You’ve a Nerf gun, and you like it, but there’s always something about it that makes you want to get more power out of it.
And let’s face it. Nerf guns are powerful and capable of shooting further, but in the interest of safety, Nerf tones it down.
But the good news is, with a little bit of patience and some tools, it’s possible to modify your Nerf gun for more power.
Of course, taking your first step into the world of making things can be a mental hurdle. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the tools, techniques, and technologies to get that fully-formed idea in your head into an object you can touch and hold.
It’s worth the hassle, though!
There’re numerous benefits of modifying a Nerf gun.
I’d go so far as to say the biggest rewards are actually not the new features you make but the community and forums you find along the way.
See, Nerf modders take their craft seriously. Very active forums are kept up to date with ongoing project diaries, studies of upcoming Nerf releases for modding potential and in-depth guides on the best way to paint mode each Nerf gun.
While every modder has a different style and approach to the process, you’ll meet some truly awesome helpful people who only want to help you learn to grow your Nerf collection and Loadout.
And one of the best things about Nerf modding is almost anyone can do it. Don’t get put off by the super in-depth online tutorials out there; once you know how to do it, you’ll become obsessed as I am.
But of course, not all Nerf guns can be modded! Here’re are the best Nerf guns to modify;
Wrap Up: Our Choice
We recommend the Hasbro Nerf N-Strike Maverick REV–6 for its ease of use, versatility, and ease of modding.
Disassembly is a bit challenging, but that is made up for by a simple design for easy painting and no battery, so no battery modification is required.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table!
The Best Nerf Guns to Modify For The Money
#1 Nerf N-Strike Maverick REV-6 - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Nerf N-Strike REV-6 has become my favorite Nerf gun to modify.
While it has already been succeeded by the Strongarm, which outperforms it on many levels, the REV-6 still retains its quaint charm.
It’s an affordable Nerf Blaster and an awesome toy gun for the kids who love Nerf Battle Adventures and want to stay away from Nerf gun sophistication.
The pistol is a great option for those into modding and customizing guns.
Some form of disassembly is required, but the pistol is also a great choice for beginners.
It’s also a suitable option for kids aged six and up, though Nerf enthusiasts will find it handy after modification, especially in Nerf wars.
The pistol’s shape makes it super easy to paint and modify the Nerf, which is usually the first step in any modification.
It’s also an air-powered blaster, lacking any battery. So, no battery modification is required.
In open play, the Maverick is quite versatile. The rotating 6-dart barrel is super easy to reload and flaunts brilliant accuracy. The Nerf would be a great addition to any loadout, whether modified or not.
While loading the magazine, ensure each of the darts is pushed in properly. Additionally, you should avoid throwing and tossing the blaster because it seems to affect the air columns.
Though this blaster looks like a real heavy revolver, it feels quite lightweight when you actually hold it. It’s lightweight and coupled with a few tricks, you can even wield two Maverick, one in each hand.
It weighs 1.15 pounds but will certainly weigh a little bit more after modifications.
Pros
- Not battery
- Easy to reload
- Supports both the Single Shot Fire and Slam Fire Action
Cons
- Shots fired aren’t accurate
#2 Nerf N-Strike Elite Mega CycloneShock Blaster - Best Pistol Mod
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The Nerf N-Strike Mega Cyclone is a revolver style blaster, one of the highest-powered revolver pistols that can hold and fire 6 Nerf Mega Darts.
We find it the perfect pick for anyone looking to add a revolving pistol to their collection. The larger, whistling Nerf Meg darts also make this Nerf gun one to be remembered by anyone who takes a close call or gets hit.
It comes with a tactical rail, compatible with accessories in the N-Strike category, making it one of the interesting and versatile guns to modify.
Since the gun allows you to determine the number of darts unleashed in a second, Mega Cyclone makes the experience on the battlefield more interesting.
Even better, the Meg Cyclone flaunts long-range shooting abilities, just like any other N-Strike blaster.
Coming with six elite darts, you’ll have the upper hand when it comes to speed because it’s easier to load and reload the dart.
While the mods on the Cyclone will add to its weight, the gun is generally lightweight. It only weighs a pound, so it’s a great Nerf Gun to have if you’re looking to carry it for long distances or on the run.
The only falter we found with the Nerf Gun is the reload process. After unloading your six shots, it becomes a little challenging to reload if you don’t have any extra Nerf Mega dart.
Pros
- Best pistol revolver mod
- High-powered
- Tactical rail for compatibility with N-Strike accessories
Cons
- Challenging to reload
#3 Nerf N-Strike Elite Rayven Cs-18 Blaster - Powerful Mod
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The Nerf N-Strike Rayven is part of the Elite range guns characterized by sleek designs and long-range.
It’s a perfect purchase for those who are looking for high performing blasters.
While Elite Rayven Cs-18 already comes prepared for serious action, it’s easy to enhance its power and shooting range by modification.
In addition, you can also take your Nerf blasting action to the shadows. The Nerf is a glow-in-the-dark blaster, so you never have to stop blasting, even when the lights go out.
With modifiable glowing darts, you can easily follow your shot and make sure you hit the target even in complete darkness. Similarly, it gets easy to trace and retrieve the dart easily for collection after the Nerf way is over.
This gun has a semi-automatic acceleration trigger and can take 18 darts at once is an advantage for you. It offers a compact, quick shot blaster, allowing you to take out your struggling components and win the bragging rights with relative ease.
As with most N-Strike Elite blasters, this option flaunts a tactical rail, allowing you to add additional rail accessories and further personalize your blaster as much as you desire.
For this reason, this Nerf gun is one of the best options to modify in preparation for your next mission.
Pros
- Glowing darts are useful in dark
- Semi-automatic acceleration trigger
- High-performing blaster
Cons
- Runs a bit expensive
#4 Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Dart Blaster - Best Mod for Increased Fire Rate
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The Nerf Vulcan is part of the Nerf N-Strike line and one of the most ambitious Nerf guns Hasbro has made.
The first thing to notice once you take this Vulcan out of the box is that it’s a really big gun. It’s not suited for stealth missions.
It’s to be expected, though, since the gun is a machine gun after all. However, you won’t appreciate the gun’s size and weight until you hold it into your hands.
Once out of the box, you’ll appreciate the various accessories for a better battle experience. Some of the add-ons include a tripod, an ammo box, and an ammo belt.
I’m a big fan of this gun because of the increased fire rate. Many Nerf enthusiasts are probably attracted to the idea of firing off 25 rounds in less than 10 seconds.
And really, who wouldn’t enjoy blasting their friend with such kind of firepower?
It flaunts an adjustable stock and a tactical rail, so there’s nothing you can’t achieve in terms of customization.
As its name suggests, this gun features 25 whistler darts and a 25-dart belt, which you can adjust for the better.
Lego enthusiasts will also profit from an ammo box store for their arsenal and an instructional manual to help you learn the ropes of maneuvering the battlefield.
Unfortunately, it’s not all rosy with the gun.
One of the primary complaints about the Vulcan is the tendency to jam. In my experience, though, it’s not a huge deal breaker as the problem can be mitigated significantly by keeping the belt straight and “feeding” it with the non-trigger hand.
Pros
- Increased fire rate
- Plenty of accessories
- Easy to modify
Cons
- Bulky
#5 Nerf Longshot - Best Mod for Range
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Longshot Elite, a sniper-styled gun, offers fewer shots but allows you to take our enemy from a much longer range.
I’m a big fan of the quick load feature, allowing you to quickly load 6 Nerf darts into the mag, slam into the chamber and use the bolt action at your enemy even before they see you.
The Nerf gun is a bolt-action and comes with a built-in fold-out bipod. This makes the gun feel more like a sniper rifle.
I love the model for its beefy appearance that lends itself well to a lot of styles.
Modders love the Longshot because it has more mod potential than just about all N-Strike clip blasters.
With the possibility of AR removal and spring replacement, you can extend this gun range to 90 feet.
And that’s just the basics of longshot modding.
With extensive mods, such as “bras breech,” modders can get 110+ ft to range with Stefan’s known as slugs.
The Nerf gun is also easy to use and will actually make you feel like you’re actually a sniper.
Even with power, however, you’ve got to hit your target.
While most CS blasters are inaccurate, this gun is fairly accurate. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to rapid-fire accurately.
Pros
- Plenty of modifications
- Long-range
- Easy to load
Cons
- Not accurate
How to Modify a Nerf Gun
Two of the most popular Nerf mods are replacing the stock spring and removing the air restrictor.
This is because the mods have the biggest impact on range and are fairly easy to do, especially with mod kits.
Why Should I Modify my Nerf Gun?
There’re numerous reasons why you would want to modify your Nerf gun.
Generally, however, mods accomplish two things.
First, they increase the Nerf’s gun range.
Think about your Nerf gun. How far does it shoot? The answer is probably between 15 and 35 feet, which is not bad.
But with a mod, you increase the gun’s overall power, and you’re likely to see your darts flying double or even triple the original length.
Some Nerf enthusiasts have modded their guns to shoot well over 100 feet.
The other reason for modding your Nerf gun relates to an automatic gun. Most automatic rifles can clear a set of 25 rounds in about 7 or 8 seconds.
But with a bit of mod, this gun empties the entire round in a measly 3 seconds.
How to Mod a Nerf Gun
Modding a Nerf gun is actually easier than most think.
Generally, there’re three mods you can make on any Nerf gun.
You can make the spring stronger, remove the air restrictor/ mod the barrel, and replace the barrel with a brass tube.
All three modes are done with the intent of adding more power to your gun, so when you fire your dirt, it will go further.
Stronger Spring
For this mod, you can start by unscrewing the blaster and be sure not to lose them.
Once you unscrew the shell, separate them in half.
From there, add 20-pound springs for an increase in the power of your shot.
You may need to reinforce the gun with a PVC pipe afterward because the kick may be powerful enough to tear the gun apart.
From there, replace the screws, and you’ll be set.
Removing Air Restrictors
Air restrictors take nearly half of the energy you put on your shot.
To remove the restrictors, drill the needle part near the middle of the gun. This way, you’ll no longer have any restriction on the air, allowing you to shoot further than you possibly thought.
Keep in mind, though, that every blaster is different, so the air restrictor will sometimes be in a different location.
Modding the Barrel
Modifying the barrel is super easy.
Most of the barrels are cheaply-made plastic that don’t hold in the air.
You can replace the plastic barrels with brass barrels that offer a better fit for your darts. More importantly, the brass barrels allow for more air buildup behind the dart, generating more force and further shots.
Creating Stefans (Homemade Darts)
Nerf darts are typically made out of backer rods.
If you need to DIY homemade darts, simply pick a 20 feet bag at your local store, and you’ve 20 feet of darts.
You’ll only need to put a hole in them.
But first, start by cutting the proper dart length for each one of them. Cut and straighten them using a hairdryer and pillowcase.
Let the hairdryer run for 1-2 minutes and shake the pillowcase, and let it cool.
Next, take a glue gun, and carve holes in the top at the center. Put a BB in, and then glue over the BB to fill it up.
Painting
While some Nerf enthusiasts like the way the gun looks on their own, some prefer modifying their guns to look futuristic or customized to their personality.
Some of the popular mods include applying decals and paint.
While the modes are not as common as the performance-based hacks, it’s a growing part of the modding community.
Painting is also more noticeable because some people go to the extent of painting amazing themes.
Higher Voltage
Here’s another mod, but it’s not as simple or even close as those we’ve mentioned above.
It takes a bit of experience, though you can do it if you’ve time and the available resources.
You can start by taking a rapid-fire action gun and increase its voltage by adding larger battery packs like those in RC cars and boats.
Of course, this requires some wire experience, but if successfully applied, it can increase your rounds per minute up to 500.
However, you need to be careful about this to avoid melting your gun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is modding Nerf guns illegal?
A: There’s a common myth that modding is illegal, but that is false. In the US, though, if the modder uses live firearm ammunition or any form of explosives, you’re required to have a license.
Q: Is it illegal to spray-paint a nerf gun black?
A: In the US, there’s nothing illegal regarding the act of painting a toy, Nerf gun, or replica gun black. It’s your item, so you can do with it as you wish.
Q: What does removing the air restrictor do in a Nerf gun?
A: Removing air restrictors on a Nerf gun increases the overall power and range dramatically. It also makes a much louder noise when firing, which can be intimidating to others.
Q: Can you spray paint a nerf gun without taking it apart?
A: The best way of painting a Nerf gun is by applying a full coat of whatever the gun’s primary color is before taping.
