Daisy Model 25 Explained

Model 25
Origin:United States
Is Ranged:Yes
Designer:Charles F. Lefever
Manufacturer:Daisy
Unit Cost:$49.99 (MSRP)[1]
Production Date:1917–1978, 2007-present
Number:8 million
Weight:3lbs
Length:37inches
Caliber:.177 cal. (4.5 mm) BB
Action:Pump action
Velocity:350ft/s
Range:195yd
Feed:spring-loaded 50 BB magazine
Sights:Iron sights

The Daisy Model 25 is a BB gun, modeled after a pump action shotgun with a trombone pump action mechanism. The Model 25 dominated the low price, higher performance airgun market for over 50 years (1914–1978) before discontinuation. They re-entered production in 2009.

The Model 25 was designed by Charles F. Lefever.[2] By some accounts, 15 million pieces were sold by 1957[3] and 20 million by 1980.[4] Other estimates are "over 8 million".[5]

Lever action models generally have very low velocities, around 275ft/s, a result of the weak springs used to keep cocking efforts low for use by youths. The Daisy Model 25 pump-action BB gun typically achieved 350ft/s.[6] However, the 25's capacity was only 50 BBs, in comparison to the 1000 BB capacity of some leverguns. The 25 does have an advantage in ammunition feeding, however, in that its feeding is spring-loaded, as opposed to many gravity-fed guns which require a shift in gun angle to reload a BB.

The re-issued version is made in China and has a muzzle velocity of approx 350ft/s.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Daisy Outdoor Products.
  2. Web site: NRA Museums.
  3. Book: Walter Harold Black Smith. Smith's standard encyclopedia of gas, air and spring guns of the world. 1957. Castle Books. 203.
  4. Popular Mechanics. Popular Mechanics . March 1980. Hearst Magazines. 90. 0032-4558.
  5. Web site: Daisy BB Guns - Cart - Daisy Airgun Museum in Historic DownTown Rogers Arkansas!.
  6. Web site: Back to Basics with the Daisy Model 25 . US Concealed Carry Association . Delta Defense . 23 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170225131103/https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/back-basics-daisy-model-25/ . 25 February 2017 . 25 April 2014 . dead.