Sheridan Cowboy
There has been some back-and-forth online regarding how much (if any) resemblance there is between the Daisy Red Ryder and the Sheridan Cowboy. I hope to shed some light on this.
PLUNGER SPRING
I disassembled the Cowboy (takedown is same as a Daisy) and found a stronger plunger spring. Relaxed, it’s 0.75” longer (7.75”) and is made of wire that’s 0.003” larger in diameter. The spring ID is the same as a Daisy, the OD only a smidgen larger. Using an online calculator, the new style Daisy spring rate is calculated to be about 15.1 pounds per inch. The Cowboy spring rate is about 17.44 pounds per inch or about 15% greater than the Red Ryder. Ends are ground flat like the new Daisy, and is dipped in a translucent red dye.
AIR TUBE
Exact same design and function. Maybe a little
too exact. Unfortunately the air tube has the same ID as the Daisy, and the air tube is slightly longer to boot. It’s my opinion that the stronger spring is largely negated by the one simple omission of opening the air tube ID to 3/32”.
PLUNGER HEAD (or
PISTON)
Same dimensionally, but made of a translucent material that looks similar to urethane. Under close examination this particular Cowboy seal is not molded as precisely as the black Daisy seal. Durometer-wise the two are similar. It shows different mold marks than Daisy but if not for the color/material difference, it would be hard to tell one from the other at arm's length. Same washer and pin, no differences there. The Cowboy wiper is much like what Daisy used to use- dense felt. Daisy now uses a lightweight open cell foam material.
PLUNGER TUBE
The first thing I noticed is the Cowboy plunger tube is equipped with a plastic roller that rides along the top inside of the receiver. I like the concept, but I also have to say I’ve not noticed any excessive contact between the receiver and plunger tube on any of the Daisies I’ve had apart- so whether it’s an actual improvement or something that seems like a good idea but has little real world effect on reliability and longevity remains to be seen. Other than the roller, the plunger tubes are essentially identical, w/one important difference: the Cowboy’s plunger tube “legs” are wider than those on the new Daisy. In fact, they're the same as was used in the old steel trigger/removable shot tube lever action Daisies. This difference keeps the stronger spring from excessively bowing the legs, which could cause them to contact the spring ID- causing vibration, power loss and wear.
TRIGGER
The triggers are very similar, but there are a few differences. The most notable is, unlike the Daisy the Cowboy trigger assembly is held together with three screws and a removable clip- in other words, it can be taken apart. The triggers are interchangeable, but functionally and feel-wise the triggers are basically the same, so unless work were to be done to improve it there’d be nothing to gain by swapping the triggers. Both triggers share the same anti beartrap ‘rack’ and spring but they were not made on the same presses.
LEVER
A lot has been made of Daisy using a plastic material for the lever, and an equal amount has been said regarding the Cowboy having a metal lever. All I will say about that is, I much prefer the Daisy lever- be it plastic or metal. Overall I feel it’s a better design. I found the Cowboy lever to be uncomfortable to use due to the sharper edges it has, along w/a lack of room for my trigger finger. Others may find the opposite to be true. In any event, the levers are not interchangeable because the pivot hole placement and ratio is different between them. So what you see is what you get although there is an aftermarket big hoop lever available for the Daisy, and Daisy will sell you a curved lever (metal or plastic) for a few bucks.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Daisy has a better replacement parts program than what Crosman has for the Sheridan Cowboy. With Daisy you can build a Model 499B from parts (actually cheaper than you can buy one assembled) and for other current production models most parts are available (with some omissions for some models). All that’s readily available for the Cowboy are the cocking lever, rear sight parts, front sight/barrel plug and some assorted screws and nuts.
OTHER DETAILS
- The Cowboy uses a separate receiver “shell” (“Barrel Shroud-A” on the diagram) over the barrel shroud/compression chamber.
- Stock, forearm/forearm band and receivers are not interchangeable.
- Daisy uses standard screws and nuts, the Cowboy uses sleeved screws/nuts.
- The cross pin for the spring anchor/takedown key is removable on the Cowboy, the Daisy uses a rivet.
- The plastic sliding BB loading ‘door’ looks and works the same way as the new Daisy.
- The combination front sight/barrel plug is similar in function to the Daisy, but is larger in diameter to match the Cowboy’s outer barrel.
- The front sight blade is shaped differently.
- The Cowboy rear sights are screwed on, making windage adjustment a possibility. Daisy tack welds theirs. Both are elevation adjustable.
- As for the shot tube, I did not compare it since it’s not meant to be removed. By what can be seen, it looks very similar but there may be details that aren’t readily apparent.
- The Cowboy uses a small ‘window’ through the top of the receiver similar to Daisy, to see if a BB is in place.
That’s about it for now. I’ll update if anything else surfaces.