Modern-day outdoor games have gained great popularity amongst not only children but adults. And when the weather is shining, and the friends and family are willing – it’s time to engage in active games, all familiar shoot-your-friend type. It makes sense that the Nerf brand would eventually approach their toy guns, making dart blasters that help fulfill every shooter’s role in the playful war. Here comes the gun that fits patient sharpshooters – the best Nerf Sniper blaster that can hit the target from far away.
In deciding which nerf sniper rifles were the best, there were a lot of important features we had to consider. For instance, one thing which will certainly make one toy gun better than another is its capacity to hold a large amount of ammunition; also, what kind of ammunition does it use? Other concerns were age range and how different ages might not be able to handle the certain sizes and weights of larger guns. We took a hard look at the telescopic sights, fire range, and even reloadability to prepare users for the hottest game of their lives. In the following review, you’ll find our 5 top-ranked models organized into a comprehensive chart which lists detailed specs on each product as well as the Nerf N-Strike Elite Centurion Blaster , which is our Editor’s Choice.
More features: folding bipod included, mega whistler darts only
If you’re looking for the most distance in any nerf gun, this is the number one long distance sniper-type gun on the market.
It uses Mega Darts loaded into a clip that are engineered to fly farther than ever before (up to an impressive 100 feet). Blaster comes with six mega darts and will only fire mega dart ammo; make sure if you buy extra ammunition you get the right kind. This high-quality toy is suitable for ages 8 and up, though it is about the height of a seven to eight-year-old. It’s six clip system is designed for quality and durability as well as maximum firing speed between shots.
This blaster comes with a clip (holds six darts) and also a two-legged bipod – for better control and accuracy while laying in wait or balancing your gun on a table. The bipod easily attaches to the tactical rail and its legs can even be folded upward for sudden on-the-go firing. Most importantly for your parents, this gun is made from all safe BPA free materials (including the darts). Be prepared for the darts to scream as they fly (part of their aerodynamic design), and for each shot to travel very far before hitting its target.
More features: slam fire handle
Another disc shooting sniper rifle, this beauty can fire up to 65 feet with 30 discs loaded at all times in a spinning rapid-fire chamber.
This means you can continue a stream of firing while in retreat or breaking through enemy lines, and the slam fire handle allows you to fire as quickly as you can pump the action (rather than having to repeatedly pull a trigger. This is nerfs’ #1 disc-blaster because not only does it fire the farthest but it also has the largest amount of constant ammunition without needing to be reloaded. Discs are easy to load into the revolving chamber which can be slid out for quick reloading during battle.
The chamber and disc firing is also spring powered, rather than electrical, and only requires your energy while rapid pumping to fire. Some notes of concern: only vortex discs will fit this blaster and not other disc ammunition; also, discs are harder than darts and can damage eyes or break valuable when fired at.
More features: glow-in-the-dark darts, 3-4 darts per second
This gun offers a better speed and firing rate at somewhat of a shorter distance (up to 30 feet). Impressively the attaching clip can hold up to 18 darts at a time and is designed as an ‘automatic rifle’ which will fire 3 to 4 darts per second. This means in only six seconds you can empty your entire clip into a target or targets.
Featuring two tactical rails, one for the top of the carry handle and the other providing better right-handed gripping, this gun also allows for a sling to be attached so your rifle never drops or is lost. At the guns top a pin can be affixed along the tactical rail to create a sight on your target.
With a flywheel system – meaning darts are pushed upward to be fired using an interior spinning disk – each pull of the trigger will quickly deliver a shot; for the fastest results use both the regular trigger and the ‘acceleration trigger’ under the first. This product does require batteries to power the flywheel on a super quiet motor.
Finally, with such a large discharge of darts one of the main concerns would be finding all 18 of them, this isn’t a problem however because by night all 18 darts are glow-in-the-dark.
More features: quick-drop disc clip snaps open for reload
The nerf Vigilion shoots high-powered disks rather than darts, so parents should be aware that these cause a bit more impact than traditional nerf darts (meaning your kids should avoid aiming at faces, breakables, and windows).
These quick discs snap into the integrated magazine, which opens by pulling down on the release lever for all 5 discs to be loaded into the chamber. Before each high-powered shot (up to an amazing 65 feet) can be fired, the magazine door must be closed and the priming slide needs to be pulled back between every shot.
This gun features a set of iron sights on the end of the blaster to assist in better aiming, and it can even be clipped (on the handle) with a strap or other carrying device. For any unlikely jamming, an eject lever is built into the side of the blaster. With a very complex internal system not many modifications can or should be made with this gun, but for even faster firing speeds the torsion spring can be replaced with a newer tighter spring.
However, it’s best that you don’t make these modifications for any of your kids, and remember that the age range is 8 and older.
More features: see-through clip for instant dart check
This may just look like another gun with a large ammunition capacity, but unlike the earlier 18-dart-shooter, this weapon fires up to a range of 75 feet! Which means during a nerf war you can target your enemy and keep firing from 75 feet until they either reach you or run away.
The clip itself is see-through so you’ve always got an eye on your ammo even when you’ve lost count on how many shots you’ve fired. All materials used in this gun are BPA free and safe for kids to use, additionally this gun is suitable for ages 8 and up; it’s very lightweight and anyone could use it with ease. Utilizing a motor with a flywheel system, this gun is activated by pulling an acceleration trigger at the same time as the actual trigger.
Darts are pulled upward using a disk/wheel and can be rapid fired with all 18 darts blasted in only 6 seconds. Batteries are required for the motor but come with your purchase and won’t need replacing for a long time. For the most fun, this gun even comes as a bundle deal which includes a 100-dart refill kit.
The remainder of our guide is dedicated to explaining the many features of nerf guns (dart shoots and disc shooters) and how these guns are best used in a nerf battle. Additionally, we’ve listed some information on how to equip yourself for a fight, how to use toy guns safely, and we’ve answered many frequently asked questions at the very end.
A decent nerf sniper gun should first and foremost be able to fire at an extended range (at least over 30 feet) otherwise what’s the point? The fun of warring with nerf guns is that different guns come with different perks, such as some guns being better at close range while others should be shot at a distance.
Another asset that is a must: ammunition. Nerf sniper guns are designed to give the shooter a stealthy edge from their hiding spot or high-up vantage point, but this edge only lasts so long as you continue having ammunition to shoot. For guns on our list with a limited number of darts or discs, such as the far-shooting Nerf Vortex Vigilon, consider buying extra ammunition at the same time as purchase.
As far as nerf war games go, there are many rules and many ways of play; some families and friends will even split a house into sections (or floors) where the goal is to break into the enemy’s base and take over. However, nerf snipers are best used in outside warfare; a great outside nerf game is capture the flag (with the rule that when you get shot you go to prison).
Although we hate limiting your fun, you really should stick to age ranges listed for each nerf sniper gun, especially for the disc-shooting guns. For kids 8+ who can use almost all of these nerf snipers, consider guns which are more size-appropriate and will fit comfortably in their hand or gripped in both hands.
Also consider guns which don’t have to be loaded too frequently, because some kids can jam and break their nerf guns with improper loading. For adults, choose the gun with the most accuracy rather than the most distance; at your age hitting a target every time will be more important than shooting far or shooting quickly.
First and foremost, gather all your gear for the fight. Most people think all they need for a battle is a gun, but your sniper rifle is just one part of a bigger picture. First, you can always equip your gun and make it better, and that’s as easy as adding a sling (for easy carrying) and purchasing a great stock of accustrike darts.
‘Longshot’ nerf guns usually also work on a plunger system that’s easy to modify for farther and faster shooting – consider the Nerf Vortex Vigilon, it has a torsion spring which can easily be switched out for a stronger and tighter version that improves the gun. Another great idea is to have a secondary gun on you; one for longer distance and one for closer proximity shooting.
Equip yourself with eyeglasses or sunglasses because accidental eye shots can not only put you out of commission for a bit, but can actually do longer-lasting damage to your retinas. Other armor’s like under armor, carboard makeshift armor, knee and shoulder pads, are great additions to make you more impervious to rapid fire strikes.
The sniper is like a ninja with a gun – he is the agent of stealth – and remaining hidden is one of the most important parts of accurate sniping. Therefore, if you’re your team’s sniper you should never be completely out in the open, insides you should have concealment at all times (although still be ready to move easily and escape). Typical places are on rooftops, hidden in the bushes, perched in grass at the top of a hill, etcetera. Make sure this hiding spot as a great cover for entering and exiting at all times; if found, always carry a close-range backup gun. Next, understand that nerf darts are easily affected by the wind – it will mess up the speed and trajectory of every shot – so always have your shot durned at least 20 degrees in the opposite direction of the wind.
Waiting is going to be one of the most frustrating parts of being the sniper, because you’ll need to wait until a target shows up (and they might be hiding also) and then you need to get that target in range and in your sights. If its more than one person you might have a problem, especially if they’re at a distance or at different distances from each other. Distance and range are very important factors to consider, and as a sniper you should rarely fire for a shot at the full range of your guns listed distance (say 75 feet away); instead you should wait until your target is comes a half or a third of that distance toward you. Breathe in quietly, take aim, remember about the wind, load your blaster, and then slowly take the shot. Confirm the shot and escape if your enemy knows where you are.
Rule of thumb while playing with nerf guns: never aim for a person eye. Better yet, don’t ever aim at a person’s face. The most damage that can typically be done by a nerf gun is to the eyes, and you can cause permanent damage. Also understand that disc ammunition is harder than dart ammunition; disc ammunition can even break windows or picture frames if you hit the glass just right and you’re not careful.
Don’t ever shoot at small children or animals, first because they could very easily eat the ammunition and start choking, and second because they aren’t as strong as adults or teenagers and they don’t know how to dodge or protect themselves. If you run out of ammo, never hit someone with your gun rather than reloading, instead decide to retreat and live to fight another day.
Many of the following features were briefly mentioned in the descriptions of each product, here they are further discussed and explained. We even give examples of guns which best represent each nerf sniper feature.
Typically nerf guns are designed for kids, and thus the weight matters aren’t as important for adults but certainly applicable for 8-year-olds. For instance, some guns weigh as much as 5 pounds, which means your little one will probably holding it with both hands rather than one hand. If they’d rather the freedom of single-handed shooting, or having dual pistols, then you should consider nerf guns which are only 3 pounds a piece (etcetera). One of the longest and heaviest guns on our list is the Nerf N-Strike Elite Centurion Blaster, and although this is listed for 8-years and up, there are some 8-year-olds who will have a hard time lifting this gun and running around with it. Our lightest gun by comparison, is the Nerf Vortex Vigilon at only 1.5 pounds.
You’ll rarely find nerf guns which fire over 15-20 shots at a time, in fact two of the guns on our list fire under 10 rounds before they’re empty. For ammunition purposes you’ll want to consider buying extra ammo to keep with you in a pouch while battling your friends and family, or you should get a gun like the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 – fires 18 darts and can shoot them in under 6 seconds – or the Nerf Vortex Revonix 360 which has 30 total loadable discs. Another option is to keep another loaded sidearm with you.
Long range and short range will matter very much as a ‘sniper-type player’. Mostly you’ll be going for long range shots and so you’ll want weapons which at least fire up to thirty feet or more. Our longest ranged gun, firing at over 100 feet, is the Nerf N-Strike Elite Centurion Blaster. However, sometimes you’ll want a combination of long-range ability with short range accuracy, something like the Nerf N-Strike Rayven CS-18 would work perfectly.
For long-range shooting accuracy is crucial, but unfortunately nerf sniper guns aren’t well known for their perfect accuracy. Almost all the guns on our list will do the job, but accuracy at long range mostly depends on when you take the shot. For the best accuracy never take a shot at maximum range – for example if your target is at 75 feet away and you’re using the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18 – instead wait till your target closes in a little more (say 50 feet away) and then take a more accurate shot.
Many people get into nerf guns just because they love modding with them! These custom changes not only improve the looks of each gun, but can also often improve their range, accuracy, and amount of loadable ammunition. For you modders out there, the most customizable guns are going to be the ones with removable parts as well as N-Strike rails to support fixes and attachments (like a scope attachment). Two guns with N-Strike rails are the Nerf N-Strike Elite Centurion Blaster and Nerf N-Strike Rayven CS-18. One of the most customizable guns on our list is also the Nerf Vortex Vigilon which we know has replaceable parts.
As mentioned before, the weight may affect usability for different age groups. Other weight factors are going to be how the gun feels in your hand and whether or not the trigger is comfortable to pull while held in one or two hands.
This preference may depend entirely on the sniper; some snipers may not actually want rapid fire devices because these are louder and while constantly shooting can give the snipers hiding spot away. Guns like the Nerf N-Strike Elite Centurion Blaster will give a sniper a bit more control and secrecy between each fired dart, and that truly is the mark of a sniper. However, rapid-fire guns can still shoot their ammunition at long distances and they’ll do more constant damage; consider the Nerf N-Strike Rayven CS-18 which can fire 18 darts in under 6 seconds.
Listed age ranges vary, but typically they are 8-years and up. Our one gun which is 5-years and up is the Nerf N-Strike Rayven CS-18. These listed age ranges should be observed for the most safety as well as for maximum usability of the product. In our opinion there is no maximum age range so long as you’re having fun! Many adults buy nerf guns as collectible items, they also often buy them to make powerful modifications, and many still fight in leagues and clubs against other local teams.
Typically, the ammunition used are lightweight foam darts with thicker rubber tips (sometimes these even stick to things), however in recent years we’ve see nerf coming out with foam balls that shoot as well as thin plastic and rubber discs. Discs are more of a worry because they’re harder and fly faster; the Nerf Vortex Revonix 360 has 30 discs that it can shoot up to 65 feet. Most darts are around the same size, though always check the instructions which come with your sniper rifle because darts won’t always be ‘one size fits all’.
For the best nerf sniper you want to choose a gun with a combination of long-range firing distance, semi-automatic capabilities, and accuracy while at an extended range. Not all guns will fit these criteria, but those guns which are exceptional and come close are listed here to narrow down your options and make the best pick more apparent!
Nerf N-Strike Elite Centurion Blaster. This blaster is most like a sniper rifle and has the longest firing range too boot (up to 100 feet). Although it only comes with six darts, this gun is a sniper’s best friend because it will allow you to shoot at a distance while very well hidden.
Nerf Vortex Revonix 360. With 30 loadable discs, this sniper fires as quickly as you can work the pump action and can strike a target at a distance of 65 feet. It’s a great choice if you’re planning on sniping from the shadows but know that eventually the enemy will find your hiding place.
Nerf N-Strike Elite Rapidstrike CS-18. This is the best gun for the money, and gives you exceptional distance (up to 75 feet) while also being able to conserve plenty of ammunition for a long battle (a magazine that can hold 18 darts). Finally, when pressed into a corner, it can also shoot all 18 darts in under six seconds!
