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In a game of modern warfare, where enemy troops start encroaching on your territory with plans to take your base/supply store/pillow fort, you need to be sure of holding them at bay. A classic Nerf blaster might not be enough. The best Nerf machine guns could be your child’s best bet for surviving the onslaught. But, how can you be sure of getting the very best automatic Nerf weapon for speed, impact, and user enjoyment?
In this guide, I want to show you some of the best Nerf machine guns on the market right now. There is a wide range of weapons on offer here, from blasters with rapid-fire options to intense automatic weapons, guns on tripods, and even drones. While some of these are a step too far for the average consumer, it is nice to get a broader idea of what you can get. Following that, there I have a brief buyer’s guide on what to look out for and some safety considerations. First, let’s look at why you might want a Nerf machine gun.
Why get a Nerf machine gun?
Every Nerf weapon has its own purpose in battle. There are lots of cool blasters out there that let you fire off a round of darts one-by-one, shotguns for the skilled shooter, small pistols as secondary weapons, and a whole lot more. When it comes time to lay down some suppressive fire and scare off enemy troops, it often pays to bring in the big guns – quite literally. Machine guns offer rapid-fire for greater impact. The designs and purpose also mean that they are great for older players that need something more impactful than a gun that seems a little small and child-friendly.
Are there any automatic Nerf guns?
Yes, there are some impressive machines out there that take the standard blaster and amplify the firepower and features. These battery-operated models don’t rely on the same sort of primer and deliver multiple shots in quick succession. Once charged up, they are surprisingly powerful weapons where it is all about quantity over quality.
Our recommendations.
In a rush? Below are our top two recommendations:
Before we go a little deeper into the Nerf machine gun reviews, here are some quick recommendations to get you started. The first is a simple gun at the lower end of the scale that is a great introduction to a more powerful weapon. The second is a more intense option that should prove useful in a life-or-death situation but is better for older, more experienced users.
The best Nerf machine gun for first-timers: Nerf Rival Khaos MXVI-4000
The great thing about this one is that it looks like a more typical blaster, so it is a nice step up for guns that kids already own one. The design of the butt, barrel, and trigger are intuitive and there isn’t too much weight to it. The difference between this and a normal blaster is the capacity of the magazine and the rate of fire. Here, you get 40 rounds in this fully motorized gun. They are the tiny little shots for rapid and intense fire. The recommended age here is 14+ so parental common sense is essential.
The best intense fully automatic Nerf machine gun: Nerf Rival Prometheus MXVIII.
This is a ridiculous option regarding cost, design, and firepower. It is on another level to the Khaos gun. But, it is also much sought after. This incredible fully automatic option comes with a battery pack and a 200 ball hopper with Rival-branded balls. It fires an impressive 8 balls per second at an average of 90 feet. The high impact means that protection is recommendable here and the 14+ age recommendation is understandable. It is an amazing part of the Rival series that fits in well and looks intimidating.
7 of the best Nerf machine guns.
1) Nerf N-strike Elite Rapidstrike
The first option I want to highlight here is one that is a little more accessible in terms of its design. It looks like other blasters, just with enhanced firepower. This model holds up to 18 darts and fires that pretty quickly with the rapid system on the acceleration trigger. They should fly around 90ft. The speed of 3 rounds per second gives users a little more control while firing.
The pros and cons of this Nerf machine gun.
There are some nice details in the design of this weapon. It uses Elite darts, which is a nice choice as kids can add in the darts they already have from other compatible devices. There is also a nice transparent clip that is great for checking how much ammo you have left. It is also a comfortable gun at a decent size and weight that most players can use it with ease.
There isn’t too much to say against this model unless you are deliberately looking for a fancier, smarter, or more powerful options. This is an older model than keen players still use with ease. It still holds up, even if it isn’t the most sought-after choice.
2) Nerf Rival Khaos MXVI-4000.
As you saw with my recommendations, this model is the more interesting and appealing of the smaller machine guns. You aren’t going to get the same firepower and impact as some of the other guns later in this guide. But, there is enough here to impress new players. This fully motorized gun has a 14+ rating because of the rate of fire. It can get through 40 rounds very quickly with a decent amount of speed.
The pros and cons of this Nerf machine gun
A lot of love for this gun comes from a sense of familiarity. This has a similar look to other guns in the Nerf range. It is also easy to hold and use with the shape of the butt and position of the trigger. Essentially, it is just a regular blaster that’s had a battery-powered upgrade – and there is little wrong with that.
The only possible downside here is that this isn’t as far enough removed from other blasters as ids would like. If they are after something completely new that shocks their friends, this might not be it. Some may be left wondering what else it can do.
3) NERF Rival Nemesis MXVII-10k
This next option is one of the more assuming guns in the guide because of its shape and design. But, there are some great promises about firepower. This one can handle 100 rounds at a decent speed of 4 per second, with the ability to shoot 100ft with the right trajectory. This is better than other blasters with a similar spec. Most kids have no problem reloading it either.
The pros and cons of this Nerf machine gun
Another benefit of this NERF Rival Nemesis is that it is available in two colors, much like others in this series. Therefore, if your child tends to fight on either the Blue or Red team, with other weapons in that color, you can make sure to match. The design isn’t the weirdest, but it is ergonomic and should blend in well with the rest of this color-coordinated arsenal.
The biggest issue here isn’t that uncommon. The weapon needs 6 “D” batteries and this can get costly over time, especially as they don’t last that long in this sort of weapon. That is why is it recommendable to buy a rechargeable battery pack from the start to eliminate this issue.
4) Nerf Rival Prometheus MXVIII
This next option asks a very important question of players – just how much do you want to be able to shoot and at what rate of fire. Naturally, players are going to want something intense and impactful out there if this is an alternative to a normal blaster. In this case, you get a 200 ball hopper that comes with Rival-branded balls for authenticity. That system is then able to fire 8 balls per second at an average distance of 90 feet. This makes it one of the fastest out there.
The pros and cons of this Nerf machine gun
This powerful fully automatic option comes with a battery pack rather than the immediate need for a ton of batteries, which is a nice way to cut some costs. There is also a strap include so kids can wear it comfortably and get the stability and aim they need. It might be a massive tool, but it fits in well with the rest of the Rival range for kids that are keen to stay on-brand.
However, the impact of this gun does mean that protection is a good idea to prevent injury. The 14+ age recommendation seems to be more than appropriate here because of the size and power.
5) Nerf N-Strike Mega Mastodon.
This next option immediately stands out for its size more than anything else. This is a massive gun that will make a big impression when it comes to scaring off the enemy. You just know that this thing is going to hurt if you get on the wrong side of it. You can’t expect anything less from a product that requires either a shoulder strap or tripod. So, it is definitely something for serious players.
The pros and cons of this Nerf machine gun
Once this gun reaches full speed after the batteries get going, it can fire 4 darts a second up to 100ft. So, it is pretty deadly in battle with the right aim. It can hold 24 darts and uses mega darts, so watch out for this when buying spares.
This option isn’t going to be for everyone because of the size. This thing is massive and can recoil a little too easily into your body, so is not for younger players and the 8+ age recommendation is questionable. However, teens should be able to handle this well and make the most of its potential. It also takes 6 D batteries, which could get costly, so consider finding a battery pack instead.
6) Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 Dart Blaster
This machine gun is something a little different. The design is clever as it helps transport players into the warzone with some authentic features. The darts sit in a belt, like an old-fashioned gun from the war, and there is a tripod for hands-free play. Also, the darts included are whistling darts to add to the sensory experience.
The pros and cons of this Nerf machine gun
Aside from the good looks of this machine gun, it should also be able to make quite the impact. The gun can fire 25 darts in fairly quick succession from the belt. Kids can just feed the belt into the gun, set it up and let it annihilate their opponents. Where necessary, players can also pick this up off the tripod and set it to a single shot mode for more precise shooting in different environments.
The downside here is that this model has been discontinued by Nerf. It is an older choice that doesn’t fit in with some of the more popular themes. You can still get your hands on one if you are lucky through online merchants, but it might not be cheap.
7) Terrascout Nerf Toy RC Drone Nerf Machine Gun.
I want to end with something a little bit different. While I appreciate that this toy isn’t going to work for a lot of parents, it is also important to see what is at the high-end of the range. Besides, older kids that save up allowance or have part-time jobs may not see the harm in throwing $150+ at a Nerf toy that does as much as this. Essentially, what you get here is a remote-controlled “drone” that you can send in to do all the dirty work for you.
The pros and cons of this Nerf machine gun.
The plus side with this model is the completely different style of play. Your kids will have fun figuring out the device and screen and seeing how they can sneak up on their enemies. The drone has a tank element that seems to work pretty well with a sturdy track and the blaster on top that fires off the darts. There are 18 darts per clip, which should be plenty, with a decent rate of fire and a distance of around 50ft. While it isn’t as intense as other guns, it is a great way to diversify play.
The downside here is that not all players can get the console to work properly. Some find that that the video screen lags and the quality isn’t as they expected.
Here is a video from coop772 on Nerf Rival Prometheus
Things to look out for when choosing a Nerf machine gun.
As you can see from some of the pros and cons of the products in this guide, ease of use is essential. It is too easy for guns like this to become difficult to use or too intense because of the hoppers, rate of fire, and other features. Some of these weapons will be much too big and difficult to handle for anyone under 10. The straps and tripods help, but not entirely. Kids still need to be able to load the hoppers, handle the trigger and aim that assault of shots or dart in roughly the right direction.
On the subject of those darts, we need to look at the ammunition and firepower provided here. There is a big difference between the weaker and more excessive options. I don’t know if 200 shots in one hopper are overkill, but you are definitely unlikely to run out. 18 darts is a little more limiting, although much more than a normal blaster. Also, look at the type of darts. Can your kids use Elite darts across all their guns or does this have something special?
Also, we can’t overlook the importance of the design with these guns. There are some great options out there where the designers have really thought about how to create something intimidating and eye-catching. Kids are going to gravitate to these extreme designs over something that looks like a normal blaster. But, it also helps if the colors and features match those on other guns in the sub-theme.
Other important considerations when buying one of these top Nerf machine guns.
There are downsides in choosing a Nerf machine gun over a more simplistic or gentle blaster, as you have seen in the reviews above. The first of these is the issue of the battery-powered firing mechanisms. This is essential for speed and reliability, but it does as to the weight and cost of the product. Where possible, look for a model with a rechargeable battery pack to limit long-term costs or buy one separately. It might also help to have a spare in case one dies mid-way through the game.
Then there are all of the safety considerations to keep in mind with these weapons. These machine guns are for rapid-fire with a lot of impact. So, this might hurt a bit more than your typical dart from a normal blaster. That is one of the reasons there are such older age recommendations on these products. Teens should – in theory – have the understanding and skill to use these properly. The weight of the gun is also an issue here, which is why there are straps included in some cases. Try and encourage your kids to wear eye protection and vests when using these guns. Convince them it looks authentic and try and get something official that matches the design.
Finding the best Nerf machine gun for your kids.
Clearly, there are options here that are a bit out there when it comes to the next gun for your child’s collection. But, those drones and other clever options might suit the big kids in your life. Teens that want to expand their operation with rapid-fire and impressive designs can do a lot worse than the majority of options here. Take your time to compare the guns within your price range and see what you feel is suitable for your child’s age and ability level. If they need to wait a year or two to be able to even hold the thing then so be it. If you like the specs of some of these guns but aren’t sure about the design, ask your child what sub-theme they prefer. Together you can find something that is the perfect fit.
