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How Do Nerf Guns Work – Types, Ammos, Mechanisms, and More

Date Published: November 30, 2020 | By: Fifth Geek

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • What is a Nerf Gun?
  • How Does a Nerf Gun Work?
  • Types of Nerf Guns
  • Types of Nerf Bullets
  • How Safe are Nerf Guns?
  • Fun Games to Play Using Nerf Guns
    • Tin Can Challenge
    • Capture the Flag
    • Shoot the Sight Word
    • Pistol
    • Protect the Baby
    • Freeze Tag
    • Water Balloon Challenge
    • Gladiator
    • Four Corners
    • Team Triage
  • Final Words
    • Related Posts

Introduction

For anyone who is looking for an easy to use and safe gadget to have fun, then a Nerf gun is a great option. All you need to do is practice a little to take good control of Nerf guns and you are ready to engage yourself in all-out Nerf wars.

Bestseller No. 1
NERF Ultra One Motorized Blaster -- 25 Ultra Darts -- Farthest Flying Darts Ever -- Compatible Only Ultra One Darts
$49.99
Bestseller No. 2
Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster (Amazon Exclusive)
N-Strike Elite blasters and Elite darts deliver the ultimate in blaster performance; Mega Series blasters feature Mega Whistler Darts that scream through the air
$49.99
Bestseller No. 3
Rampage Nerf N-Strike Elite Toy Blaster with 25 Dart Drum Slam Fire & 25 Official Elite Foam Darts for Kids, Teens, & Adults (Amazon Exclusive)
$32.99

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

The reason why Nerf gun is one of the favourite hobbies is that it is active, social, and exciting – all in one. One can enjoy Nerf hide-and-seek, Nerf freeze tag, Nerf captures the flag, and the classic Nerf war easily with fun.

how do nerf guns work

What is a Nerf Gun?

The term Nerf Gun is used for a toy gun made by Hasbro. Nerf gun is used to fire foam balls, foam darts, and discs. The first Nerf blasters appeared in the late 1980s with the release of the Nerf Blast-a-Ball and the Arrowstorm. Nerf blasters are manufactured in various forms. Other guns that fire foam dart blasters are also considered as Nerf Blasters whether it has the Nerf brand name or not.

A package of Nerf blaster includes a set of mega darts or foam darts that fit in the chambers. You can purchase refill darts separately. Most of these blasters are compatible with different types of drafts that are available in the market. Elite darts are compatible with not only regular blasters but also works well with Magazine System blasters.

Nerf blaster accessories are supplied with certain blasters or available separately. These include ammunition attachments or holders that enhance the aesthetic or functional elements of Nerf blasters and some super soaker blasters.

How Does a Nerf Gun Work?

The Nerf gun is an important part of every toy collection. They are good for target practice and Nerf battles. The main parts of a Nerf gun include dart holder, cocking mechanism, piston, and a trigger to shoot darts. The trigger is connected to a spring so we can pull the trigger back but as soon as we let it go, the spring comes back to its original position. A part of the trigger is connected to a vertical slider that is also held up by a spring. When the trigger gets pulled, the vertical slider comes down.

The piston comes fitted inside a tube with a powerful spring. The piston is connected to the cocking mechanism which restricts the piston when you try to pull the trigger to create enough force. When we pull back the piston far enough, it engages with a vertical slider and hooks in a block. This all makes the Nerf gun loaded and ready to shoot. When we pull the trigger, the vertical slider comes down and releases the piston. This makes spring of the piston back into its place and forces the air inside the tube onto the dart to shoot.

Once the dart is fired, the cylinder rotates, and the next dart goes into place. Now you will be thinking about how it happens. The components which make this work include white rotating cam, the cam bar, and supporting plastic – all below the piston. When the piston comes out far enough, it latches on to the cam bar. While firing a dart, the cam bar comes forward and rotates the cam which in turn rotates the cylinder. The cam bar has a circular tip at the end which fits inside the grooves on the cam bar. As the bar goes back and forth, the tip slides right through the grooves.

Types of Nerf Guns

Below are some of the different types of Nerf guns available on the market with the top 3 best sellers for each types. They differ from each other in terms of design and types of bullets. They are:

N-Strike Elite

Bestseller No. 1
NERF N-Strike Elite Retaliator
Retaliator blaster can be built in 4 configurations; Fires Elite Darts 75 feet; Removable stock helps you steady your shot
$29.99
Bestseller No. 2
Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 Blaster (Colors may vary)
High quality toys for children all ages; Made using safe materials; Tested for quality and durability
$66.70
Bestseller No. 3
Nerf N-Strike Elite Disruptor
6-dart rotating drum; Slam-fire action; Fires darts up to 90 feet (27 meters); Includes blaster, 6 Elite darts, and instructions
$12.99

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Zombie Strike

Bestseller No. 1
NERF Zombie Strike Hammershot Blaster -- Pull-Back Hammer-Blasting Action, 5 Official Zombie Strike Darts -- Red Color Scheme (Amazon Exclusive)
$17.99
Bestseller No. 2
NERF Zombie Strike Alternator Blaster Fires 3 Ways, Includes 12 Official Zombie Strike Elite Darts - for Kids, Teens, Adults
$19.99
SaleBestseller No. 3
NERF Zombie Strike Doublestrike Blaster
Doublestrike blaster fires 2 darts in a row; Compact design for one-handed firing; Comes with 2 Zombie Strike darts
$24.99

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

N-Strike

Bestseller No. 1
NERF N-Strike Elite Retaliator
Retaliator blaster can be built in 4 configurations; Fires Elite Darts 75 feet; Removable stock helps you steady your shot
$29.99
Bestseller No. 2
Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster (Amazon Exclusive)
N-Strike Elite blasters and Elite darts deliver the ultimate in blaster performance; Mega Series blasters feature Mega Whistler Darts that scream through the air
$49.99
Bestseller No. 3
Nerf N Strike Elite Strongarm Toy Blaster with Rotating Barrel, Slam Fire, and 6 Official Nerf Elite Darts for Kids, Teens, & Adults(Amazon Exclusive)
$14.99

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

N-Strike Mega

Bestseller No. 1
Nerf N-Strike Mega Mega Mastodon
NOTE: This version comes in simple brown packaging; First motorized Nerf Mega blaster; 24-dart rotating drum
$88.35
Bestseller No. 2
Nerf N-Strike Elite Mega Magnus Blaster
High quality toys for children all ages; Made using safe materials; Tested for quality and durability
$16.99
Bestseller No. 3
Nerf N-Strike Mega Tri-Break
Break-open blaster; Break open the barrel to load darts; Holds 3 Nerf Mega Whistler darts; Includes blaster, 3 darts, and instructions
$18.33

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Dart Tag

Bestseller No. 1
NERF Dart Tag Swarmfire
Blast your way to victory!; Blaster comes with 20 DART TAG darts. Requires 6 “C” batteries (not included).
$63.00
Bestseller No. 2
NERF Dart Tag Quick 16 Blaster
Blast your way to victory!; Air-powered DART TAG blaster delivers a rapid-fire blast of 16 darts!
$55.99
Bestseller No. 3
Dart Tag Sharp Shot
Blast your way to victory; Belt clip’s easy release lets you make your move fast; Blaster comes with quick-release belt clip and 4 Dart Tag darts
$24.99

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Alien Menace

Bestseller No. 1
NERF Alien Menace Digital Target
9.25" interactive lights & sounds target with a digital scoreboard; Features solo and team game play
$19.99
Bestseller No. 2
NERF Alien Menace Foam Blade
18" lightweight foam blade; Easy grip handle for fun battlefield role play; Equipped with slim rope on handle for multiple ways to gear up and store
Bestseller No. 3
NERF Alien Menace Battle Vest
14" x 12" Lightweight hard shell role play vest; Holds 10 darts in built-in dart compartment
$19.99

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Vortex

Bestseller No. 1
NERF Vortex Aero Howler Foam Ball – Classic Long-Distance Football -- Flight-Optimizing Tail -- Hand Grip – Indoor and Outdoor Fun
$9.99
SaleBestseller No. 2
Nerf Sports Vortex Howler Accelerator
Designed for distance; The fun, easy way to boost every throw; Includes 2 Vortex Howler Accelerator launchers
$10.59
Bestseller No. 3
NERF Vortex Aero Howler Foam Ball – Classic Long-Distance Football -- Flight-Optimizing Tail -- Hand Grip – Indoor and Outdoor Fun
$14.49

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Modulus

Bestseller No. 1
Nerf N-Strike Modulus ECS-10 Blaster (Amazon Exclusive)
N-Strike Elite blasters and Elite darts deliver the ultimate in blaster performance; Mega Series blasters feature Mega Whistler Darts that scream through the air
$49.99
Bestseller No. 2
NERF Modulus Regulator Toy (Amazon Exclusive)
This version comes in simple brown packaging; Features SwitchFire Technology; 3 modes: Single-fire, burst-fire, continuous-fire
$59.99
Bestseller No. 3
NERF Longstrike Modulus Toy Blaster with Barrel Extension, Bipod, Scopes, 18 Modulus Elite Darts & 3 Six-Dart Clips for Kids, Teens, & Adults
Ships in simple recyclable packaging that’s easy to open and frustration free
$69.99

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Modulus Ghost Ops

Bestseller No. 1
Evader Modulus Nerf Motorized Light-Up Toy Blaster Includes 12 Official Nerf Darts, 12-Dart Clip, Light-Up Barrel Extension, Multicolor (Amazon Exclusive)
$105.91
Bestseller No. 2
Nerf Modulus Ghost Ops ChronoBarrel
Counts darts as battlers fire their blaster; Measures dart velocity in feet or meters; Part of the Modulus Ghost Ops series. Customize Modulus blasters.
$14.96
Bestseller No. 3
NERF Modulus Ghost Ops Shadow ICS-6
Stay in Stealth mode or light the way; Keep the blaster clear for stealth action; Illuminate the blaster for low-light missions
$46.17

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

N-Strike Elite Accustrike

Bestseller No. 1
Nerf Accustrike Raptorstrike Figure
Part of the AccuStrike Series; Bolt-action; Features 18 darts from the AccuStrike Series; Extendable bipod and pop-up sight
$59.99
Bestseller No. 2
Nerf N-Strike Elite AccuStrike Series FalconFire
Part of the AccuStrike series; Top-load, single-shot blaster; Built-in Dart storage; Includes blaster, bolt (2 pieces), 10 darts, and instructions
$24.68
Bestseller No. 3
Nerf Ner Accustrike Alphahawk Action Figure
N-Strike Elite blasters and Elite darts deliver the ultimate in blaster performance; Mega series blasters feature Mega Whistler darts that scream through the air
$49.26

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

N-Strike Mega Accustrike

Bestseller No. 1
Official Nerf N-Strike Mega AccuStrike Series 10-Pack Refill
Part of the AccuStrike series; Darts are designed for greater accuracy; Compatible with Nerf N-Strike Mega blasters (each sold separately)
$8.58
SaleBestseller No. 2
Thunderhawk Nerf AccuStrike Mega Toy Blaster - Longest Nerf Blaster - 10 Official AccuStrike Nerf Mega Darts, 10-Dart Clip, Bipod
$32.50
SaleBestseller No. 3
NERF E0440EU4 N-Strike Mega AccuStrike Series Thunderhawk, Multi-Colour
Featuring the most accurate nerf mega dart; Longest nerf blaster extends to 41 inches (1 metre)
$43.99

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Laser Ops Pro

SaleBestseller No. 1
AlphaPoint Nerf Laser Ops Pro Toy Blasters - Includes 2 Blasters & 2 Armbands - Light & Sound FX - Health & Ammo Indicators - for Kids, Teens & Adults
$29.00
SaleBestseller No. 2
Nerf Laser Ops Single Shot Combat Blaster
N-Strike Elite blasters and Elite darts deliver the ultimate in blaster performance; Mega series blasters feature Mega Whistler darts that scream through the air
$11.62
SaleBestseller No. 3
NERF Ner Laser Ops Pro Alphapoint Two Pack
N-Strike Elite blasters and Elite darts deliver the ultimate in blaster performance; Mega Series blasters feature Mega Whistler Darts that scream through the air
$39.49

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Super Soaker

Bestseller No. 1
NERF Super Soaker Barrage Soaker (Amazon Exclusive)
NOTE: This version comes in simple brown packaging; Barrage soaker has 3 modes; Scatter, Flood or Distance mode
$19.99
Bestseller No. 2
Nerf Super Soaker Soakzooka
Massive blast of water; Tanks hold up to 55 fluid ounces (1.6 liters); Move the handle to blast water
$37.53
SaleBestseller No. 3
Nerf Super Soaker AlphaFire (2-Pack) Set
3-stream blast; Stealthy soak attacks; Each holds up to 7.4 fluid ounces (218 milliliters)
$15.75

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Rebelle

Bestseller No. 1
Nerf Rebelle Secrets and Spies Dart Refill Pack
Dart Refill Pack includes 24 collectible darts; 12 fun colors and stylish patterns; Darts work with the Heartbreaker Bow blaster (sold separately)
$6.99
Bestseller No. 2
Nerf RebelleArrowtech Lightning Bolt Bow
Launch into spy missions with Nerf Rebelle Secrets and Spies bows and blasters; Unleash your inner warrior and soak your target in wild water battles with Rebelle soakers
$29.99
Bestseller No. 3
NERF Rebelle Power Pair Pack
Power Pair pack includes 2 blasters, one for you and one for a BFF; Compact blasters fit in a purse or pocket
$33.00

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Doomlands

SaleBestseller No. 1
Nerf Doomlands The Judge Toy, Orange, Standard
$44.99
SaleBestseller No. 2
NERF Holdout Doomlands Toy Blaster with Detachablex 40Mm & 2 Official Doomlands Elite Darts for Kids, Teens, & Adults
$8.99
Bestseller No. 3
Nerf Doomlands 2169 Vagabond Blaster (Amazon Exclusive)
Vagabond blaster has pump-action blasting; 6-dart rotating barrel; Rack the action and fire one-handed
$67.78

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

RIVAL

SaleBestseller No. 1
NERF Rival Charger MXX-1200 Motorized Blaster -- 12-Round Capacity, 100 FPS Velocity -- Includes 24 Official Rival Rounds -- Team Blue
$28.49
Bestseller No. 2
NERF Rival Artemis XVII-3000 Blue
High capacity blaster holds 30 high-impact rounds; Rotating barrel; Easy-load integrated magazine
$43.76
SaleBestseller No. 3
NERF Rival Finisher XX-700 Blaster -- Quick-Load Magazine, Spring Action, Includes 7 Official Rival Rounds -- Team Blue
$14.16

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Micro Shots

Bestseller No. 1
NERF MicroShots 6-Blaster Bundle -- 6 Mini Dart-Firing Elite Blasters and 12 Official Elite Darts -- for Kids, Teens, Adults (Amazon Exclusive)
$29.99
SaleBestseller No. 2
NERF Fortnite Micro Ice Storm Collection -- Includes 6 Microshots Blasters & 12 Official Elite Darts -- for Youth, Teens, Adults
$45.15
Bestseller No. 3
Nerf MicroShots Fortnite Micro Peely -- Mini Dart-Firing Blaster and 2 Official Nerf Elite Darts -- for Youth, Teens, Adults
$14.00

Latest update on 2021-04-05 | Images | Affiliate links from Amazon Product Advertising API

Types of Nerf Bullets

We already mentioned that Nerf bullets are darts. There are different types of Nerf darts available in the market. Some of them come with the package but you can also buy other darts that are compatible with your Nerf gun. After extensive research, we have come up with 10 different types of Nerf darts that are:

Traditional

  • Comes in a variety of designs
  • Designed to be easy to shoot and travel long distances

Mega

  • Due to their large size, they are significantly easier to find
  • Much larger than traditional darts

High Impact Round

  • They are spherical in shape
  • Considered as being the hardest darts among other available darts

Suction

  • They are similar to traditional darts. The only difference is a suction cup on their end that stick to surfaces easily
  • The suction pump ensures enhanced performance

Glow in the Dark

  • Easy to see when exposed to light
  • An excellent choice for those who love to play in the dark

Message

  • Comes with a message decoder and special pen
  • After putting dart into decoder only then one can see what it is written

Micro

  • Dates to time when Nerf guns were first released
  • They also have a smaller suction cup but they are made from a foam; therefore, they are damaged easily

Whistler

  • A small opening at the top makes whistling noise when the dart is released and flies through the air
  • This adds a fun element of excitement of the game

Elite

  • Due to the shorter tip plug, they can be used with a variety of different blasters and tend to shoot faster than other options
  • They vary in both range and accuracy

 Charmed

  • Similar to traditional darts but have a wide colour scheme
  • They are easier to find as compared to other choices

How Safe are Nerf Guns?

The company said its products had all gone through rigorous reviews and testing to ensure they were safe and fun to play with. The original Nerf guns do not cause any harm but some cheaper versions are also available in the market that can cause severe damage especially to the user’s eyes.

Fun Games to Play Using Nerf Guns

The best thing about Nerf guns is that you can enjoy various fun games. Let’s have a quick look:

Tin Can Challenge

Summon up anything such as tin cans or bottles on the table and ask the players to shoot them down. You can also give point tags to each tin or bottle with a marker or sticker and see who scores the highest in each round.

Capture the Flag

Make two teams and use different colour bands for each of them. Use a treasure box and hide it from the opposing team. Both teams have to find out the treasure by killing the members of the opposing team. The team that finds the treasure first wins the game.

Shoot the Sight Word

This is a fun game for kids who are learning new words at school. Use the same approach as the tin can challenge. After that, speak a work loudly and the kid has to knock that word down.

Pistol

Pistol is a fun fighting game. You can either play it individually or as a team. You can also set a target to reach so who reaches that target first wins the round. Another fun way is to mark a place as the destination so who reaches there, survives the round, and qualifies for the next one.

Protect the Baby

Use a toy baby instead of a human and the two or three players have to protect the baby from the assailants and escort it to an assigned safe place.

Freeze Tag

Freeze tag is always a fun game but the addition of Nerf guns makes it more interesting. If a person hits you with a dart, you are frozen and to be refrozen someone must hit you with a dart again.

Water Balloon Challenge

Place a balloon on a table and the see who can hit the balloon first. You can also toss balloon in the air and then the one who hits the balloon first wins the round.

Gladiator

Set up a gladiator with the Nerf gun at a high place and the competitor who does not have Nerf gun has to navigate an obstacle course while avoiding the Nerf darts.

Four Corners

Assign four corners as safe homes and the player who touches all those corners while avoiding the Nerf darts first wins the game.

Team Triage

Team Triage is simply a team game where both the teams fight with each other to win the battle.

Final Words

There is no doubt that the Nerf guns are fun to play with and provide great entertainment, but it is necessary to use original Nerf guns to avoid any severe damage. Hope you got what were you looking for. Now buy a one and enjoy playing.

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