Let’s face it; there are a lot more BB guns and air rifles available than when we were kids. In fact, most options available these days are designed and marketed to fully-grown up kids. However, there is still one model that stands apart from the rest.
The best BB gun for your kids to learn on is still the Red Ryder…
It’s the same model we either had or dreamed of having when we were young. Even if that was a very, very long time ago. That’s why we’ve put together this Daisy 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun review.
We have broken down the classic BB gun to see if it’s still relevant. So, if you’re looking for the first BB gun for your kids or grandkids, you’ll find out if this is the perfect one? The…
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Daisy 1938 Red Ryder
We will also explore the history of this popular BB gun, as well as dive into various features that keep it a favorite decade after decade. But first, we should discuss the numbers.
This BB gun is available with a .177 caliber barrel. This barrel has a smooth bore, rather than rifled barrels of more expensive air rifles. It only shoots BBs and not the more modern pellets.
However, there are advantages to this, as we will find out…
The manufacturer claims the BBs will exit the barrel at a velocity of up to 350 feet per second. However, testing done by a number of third parties has shown it’s generally a lot slower. Part of this will be down to the type of BBs you shoot.
Remember, alloy BBs will provide greater speeds than heavier steel or lead shots. Regardless of the actual FPS achieved, the Red Ryder does an excellent job of being consistent. While you may not get that top speed, you will get a fairly constant average speed.
Consistency is key…
This will significantly affect your marksmanship. Having consistent speeds at which the BBs leave the rifle’s barrel translates to constant arching. The BB will tend to begin to drop around the same distance from the barrel’s edge, every time. This means less variation vertically for your shot groupings.
This is all thanks to the internal mechanism. With the 1938 Red Ryder, the BBs are fired down the chamber by a spring-piston. Now, many modern air rifles are equipped with replaceable or refillable CO2 cylinders, or pump-action compressed air cylinders. These have their advantage, but also some let-downs.
The Red Ryder is not afflicted by drops in air pressure. Nor do you have to worry about replacing or refilling an air cylinder. You’re also not going to be worn out by constantly pumping your airgun multiple times for each shot.
Just so simple…
Instead, this BB gun is easily cocked and ready to fire with a simple, classic cock. Not only that, but you can fire until your heart’s content thanks to the 650 round reservoir. Yes, you read that right. There is a BB reservoir built-in that can hold up to 650 shots.
It’s easily loaded, you just need to feed the BBs into the reservoir while the muzzle is pointed to the sky. Then pulling the cocking lever, aim, and fire.
How much does it weigh?
Please make sure your kids understand that this is the first, and ONLY girlfriend they can ask this question about. We don’t want to be raising gun-toting kids with no manners. Oh, and the 1938 Red Ryder comes in at 2.2 pounds.
The barrel is 10.85 inches long, while the gun has an overall length of 35.4 inches. Now, this does mean that the barrel is rather short for an airgun. However, this is still designed mostly for kids, so that’s a good thing.
But adults can also use the Red Ryder. In fact, they even make an ‘adult’ version with a longer stock. But be warned, your kids are unlikely to ever get a go if you choose the one that is more comfortable for you to shoot.
Daisy 1938 Red Ryder Specifications
- Caliber: .177
- Velocity: up to 350 fps
- Amp Type: BBs
- Action: Lever-action
- Barrel: Smooth bore
- Overall length: 35.4 inches
- Barrel length 10.85 inches
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Loudness: 1 Low
- Sights: Adjustable
- Mechanism: Spring-piston
- Safety: Manual
The History of the Red Ryder BB Gun
We don’t always include the history when reviewing airguns and firearms. However, we felt we had to with the Red Ryder. After all, it was the first introduction to guns for many of us, and it’s still one of the best first guns for kids.
And so, for nostalgia reasons, we thought you’d like to know that this BB gun can trace its history back to 1882. That means you can tell your kids the gun is even older than you. They won’t believe you, but that’s nothing new.
A turn of fortune…
It all started at an iron windmill factory; we aren’t joking. Back in Plymouth, Michigan, a long, long time ago, there was the Plymouth Iron Windmill Co., and it was struggling.
Apparently, iron windmills weren’t replacing wooden ones as quickly as the founder had expected. In fact, the business was on the verge of collapse. Luckily Clarence J. Hamilton was an extremely inventive chap.
After trying, and failing, to convert people from wooden to iron windmills, he turned to BB guns. These were also made of wood back in those days, and again he saw an advantage in iron construction.
Windmills to BB’s…
This time Hamilton hit the nail on the head, and within a couple of years, the company had produced around 50,000 BB guns. Most were given away as promotional items to help with selling the windmills. However, it didn’t take long before the company switched over and focused exclusively on BB guns.
In 1895 Daisy Manufacturing Co. started to produce the most coveted Christmas gift of all time. The 1938 Red Ryder model harks all the way back to the much loved Red Ryder cartoon, who was “America’s favorite cowboy”.
It’s a pure Wild West rifle that screams Winchester to young boys and girls across the country. It did in the late ’30s, and it still does today.
With the Red Ryder from Daisy, you’re buying a piece of history…
There aren’t many other products that have been in production for this long. In fact, except for the WWII production hiatus, things have never slowed down for the 1938 Red Ryder.
Best features of the Red Ryder
The 1938 Red Ryder was designed from the beginning to be the best first BB gun for kids. And it makes for a great platform to teach gun safety to young ones. Plus, it has that good old-west look to it that will make kid’s eyes light up.
This is first noticeable with the branded wood stock. It not only looks beautiful, but it also is highly durable. The cocking lever is one of the favorite features of the Red Ryder, as it brings a genuine firearm feeling to this BB gun.
Wait, is that plastic or steel?
If you grew up with a Red Ryder back when you were a kid, there might be a few surprises with newer models. While Daisy has changed the 1938 Red Ryder little since its first release, they have made some alterations. One such change was replacing certain steel parts with plastic ones.
We know this sounds bad, but remember, things have changed a lot since we were seven years old. Plastics have become stronger and more durable. Steel has also become considerably more expensive.
The increase of plastic parts has also helped to keep down the weight of this BB gun. This is an obvious advantage to kids. It’s also an obvious advantage to your wallet. The 1938 Red Ryder is one of the best beginner BB guns for these reasons.
Safety first…
It’s also still much loved because the Red Ryder is one of the safer BB guns for your children. It doesn’t have the power of some new crazy M4 style air guns. This means your kids are less likely (we said LESS likely, not unlikely) to hurt themselves, each other, you, or the family pet.
This is part of why the Red Ryder is one of the best starter rifles. It helps your kids learn to always keep the muzzle pointed away from people. And it’s a much safer way for them to learn the importance of knowing if your firearm is loaded.
The sights are even pretty good…
This BB rifle is also a great way for your kids to learn how to sight their target. The rifle features a blade and ramp front sight. The rear sight is adjustable for distance, but there is no adjustment for windage.
This is ideal for kids, as it gives them something to practice with. However, it won’t overload them with complexity. Besides, this BB gun is suggested for 10-15 yard shooting ranges, so wind really isn’t an issue.
Daisy 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun Review Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable price point.
- 650 round BB reservoir.
- Designed for kids.
- Lightweight.
- No battery or CO2 required.
- Great looking old-west wooden stock.
- Not loud like many air guns.
- Great for plinking.
- Easy to maintain.
- Highly accurate.
- Effortless to cock.
- 1-Year Limited Warranty.
Cons
- Provides minimal shooting power.
Looking for more great Air Rifle Options?
If so, check out our reviews of the Best Air Rifle for Squirrel Hunting, the Best Big Bore Airguns, the Best Beeman Air Rifles, the Best Airforce Texan SS, our Best Air Pistol reviews, our Best BB Gun reviews, or the Best Airforce Texan Airguns you can buy in 2024.
Daisy 1938 Red Ryder BB Gun Review Conclusion
Hopefully, this in-depth review of the Daisy 1938 Red Ryder BB gun has helped you decide if you want to buy one for your kids. Or for your niece, nephew, grandkid, or even yourself. This BB gun can provide a great deal of fun for everyone.
It’s long been one of the best BB guns for the price. And it still is, and likely will be for some time to come. We, therefore, highly recommend this as a starter weapon for kids.
Just ensure you spend the time out there with them while they create memories. Otherwise, you might have to replace the neighbor’s window. Or, their cat…
Happy and safe shooting.
I hate to differ with a fellow Marine, but today’s daisy is nowhere near the quality gun it was when we were younger: the current version does not have a removable barrel, the plastic is not resilient and not a adequate substitute material, and it’s made in China, not here in the USA. The safety is a good addition, but it’s made of plastic and doesn’t work very well.
The one I bought for my son to learn marksmanship and firearms jammed irrevocably and now occupies our local landfill, since it could not be repaired. Daisy made some very bad decisions, cheapening their signature air rifle and sending their manufacturing overseas.
Wish I’d kept mine from the 1950s!