In the movie, "A Christmas Story'" the best BB gun in Ralphie's eyes was the Daisy Red Ryder.
And that particular Daisy BB gun has been around for many years. It's still popular today.
The Red Ryder is a lever action model, designed to approximate the look of the 1890"s Winchester rifle. The boy with his BB gun could sport his small version of Daddy's big deer rifle. It was about pretending, but more than that - because the air gun really could shoot its own "bullets". It was a lot more than a pop gun.
The early BB guns were smooth bore, meaning no rifling in the barrel. This meant spherical ammo, and less accuracy than air rifles that shot pellets. But for small boys, it was accurate enough for tin cans and cardboard targets. And powerful enough to deal a death blow to pest birds like house sparrows. A well placed shot could even bring down a starling. I know, because I did it as a youngster.
These little spring air guns don't have the punch of the pneumatic air guns, like Crosman and Benjamin. But they are safer for small shooters and provide lots of target practice for little money. In later years, Daisy did bring out a number of air guns much more powerful than their early guns, and these are popular with older kids and adults today.
Which brings up the topic of adult shooters. Some adults prefer the simple fun of shooting the Daisy spring air guns. Some, like the Daisy Red Ryder and the Daisy Model 25, are often bought by guys with nostalgia for the guns they so enjoyed as kids. The best BB gun to buy in my opinion is the one you want the most, whatever the exact reason. It's all about shooting fun.
But, it is true, some want more power. When I got older, I bought a pump up Crosman in .177 caliber. I used it for small game. My brother borrowed it from me one night and he and a cousin went out on the green wheat field with a flashlight. They spotlighted and plugged a big jack rabbit. One shot. That jack ate no more winter wheat.
So with the more powerful guns comes additional hunting options. Rabbits and squirrels and wild barn pigeons become practical prey (and are good eatin' besides). I now like my Sheridan Blue Streak in.20 caliber, and it does a great job on cottontail rabbits, tree squirrels and on plenty of starlings in the big tree in my back yard.
Modern air guns come in a huge variety of styles, power, and price. You can pay as much for a high class pellet rifle as you might pay for a big bore hunting rifle. It all comes down to what you want and are willing to pay.
For me, however, although I shoot the more powerful air rifles, I still have a warm place in my heart for the Daisys I wore out in childhood. You know, I may buy another. Seriously!!
