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Fun shooting with interesting training possibilities for minimal cost Daisys adult Red Ryder BB gun shown with a $6 supply of ammunition 2400 shots! The aluminum beverage can was nearly cut in half after two casual shooting sessions (range was around 15 yards). Fun, yes, but not a toy.

Daisys adult Red Ryder BB gun is truly an adult air rifle that is cheap, cheap to shoot, and really fun to use. Here is my review.

Until several weeks ago, the thought of covering a basic BB gun wouldve never crossed my mind let alone one designed eighty-plus years ago. But sometimes life provides unexpected twists. In this case, a bubble-blowing gadget, squirt gun and four-year-old grandson were the magic mix that sparked an incongruous reintroduction to some long-lost BB gun fun with a legitimate pinch of training thrown in. Classify this under fun guns worth buying. Sale Daisy Adult Red Ryder BB Rifle .177 air Rifle caliber: 0.177velocity: 350.00 ft/sec $49.99 Buy on Amazon

Late last spring, the weather finally granted our visiting grandson an opportunity to break out a few prized possessions. His trusty squirt guns top the list but, for obvious reasons, theyre restricted to outdoor use. A deck is an authorized location so, as the suns rays cut through the morning mist, he loaded up for some action.

After liquidating a few plastic dinosaurs, a hunt for new targets commenced. By happenstance, thats when his grandmother appeared with a new bubble-blowing kit. Before long, large bubbles floating on gentle breezes became targets of opportunity. Not bad shooting from the little guy, but a fair share survived to travel surprisingly long distances. This prompted thoughts of a more effective bubble-busting system one perhaps suitable for the coach. Low-budget aerial target system. Dip the wand in a vial and give it a wave. A torrent of bubbles will follow. inviting targets!

An airgun made the short list but those on hand the latest, greatest scoped versions were entirely unsuitable for the job. The better choice appeared be a simple iron-sighted gun, stocked to place the shooters eye as close to the barrel as possible a concept similar to a close-quarter dangerous game rifle set up for fast reactive shooting but without the attendant power and noise.

Here, the objective was just the opposite. The airborne targets called for limited range. Ideally, the flight of the projectile would be visible, too.

A few CO-2 powered .177 pellet repeaters received brief consideration, but the Daisy BB gun belonging to my deadeye toddlers older sister seemed like a better pick. However, it was just too small for an average-sized adult. However, a check of the Internet showed Daisy catalogs a similar gun as an adult-sized version that should be familiar to many long-time shooters. Looking serious! The ammunition is affordable and safe but its range is lacking. Time for a more effective system? Perhaps one suitable for an aged juvenile

Table of Contents Toggle Daisys Red Ryder SeriesDaisys Adult-Size Red RyderFeatures & SpecificationsIssues & FixesLoading & OperationAccuracy & VelocityBB Gun Training 2.0Speed ShootingBusting Bubbles (moving targets)The BB/Wingshooting ConnectionSmoother StyleSafety & Parting Shots Daisys Red Ryder Series

Long an iconic airgun brand, Daisy has been manufacturing inexpensive BB guns since the late 1800s. The subject of this post typifies the line and, in case youre wondering, yup, the Red Ryder is pretty much the same gun young Ralphie obsessed over in the classic, 1980 A Christmas Story movie.

Set in 1940, Ralphies object of desire was a genuine Red Ryder BB gun, introduced by Daisy during that era. And, amazingly, its still in production! Ralphie would note a few differences, but its basic lines are still preserved. The box states: The Family Sporting Tradition Since 1940. Interestingly, the brand remains a trademark of Red Ryder Enterprises, Inc., licensed for use by Daisy (possibly the oldest such deal still going). And Daisy is still headquartered in Rogers, Arkansas.

But unlike Ralphies gun, nowadays, the Red Ryders are Made in China. In other words, some plastic parts are inevitable. But the barrel/receiver assembly is still steel, and the stock is still wood. Daisys Adult-Size Red Ryder

No doubt capitalizing on the value of nostalgia, Daisy produces Red Ryders for grownups. Because airguns are non-firearms (per federal regs) I considered ordering one online, but by chance, I stumbled on to the same model at a local general store. New in the box, the gun set me back $50. A container of Daisy Premium BBs (2400) cost $6, plenty of potential entertainment for less than sixty bucks! Sale Daisy Ammunition and CO2 60 6000 ct BB Bottle PrecisionMax premium .177 cal. BB6000 count in handy plastic bottle $11.38 Buy on Amazon Daisys Adult-size Red Ryder, for age 10 and older with adult supervision. New in the box, total cost for this low-tech shooting system was $60 including the container of 2400 BBs. Features & Specifications

According to the Red Ryders box, the gun is a lever-cocking spring-air design. One manageable stroke of its lever cocks a spring-powered piston assembly. Upon its release by the trigger, the BB is expelled by an initial piston-generated shove and a larger blast of air; the propellant that shoots the steel sphere. Read this for a deeper look into the function of it.

Maximum velocity is claimed to be 350 fps, shooting .177 Cal. BBs, and maximum shooting distance is listed as 195 yards.

The sights consist of a blade and ramp front, adjustable rear. A trigger-blocking crossbolt safety is incorporated in the plastic trigger assembly. The lever is some type of synthetic material (resin?). The two-piece stock is stained solid wood.

Overall length is listed as 37.75-inches. Weight, 3.25 pounds. Capacity? Todays high-cap guns may be in, but the Red Ryders magazine is good for 650 dirt-cheap shots! The box proclaims its beefed up bigger stock means this Adult-sized Red Ryder fits like any other full-sized gun and lets you plink the target just like old times. Issues & Fixes

Regarding the stock, as far as Im concerned, full-sized was an understatement; it certainly didnt fit like any other gun in my possession. Length of pull (LOP) was a super-long 15 inches with a pronounced toe-out pitch. Easy fix though: One pass through my bandsaw provided a more manageable 14 LOP.

A hand-grinder and pad sander contoured and smoothed the new butt. An application of stain and Tru-oil finished the job. Total time was less than 45 minutes. Not overly fancy but the fit was greatly improved and its appearance was still presentable. Full-size stock before and after: LOP is still a generous 14 1/2? but, combined with the reduced toe angle, its fit is much improved. Any shorter and the logo wouldve been trashed.

Also, this particular Daisy shot right by more than an inch at 10 yards; a problem since the adjustable sights have no provision for windage. After considering practical options, I simply widened the left edge of the rear sights notch with a file. A few trial & error sessions, along with some cold blue, solved that issue. Easy windage fix, performed with a small file. Material has been removed from the left surface of the rear sigts notch. The stepped elevator provides the necessary elevation for various ranges. As show here the Red Ryder is now on the money at around 7-yards.

More aggravating was the trigger, which wouldnt consistently release. The problem turned out to be a slight misalignment with a notch in the sliding safety drum. Because the parts are plastic, by repeatedly exercising both, they eventually wore in. At that point the trigger became borderline okay, scaling a fairly consistent six pounds. The Red Ryders trigger assembly: The trigger blocking safety (square lug) is on-safe. Initial trigger hang-ups were caused by a slight misalignment with a notch in the safety. Because both parts are plastic, an exercise session wore them in.

Lastly, the leather thong & steel ring on the receiver hung close enough to the trigger to drive me nuts. Initially I untied the thong but, eventually, I removed the dangling metal ring. Loading & Operation

A small loading port near the muzzle is the gateway to a very lengthy shooting session. Just slide its small cover open and pour in a bunch of BBs while trying to avoid spillage (dont forget to close the cover). These guns are gravity fed, requiring elevation of the muzzle between each shot, but you may still encounter the occasional blank discharge.

I stuck with the recommended Daisy Premium BBs in hopes of avoiding a jam a potential problem since the barrels breech end isnt accessible (resist the urge to recycle any recovered BBs). Theyre held in place by a small magnet, so they wont dribble out the muzzle. The steel Premiums are zinc-plated to resist corrosion. BBs are loaded through the small port. The actual magazine is the steel shroud surrounding the barrel (visible in the port). Supposedly, it offers 650 shots if anyones counting. The smaller tubular magazine below is an ornamental lever-action touch.

Cocking is accomplished by driving the lever downward and all the way forward seven full clicks! If not, the gun wont fire (as explained in this link):

Due to its anti-bear trap feature (a more recent addition that prevents smashed fingers), uncocking requires shooting the gun. Same for clearing its chamber (a small port provides a view). The BBs in the magazine can be unloaded through the loading port after applying the non-automatic safety. Accuracy & Velocity

Because its designed to shoot spherical projectiles, the barrel is a smoothbore tube. A such, gilt-edge accuracy is highly unlikely. The photos show the results of five-shot groups from 5, 10 and 15 yards. The 5-yard cluster (3/4) illustrates why regulation BB gun competitions are shot at that distance. Representative BB accuracy: The black circles measure 2-inches. Each group (marked in red) consists of 5 shots. All were fired of a benchrest using a hand-cradled artillery hold (recommended for spring-powered airguns). The loopy trajectory is obvious.

The actual velocity through my chronograph (3 feet ahead of the muzzle) was a slower than advertised, averaging 270 fps, however, the extreme spread for 10 BBs was a surprisingly narrow 10 fps.

Takeaways: The gun is relatively easy to cock, offers plenty of inexpensive shots, and produces minimal noise. Egg-size groups are a reasonable expectation at 10 yards, and a beverage can is in peril at twice that distance.

Still, this performance warrants careful considerations regarding a safe shooting location! From 15 yards, many of the lightweight Daisy BBs (5.5 grains) completely penetrated an aluminum can. BB Gun Training 2.0

Daisy is heavily invested in training (and accessories) but what follows takes a different tack. Its geared toward fast gun mounts and reactive shooting. Speed Shooting

I mentioned being able to see the projectile, a trick that ties in with fast so-called instinctive shooting. To that end, I hung an aluminum beverage can off a tree branch in the back yard, donned a set of shooting glasses, and backed up around 15 yards. I then shot BBs at it while staring through the sights with my primary attention focused on the can the antithesis of proper iron sight doctrine.

Before long -as Id discovered as a kid -I could mount and shoot instantaneously while watching BBs arch into the can. The resounding impacts and the quivering target provided instant feedback. It was addictive to the point where, within a couple sessions, the can was dangling by just a sliver. At that point I felt tuned up for some aerial action. Busting Bubbles (moving targets)

Popping bubbles with the Red Ryder turned out to be a real hoot! Theyre entirely doable in the right conditions with the above technique. The greater challenge is scoring a light but consistent breeze so the targets will float in safe directions. The logistical requirements consist of glasses, a designated bubble blower and safe area! Obviously, a housing development wont do.

Im rural enough that immediate neighbors are a non-concern, however, our vehicles and windows certainly are! Bystanders, too! Maintain a safe mindset and avoid the pitfalls of target fixation. BBs can ricochet off hard surfaces in the background to include trees. Bubble-busting in progress with the Red Ryder. The downrange area is bystander-safe, but the tree poses a possible ricochet hazard. Safety glasses should be considered essential gear. The BB/Wingshooting Connection

Years ago, when the father of our squirt gun pistolero (a son) hit his early teens, his interest turned to wingshooting. He was already a competent rifle shooter but, instead of starting him out with a shotgun, his training began with a BB gun. After removing its rear sight, we used a version of the hanging-can drill.

Within several days he could reliably smack a small aluminum pie plate from 12 yards, as soon as the gun contacted his shoulder and face. From there we advanced to a properly fitted 20 Gauge and a period of gun-mount practice, followed by some dry-firing at airborne claybirds. Once that was down pat, he loaded a shell, dusted his first target and never looked back. Smoother Style

More recently, his older brother showed up during a BB bubble-fest and decided to give it a try. Hed never expressed any real interest in wingshooting but is deadly with a rifle. Still, the drifting bubbles gave him fits, the product of a somewhat mechanical style. It took at least twenty attempts before he could let go and catch the flight of a BB. At that point his shooting smoothed out and he transitioned to a true bubble-busting machine. Cost in ammunition? Maybe 25 cents.

A partner with a good pitching arm offers further possibilities. Tossed targets (suitable types) are challenging but doable if thrown consistently.

Bottom line: With a BB gun, the skys the limit but dont dismiss the safety aspects. Safety & Parting Shots

The Daisy literature focuses heavily on safety for good reasons! Some people consider BB guns toys. Theyre not; the gun is even stamped for use by age 10 and older with adult supervision (our toddler may start sooner but hes not close to being ready).

The firearms safety rules apply with an additional concern: Steel BBs have no give. Reactive metal targets are absolutely out and as noted above, their low velocities can produce ricochets off harder surfaces. Eye protection is essential although hearing protection can be skipped. Sale Daisy Adult Red Ryder BB Rifle .177 air Rifle caliber: 0.177velocity: 350.00 ft/sec $49.99 Buy on Amazon

On a positive note, the Daisy is as simple as all get-out. The main requirements are some BBs, glasses, and motor oil; a couple drops of 20-W in the oil here port every 1000 rounds or so. If you encounter a problem, search Daisy Red Ryder problems. A practical solution may be jus one click away.

This stands in contrast to my high-end pre-charged pneumatic guns that require external air sources, HPA couplings, special lubes and specialist-servicing. I detail some of this in my article on whether PCP air rifles are worth the money.

My British-built PCP rifles are as accurate at 50 yards as the Red Ryder is at 5-yards. But for entertainment on the fly (sometimes literally) the much simpler Daisy often has them beat. The theme here is KISS. You could spend a few bucks for a metal lever and fiber-optic front sight or just enjoy it as is.

Finally, for more about the fascinating world of airguns to include a number of much techier picks, heres a link to Air Rifles: A buyers and Shooters Guide: Air Rifles: A Buyer's and Shooter's Guide (Survival Guns) Markwith, Steve (Author)English (Publication Language) $14.48 Buy on Amazon

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Environment

Lectric Ebikes may be launching a new XP 4 this week, and it could change everything

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Lectric Ebikes may be launching a new XP 4 this week, and it could change everything

Lectric Ebikes appears to be preparing for a major new product launch, teasing what looks like the next evolution of its wildly popular folding fat tire electric bike. Based on the clues, it looks like a new Lectric XP 4 could be inbound.

In a social media post released over the weekend, the company shared a minimalist graphic reading “XP4” along with the message “Tune in 5.6.2025 9:30AM PT.” That date – this Tuesday – suggests we’re just hours away from the big reveal of the Lectric XP 4.

If true, this would mark the next generation of the most successful electric bike in the U.S. market. The current model, the Lectric XP 3.0, has become an icon of accessible, budget-friendly electric mobility. Starting at just $999, the XP 3.0 offers a foldable frame, fat tires, a 500W motor, a rear rack, lights, and hydraulic brakes – all packed into a highly shippable design that arrives fully assembled. It’s the kind of package that has helped Lectric claim the title of best-selling e-bike brand in the U.S. for several years in a row.

With the XP 3.0 still going strong, the teaser raises plenty of questions. Will the XP 4.0 be a modest update or a major leap forward? Could we see new features like torque-sensing pedal assist, a location tracking option, or upgraded performance? Or is Lectric preparing a more comfort-oriented variant, maybe even with upgraded suspension or even more accessories included standard?

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The teaser image, which features stylized stripes in grey, blue, and black, may hold some clues. One theory is that the colors represent new trim options or component upgrades. Another possibility is that Lectric is preparing multiple variants of the XP 4.0 – perhaps targeting commuters, adventurers, and off-road riders with purpose-built versions. We took the liberty of a bit of rampant speculation late last year, so perhaps that’s now worth a revisit.

At the same time though, Lectric’s penchant for launching new models at unbelievably affordable prices has never run up against such strong pricing headwinds as those posed by uncertainty in the current US-global trade war fueled by rapidly changing tariffs for imported goods.

lectric xp 3.0 hydraulic
Previous versions of the Lectric XP e-bike line have seen sky-high sales

Whatever the case, Lectric’s knack for surprising the industry with high-value, customer-focused e-bikes means expectations will be high. The brand has built a loyal following by delivering reliable performance at a price point that few can match, and any major update to the XP lineup is likely to ripple across the market.

As a young and energetic e-bike company, Lectric is also known for throwing impressive parties around the launch of new models. It looks like I may need to hop on a red-eye to Phoenix so I can see for myself – and so I can bring you all along, of course.

Be sure to tune in Tuesday at 9:30AM PT to see what Lectric has in store – and you can bet we’ll have all the details and first impressions as soon as they drop.

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Industry calls for urgent crypto law reforms after Australian election

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Industry calls for urgent crypto law reforms after Australian election

Industry calls for urgent crypto law reforms after Australian election

The Australian crypto industry has called on the newly reelected Labor government to urgently make digital asset legislation a top priority to ensure Australia doesn’t fall further behind global markets.

The incumbent Australian Labor Party was returned in a landslide on May 3, picking up 54.9% of the two-party-preferred vote, against the Liberal and National Parties on 45.1%. Both parties went to the election promising crypto law reform, but only the opposition pledged to deliver draft legislation within 100 days.

Joy Lam, Binance’s head of global regulatory and APAC legal, said the exchange has been consulting with Treasury officials since late 2023 about its proposed legislation, and it was now time for action.

“Timing is really quite critical now because obviously it’s something that has been discussed and kicked around for quite a few years,” she told Cointelegraph.

Coinbase managing director for APAC John O’Loghlen said the reelected Albanese Government has the “opportunity and the responsibility to move quickly on this issue” and called for a Crypto-Asset Taskforce to be established within its first 100 days “with the aim of bringing forward legislation that protects consumers, promotes innovation, and stops the exodus of talent and capital to other markets.”

Cryptocurrencies, Australia, Bitcoin Regulation
Reelected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Source: Anthony Albanese

BTC Markets CEO Caroline Bowler said that “beyond the political implications, this result sets the stage for meaningful progress in Australia’s approach to digital asset regulation.”

Lam noted that the UK released its draft regulations last week, stablecoin bills are moving forward in the US, and the EU has already implemented its MiCA legislation.

“So there’s a very clear shift. Everyone’s moving towards providing the regulatory framework that is needed for the industry to develop in a sustainable way. So time is really of the essence now.”

Draft crypto legislation within months

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ office told Cointelegraph that exposure draft legislation would be released sometime this year for consultation, and any legislated reforms would be “phased in over time to minimize disruptions to existing businesses.”

Although the Treasury has draft legislation on “regulating digital asset platforms” and “payments system modernization” scheduled for release by the end of June, Lam isn’t confident. “I don’t know whether this quarter specifically is still sort of the timeline,” she said.

Related: Australian election will bring pro-crypto laws either way

While the ALP has been attacked by some over not taking any action in its first term in government, that may actually have resulted in a better outcome than legislation that took its cues from the approach of Joe Biden’s administration, which took a hard line on banks dealing with cryptocurrency and viewed most coins as securities. 

Industry figures report a noticeable evolution in the government’s approach to crypto between when proposals were first put out for consultation at the end of 2023 and when the Treasury released its much more positive “Statement on Developing an innovative Australian digital asset industry” in March this year.

Cryptocurrencies, Australia, Bitcoin Regulation
Australia Votes running tally on the Australian election. Source: ABC

The statement sets out key priorities, such as using the existing Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) regime to underpin the regulation of Digital Asset Platforms and payment stablecoins. It’s focused on the safe custody of client assets by centralized providers and sidesteps issues around decentralized finance platforms

Lam welcomed the use of the AFSL regime. “Obviously, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” she said. “It’s something that people know and understand. It’s a pretty sensible move, and it’s also going to be much easier for regulators.”

Tokenization and sandbox

The government will also review the Enhanced Regulatory Sandbox, which aims to provide space for innovative digital asset startups to grow free of red tape. The statement also highlights opportunities with tokenization.

Lam said the change in emphasis showed the government has been listening to the industry. 

“It reflects the industry feedback that they would have received in 2023 as a result of the consultation, as well as the changing landscape because obviously it’s been evolving pretty quickly internationally,” Lam said.

“They do have the benefit now of looking at what has worked and hasn’t worked in other jurisdictions, and really building on those lessons.”

Dea Markovy, policy director at Fireblocks, told Cointelegraph that “a lot of the groundwork and research is done” and it was looking broadly positive.

“Of course, a lot of details are still to come around Australia’s Digital Asset Platforms (DAPs) regime. What is significant here is the willingness of the Government to cut through the complexity and uncertainty on crypto intermediaries licensing.” 

The securities regulator ASIC released its own crypto regulations proposals (INFO 225) in December, and feedback from those consultations will help inform the government’s new legislation. 

“In essence, it details how different token issuances and crypto intermediation will fit into Australia’s existing securities legislation, providing for a transition period,” explained Markovy.

The draft guidance suggests NFTs, in-game assets and memecoins are not financial products — the local equivalent of a “security” — while a yield-bearing stablecoin or a gold-backed token probably are.

The Treasury statement also highlighted issues with debanking. Lam said that simply regulating the industry would go a long way toward solving the issue.

“What we really want from governments and regulators is that clean licensing framework, because that goes a long way to mitigating the risk and giving the banks the comfort that they need,” she said. “And then, there’s probably going to need to be some additional guidance given to banks.”

Magazine: ZK-proofs are bringing smart contracts to Bitcoin — BitcoinOS and Starknet

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World

At least 15 injured in ‘US-British’ strike on Yemeni capital, according to Houthi group

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At least 15 injured in 'US-British' strike on Yemeni capital, according to Houthi group

Yemen’s Houthi rebel group has said 15 people have been injured in “US-British” airstrikes in and around the capital Sanaa.

Most of those hurt were from the Shuub district, near the centre of the city, a statement from the health ministry said.

Another person was injured on the main airport road, the statement added.

It comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against the Houthis and their Iranian “masters” following a missile attack by the group on Israel’s main international airport on Sunday morning.

It remains unclear whether the UK took part in the latest strikes and any role it may have played.

On 29 April, UK forces, the British government said, took part in a joint strike on “a Houthi military target in Yemen”.

“Careful intelligence analysis identified a cluster of buildings, used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, located some fifteen miles south of Sanaa,” the British Ministry of Defence said in a previous statement.

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On Sunday, the militant group fired a missile at the Ben Gurion Airport, sparking panic among passengers in the terminal building.

The missile impact left a plume of smoke and briefly caused flights to be halted.

Four people were said to be injured, according to the country’s paramedic service.

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