Annie Oakley Lil' Sure Shot Spring BB Rifle Field Test Review
Today, we are checking out the second-generation Lil' Sure Shot Annie Oakley BB Rifle. This is essentially a Red Ryder-styled, spring-powered BB rifle.
If you are interested in seeing how this looks up close along with the specifications and details, make sure to check out the table-top video. Today is going to be all about shooting it.
Chronograph Velocity Test
To get started, I needed to warm up the chrony, which took a little bit of troubleshooting. I had an ongoing voltage issue with my chronograph lighting and had to use a voltage regulator set to almost exactly 7 volts to get it to work properly without a proper adapter.
Once the chrony was up and running, I put several rounds through the rifle to test the velocity. The velocity remained pretty consistent in the mid-300s, with shots recording at 341, 340, 333, 329, 334, and 332 fps. averaging out at 334.
Target Accuracy Performance
For the accuracy portion of the test, I set up a paper target 30 feet down range. Here is how the rifle performed:
Grouping: After firing about 10 shots, the rifle got just over a two-inch grouping.
Placement: The shots were well-centered from left to right, though it shot a little high even when aiming just under the bullseye. I noticed a few stray BBs came back, which happens if they hit metal instead of the cloth backboard, causing some high flyers. (This could of been me as the bulk of the shots all grouped really nicely)
Sights & Adjustability: It can be a little tough on the eyes aiming black front and rear sights on a target when you need readers for most things, which may have contributed to some of those shots hitting slightly higher. You can adjust the elevation slightly by moving a little piece on the sight backward and forward to raise or lower it. The rifle also features a dovetail, allowing you to mount a nice optical sight or a red dot.
Trigger Pull & Feel
Pull Weight: The trigger pull comes in at around 5 to 6 pounds.
Action: It is fairly short with a pretty predictable break.
Usability: It requires a little effort, but it is not a super hair trigger, making it perfect for youngsters who are just starting out with shooting.
Conclusion
Overall, the Annie Oakley Lil' Sure Shot delivers exactly what you want out of a classic, Red Ryder-styled spring-powered BB rifle: it's straightforward, reliable, and just plain fun to shoot. While you aren't going to get competition-level precision out of a smoothbore BB gun, holding a solid two-inch grouping at 30 feet and putting out very consistent mid-300s fps velocities proves that it is more than capable of handling your everyday plinking or indoor target practice.
What really makes this rifle shine is its accessibility. With a predictable 5 to 6-pound trigger pull that requires deliberate effort without being a super hair trigger, it is a fantastic option for youngsters who are just learning the fundamentals of shooting. Plus, the inclusion of a dovetail mount means there is room to grow with the shooter, you can easily slap a red dot on there if the standard black iron sights prove a bit too tough on the eyes against various target. If you are looking for an entry-level plinker that performs right where it should, this second-generation Lil' Sure Shot is a great place to start.
If you want to pick one of these up, links are in the description to buy in both Canada and the US.
