NEWExplore America's campgrounds on our interactive map

Instructions for the Daisy Red Ryder

Written By
Gus Stephens
Gus Stephens
Apr 23, 2011
1 minute read

Daisy's Model 1938 Red Ryder may well be the best known spring-fired BB gun in history. Over 9 million have been sold since it was introduced in 1939. It fires BBs at a muzzle velocity of 350 feet per second with a maximum range of 195 yards. The Red Ryder has a magazine capacity of 650 BBs and features a lever-cocking firing mechanism. The stock and forearm are made of solid wood and the rifle weighs 2.2 pounds.

Loading

Step 1

Push trigger safety to the right so the red indicator is not showing.

Step 2

Tilt the gun to the right and push the BB loading door at the end of the barrel in and up.

Step 3

Pour BBs slowly into the reservoir. Do not completely fill the reservoir. Close the loading door.

Cocking

Step 1

Raise the muzzle upward.

Step 2

Pull the cocking lever outward. The lever clicks as it is pulled toward the fully cocked position. After seven clicks, the Red Ryder is fully cocked.

Step 3

Close the cocking lever.

Aiming and Firing

Step 1

Point the rifle toward your intended target.

Step 2

Aim the rifle so the the blade on the front sight is centered in the notch on the rear sight and the target appears to rest on the top of the blade.

Advertisement

Step 3

Push the trigger safety to the left to turn the safety off.

Step 4

Squeeze the trigger gently but firmly to fire the gun.

Gus Stephens

Gus Stephens has written about aviation, automotive and home technology for 15 years. His articles have appeared in major print outlets such as "Popular Mechanics" and "Invention & Technology." Along the way, Gus earned a Bachelor of Arts…

Sponsored
Gone Outdoors Logo

Explore the outdoors with the best source for fishing, boating, camping, hunting, firearms, electronics, trailers and towing, maintenance and much more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.