Nerf Gun Modification 101

Step 2 Upgrading: Part 1

Now it's time to make this thing work well. There are 3 ways that really help performance.

The first is to upgrade that big fat spring. It's found in the big orange cylinder. Right now it's about 2 inches in diameter and around 6 inches long. You have 3 choices. You can add a second spring, you can stretch it, or you can use a spring from an AR-15 assault rifle.

If you decide to stretch the spring, make sure you know what you're doing. Spring manufacturers know what they're doing. When you grab it and stretch it, it will work well for a few times before it gets worse than how it used to be. My bet would be that if you have to do this, you can stretch it, hit it with a blowtorch, and let it air-cool.

A second spring doesn't seem to help, unless it fits perfectly. The best thing to do is get one from the AR-15. They're about $15, and the same size except 11 inches long. You'll want to cut it down, but man will that thing help.

Comments

[peekeez]

Can anyone tell me if this would work in the "longshot"?
http://www.armseast.com/store/stock_parts/stag_arms_action_spring_carbine/

[clafer]

If you're going to end up buying gun parts for your nerf guns, why not just build your own nerf gun from scratch?

[pinstripebob]

Anyone can make a dart shooter, the idea is to make people think you have a regular Nerf gun, when in fact you have a monstrous dart shooter that looks like a Nerf gun. Besides, the only gun part is just a spring.

[hunterbait93]

when adding an extra spring, put a foam stick on pad on the end of the plunger that has the O-ring, it softens the blow so your gun doesnt crack
And you can remove the orange bit behind the cylinder, its non-essential.

[JamesTB13]

WAIT A MINUTE, an ACTUAL AR-15 Assault Rifle?!?! Sorry, but, WHERE THE HELL WILL I GET THAT?!?! You can't buy Ar-15's,......where am I supposed to get the spring from one?

[pinstripebob]

Well, a quick Internet search yielded some valuable info. These springs are actually pretty easy to get, and can be had from various online sources. If you're old enough, you could walk into a gun store and they'd probably have or could get what you're after. Here's a link to an online store that sells these springs. I'm not affiliated with this store, nor have I purchased from them, but here's a good example of the spring. This is also an average price, about $10-$15. http://www.ar15outfitters.com/ATI-AR-15-Buffer-Spring_p_319.html

[JamesTB13]

Ok, cool, thanks. But, I don't think the government would like me too much if I was ordering a part for an Assault Rifle.

[pinstripebob]

These things have been in service since 1958, and have been sold to the general public (civilians) for decades as well. These things are all over the place, and the only ban on them was late '90s early 2000s, which was simply a ban on parts like front handles and other "sinister" modifications. If you really feel uncomfortable buying a spring, you can order a similar one from McMaster-Carr. Just measure your old one, find a similar one, and make sure it's a little stiffer than what the Nerf gun came with.

[JamesTB13]

I know the Ar-15, you don't have to give me a history. But, Canada's gun laws REALLY suck. When I'm an adult I'm moving to the States just so I can own guns.

[PickPacket]

Young Instructables Troll, you apparently don't know what you're talking about - again. Why do you keep thinking everyone lives in Canada?

[JamesTB13]

What?? I live in Canada, I was simply stating that, if I did live in America, buying an AR-15 assault rifle, WHOLE, would be a hell of a lot easier. Also, I'M NOT A TROLL, obviously.

[arktouros1]

Where can you get a ar15 spring please post link

[adam395]

Brownell's sells all manner of AR-15 parts. http://www.brownells.com/ You can find all variety of trigger group and buffer springs, depending on what you want to do with your nerf gun.

[bobby4505]

you can get them off ebay,sorry i cant get a link. they are around 15$.

[a_child_eating(zac)]

I cant get the spring but i can get another one online

P.S.  My first longshot cracked from a HHHHHHUUUUUUGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEE spring.

[ps58607]

You can use the spring found inside the plastic toilet paper holders at the dollar store. It works really well.

[mod586]

Anyone have any suggestions on were to get a AR 15 spring?

[bsblade]

i used a rather strong spring inside of the original spring and now it won't stay cocked, do you have any suggestions on how to beef up the cocking mechanism?

[Capt. Kidd]

put a recon cs-6 spring inside the longshot spring.

[Jhonnyblitz]

food for thought: I've heard that if you use to strong of a spring it will eventually break the cocking mechanism.

[asterisk890]

Do you have a suggestion for someone who can't get an AR-15 spring?

[pinstripebob]

Get a longer spring. The only hard part about that is finding one, but you might be able to get one at a hardware store or farm supply store.

[asterisk890]

ok, thanks

[asterisk890]

I mean, other than a second spring or stretching it, since you seem to be implying that both of those methods don't work well.

[ibraud]

Are you talking about an AR-15 stock buffer spring?

like this? http://dynamicarmament.com/items/ar-15-mil-spec-parts/spring-buffer-bufferpring-detail.htm

[handofgord]

Thanks, I've been looking for a spring source for nerf forever.

[pinstripebob]

Yes, that is correct. Thanks for the link!

[zeroozero]

how much should you cut it to?