcheting clicks. It also doesn't have the metal strap on the barrel grip.
With Daisy bb guns, you will find lots of differences, especially between model changes. They would use up old parts in inventory by putting them on the new models. Sometimes it is hard to tell which model you have. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story.
I had a red Ryder back in the mid 90’s when I was 9. Got it from the hardware store. I destroyed lots of things with it. Hunted rabbit and bird with it.. and mailboxes, sorry dad. Great fuckin gun.
Great comparison. You really brought back memories when you cocked the old one. I could feel my fingers getting smashed by the lever as I watched your video. Given a choice, I think I still prefer the old, American made one. So, when does Annabelle get to use one? She is eleven.
I think the memories are what make the Red Ryder so successful, dads buy them for their kids. And I think everyone that has had one has had their fingers smashed once. They still assemble some of the special edition Red Ryders in America. She has shot one already, but I think she likes shooting her bow and arrows more. Thank you for the comment.
Got my first Daisy BB gun in 1997 when I turned 9! Definitely took a little while to break in but still shoots pretty well today (a little high and to the right)! The Red Ryder I got a few years ago is disappointing… seems like almost all plastic and shoots about as fast as an airsoft. Got another one from my brother that can’t spit a BB out of the barrel so I need to find out how to fix it
If anyone was wondering why your Red Ryders do not have the Compass in the stock or the thing that tells time there is a reason for that. The Red Ryder model never had those things. It only had them in the movie, A Christmas Story ". The Daisy Buck Jones Special BB Rifle was the model that had the compass in the stock and the post and markings for a sundial on the stock to tell time in bright sun.
That was true, back in the day. Daisy has since made different "Christmas Wish" versions of the Red Ryder. Wal-mart just had an exclusive one for around $26. Thank you for the comment.
I have a 1950's Red Ryder that still shoots exceptionally well and I consider it deadly accurate. From a distance of 90 feet, it will consistently hit a 1/4 inch nylon rope hanging from a tree in my yard. My grandson has his own new Red Ryder, and I must say, the 70 year old spring in mine, is more powerful than the brand new one in his. When you shot a hole in a beer can back then, it was a steel beer can, not the aluminum he is shooting today. Also have the Daisy Winchester from around 1964, and a Model 25 pump gun, plus an older than dirt single action '6 Shooter', whose only ID on it beside the Daisy logo is '177 Cal B-B SA' on the barrel. All the blue paint came off decades ago, but still shoots very well. All my kids started with Daisy, and the first thing they had to do, was memorize the gun safety rules that comes with every Daisy BB gun.
Thank you so much for your Daisy memories. Those old Daisy bb guns are hard to beat. The old Red Ryder, in this video, is my first ever bb gun from over 40 years ago. I also had one of those six shooters. Mine unfortunately got lost along the way growing up. There are aftermarket springs that will make new Red Ryders shoot much more powerful than stock. Thanks again for your Daisy memories comment. Have fun shooting.
I remember this thing from Christmas Story that popularized it. I just recently have the modern one, but I haven't opened it yet. I'm surprised it's not very different from the classic, even though safety is apples and oranges because you're comparing analog era against digital. I don't recommend kids playing them though, because they still look like a real vintage rifle. Your old one, considering that's from the 1970s, the wear is something you have to expect from age, but it still looks pretty good. Knowing the movie, Iam pretty curious how this iconic BB gun will work.
That movie from 1983 did help boost sales of the Red Ryder, but they had sold millions of Red Ryder bb guns before then. I found one source that said Daisy made one million Red Ryders in 1949. There is no telling how many they have made over the years. With adult supervision and safety glasses, Red Ryders can be a safe introduction to gun safety for kids. They can and have been mistaken for real firearms and should not be carried around in a public place. You should get your Red Ryder out and have some fun shooting. Thank you for your comment.
During the winter a group of members of our club get together and shoot a friendly match a couple of times a month on our indoor range. Only "Red Ryder" carbines are allowed and the only modification allowed is the front sight can be changed to red fiber optic sight available from Daisy. Great times,.
I love competitions like that. Skill would be the deciding factor, not who can spend the most money on the best gun. Thanks for sharing your Red Ryder story.
Check out the RUclips channel restomoddaisy. That guy shows how to restore old daisy bb guns, and is very informative. Thank you for the comment and good luck restoring your dad's old bb gun.
My old one i got in 1990 or 91 I think has a plastic lever, but no ratchet safety. was made in rogers ar. Also has a metal medallion on the stock opposite side on red ryder engraving. Still shoots fine. Bought a new one for my kid today, was great fun to shoot some cans with him
It is crazy how many variations and combinations of different features of Red Ryders throughout the years. Thank you for the comment and have fun shooting with your child.
I enjoyed the video, Charles. I was a youngster growing up in the '50s and '60s, on a farm, and my Dad owned mostly shotguns, so, for "plinking" he would borrow the neighbor's Daisy Red Rider and turn me loose with it. Pretty sure it was an old Model 1940. Eventually, I received my own Red Rider Model 94 around Christmas of '62. It was considerably shorter than that Model 1940 and didn't have the same "zap". A few years later, when the neighbor passed away, his wife gifted me with his old Red Rider and I couldn't have been more grateful. The BB gun that I could, at one time, only borrow was now all mine. I just recently found the Model 94 stored away in my garage but I'm still looking for that old Model 1940. Sure hope it didn't grow legs over the years. Wish me luck. Keep up the good work! Vince P.S. My grandson and I each have a Model 1938B now. Target shooting only. Gotta keep that tradition alive.
Thank you so much for sharing your Red Ryder memories. I started with the 1938B that is in this video. Thanks to ebay and yard sales, I now have at least one example of every model of Red Ryder including the 111/40 and 94, like the ones you mentioned. I am going to make a video comparing the different models. When you start looking at the history of airguns, it is mind boggling at all the different models that were created. I hope you are able to find your model 111/40. And have fun target shooting and sharing your love of the Red Ryder bb gun with your grandson. Thank you again for sharing your story.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Thanks for the reply, Charles. I'm not sure why I referred to my old Red Rider as a "Model 1940" unless I was thinking of the first production year but you are correct. It was/is a Model 40. Vince
@@vincentpia7362 I have heard that Daisy would sometimes use parts from other models or older models. You might have wood stocks but plastic forearms or plastic stocks on models that should have wood stocks. Interesting when you start looking at all the various models.
I got a brnad new old stock one that was made in 1987 when i was 5 back in 97 for Christmas and it was my forst ever gun and tons of soda and beer cans and bottles got destroyed. Then i got a crosan pumpmaster 760 when i was 8 and my first rim fore rigle 22 lr at 10. And my red ruder still shopts accurate and jaut as good as the first time i shot it. And yes the mote bbs you shoot through any bb gun using brass bbs will make it more accurate but a pellet rifle shooting lead and aluminum pellets will foul up the rigling and barrel with specs of lead and become less accurate
I'm 61 now and I got my first rifle when I was 10 and it was a Red Ryder, I have no idea where it is now. But a year or two back I picked up a new Red Ryder and right out of the box it was dead on at 10 or 15 yards. I've not shot anything farther than that with it. After all it is a Red Ryder! LoL 😆!!
So many Red Ryders have been lost to history. I think one of the best things about a Red Ryder is that it reminds me of being a kid any time I shoot it. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story.
My dad passed away 11 years ago we started cleaning up the laundry room closet came across a Buffalo Bill I remembered it from about 25-30 years ago I cleaned it up a little oil works great also a Marksman looks like a shotgun
Took me a while to find a 94 at a good price. I have been meaning to make a comparison video of all four models of Red Ryders. So many different Daisy guns out there.
This is crazy. I have the newer model, but it's atleast 15 years old. I've had it in the box in my closet for years, only used like once. Got it out today and started looking around. Though I realized mine was made in America!
Some of the new models are still made in America, especially the commemorative ones. But most of the Red Ryders you buy from the big box stores are going to be made in China. You should get that Red Ryder out in the back yard and shoot some bbs. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story.
I've got one from early 90's, made in AR, USA , but does have a ratcheting, plastic lever, which snapped (now repaired) after a few thousand rounds. :-)
Good video, got my 1st at the grand old age of 4--in 1949. So, thru many decades of kids and grandkids I’ve broke in many a Daisy. I’ve also “broke down” many a Daisy. I can tell you the “Chinese” gun is a greatly improved gun. And I hate to tell you that. I won’t go into details here. But it was obvious to me the production equipment in Rogers was in poor repair thelast years of production. The new guns are being manufactured with new tooling and using improved designed parts. The new shot tubes are seamless steel tubing, heavy gage, stiff and straight. The assembly methods are also improved. Like I said--I hate to say it. I think the company was faced with retooling the plant in Arkansas or move off shore. And looking at costs and pricing, they had to move it or close it. Your observation of the inaccuracies due to oil in the shot tube (barrel) is dead on. I regularly run a patch with a degreaser down it. Keep the kids shooting ALWAYS WITH EYE PROTECTION. thx
I think a lot of American manufacturing has the same story. I am from Thomasville, a city famous for furniture. TFI furniture is mostly made in China now. Do you remember what model your Red Ryder was? I have a few different Red Ryders and I am going to be making a video comparing them. Thank you for the comment.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Hey Charles, Thomasville huh? Well, I’m from the town that produced “Tell City Chair” and of course that’s all gone also. Anyway how, I don’t have a collection of Daisies. The one I received in ‘49 probably was a model 40 #111. Or at least the gun in the photo I have from the birthday appears to be a 40. I have several books I’ve collected concerning the history of air guns and Daisies One i really like is “The American BB Gun” by Arni T Dunathan. Well written history with lots Daisy info on Models the years made and various changes. If you’ll give me a number I’ll text some pics.
@@daisymae6561 I just read up on the Tell City Chair company, it sounds like another union putting a company out of business story. My favorite Daisy bb gun book is Daisy air tifles and bb guns by Neal Punchard.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Yes, I also have the Punchard book. Excellent pics and color. I was looking for a passage I’d read, stated that in the 1960s ? Maybe 70s the company reduced the spring strength, they were concerned their “toy” guns would fall into a air “gun” category. Sure read it somewhere. And thru my years of experience, I believe its true. I had a model 25 (pump) in late 50s that shot much harder than the lever guns around the neighborhood. I have a newly built 25 that has the same velocity as all the other Daisy models (260 FPS approx--no where near the advertised 350). I saw a comment, that lower the velocity the better the accuracy. I’ve came to the same conclusion. Using an after market heavy spring, I’ve experimented with both the RR carbine and the smaller Bucks. Achieving up to 370Fps. They don’t group nearly as well as the guns with factory springs. I believe the increased “jolt” from the heavy spring produced a bounce in the shot tube contributing to lost accuracy. But also, firing a hard steel bb down a smooth bore barrel at higher velocity may adversely affect the bbs flight. Ps, You are correct, furniture business loss was directly related to Union activities.
I agree. Cheaper ammo, (especially now) backyard friendly, relatively quiet, and with the right setup, you can even shoot them inside. Thank you for your comment. Keep shooting.
Some of them still have the metal cocking lever. I think the Christmas Wish version has it and sometimes it will say, "Metal cocking lever" on the box.
I’m 35 an miss my old Red Ryder had the snap back with lever multiple times an will be getting new one . And replace the plastic lever with metal seen them $14 EBay an seen vid on how on RUclips . Can’t wait to have it an bring back good memories. I had my old one from age 6 till I was 15 and I believe that it’s still in my grandparents house. I remember it being taken or I left it there to move in city with dad an I grow up an moved from South Carolina to Maine. Will have to ask my mother if they’ve seen it. Hope to here good news soon cause I really missed shooting it. Wife is getting me the Christmas wish Red Ryder for Birthday I hope. Nothing beats the old air guns CO2 are just expensive an complicated. Want to load an go old School.
I am lucky that I was able to keep my old Red Ryder. I think the lever on the Christmas wish Red Ryder is metal....but they might be plastic. Have fun shooting your Red Ryder and thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story with us.
One way to find out how old a Daisy bb gun is to see where it was made. On the top of the gun, it will say Plymouth Michigan or Rogers Arkansas. Daisy relocated its plant from Plymouth, Michigan, to Rogers, Arkansas in 1958. I know that sounds like a long time ago, but Daisy bb guns, if properly stored and taken care of, can last a long time.
I got mine when I was eight. Six is probably a little bit young. Just store it in a closet for a few years. Maybe get him a nerf gun to start with. Thank you for the comment.
6 is plenty old enough with adult supervision if he can fit the gun.. I started my son shooting when he was 5 I got him a scout because my old red Ryder was little ling and heavy for him....when it comes to starting kids it depends on there ability to listen and comprehend directions. I woukdnt turn him lose with it but if he has an adult hands on helping him he should be fine...happy shooting
@@kennethhicks2854 I agree 100% I think bb guns are the best way to start instilling gun safety at an early age. And the point you made about adult supervision is the important thing. Thank you for your comment.
I love the way Daisy marketing designed the box. 650 is big bold font (underneath in black with thin white outline, shots) then in bold font, maximum velocity (in micro font underneath, 350fps). It looks like it says, 650 maximum velocity. Besides that, who in there rite mind is going to put 650 bbs in that thing? I love the old timey marketing. It's all about FUN
You have to love sneaky advertising. When I was a kid, I would always load mine up to the max before going to shoot. I guess I didn't want to run out. Some of Daisy's bb guns could hold 1000 bbs. Thank you for your comment.
If you have a lode port, under the barrel, and it is a Red Ryder, it will be an older model 40 or 94. I will be making a video comparing all three models soon.
I remembered this happening to me, as a child, but it must have been with a friend's BB gun. Both my old and new model 1938 Red Ryders will not slam the lever shut, with a trigger pull. If you try and pull the trigger, with the lever fully cocked, it will not pull until you close the lever to about 1/2 inch away from the stock. Now the older model 94 and 40 Red Ryders will slam the levers shut, if you pull the trigger, with the levers fully cocked. Both of those models do not have safeties, so that may have something to do with it. I am going to make a comparison video of those models, I will make sure I include this in it. Thank you for the comment and the memories of smashed fingers.
Maybe, but it did not exist at the time. The compass and sundial on the stock was the model 107. They made special Red Ryders for the movie. You can now get Red Ryders with the compass and sundial , but not then. Thank you for the comment.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD they took the red ryder and mixed it with the buck jones model which had the compass and sundial but was pump action . Buck jones was a legend but red ryder was more marketable.
So many warnings ⚠️. But then again 14 and 17 year Olds are eating tide pods. But the old ones were the best. Caught my fingers plenty of times. But that's OK just made my skin harder. But a 7 time safety click is just outrageous to me.
I got my Old Daisy stolen and I’m still pissed 😡 off but I got another one, I like the pink and blue 1999 models because they have oversized handles,,,yeah,they don’t come with wooden stock but they’re really nice to shoot…I wonder how’s that competition model??? I will make my own…
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Even if it comes with a plastic handle, you can order a metal one from pyramydair. I did that a couple of years ago to replace the plastic one on my Red Ryder. The metal one just feels more solid.
@@trevorjameson3213 I have seen a couple of different metal levers, standard and big loop. I want to stick with the plastic one and see how it lasts over time. I have heard that they are very strong. Thank you for your comment.
I'm still using my dad's old Red Rider that he gave me when I was 8 or something I wasn't allowed to use it until I was 12 I never had trouble with the lever because my dad taught me how to cock it without getting hurt
Thanks for the comment about your old Red Ryder. I am sure you have lots of great memories and since your dad taught you how to not get your fingers smashed by the lever, you don't have that bad memory.
It is an experience you never forget. I guess having the feature, on the new version, where it protects you from the finger smashing is a good thing, but in a way I think today's youth are missing out.
I'm trying to find information on how to disassemble the newer version completely so I can change it into an airsoft rifle, I got mine in 2012 one day when my dad decided he wanted to teach me how to shoot probably and this gun is my childhood so I want to continue using instead of letting it rot in my closet (also I'm doing this bc I can't afford an airsoft gun)
I am not sure what you would have to do to convert it into an airsoft gun, but there is a guy on RUclips called Restomoddaisy that shows all kinds of details on how to take apart daisy bb guns and put them back together. Thank you for the question and good luck.
Found one in my closet today and was wondering about it,it was made in Arizona USA but it's trimmed in all metal and got Red Rider on the stock,been used a lot but still shoots good,just trying to figure out how old it could be.
Nice comparison, enjoyed that. I've had my Red Ryder for about 9 years, so it is the modern version. You are right about it shooting wild at first, but after a few hundred shots, it started shooting great, and it still does. I can hit a chain link fence post at 35 Yards almost every time. It shoots that straight. So shooting cans and bottle caps at 10 yards is simple, there is no excuse for missing, except shooter error. The Red Ryder is a really great BB gun!
Thank you for the comment. Some people say that bbs will not polish a barrel, but I think that the more you shoot the Red Ryders they shoot more accurately. Be careful shooting at chain link fence posts, the bbs will ricochet off of them easily.
You got to love Resto-mod, unless he is bidding against you on Flea-bay. I have an old model 94, I need to do a video showing the four main Red Ryders.
my Red Ryder in 1974 loaded BBs at the muzzle tip, you unscrew the tip about half a turn and loading hole opens just under the lip. Do you know which model that was?
The model 1938. Produced from roughly 1972 to 1978. The loading method was called "The Lightning Loader" The models today are called the model 1938 but with a different side door loader. It gets confusing. I need to do a video on the different Red Ryders.
I’m 25 and I still have mine from the mid 2000’s and it says it’s made in Arkansas. Must have been fairly recently they moved manufacturing in China. Disappointing nonetheless. Great video.
From what I have found online, Daisy Red Ryders started being "Made In China" sometime between 2006 and 2008. Some would argue that the Made in China Red Ryders are actually better quality than the ones made in America. I have also heard that Daisy shipped over some left over parts to China, so there could be some Red Ryders that say Made in America that were actually made in China. Kind of crazy when you think about it.
Thank you. I have examples of all four models of the Red Ryder. I am going to make a video showing the differences in them and some of the Daisy history. Be on the look out.
@@immereeree4857 I have some of the old Daisys with plastic stocks, and they are surprisingly durable, for as old as they are. I just hadn't had any experience with the plastic levers. Thank you for the info.
I'm 68 years old, have a couple of single barrel break high velocity pellet guns, a Ruger 10/22, a Taurus Tx-22 and 2 9mm hand guns but you know what I keep by the door? That's where my Red Ryder sits. Nothing scares the stray dogs and cats off easier and quieter.
I hate the 7 click ratcheting safety feature. What year was that introduced? I want to buy a used one without that feature. Also I wonder if the ratchet feature can be removed?
I am not sure when they introduced it. It is nice for younger shooters. If you are used to the motion of cocking a Red Ryder, and you can do it in one quick motion, you don't even realize it is there.
I have a Old Red Rider I was curious about what might be the price they go for it still works even though it doesn't have a lot of power anymore I'm wondering if there's a way to fix that if you can watch the BB go but it goes out my bedroom window and halfway across my backyard which is pretty good ways but not move football field by no means hit me back but what it might go for just curious
Doing a search on ebay would be a good way to find out what similar Red Ryders are selling for. There are ways to make old bb guns shoot with a bit more power. Sometimes just putting a few drops of oil in them is enough, but repair may also be necessary. Thank you for the question.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD hey quick question on the topic of oils, I saw that you could get ¼ an ounce of the pellgunoil, but this hoppes oil seems to be the same thing but had 2¼ ounces for $4 and has 8000 positive reviews. Should I get the hoppes one? www.amazon.com/Hoppes-No-Lubricating-Oil-Bottle/dp/B000PW64JY/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=air+shotgun&qid=1605809989&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sr=8-6
@@noahczar I have used hoppes on firearms but not on airguns. Airguns have seals that can be damaged by some oils. I know pellgunoil is expensive, but it only takes a couple of drops every now and then. I stick with the pellgunoil. Thank you for the question.
I'm curious about how much one would be it is shaped like the 1938 Red Ryder it still shoots even though you can watch the BB go curious about what might be the value
It depends. If you do a search on ebay, you can find different prices on different models of Red Ryders as well as Red Ryders in different conditions. With anything on ebay, it would be worth what the person bidding for it wants to pay.
Bbw going down the barrel will NOT polish the bore. If there is a small pit in the bore the reduced air pressure on that surface will cause the spherical bb to slam into the depression; eventually making a hole in the tube that acts as the barrel. I have came across several with a bump on the outer shroud caused by holes in the actual barrel. Any increase in accuracy with use is likely due to velocity decrease from the spring weakening or degradation of the plunger seal. A bb is most accurate at a low velocity.
Good to know. I did notice that the new Red Ryder started shooting more accurately after about 100 shots. I don't think that the velocity went down in that amount of time. When It was new, I did notice that there would be a slight mist coming out of the muzzle. I am guessing that that was oil. After a while I didn't see the mist anymore, so I guess that any excess oil had dissipated. Perhaps that helped with accuracy.
I am not sure. It should say 4.5mm. Maybe the .5 is rubbed or rusted off. Some of the early Daisy bb guns used lead shot that was .180 in diameter. They also made a pistol that shot .118 shot. What other writing is on your Red Ryder?
I have had my Red Ryder since I was 9 and I am 50 now. I used to shoot mine every day after school. I have a bunch of bb guns now but I still get out my old Red Ryder and shoot every once in a while. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story. Keep shooting.
I was on the pistol team in college and an active pistol competitor for decades plus I could arm an infantry company with what's in my basement but I never owned a BB gun . . . until recently. This past spring, I was driving to work and I noticed what looked to be a rifle stock in someone's trash. I stopped and found a Red Ryder BB gun so I took it. It needed some parts so I called Daisy and ordered the parts for about five bucks. I installed the parts and now have a working BB gun to shoot in the back yard. I just checked. Mine has a plastic lever but it doesn't ratchet and no mention of China is on it. It's pretty accurate. My daughter can ping a 2" steel target with it from about fifty feet. Alas, these old eyes can't do that. I keep it in the kitchen to shoot at the deer that visit the garden.
There are officially four different models of Red Ryder bb guns. The "old" one in my video, is from 1981. The very first ones were from 1940. I need to make a video showing the four different models. I bet you yours doesn't have a safety.
.177 cal. (4.5 mm) bbs. Some of the old old Daisy bb guns (1900s) used lead bbs about .180 cal. Sometime after 1910 Daisy switched to .175 cal lead bbs. There was a ball bearing company called American Ball Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some boys were using ball bearings from the scrap made by American Ball Company. The problem was that the ball bearings were .177 cal and would sometimes jam and/or damage the Daisy bb guns. Daisy had discussions with American Ball Company and decided to start making Daisy bb guns to fit the more popular .177 cal bbs. Daisy came to an agreement to be the ones to sale American Ball Company bbs. And around 1939 Daisy acquired the assets of American Ball Company. So to answer your question; Daisy or other brand .177 cal 4.5 mm bbs. Thank you for your question and for reading my lengthy response.
I'm 31, and this was my first firearm, at six years old. I still have it. Many soda cans have been shot. Nice video, sir.
Soda cans full of water are my favorite target. With the Red Ryder, if you shot it near the top, it would not fall over, just pour out water. Then hit it near the bottom and it was down. Thank you for the comment....keep shooting.
Well technically a air arm 🤣😂 but bb guns are usually everyone's first.
@@timothytallent2427 I was given a real katana at birth. How many cool points does that register?
@@Jimmy_Watt 80 out of 100 so high on the index.
I love killing the coke can cartel with this gun it’s so fun!
I still have mine from ‘84 (I think). Made in the USA is stamped on the top of the receiver. It’s now my 5 year old daughters. She shot it for the first time yesterday. Proud dad here.
Thank you for sharing. I think the memories of youth are what keeps the Red Ryder so popular.
I got mine when I was 9 at Christmas in around 2014. I always pinched my hand skin in the lever. I only fired it twice, it's still sitting in it's sleeve in the corner of my room, cocked and loaded
You should make a vid shooting it
Thank you for sharing. You should give it another chance and shoot it. Leaving it loaded is no problem, but if you leave it cocked, for long periods, it can weaken the spring.
That's gonna ruin the spring
I have mine mounted on my wall as a piece of time got mine at around 10 in like 2016-2014 I can’t remember
@@callmedima5885 eh it was like 30 bucks probably so it's not a huge loss
I had the same one between the ages of 4* to adulthood. My dad said I must have fired at least a million rounds through it. The sights broke off early in its life, so I developed a deadly quick skill talent. I could hit what I aimed at no matter the range. When I went into the Army, what to my surprise but we began training with daisy adult BB guns. I'm a Viet Nam vet, and by the time I went in (1972) jungle military tactics had evolved. We paired off. One soldier pitched a quarter-sized metal disk into the air, and the shooter learned how to point shoot without sights with lead, etc. I started out hitting the disks. One simply didn't have time to line up sights in a jungle ambush. * Yeah, I was young, but I was also always big and mature for my age. By the age of 4 I had my first bow & arrow, first Bowie knife, first camp axe, and first BB gun. My parents taught responsibility early, I was elected to follow the rules, and I knew why they were necessary. Yep, it's a different time, but better? -- you be the judge -- my childhood was over long, long ago.
My rear sight broke off long ago as well and I also developed the point and shoot method. I still shoot my old Red Ryder from time to time, but I am a better shot if I use a Red Ryder with both sights. You may think that your childhood is long over, but if you are anything like me, shooting a Red Ryder in the backyard will bring back those memories of childhood and make you feel like a kid again. Thank you for your Red Ryder story. And thank you for your service.
Where do you put the extra babies do you take the plastic plug
@@CHARLESCRANFORDmi
Ty Soldier for your service!!!
As a millennial south american, I envy your childhood. That's how a classic man is formed. I'm sorry for the shit you had to put up with in 'nam. At least people of that age recognized the evil of totalitarian regimes and how lucky USA is (although not as lucky it used to be). May God bless you, friend!
Thank you for this informative video. I just bought an original Red Ryder at an antique shop. The plating says it was made in Plymouth Michigan in 1939. The former owner must have cared greatly for this small treasure as it is in decent shape with minimal ware and is only missing a single bolt from the side. I’m not sure if it shoots but I am excited to pick it up later this week and restore it back to its former glory
It sounds like you found a nice original Red Ryder. They are hard to find, because even though they are built well, time and rough treatment can take their toll. Good luck getting it shooting.
my brother has it to he is 17 and got it when he was 2
I have one that my grandpa got as a kid in the 50s. Three generations later still shoots straight as an arrow
Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story. I need to make a video showing all the generations of Red Ryders.
I got a red Ryder and it was from my grandparents from 1938. Still shoots very well not that much rust and I'm going to keep it in the family for a long time.
If you take care of them and keep them dry, they will last forever. Thank you for your Red Ryder story.
I just got my 1st Red Rider ever last week and it's great! I got the newer adult version and that one does come with the metal lever. By the way the 1st gun I bought was a Enfield 303 British for 90 bucks at the local hardware store across from L.L. Bean in Freeport Maine.I was 16 years old. LOL! Took me all summer to save for that! I'm having a blast with the Red Rider now though! Have fun Shootin' Ya'll
What a flashback! I was going to buy one of those Enfeilds from Rose's, back in the day I think 1988, but the last one in inventory had a crack in the stock, and I didn't want it, even for 90 bucks. Thank you for sharing your story. Have fun with that Red Ryder.
I bought a new Red Ryder for my grandson about 15 years ago and it had the plastic cocking lever. after about six months it developed a crack in the cocking area. I wrote Daisey and sent a copy of my reciept. I offered to pay for a new lever but instead they sent me 2 replacements free of charge. I'm still using the first. My experience with Daisey support was definitely pleasant to say the least. I hope this may help someone else who finds themselves in the same situation.
I have heard many stories of Daisy and their great customer support. Thank you for sharing yours. I think the plastic levers are strong, but every once in a while someone gets a plastic lever with a weak spot. Thank you again for sharing your experience.
it was my dream to have one of these when i was a kid. I just bought one today for my son.
You and your son will undoubtedly make many great memories enjoying safe shooting with his Red Ryder. Thank you for sharing.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD hope so. keep up the great vids.
Almost 70 years ago when I was 14, with the old version, dressed only in my floppy underwear in the middle of the night, I heard a large dog harrassing my pigeons. Rushing to their aid, I tried to quickly cock the lever between my thighs - it slipped. It took almost 60 years for the last scar on my, well... to heal. But thanks for the memory. Now my wife knows what I was talking about all these years.
OUCH!
Got my kid one for his 13th birthday which turned into a drinkin shooting tournament with my buddies. Birthday boy did real good. Not one beer bottle in tack. Lol
I don't know if I can condone drinking and shooting but it sounds like it was a fun 13th birthday party. Thank you for the comment.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD - no need to be a politician just give me a "hell yeah!" Lol
HELL YEAH
Never had a red rider. 51 now and had a few rifles and guns. My first was a sawed off pellet gun found in a family friends junk pile back in 78ish. Just bought my son a red rider bb gun for Christmas he just turned 8. I think we will have lots of fun with it.
Make sure he has more fun than you. I was very excited when I first got my Red Ryder. Dad went over the rules of safe shooting. The main rule was that I could not shoot it unless he was there with me. Dad waited until I asked him if he wanted to shoot it before taking a couple of shots and then handing it back to me. I think my dad had more fun watching me shoot. I have done the same with my son and daughter. Once they get older and more competent with shooting safety, it is fun to get a couple of Red Ryders and shot together. Thank you for sharing your bb gun story and have fun shooting with your son.
I got a Red Ryder BB gun in about 1946, 47. Loved it and shot it many times! I believe I still have what’s left of it(my mother let my nephew use it for years….he was rough on every thing and pretty much tore it up). I was hoping you were going to compare a real old one from the 40’s to current production. One thing I believe was different was the way you load the BB’s. If I can find mine I’ll have to check it. As I remember, you turned the end of the barrel (on the old model) to open a small hole where you poured in the BBs. The later model had an opening in the side of the barrel which has a sliding plastic cover. It allows the BBs to go in much easier. Could be my memory is bad….LOL!
Later owned a Daisy pump BB gun, a model 25, I think! Then moved on to a JC Higgins semi auto 22.
I have got the same model Red Ryder you are talking about. You do remember correctly the bbs loaded thru a small hole that was accessed by turning the end of the barrel. I need to make a video comparing the four main models of Red Ryders thru the years. There is a guy on RUclips called Restomoddaisy that repairs old Red Ryders. He might be able to repair your old Red Ryder. Thank you for your comment.
Got mine for Christmas around 1960 or so. Missing that rear sight is no big deal, one developed a keen snap-shot eye for windage and elevation with a Red Ryder after a couple 10's of thousands of BBs through it. My younger brother got one probably 5 years later and he and I shot anything and everything, from birds to baby food jars floating on the pond, to coke cans, to Red Squirrels. Once Mom caught us shooting at bumble bees in the corner of the garage, and every miss left a small BB dent in the siding. She took our guns and put us on notice for when Dad would get home from work. Dad walked out to the garage with us, and first thing he said was: "Can you hit them?" So, half an hour later, Mom found all three of us slinging BB's at Bees. FWIW, we used to shoot into various traps and re-use the BB's probably not a great idea. Now the sad part of the memory; five years ago when we were moving Dad to a more suitable home, there was a huge auction of the collection of things from 275 years of our family life (yes, the house was built and deeded to ancestors in 1740) on the farm. And that trusty little Red Ryder got away from me as I was busy moving among the crowd answering questions and helping carry and load things for buyers. I suppose I could have claimed it before the sale, but I didn't - live and learn - I hope. Thanks for the memories.
Thank you for your memories of your Red Ryder. Most of the old bb guns I see on ebay come from estate sales. I often wonder what memories those old bb guns created over the years. They are built so well that I am sure they will be creating memories for many more years. Hopefully whoever got your old Red Ryder is having fun shooting at all kinds of targets. Thank you again for the story of your Red Ryder.
Super helpful. Shopping for my daughter and I think this will be the perfect gift
Thank you for your comment. Red Ryders do make perfect gifts and they will last forever, if you take care of them.
Man.. just hearing it when you fire them takes me back to being a kid. My dad bought one of these for me when I was 8 years old, I am now 35 and I had it forever but I don't know whatever happened to it. I wish that I still had it to give to my son.
Do your parents still have it? If not, the new ones are almost the same. That is one of the reasons I made this video. Thank you for the comment.
Thanks for the video friend, I learned many things from the Red Rider that I did not know.
Thank you for the comment. I have a couple of older models of the Red Ryder that I am going to be making a video on. Keep a look out on my channel for that video in the future.
Just bought my daughter one of these she already shoots a 22 pistol and rifle at the range but this she can plink in the yard and still enjoy shooting on her own with very little risk
Red Ryders are perfect for marksmanship practice. Another benefit is that bbs cost almost nothing compared to even .22 rimfire rounds. Thank you for you comment.
I had a Red Ryder in the late 1960's. I loved it. I shot more BB's through that thing than I can remember. I made a mistake! When I got married, I stored the gun at my dads house in the attic. That more or less tore it up. I also had a crossman pump action bb gun that fell apart do to the heat. I will have to say, I have a new Red Ryder that shoots accurately at roughly 10 yards. I get a bit over 325 fps with usual zinc BB's. Mine isn't Chinese made, but made in USA. It was purchased new a couple of years ago. I have the authentic wood stock, none of the Chinese markings. I am thinking that these were a stash of old Red Ryders that I was lucky enough to find.
Don't give up on those guns stored in an attic, they can probably be repaired. Nice find with the made in USA Red Ryder.
Its sad that these iconic bb guns are made in china now i understand they would cost triple if they were made in the usa but id still pay it we all would i get a new one every year because of new editions being made with emblems we cant make anything anymore and thats why our country is in the shape its in red ryder belongs in one place the united states!!
I have a 1938B from the very early 90's. It is a combination of the two rifles. It is made in USA, but it has the plastic lever without the ratcheting clicks. It also doesn't have the metal strap on the barrel grip.
With Daisy bb guns, you will find lots of differences, especially between model changes. They would use up old parts in inventory by putting them on the new models. Sometimes it is hard to tell which model you have. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story.
I had a red Ryder back in the mid 90’s when I was 9. Got it from the hardware store. I destroyed lots of things with it. Hunted rabbit and bird with it.. and mailboxes, sorry dad. Great fuckin gun.
My favorite target was and is an aluminum can full of water. I may have also shot a mailbox. Thank you for the comment.
Great comparison. You really brought back memories when you cocked the old one. I could feel my fingers getting smashed by the lever as I watched your video. Given a choice, I think I still prefer the old, American made one. So, when does Annabelle get to use one? She is eleven.
I think the memories are what make the Red Ryder so successful, dads buy them for their kids. And I think everyone that has had one has had their fingers smashed once. They still assemble some of the special edition Red Ryders in America. She has shot one already, but I think she likes shooting her bow and arrows more. Thank you for the comment.
Got my first Daisy BB gun in 1997 when I turned 9! Definitely took a little while to break in but still shoots pretty well today (a little high and to the right)! The Red Ryder I got a few years ago is disappointing… seems like almost all plastic and shoots about as fast as an airsoft. Got another one from my brother that can’t spit a BB out of the barrel so I need to find out how to fix it
If anyone was wondering why your Red Ryders do not have the Compass in the stock or the thing that tells time
there is a reason for that. The Red Ryder model never had those things. It only had them in the movie,
A Christmas Story ". The Daisy Buck Jones Special BB Rifle was the model that had the compass in the stock
and the post and markings for a sundial on the stock to tell time in bright sun.
That was true, back in the day. Daisy has since made different "Christmas Wish" versions of the Red Ryder. Wal-mart just had an exclusive one for around $26. Thank you for the comment.
I have a 1950's Red Ryder that still shoots exceptionally well and I consider it deadly accurate. From a distance of 90 feet, it will consistently hit a 1/4 inch nylon rope hanging from a tree in my yard. My grandson has his own new Red Ryder, and I must say, the 70 year old spring in mine, is more powerful than the brand new one in his. When you shot a hole in a beer can back then, it was a steel beer can, not the aluminum he is shooting today. Also have the Daisy Winchester from around 1964, and a Model 25 pump gun, plus an older than dirt single action '6 Shooter', whose only ID on it beside the Daisy logo is '177 Cal B-B SA' on the barrel. All the blue paint came off decades ago, but still shoots very well. All my kids started with Daisy, and the first thing they had to do, was memorize the gun safety rules that comes with every Daisy BB gun.
Thank you so much for your Daisy memories. Those old Daisy bb guns are hard to beat. The old Red Ryder, in this video, is my first ever bb gun from over 40 years ago. I also had one of those six shooters. Mine unfortunately got lost along the way growing up. There are aftermarket springs that will make new Red Ryders shoot much more powerful than stock. Thanks again for your Daisy memories comment. Have fun shooting.
I remember this thing from Christmas Story that popularized it. I just recently have the modern one, but I haven't opened it yet. I'm surprised it's not very different from the classic, even though safety is apples and oranges because you're comparing analog era against digital. I don't recommend kids playing them though, because they still look like a real vintage rifle. Your old one, considering that's from the 1970s, the wear is something you have to expect from age, but it still looks pretty good.
Knowing the movie, Iam pretty curious how this iconic BB gun will work.
That movie from 1983 did help boost sales of the Red Ryder, but they had sold millions of Red Ryder bb guns before then. I found one source that said Daisy made one million Red Ryders in 1949. There is no telling how many they have made over the years. With adult supervision and safety glasses, Red Ryders can be a safe introduction to gun safety for kids. They can and have been mistaken for real firearms and should not be carried around in a public place. You should get your Red Ryder out and have some fun shooting. Thank you for your comment.
During the winter a group of members of our club get together and shoot a friendly match a couple of times a month on our indoor range. Only "Red Ryder" carbines are allowed and the only modification allowed is the front sight can be changed to red fiber optic sight available from Daisy. Great times,.
I love competitions like that. Skill would be the deciding factor, not who can spend the most money on the best gun. Thanks for sharing your Red Ryder story.
Haven't seen you in a bit. Older is always better when it comes to our plinkers. 👍
Yeah I need to make some more videos. It is hard to beat those old bb guns.
I'm sixteen and from europe, but I can definitely tell that the new one feels nothing like the good old one hehe ;)
Thank you for the reply. Take care of your airguns, and one day they will be the "old" versions.
I wanna restore my dads it’s like 40 year old gun and it’s really Beat it up
Check out the RUclips channel restomoddaisy. That guy shows how to restore old daisy bb guns, and is very informative. Thank you for the comment and good luck restoring your dad's old bb gun.
CHARLES CRANFORD thanks for the info
Those scratches and dents are memories maybe not your but still memories
Still have mine. From about 1980 maybe. I would have been 11. Its still working good.
That is one of the best things about Red Ryders, they were made to last forever.
My old one i got in 1990 or 91 I think has a plastic lever, but no ratchet safety. was made in rogers ar. Also has a metal medallion on the stock opposite side on red ryder engraving. Still shoots fine. Bought a new one for my kid today, was great fun to shoot some cans with him
It is crazy how many variations and combinations of different features of Red Ryders throughout the years. Thank you for the comment and have fun shooting with your child.
I enjoyed the video, Charles. I was a youngster growing up in the '50s and '60s, on a farm, and my Dad owned mostly shotguns, so, for "plinking" he would borrow the neighbor's Daisy Red Rider and turn me loose with it. Pretty sure it was an old Model 1940. Eventually, I received my own Red Rider Model 94 around Christmas of '62. It was considerably shorter than that Model 1940 and didn't have the same "zap". A few years later, when the neighbor passed away, his wife gifted me with his old Red Rider and I couldn't have been more grateful. The BB gun that I could, at one time, only borrow was now all mine. I just recently found the Model 94 stored away in my garage but I'm still looking for that old Model 1940. Sure hope it didn't grow legs over the years. Wish me luck. Keep up the good work!
Vince
P.S. My grandson and I each have a Model 1938B now. Target shooting only. Gotta keep that tradition alive.
Thank you so much for sharing your Red Ryder memories. I started with the 1938B that is in this video. Thanks to ebay and yard sales, I now have at least one example of every model of Red Ryder including the 111/40 and 94, like the ones you mentioned. I am going to make a video comparing the different models. When you start looking at the history of airguns, it is mind boggling at all the different models that were created.
I hope you are able to find your model 111/40. And have fun target shooting and sharing your love of the Red Ryder bb gun with your grandson. Thank you again for sharing your story.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Thanks for the reply, Charles. I'm not sure why I referred to my old Red Rider as a "Model 1940" unless I was thinking of the first production year but you are correct. It was/is a Model 40. Vince
@@vincentpia7362 I knew what you were talking about. There were so many Daisy models. It gets confusing sometimes.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Yes, indeed! Seems like even specific year models have various differences yet carry the same model number.
@@vincentpia7362 I have heard that Daisy would sometimes use parts from other models or older models. You might have wood stocks but plastic forearms or plastic stocks on models that should have wood stocks. Interesting when you start looking at all the various models.
I got a brnad new old stock one that was made in 1987 when i was 5 back in 97 for Christmas and it was my forst ever gun and tons of soda and beer cans and bottles got destroyed. Then i got a crosan pumpmaster 760 when i was 8 and my first rim fore rigle 22 lr at 10. And my red ruder still shopts accurate and jaut as good as the first time i shot it. And yes the mote bbs you shoot through any bb gun using brass bbs will make it more accurate but a pellet rifle shooting lead and aluminum pellets will foul up the rigling and barrel with specs of lead and become less accurate
I'm 61 now and I got my first rifle when I was 10 and it was a Red Ryder, I have no idea where it is now.
But a year or two back I picked up a new Red Ryder and right out of the box it was dead on at 10 or 15 yards.
I've not shot anything farther than that with it.
After all it is a Red Ryder! LoL 😆!!
So many Red Ryders have been lost to history. I think one of the best things about a Red Ryder is that it reminds me of being a kid any time I shoot it. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story.
Yoh get a like just for having your old one 😎👏🏾
Thank you. Pick something from your childhood and hold on to it. It will take you back.
My dad passed away 11 years ago we started cleaning up the laundry room closet came across a Buffalo Bill I remembered it from about 25-30 years ago I cleaned it up a little oil works great also a Marksman looks like a shotgun
I am sorry for your loss. I bet that bb gun brings back memories of your youth and time spent with your father. Thank you for sharing your story.
"You'll shoot out your eye kid!"
Great quote. You notice that I am wearing safety glasses. BBs can bounce back at you. Safety glasses are a must. Thank you for your comment.
Loved compass in stock and found a real 94 felt very similar to the daisy model
Took me a while to find a 94 at a good price. I have been meaning to make a comparison video of all four models of Red Ryders. So many different Daisy guns out there.
This is crazy. I have the newer model, but it's atleast 15 years old. I've had it in the box in my closet for years, only used like once. Got it out today and started looking around. Though I realized mine was made in America!
Some of the new models are still made in America, especially the commemorative ones. But most of the Red Ryders you buy from the big box stores are going to be made in China. You should get that Red Ryder out in the back yard and shoot some bbs. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story.
I've got one from early 90's, made in AR, USA , but does have a ratcheting, plastic lever, which snapped (now repaired) after a few thousand rounds. :-)
Sad to hear that your plastic lever broke, but good to hear that they will last a few thousand rounds. Where on the handle did it snap?
Good video, got my 1st at the grand old age of 4--in 1949. So, thru many decades of kids and grandkids I’ve broke in many a Daisy. I’ve also “broke down” many a Daisy. I can tell you the “Chinese” gun is a greatly improved gun. And I hate to tell you that. I won’t go into details here. But it was obvious to me the production equipment in Rogers was in poor repair thelast years of production. The new guns are being manufactured with new tooling and using improved designed parts. The new shot tubes are seamless steel tubing, heavy gage, stiff and straight. The assembly methods are also improved. Like I said--I hate to say it. I think the company was faced with retooling the plant in Arkansas or move off shore. And looking at costs and pricing, they had to move it or close it.
Your observation of the inaccuracies due to oil in the shot tube (barrel) is dead on. I regularly run a patch with a degreaser down it. Keep the kids shooting ALWAYS WITH EYE PROTECTION. thx
I think a lot of American manufacturing has the same story. I am from Thomasville, a city famous for furniture. TFI furniture is mostly made in China now.
Do you remember what model your Red Ryder was? I have a few different Red Ryders and I am going to be making a video comparing them.
Thank you for the comment.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Hey Charles, Thomasville huh? Well, I’m from the town that produced “Tell City Chair” and of course that’s all gone also.
Anyway how, I don’t have a collection of Daisies. The one I received in ‘49 probably was a model 40 #111. Or at least the gun in the photo I have from the birthday appears to be a 40.
I have several books I’ve collected concerning the history of air guns and Daisies One i really like is “The American BB Gun” by Arni T Dunathan. Well written history with lots Daisy info on Models the years made and various changes.
If you’ll give me a number I’ll text some pics.
@@daisymae6561 I just read up on the Tell City Chair company, it sounds like another union putting a company out of business story. My favorite Daisy bb gun book is Daisy air tifles and bb guns by Neal Punchard.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Yes, I also have the Punchard book. Excellent pics and color. I was looking for a passage I’d read, stated that in the 1960s ? Maybe 70s the company reduced the spring strength, they were concerned their “toy” guns would fall into a air “gun” category. Sure read it somewhere. And thru my years of experience, I believe its true. I had a model 25 (pump) in late 50s that shot much harder than the lever guns around the neighborhood. I have a newly built 25 that has the same velocity as all the other Daisy models (260 FPS approx--no where near the advertised 350).
I saw a comment, that lower the velocity the better the accuracy. I’ve came to the same conclusion. Using an after market heavy spring, I’ve experimented with both the RR carbine and the smaller Bucks. Achieving up to 370Fps. They don’t group nearly as well as the guns with factory springs. I believe the increased “jolt” from the heavy spring produced a bounce in the shot tube contributing to lost accuracy. But also, firing a hard steel bb down a smooth bore barrel at higher velocity may adversely affect the bbs flight.
Ps, You are correct, furniture business loss was directly related to Union activities.
Growing up and playing with real guns is great, but man, bb guns are kool.
I agree. Cheaper ammo, (especially now) backyard friendly, relatively quiet, and with the right setup, you can even shoot them inside. Thank you for your comment. Keep shooting.
Thanks for the additional info on performance. Break in is okay, just wish they'd use a metal cocking lever.
Some of them still have the metal cocking lever. I think the Christmas Wish version has it and sometimes it will say, "Metal cocking lever" on the box.
I’m 35 an miss my old Red Ryder had the snap back with lever multiple times an will be getting new one . And replace the plastic lever with metal seen them $14 EBay an seen vid on how on RUclips . Can’t wait to have it an bring back good memories. I had my old one from age 6 till I was 15 and I believe that it’s still in my grandparents house. I remember it being taken or I left it there to move in city with dad an I grow up an moved from South Carolina to Maine. Will have to ask my mother if they’ve seen it. Hope to here good news soon cause I really missed shooting it. Wife is getting me the Christmas wish Red Ryder for Birthday I hope. Nothing beats the old air guns CO2 are just expensive an complicated. Want to load an go old School.
I am lucky that I was able to keep my old Red Ryder. I think the lever on the Christmas wish Red Ryder is metal....but they might be plastic. Have fun shooting your Red Ryder and thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story with us.
Just bought one last night and this one has a metal lever and it’s super accurate idk about how far just yet but gonna be fun
Got to love the Red Ryder. Make sure you wear safety glasses and shoot safe. Thank you for your comment.
Great video! I have a red ryder bb gun that was my dads I think but I'm not sure when it was made.
One way to find out how old a Daisy bb gun is to see where it was made. On the top of the gun, it will say Plymouth Michigan or Rogers Arkansas. Daisy relocated its plant from Plymouth, Michigan, to Rogers, Arkansas in 1958. I know that sounds like a long time ago, but Daisy bb guns, if properly stored and taken care of, can last a long time.
Lmao. Just ordered one for my son to gift for his 6th birthday. Guess I get the bad mom award of the year. “For use by kids age 10 and up” 😂. Oops
I got mine when I was eight. Six is probably a little bit young. Just store it in a closet for a few years. Maybe get him a nerf gun to start with. Thank you for the comment.
6 is plenty old enough with adult supervision if he can fit the gun.. I started my son shooting when he was 5 I got him a scout because my old red Ryder was little ling and heavy for him....when it comes to starting kids it depends on there ability to listen and comprehend directions. I woukdnt turn him lose with it but if he has an adult hands on helping him he should be fine...happy shooting
@@kennethhicks2854 I agree 100% I think bb guns are the best way to start instilling gun safety at an early age. And the point you made about adult supervision is the important thing. Thank you for your comment.
ratchet safety system , if you are old as me you will remember how much that bear like trap hurt
That is one of those mistakes that you remember.
cold days were the worst 4 sure @@CHARLESCRANFORD
good job!!
Thank you.
I love the way Daisy marketing designed the box. 650 is big bold font (underneath in black with thin white outline, shots) then in bold font, maximum velocity (in micro font underneath, 350fps). It looks like it says, 650 maximum velocity. Besides that, who in there rite mind is going to put 650 bbs in that thing? I love the old timey marketing. It's all about FUN
You have to love sneaky advertising. When I was a kid, I would always load mine up to the max before going to shoot. I guess I didn't want to run out. Some of Daisy's bb guns could hold 1000 bbs. Thank you for your comment.
I shot my eye out with mine.
I am sorry to hear that. Safety glasses are important with bb guns.
i have a really old red ryder (same one as in vid) and there isn’t a load door for my barrel can u explain?
If you have a lode port, under the barrel, and it is a Red Ryder, it will be an older model 40 or 94. I will be making a video comparing all three models soon.
Also, I believe if you leave the lever half way cocked and pull the trigger, the lever will fly back and crush your fingers
I remembered this happening to me, as a child, but it must have been with a friend's BB gun. Both my old and new model 1938 Red Ryders will not slam the lever shut, with a trigger pull. If you try and pull the trigger, with the lever fully cocked, it will not pull until you close the lever to about 1/2 inch away from the stock. Now the older model 94 and 40 Red Ryders will slam the levers shut, if you pull the trigger, with the levers fully cocked. Both of those models do not have safeties, so that may have something to do with it. I am going to make a comparison video of those models, I will make sure I include this in it. Thank you for the comment and the memories of smashed fingers.
1979 would of been the one they used in the filming of Christmas Story released in 1980
Maybe, but it did not exist at the time. The compass and sundial on the stock was the model 107. They made special Red Ryders for the movie. You can now get Red Ryders with the compass and sundial , but not then. Thank you for the comment.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD they took the red ryder and mixed it with the buck jones model which had the compass and sundial but was pump action . Buck jones was a legend but red ryder was more marketable.
So many warnings ⚠️. But then again 14 and 17 year Olds are eating tide pods. But the old ones were the best. Caught my fingers plenty of times. But that's OK just made my skin harder. But a 7 time safety click is just outrageous to me.
I got my Old Daisy stolen and I’m still pissed 😡 off but I got another one, I like the pink and blue 1999 models because they have oversized handles,,,yeah,they don’t come with wooden stock but they’re really nice to shoot…I wonder how’s that competition model??? I will make my own…
I got the new one yesterday and it has a metal cocking handle
Nice. Did it say "metal cocking handle" on the box?
@@CHARLESCRANFORD Even if it comes with a plastic handle, you can order a metal one from pyramydair. I did that a couple of years ago to replace the plastic one on my Red Ryder. The metal one just feels more solid.
@@trevorjameson3213 I have seen a couple of different metal levers, standard and big loop. I want to stick with the plastic one and see how it lasts over time. I have heard that they are very strong. Thank you for your comment.
I'm still using my dad's old Red Rider that he gave me when I was 8 or something I wasn't allowed to use it until I was 12 I never had trouble with the lever because my dad taught me how to cock it without getting hurt
Thanks for the comment about your old Red Ryder. I am sure you have lots of great memories and since your dad taught you how to not get your fingers smashed by the lever, you don't have that bad memory.
I'm considering getting one
You should. They are great fun and value for the money.
That cocking lever smashed the F--k out of my ring finger...hurt like hell...still have the scar from... 1960's I think
It is an experience you never forget. I guess having the feature, on the new version, where it protects you from the finger smashing is a good thing, but in a way I think today's youth are missing out.
I'm trying to find information on how to disassemble the newer version completely so I can change it into an airsoft rifle, I got mine in 2012 one day when my dad decided he wanted to teach me how to shoot probably and this gun is my childhood so I want to continue using instead of letting it rot in my closet (also I'm doing this bc I can't afford an airsoft gun)
I am not sure what you would have to do to convert it into an airsoft gun, but there is a guy on RUclips called Restomoddaisy that shows all kinds of details on how to take apart daisy bb guns and put them back together. Thank you for the question and good luck.
my grandpa has a red ryder thats like 70 years old it was his dads red ryder so thats why its so old
Does it still shoot?
@@CHARLESCRANFORD sadly i dont know my grandpa is very weird about the gun
Found one in my closet today and was wondering about it,it was made in Arizona USA but it's trimmed in all metal and got Red Rider on the stock,been used a lot but still shoots good,just trying to figure out how old it could be.
thanks
Nice comparison, enjoyed that. I've had my Red Ryder for about 9 years, so it is the modern version. You are right about it shooting wild at first, but after a few hundred shots, it started shooting great, and it still does. I can hit a chain link fence post at 35 Yards almost every time. It shoots that straight. So shooting cans and bottle caps at 10 yards is simple, there is no excuse for missing, except shooter error. The Red Ryder is a really great BB gun!
Thank you for the comment. Some people say that bbs will not polish a barrel, but I think that the more you shoot the Red Ryders they shoot more accurately. Be careful shooting at chain link fence posts, the bbs will ricochet off of them easily.
Model 94 from the 50s needs to go to Resto-mod. But everything is still on it flip up peep sight and all.
You got to love Resto-mod, unless he is bidding against you on Flea-bay. I have an old model 94, I need to do a video showing the four main Red Ryders.
my Red Ryder in 1974 loaded BBs at the muzzle tip, you unscrew the tip about half a turn and loading hole opens just under the lip. Do you know which model that was?
The model 1938. Produced from roughly 1972 to 1978. The loading method was called "The Lightning Loader" The models today are called the model 1938 but with a different side door loader. It gets confusing. I need to do a video on the different Red Ryders.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD thanks!
Great video, thank you. :)
Thank you for the comment.
Great video man
I have that one but it has a compass, and sundial
Cool! The Christmas Wish edition. Does it have the brass band on the forearm?
@@CHARLESCRANFORD I'll check tomorrow
I’m here in 2022 with a full metal one I bought brand new a month ago
Do you remember if the box said something about "metal lever"? I know some of the boxes will and some will not.
I’m 25 and I still have mine from the mid 2000’s and it says it’s made in Arkansas. Must have been fairly recently they moved manufacturing in China. Disappointing nonetheless. Great video.
From what I have found online, Daisy Red Ryders started being "Made In China" sometime between 2006 and 2008. Some would argue that the Made in China Red Ryders are actually better quality than the ones made in America. I have also heard that Daisy shipped over some left over parts to China, so there could be some Red Ryders that say Made in America that were actually made in China. Kind of crazy when you think about it.
Great video
Thank you. I have examples of all four models of the Red Ryder. I am going to make a video showing the differences in them and some of the Daisy history. Be on the look out.
i really want one
i dont have enough
I have one from the 90s or 2000s idk it was my great cousin's
Thank you for the comment. Gotta love the Red Ryders.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD I got it a year or 2 back from my great uncle who kept it and I was old enough so he let me have it.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD also about the plastic lever its durable, mine is like 15 20 yes old and the plastic is almost mint
@@immereeree4857 I have some of the old Daisys with plastic stocks, and they are surprisingly durable, for as old as they are. I just hadn't had any experience with the plastic levers. Thank you for the info.
I've never had one, but I'd like one.
You should get one. Thank you for the comment.
They have a Christmas wish one at Walmart for 25 bucks with the compass and sundial in the stock
@@chuckbareika5478 Thanks for the heads up. That's one I don't have......yet.
I'm 68 years old, have a couple of single barrel break high velocity pellet guns, a Ruger 10/22, a Taurus Tx-22 and 2 9mm hand guns but you know what I keep by the door? That's where my Red Ryder sits. Nothing scares the stray dogs and cats off easier and quieter.
I hate the 7 click ratcheting safety feature. What year was that introduced? I want to buy a used one without that feature. Also I wonder if the ratchet feature can be removed?
I am not sure when they introduced it. It is nice for younger shooters. If you are used to the motion of cocking a Red Ryder, and you can do it in one quick motion, you don't even realize it is there.
I have a Old Red Rider I was curious about what might be the price they go for it still works even though it doesn't have a lot of power anymore I'm wondering if there's a way to fix that if you can watch the BB go but it goes out my bedroom window and halfway across my backyard which is pretty good ways but not move football field by no means hit me back but what it might go for just curious
Doing a search on ebay would be a good way to find out what similar Red Ryders are selling for. There are ways to make old bb guns shoot with a bit more power. Sometimes just putting a few drops of oil in them is enough, but repair may also be necessary. Thank you for the question.
My dad gave me his red ryder BB gun that he got as a kid from the 60s and I gave it to my son for his birthday
It is great how those old Red Ryders can keep going, if taken care of, after all those years. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story.
Nice video! What oil do you use for the gun?
Thank you. I use Crosman Pellgunoil.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD hey quick question on the topic of oils, I saw that you could get ¼ an ounce of the pellgunoil, but this hoppes oil seems to be the same thing but had 2¼ ounces for $4 and has 8000 positive reviews. Should I get the hoppes one? www.amazon.com/Hoppes-No-Lubricating-Oil-Bottle/dp/B000PW64JY/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=air+shotgun&qid=1605809989&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sr=8-6
@@noahczar I have used hoppes on firearms but not on airguns. Airguns have seals that can be damaged by some oils. I know pellgunoil is expensive, but it only takes a couple of drops every now and then. I stick with the pellgunoil. Thank you for the question.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD thanks for the help! I'll get the pellgunoil😁
I'm curious about how much one would be it is shaped like the 1938 Red Ryder it still shoots even though you can watch the BB go curious about what might be the value
It depends. If you do a search on ebay, you can find different prices on different models of Red Ryders as well as Red Ryders in different conditions. With anything on ebay, it would be worth what the person bidding for it wants to pay.
Where do you put the babies in the Red Ryder where do you store the
On the front left side of the barrel, there is a sliding loading port.
Mine was old when I got it had for 20 years have old daisy pump that barrel screws out to load
So many different Daisy bb guns out there, and if they are taken care of, they will last forever.
Bbw going down the barrel will NOT polish the bore. If there is a small pit in the bore the reduced air pressure on that surface will cause the spherical bb to slam into the depression; eventually making a hole in the tube that acts as the barrel. I have came across several with a bump on the outer shroud caused by holes in the actual barrel. Any increase in accuracy with use is likely due to velocity decrease from the spring weakening or degradation of the plunger seal. A bb is most accurate at a low velocity.
Good to know. I did notice that the new Red Ryder started shooting more accurately after about 100 shots. I don't think that the velocity went down in that amount of time. When It was new, I did notice that there would be a slight mist coming out of the muzzle. I am guessing that that was oil. After a while I didn't see the mist anymore, so I guess that any excess oil had dissipated. Perhaps that helped with accuracy.
Cool video.
Thank you.
I have an old Red Ryder that says BB's 4. Did they even make 4. mm BB's?
I am not sure. It should say 4.5mm. Maybe the .5 is rubbed or rusted off. Some of the early Daisy bb guns used lead shot that was .180 in diameter. They also made a pistol that shot .118 shot.
What other writing is on your Red Ryder?
polishing it taking out any little imperfections? Hardly!
You don't think thousands of bbs going down a barrel would get rid of tiny little bumps or scratches inside? BBs are hard steel.
I have had my red Ryder idk since I was 5 and I’m 13 now this thing I’ve taken on every hunting trip and I shoot it every day before school
I have had my Red Ryder since I was 9 and I am 50 now. I used to shoot mine every day after school. I have a bunch of bb guns now but I still get out my old Red Ryder and shoot every once in a while. Thank you for sharing your Red Ryder story. Keep shooting.
Who remember watching A Christmas Story when they were little hoping to make they’re dream present
Great movie. Thank you for the comment.
Dasiy made the new model a bit smaller and they made the normal version a little bigger so they could call it adult size.
The regular size Red Ryder is the same size as the one I got in the 1980s. The adult size just has a larger stock.
I was on the pistol team in college and an active pistol competitor for decades plus I could arm an infantry company with what's in my basement but I never owned a BB gun . . . until recently.
This past spring, I was driving to work and I noticed what looked to be a rifle stock in someone's trash. I stopped and found a Red Ryder BB gun so I took it. It needed some parts so I called Daisy and ordered the parts for about five bucks. I installed the parts and now have a working BB gun to shoot in the back yard.
I just checked. Mine has a plastic lever but it doesn't ratchet and no mention of China is on it.
It's pretty accurate. My daughter can ping a 2" steel target with it from about fifty feet. Alas, these old eyes can't do that.
I keep it in the kitchen to shoot at the deer that visit the garden.
BB guns are so handy and can be used in situations that traditional firearms can not. Thank you for your bb gun story.
i just got one to day
Remember to wear safety glasses and practice safe shooting and you should have many years of fun shooting. Have fun and thank you for the comment.
@@CHARLESCRANFORD yes sir
The old stock looks slightly bigger
It is probably the camera angle. They are the same size. Thank you for the comment.
I’m getting mine soon
Have fun, and shoot safe.
I got it and it’s so much fun
@@prestonhancock1867 Have you tried shooting aluminum soda cans full of water? They are my favorite target.
That does not look like an old Red Ryder? Sight,s look different from the one i had?
There are officially four different models of Red Ryder bb guns. The "old" one in my video, is from 1981. The very first ones were from 1940. I need to make a video showing the four different models. I bet you yours doesn't have a safety.
I got mine in 2006
Does yours have the steel lever or the "plastic" lever?
What amo can I use?
.177 cal. (4.5 mm) bbs. Some of the old old Daisy bb guns (1900s) used lead bbs about .180 cal. Sometime after 1910 Daisy switched to .175 cal lead bbs. There was a ball bearing company called American Ball Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some boys were using ball bearings from the scrap made by American Ball Company. The problem was that the ball bearings were .177 cal and would sometimes jam and/or damage the Daisy bb guns. Daisy had discussions with American Ball Company and decided to start making Daisy bb guns to fit the more popular .177 cal bbs. Daisy came to an agreement to be the ones to sale American Ball Company bbs. And around 1939 Daisy acquired the assets of American Ball Company. So to answer your question; Daisy or other brand .177 cal 4.5 mm bbs. Thank you for your question and for reading my lengthy response.