Daisy 75th Anniversary Red Ryder BB Gun
Dr. John Woods 01.06.15
Daisy Outdoor Products of Rogers, Arkansas just brought out their latest Red Ryder in the Daisy Red Ryder 75th Anniversary Edition BB Gun. Truly this has classic designed all over it. The Daisy BB Gun first came out in 1940 and has continued in “Made in the U.S.A.” production now for 75 years. This new BB gun model is a true Daisy in every way.
The standard features continue with lever-cocking, spring-powered action, adjustable rear ramp sight with a ramp front sight, crossbolt trigger block safety, and a handsome maple hardwood stock and forearm. The rifle has a smooth bore steel barrel and the gold band around the forearm stock. There is also the classic metal saddle ring and leather throng on the right side of the rifle’s action. This 75th Anniversary version also sports laser engraved markings on the stock and forearm to commemorate the rifle’s historic dating. It’s Red Ryder’s gun alright.
Though updated considerably from the original 1940 model and the one I got in 1955, most of the features and design specifications remain the same. The rifle has a 650 BB capacity using .177 caliber BBs shooting at 350 feet per second. The rifle is 35.4 inches long and weighs only 2.2 pounds. The metal finish is bright gun blue.
The BB loading format has changed in the current design using a “door” at the muzzle of the rifle that slides open as opposed to the older versions with the side twist muzzle cover over the BB magazine tube. Of course, there is now a trigger safety mechanism that was not on the original models, but on the bright side, this makes for a great firearm safe handling teaching opportunity for future young hunters to train on.
The 75th Daisy BB Gun Anniversary model also comes in special bright colored highlight packaging that needs to be saved with the rifle. I took a good amount of time to study the box and all the detailing on it. Inside there is an owner’s use and safe handing manual with procedures on loading, shooting, and rifle care. If you buy one of these BB guns for a young child, be sure to sit down with them and read the owner’s manual from cover to cover. It’s a good idea to do for us old guys, too.
To shoot or not to shoot? That’s a good question for some and one I am still debating. I guess one could argue this unique 75th Anniversary Daisy model is a collector’s item to some extent. Otherwise it is just a neat new BB gun that demands to be shot. I’ll have to think on this one.
One option would be to buy two of them, one to shoot and one to put away. They are not that expensive. I found the Daisy 75th Anniversary BB Gun on two big box web sites, Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops. The standard price is around $49, but Bass Pro Shops had them on a Black Friday special for $39. I visited my local store and was somewhat surprised they had probably two dozen in stock. Makes me wonder if I am part of a dying breed of nostalgia freaks?
Anyway, if you want that personal reminder of good times past, then go buy one or more of these cool BB guns for yourself or to stick back in the closet for next Christmas. Otherwise, if you have an aspiring hunter or shooter in the household, then this is a great way for him or her to spend any leftover Christmas money that was tucked into a card.
