Step 7: Barrel Replacements Part 1: The Stefan
This is an introduction to barrel replacements.
YOU MUST FIRST UNDERSTAND THIS CONCEPT: Nerfers make and use homemade darts called stefans. These stefan darts are very cheap, easy to make, and have great performance that achieve much higher ranges than stock Nerf darts. Shown in Picture 1 is a stefan in comparison to a stock Nerf micro dart. Notice how stefans do not have a ring of rubber on the end of the dart. This allows them to be loaded in the back of long barrels. Nerf darts have a ring of rubbery material on the front. This is sometimes referred to as the "neck" of the dart. In barrels in which stefans load in the back, Nerf darts load in the front, as the neck of the dart prevents it from being pushed in farther down the barrel. The concept of stefans being loaded into the back of the barrel, often referred to as back-loading, allows the dart to achieve ranges much higher than that of normal Nerf darts. Since the dart travels down the entire barrel, it receives optimum pressure when it leaves the barrel. Also, when stock Nerf darts are front-loaded in high-powered guns, they usually end up spinning out of control.
YOU MUST FIRST UNDERSTAND THIS CONCEPT: Nerfers make and use homemade darts called stefans. These stefan darts are very cheap, easy to make, and have great performance that achieve much higher ranges than stock Nerf darts. Shown in Picture 1 is a stefan in comparison to a stock Nerf micro dart. Notice how stefans do not have a ring of rubber on the end of the dart. This allows them to be loaded in the back of long barrels. Nerf darts have a ring of rubbery material on the front. This is sometimes referred to as the "neck" of the dart. In barrels in which stefans load in the back, Nerf darts load in the front, as the neck of the dart prevents it from being pushed in farther down the barrel. The concept of stefans being loaded into the back of the barrel, often referred to as back-loading, allows the dart to achieve ranges much higher than that of normal Nerf darts. Since the dart travels down the entire barrel, it receives optimum pressure when it leaves the barrel. Also, when stock Nerf darts are front-loaded in high-powered guns, they usually end up spinning out of control.
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But, if you have something that calls for a longer barrel, chances are that it won't shoot stock darts very well at all. The barrel is long so that the stefan will fly a far distance and have a stable flight. If you front-load a stock dart, the gun will probably fire it and cause the stock dart to spin out of control. Longer barrels are generally used for more powerful guns, and if the dart doesn't have a long barrel to travel down (stock darts don't because they're loaded in the front of the barrel), the dart will spin out of control. So, if you are modding a Nitefinder or similar weaker gun, stock darts will probably work just fine.
My stefans are CaptainSlug's stefnas. This method of stefan making is the less-popular method of making darts, but I find that I produce better stefans following CaptainSlug's method.
There are also a number of instructables on making stefans. Just search "stefans."
Enter the item's part number into the McMaster "find" bar. They are as follows:
Felt Discs - 8771K22
Washers - 91083A009
Foam Backer Rod (If you can't find any at hardware stores) - 93295K43
Mind you, that foam backer rod comes in lengths of 250 feet. That's why it's so expensive ($35).
Technically, you are correct... although that could become confusing in Nerf terminology. Some guns utilize couplers, while others contain actual breeches, which involve barrels moving within barrel sheaths.