Worker Kunlun Review

Note: Thanks to Out of Darts for sending me a free sample to try and review!

The Worker Kunlun (pronounced “Kwin-lin” I think) took longer to review than I wanted – typically 200fps is the highest I get to play at unless it’s a competitive PvP format. Between limited game options and even more limited time to actually attend games (my work schedule eliminates 99% of Saturday events), it took until this month to actually use the Kunlun in battle.

The end result? The Kunlun is everything it promises to be – and if you’re a fan of bolt-action blasting, oh man are you going to be happy!

It Takes a Certain Kind of Person…

Bolt action isn’t for everyone. Granted, it’s fun in many circumstances, but it’s also far less efficient for putting darts down range than a flywheel, pump-action, or even a regular slide prime. It’s slow and steady, and meant for the person who can hold their blaster steady and line up their shots. I’m always running around, so that almost never applies – I need shots *fast*.

As such, I wasn’t the most thrilled by the Kunlun when testing at home. In fact, I’m pretty sure the cats had more fun with the box it came in! Shooting above 200fps was fun, sure. But when I still have my Harrier, the Kunlun doesn’t have the same appeal.

Shooting above 200fps was also a problem, as none of the games I can attend within my currently limited schedule are above 200fps limit. I actually ended up drilling a vent hole in my PCAR attachment as well as filling in the front of the plunger tube with padding in order to get under the limit!

Using the Kunlun was okay…but honestly, it took me watching other players try it out in-game to get the enthusiasm for it. One player ended up borrowing it for multiple rounds, because it shot darts where he was pointing, and he was enjoying being able to hang back in cover and send darts downfield. Seeing people try the blaster and want to keep using it? That’s when you know it’s a good blaster, even IF it’s not your personal cup of tea.

The Blaster Itself

The Kunlun is a two-part blaster, held together by two long hex-head screws (a hex wrench conveniently tucks away under the barrel shroud). The remaining rail pieces also screw into place. Inside the blaster is an aluminum plunger tube/plunger sled, with a metal priming handle and breech. Once you slide the plunger tube out, you can access the spring and spring rest area.

The barrel screws in, the same as other Worker barrels. There’s also a barrel shroud that fits over the aluminum barrel, which looks good but also helps center the barrel at the front of the blaster shell. A plastic rifling attachment is included, as is a custom 6-round magazine designed to sit flush with the blaster (other Talon magazines also work). Two iron sights are included, for attaching to the aluminum rails.

The magazine release does sit back an annoying distance to accommodate the custom magazine…there are 3D printed replacement levers online.

The blaster is incredibly simple and smooth in operation – all the pieces are well-lubricated, and even heavier spring loads are easy to prime. With the large plunger tube, you’re achieving much more through volume than you are sheer spring power. The breech is of the skinny type, so I could swap magazines even when the blaster was primed and ready to fire. Aiming down the sights is quite simple, and it’s simply a matter of placing them on the blaster where they make the most sense to you.

The rubberized grip, butt pad and cheek rest are a nice touch. The stock is fixed, there’s no adjusting it, but it’s already at a pretty comfortable length.

Note that you’ll be swinging 3+ pounds of blaster in front of you – and EVEN MORE if you’re one of the fancy people who order the metal version.

Performance

With the base setup and the included Worker darts, I was averaging 207fps (thus my earlier difficulties with tuning down the blaster). The upgrade spring, however, boosts that velocity all the way to 300fps or more (with a bit more variance). I didn’t do a lot of testing at that velocity, as it’s literally useless to me. However, if you have games at that velocity, Bradley Philip’s video would be of interest.

Rate of fire is, of course, slower that other blasters, due to the bolt action and the long priming distance. Expect one dart per second, if that.

Last Thoughts

The Kunlun is different. It’s built as solidly as the Harrier and Seagull before it, and is easily capable of insane velocities should you actually play at 300fps. As a bolt action blaster, though, it’s very much a flavor of blaster, as opposed to a standard that you’d recommend to most people for a primary.

If you’re the guy who likes to sit back, aim, and place darts downrange at opponents, though, the Kunlun is hard to beat. Just know your limitations!