StoreDeal.ai store
Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • Use in AI assistants
  • Contact
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.·2222 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Miami, FL 33134·support@deal.ai
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Compare

Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB Gun vs Ruger NXG APX Pellet Rifle

Buy the Daisy Red Ryder for a young or first-time shooter who wants a simple, iconic lever-action BB gun with a manual safety and adjustable sights. Buy the Ruger APX if you want more power and reach, a scope in the box, and the option to shoot pellets as well as BBs. The Daisy scores higher with owners (4.5 from over 1,200 ratings versus 3.8 from under 300), but the Ruger is the more capable target rifle. The Daisy's wood-look stock and lever feel traditional; the Ruger's polymer stock and multi-pump action are more utilitarian.

  • Choose the Daisy Red Ryder if you want a classic, easy-to-operate BB gun for backyard plinking and a first gun for a kid.
  • Choose the Ruger APX if you want a scoped, higher-velocity rifle that shoots both pellets and BBs for target practice.

Prices

  • Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB Gun: $39.97 at Walmart (last seen Nov 13)
  • Ruger NXG APX Pellet Rifle: $68.00 at Walmart (last seen Nov 11)
  • Difference: the Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB Gun is $28.03 cheaper than the Ruger NXG APX Pellet Rifle at the latest prices (Nov 11 and Nov 13)
Daisy
Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB Gun .177 Cal. Lever Action Air Rifle

Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB Gun

Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB Gun .177 Cal. Lever Action Air Rifle

4.5(1,224 ratings)
$39.97at WalmartChecked 21 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Iconic lever-action design that is simple to cock and shoot
  • Manual safety and adjustable sights
  • Compass and sundial in the stock add novelty
  • Strong owner ratings and a long track record
Cons
  • BBs only, no pellet option
  • Lower velocity, so it is best at short range
  • No scope included
  • Less precise than a scoped pellet rifle
Ruger
Ruger APX Multi-Shot Pneumatic Pump Pellet Rifle

Ruger NXG APX Pellet Rifle

Ruger APX Multi-Shot Pneumatic Pump Pellet Rifle

3.8(278 ratings)
$68.00at WalmartChecked Nov 11
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Shoots both pellets and BBs
  • Up to 800 fps with alloy pellets
  • 4x15mm scope and fiber optic front sight included
  • 10-shot magazine and single-shot tray for flexible loading
Cons
  • Must be pumped 3 to 10 times between shots
  • Polymer stock feels less traditional than wood
  • Lower owner rating than the Daisy
  • Heavier and longer, which is harder for small shooters

What separates them

Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB GunRuger NXG APX Pellet Rifle
AmmunitionBBs only, .177 caliberPellets and BBs, .177 caliber
ActionLever action, one cock per shotMulti-pump pneumatic, 3 to 10 pumps per shot
VelocityLow-powered BB gun, suited to short backyard rangesUp to 700 fps with lead pellets and 800 fps with alloy pellets
Sights and opticAdjustable sights, no scopeAdjustable rear sight, fiber optic front, 4x15mm scope included
CapacityLarge BB reservoir built into the gun10-shot magazine plus a single-shot tray, 75-BB reservoir
Stock and buildBrown wood-look stock with compass and sundial in the stockBlack polymer stock, 3.4 lbs, 39 inches long
Ease of use for beginnersSimple lever cocking, manual safety, kid-friendlyPumping between shots takes effort and practice
Owner ratings4.5 out of 5 from 1,224 ratings3.8 out of 5 from 278 ratings

Prices at every store

Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB Gun

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $39.97Checked 21 h ago
    Visit Walmart
Prices and history →

Ruger NXG APX Pellet Rifle

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $68.00Checked Nov 11
    Visit Walmart
Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecDaisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB GunRuger NXG APX Pellet Rifle
colorBrownBlack
Max velocity—800 feet per second
BB reservoir capacity—75-coujnt
Overall length—39"
Length of pull—14.25"
Weight—3.4 lbs
Included scope—4x15mm scope
Rear sight—adjustable
Front sight—fiber optic
Action—multi-pump
Stock material—polymer

What reviewers say

Daisy Christmas Wish Red Ryder BB Gun

  • 4.5 / 51,224 ratings

Owners rate it highly as a first airgun and a piece of Americana. They like the lever action, the light weight and the movie-style stock details. Some wish it shot tighter groups and note it is a plinker, not a target rifle.

What people mention
  • Lever actionPraisedOwners say the lever is fun and simple to work once you get the rhythm.
  • AccuracyMixedReviewers find it fine for short-range plinking but loose at longer distances.
  • BuildPraisedBuyers describe it as solid and well made for a beginner airgun.
  • Stock detailsPraisedThe compass and sundial in the stock are a favorite talking point.

Ruger NXG APX Pellet Rifle

  • 3.8 / 5278 ratings

Ratings average 3.8 out of 5. Owners praise the accuracy for the class and the included scope, and many find it a good value starter rifle. Complaints center on the stiff trigger, the pumping effort and the plastic feel.

What people mention
  • AccuracyPraisedOwners report tight groups at backyard distances once the scope is dialed in.
  • TriggerCriticisedReviewers describe the trigger as heavy and gritty, which hurts precise target work.
  • PumpingMixedThe multi-pump power choice is useful, but pumping before every shot slows shooting and tires the arm.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a kid's first air rifle?
The Daisy Red Ryder. Lever cocking is easier than repeated pumping, it has a manual safety, and it is sized and powered for supervised backyard use. The Ruger is a better fit for a teen or adult who wants to practice aimed target shooting.
Which one is more accurate?
The Ruger APX. Its longer barrel, included 4x15mm scope and fiber optic front sight make aimed shots easier, and it can shoot pellets, which are generally more consistent than BBs. The Daisy is a plinking gun with basic adjustable sights.
Can the Daisy shoot pellets?
No. The Red Ryder is a BB gun only. The Ruger APX fires .177 pellets from its magazine or single-shot tray and can also shoot BBs.
Which lasts longer?
Both are simple spring and pneumatic designs that hold up with basic care. The Daisy has a long reputation for durability, and its higher owner rating suggests fewer complaints. The Ruger's pump seals are the part to watch over years of use.
Is the Ruger worth stepping up to over the Daisy?
Yes if you want more power, a scope and pellet compatibility for target practice. No if the shooter is young, the range is short, or you want the simplest possible operation.
How much pumping does the Ruger need?
Between 3 and 10 pumps per shot, depending on the power you want. More pumps mean higher velocity but more effort, which slows down repeat shots compared with the Daisy's single lever stroke.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best value pellet guns for target practice and plinking
Build
Criticised
The polymer stock and black finish feel basic to owners used to wood-stocked rifles.