Fixes
On my Red Ryder #111 model 40 witch I think was made in 1952 it shoots just fine but when it is cocked the bb will roll out the barrel. Does it need a new shot tube or can it be repaired? Thanks for any help you can give me.
The spring that retains the BB at the end of the shot tube is either worn, damaged or missing. Remove the shot tube and inspect it. It might just need to be "tweaked".
Loss of power in all the older Daisy air guns is normally caused by one or more of the following problems:
- The end of the air tube on the piston assembly is peened over restricting air flow.
- At the piston end of the air tube the "slot" is plugged or partially plugged.
- The piston chamber seal is worn or missing.
- The piston (rubber version) has reverted (turned gummy) and needs to be replaced.
The air tube problem can be remedied by reaming out the end of the air tube to remove restriction. The air tube slot problem is usually caused by the rubber piston "growing" due to use of the wrong type of oil (in most cases 3-in-1) so opening that back up will restore power. The piston chamber seal is merely a leather (older guns) or rubber disk with a hole in the center. Sometimes you'll find that disk has come loose and it is what is blocking the air tube slot. It can be glued back in place after first cleaning the chamber (gun disassembled) and using a suitable guide (1/8" dowel or some such) to position and center.
Back in the day people would oil the Daisy's by squirting oil down the shot tube. The handy, household 3-1n-1 or sewing machine oil would be a natural choice but that stuff ruined the neoprene piston seals. Nowadays a good choice would be air tool lube or a paraffin-based oil. Remember that slippery is good but film strength is needed for a good seal.
Keep in mind that BB's are .175" and not .177". Some older air rifles (pellet) were designed for .175" lead rounds so .177" pellets shoot at lower velocities. Swaging the pellets to .175 will correct that.
WA