Mod Project: The Cruxstryke
September 8, 2020I may have a problem: in addition to having 25 or so Tyrant magazines for Mega blasters, I’ve also bought four Motostrykes. That many blasters (and mags) means I have lots of project fodder. To that end, I’ve gone and made my first brushless build, thanks to parts from Project FDL and Out of Darts. Now I’m shooting Mega darts at 130fps, with all the fun benefits of a brushless setup.
This won’t quite be a build guide, but I will go over making the blaster!
This writeup assumes you have some familiarity with Nerf modding.
Nerf Mega Motostryke Review
September 5, 2020Honestly, this is the blaster I’ve been excited for all year. Odd ammo types are my specialty; I have themed loadouts for Humans v Zombies, PvP events, and other happenings for everything from Vortex to Ballistic Balls. However, one of the things that has always been missing is a semi-auto Mega blaster. Now, we have the Motostryke. It’s compatible with previous Mega magazines, has a smooth trigger pull, and already has plenty of upgrade opportunities. If you like large ammo in any way at all, you need to buy at least one Motostryke.
Halo MA40 Blaster Review
September 3, 2020Nerf has been on a roll, in terms of securing IP crossovers. Overwatch Rival blasters, Fortnite blasters, and now Halo. Just as important, however, is nailing the landing once the product lines start appearing. In that regard, the MA40 largely does the job, being both a nice prop for Halo fans and a good platform for blaster fans. Quibbles over magazine compatibility aside, it’s worth grabbing, even at the $50 MSRP.
Adventure Force Battle Blazer Review
August 29, 2020Buzz Bee Toys is an interesting company when it comes to blaster design. While they have put out more and more designs that are clearly effective in battle, they still have a tendency to release blasters that are mainly play-oriented, be it through shells, chains, or other methods. In the case of the Battle Blazer, we have a fun blaster that does perform well compared to main brands. Is this chain-fed pistol practical? You be the judge.
Adventure Force Sportsman Review
August 26, 2020Author’s note: I got this blaster as a free review sample from Dart Zone. Thanks, guys!
One of Dart Zone’s most interesting innovations in foam blasting is the dart hopper. Seen first on the Commandfire and Destructor, it allows large capacities without the use of magazines or bulky cylinders. It’s also undergone some refinement over the past two years. Now, it’s feeding a manual, pump-action blaster, the Sportsman. In spite of the funky appearance, it makes for an effective blaster, especially if you scavenge darts. It’s not quite as high on the “to buy” list as other Adventure Force blasters, but it’s still worth the $20 at Walmart.com!
Adventure Force Villainator Review
August 24, 2020Author’s note: I wrote this review after buying one, but then got a free sample from Dart Zone. Thanks for the extra data points for comparison!
Dart Zone keeps hitting high notes this year. Between blasters like the DZP 1.1, Nexus Pro, and the Spectrum, you’d expect something to eventually be a miss. So far, though, that’s not the case.
The Villainator is yet another blaster getting top marks, not only performing well for $20, but far outshining the direct competition from Hasbro on the exact same shelf. Whether it’s starting a basic blaster war or playing a long game of Humans v Zombies, it’s a blaster you absolutely should buy.
Knockout Meaker MK18 Review
August 19, 2020Introducing:
A video for those who don’t like reading:
So a few months ago now, I built myself an FDL-3 when they opened shop again, and I wanted a complementary sidearm. Thinking I would want something that didn’t require batteries, was pistol sized, and could shoot different quantities and calibers of ammunition, I elected to build a Meaker MK18. Specifically a Knockout Meaker MK18 which utilizes the incredible power of the recent rival offering.
What you get:
For $6 you can purchase the files from Meaker Arms’s Etsy shop, and you can also acquire some extra files to build your preferred variant of the MK18 via Thingiverse. I opted for a barrel that could shoot spring thunder shells, so I also acquired some from GDOPs Thingiverse page as well. However, there are other barrel options including sledgfire shells, prototype trilogy shell barrel, and meakout specific barrels. Godspeed as you navigate Thingiverse.
Assembly:
A friend printed the parts for me so I won’t speak to ease of printing, but from my understanding, if you know your printer, the process is smooth and painless. Meaker seems to have designed these parts well. His instructions do require a basic understanding of the end blaster in mind, but are easy to follow otherwise. The two halves of the shell and the rails attach with screws that you can scavenge from the top (red or…blue…) section of your knockout. I used 3mm of the back of a mega dart on one of the pieces (pictured) to get a better seal on the spring thunder shells.
Results and conclusion:
So far I have successfully fired half length, full length, mega, and rival ammo from this pistol and all have shot well. I have yet to test a demolisher (“elite mega missile”) rocket, but I have faith that those will work given the right barrel material. Shell swapping is swift and simple. If you ever wanted to feel like a tf2 pyro with a flair gun, this is the blaster for you.
In conclusion, I highly recommend this to anyone looking to modify a knockout into a more shotgun style pistol that is highly adaptable and able to be customized to your preference.
