Xshot Excel Shell Ejector Review

Shell-loading blasters have seen a resurgence in the hobbyist community, but they’re not nearly as common among blasters on store shelves. That by itself makes the Xshot Shell Ejector noteworthy. This blaster might have a less than creative name, but it makes up for it with good performance, fun handling, and a low price. The fact that some people already have spare shells and other parts available is just icing on the cake, so to speak.

Bolt-Action? Shells? I’m Listening…

The Shell Ejector is pretty simple in operation; in many ways, it reminds me of several classic Buzz Bee blasters. There’s a bolt you lift and pull back with your right hand to prime the blaster and open the breech (it’s not ambidextrous). You load in one of the four included plastic shells, with dart inserted, close the breech, then fire. Pulling back the bolt pops the old shell out the side of the blaster, making it ready for the next shell you insert.

The Shell Ejector looks good, partly because it takes a different tack from the more angular Xshot blasters of late. The shell curves, avoiding those straight lines and angles except where needed (at the top-mounted Picatinny rail, for example). The stock and the foregrip area have subtle molding that imitates the look of wood, even if they’re just black and red plastic. As part of the Excel line, the blaster doesn’t have any extra paint schemes; it’s just two colors of plastic, with Xshot stickers on either side of the blaster. The blaster comes with a “scope” attachment, four shells, and eight darts.

There are two extra features to speak of. Despite being a regular blaster, the Shell Ejector does have a trigger safety. It also features an extra orange button on its underside – if for some reason you accidentally close the breech partway before loading a shell, you can hold that button down to disengage the internal ratcheting mechanism. In other blasters, that’s a jam-clearing feature. Here, using shells, it just makes for easier operation if you get too excited.

Also handy? Those clips in the stock that hold the extra shells. There’s a slot on either side of the stock for it, but you only get one. Arrange as desired.

Performance

The Shell Ejector averaged 84fps in my testing with the included Air Pocket Technology darts. Due to the time needed to open the breech and insert a shell, the fastest rate of fire I could manage was one dart every two seconds. It’s slow…but what else do you expect from single shot, bolt action, and shell-fed?

Internals and Modification

A few of these blasters managed to leak out right after Christmas, so people had time to model replacement shells, among other things! I printed a bunch from files available online, that also allow the use of short darts. Pick your flavor, from designers Out of Darts, Corvus, or Gemeneye.

As for the blaster itself, the Shell Ejector requires you to pop off the orange tip with a flathead screwdriver before full disassembly can occur – press in the tabs on either side.

The plunger tube sits below the breech, but it’s connected by an oddly shaped section of tubing. There’s still sufficient airflow for casual use and light spring upgrades. Just don’t expect insane numbers out of this blaster as a result. Note that the catch spring WILL try to pop out of place, so be careful.

Last Thoughts

You don’t always need something that’s efficient, so long as it’s fun. That’s the niche the Xshot Shell Ejector fills, with enough performance to plink darts down range and enough oomph to launch shells out the side when you’re operating the breech mechanism. This style of blaster is a great addition to any collection.