Dual-Purpose Longshot Project

[NerfDude1138]

Some modders repair their streamlines with hot glue. Still others lop the top off and add a BB and hot glue, its a way to salvage an inefficient round.  Rather than wasting all their streamlines, they can then get some use out of them.

[Bazookafied]

Streamlines are the least accurate stock dart, thanks to the drag caused by the hole on one side of the rubber head.

Wow... it never occurred to me that the "whistler" hole on it was what was making them suck!  Seems obvious now... kinda feel stupid for not noticing that.  I just figured it was the cheap material they're made from.  Since they are inaccurate because of the hole, wouldn't a remedy just be to make a hole of the same size on the opposite side?  Or would that worsen their problem?

It's up to you whether you want to go "all out" on this Longshot or (perhaps the better course of action) stick with simple modifications for now. Especially considering the fact that you have spare parts from your Laser Tag-only Longshot(s): You can always work on an Angel breech using those parts later, and be able to swap them in place of your lightly modded internals.

Excellent points there.  Since I do have spare parts, I'm still kinda free to try other things out later if I want to.  For now, and especially since this will more than likely be an indoor gun amongst not-so-modded and not-so-serious guns, the bit of an increase in performance I get from the Modworks suggestions is fine for now.  I can always go back and update/improve it later if demand calls for it.

Some modders repair their streamlines with hot glue. Still others lop the top off and add a BB and hot glue, its a way to salvage an inefficient round.  Rather than wasting all their streamlines, they can then get some use out of them.

That's a neat idea too... by BB you mean just a plastic airsoft BB pellet?  Or is that an acronym for something else I've missed?

[K1LLPOCALYPSE]

Copper BB's would probably be better since I assume they'd weigh more than a plastic airsoft BB.
By the way, "BB" is a measure of daimeter for shot (the pellets in shotgun shells).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdshot#Birdshot


Better still for a powerful Nerf blaster are stefans made with 1/4'' steel slingshot weights.
 After having said all that you should still probably be fine with an airsoft BB if you already have some laying around. Another option from the "already laying around" pile would be lead fishing weights (sinkers) of a close size to BB's if you happen to have any. Try it on a few darts and see if you notice an improvement.

It sounds like you're leaning toward keeping the stock breech and darts. I think it's a good idea since your opponents won't have heavily modded gear. Once a few of your friends see the improvement and start to mod thier stuff then it'll be time for the arms race and the rape cannons.

[jwasko]

A thread: Improving the Streamline

A metal BB may be too heavy for a lightly modded LS.

A platic/airsoft BB may not add any more weight than the volume of hotglue that it would displace.

You could always experiment.

[Bazookafied]

Because I'm modifying the front of the dart, is the Dart Tooth mechanism inside the Longshot going to have problems with the new type of tip?  I'm worried that because I'm changing the type of material the tooth would normally come in contact with that it could cause loading problems.

[jwasko]

It doesn't seem to affect the Raider's dart tooth, and I can't see a reason why they would be incompatible with the LS.

Still, I would modify a few and try them out before modifying all of them. Nerf is highly empirical: everything we know is by trying stuff out... and then trying something else when the first idea doesn't work.

[Darth Cheezinator]

Depends on the airsoft bb. Mine are all .2 grams, which are actually of a decent weight. Though they can get into the range of upwards of .35 grams.

[Bazookafied]

I think I'll make several "test tube" Streamline darts, each with different construction theories behind them.  I've got 6 ideas to try, which is excellent since I can just test them all at once in a 6 shot clip!  I can label each dart so that I remember/keep track of what mod has been done to each one.

Dart 1: Glint Mod Type
Dart 2: Metal BB w/glue Type
Dart 3: .2 gram Plastic BB w/glueType
Dart 4: .2 gram in Tip Type
Dart 5: Electrical taped nose Type
Dart 6: Stock (Unmodified)

I'll build these this weekend and get test results on all of them.  I'll also start cutting away at the main weapon to make way for the laser tag parts and the housing they'll go in, so I'll have physical progress pictures/pictures of the different Dart Types I'm trying once the weekend is up!

Thanks for all your suggestions/comments on this project thus far!  It's really helped me see a wide variety of options out there and get more familiarized with mods in general.

[Bazookafied]

It's been awhile since I did anything with this project.  However I've picked it up again only to rethink it a bit.

Since I plan on using this guy for both Nerf Wars and Laser Tag games, and both are held on-campus, I thought it might be neat to do this thing in "school colors".  While looking for paintjob ideas that involve Crimson and Black (our University's colors), I came across evidence of the RedStrike series.  I didn't think they made one, as I had never seen it, but there were red Longstrikes made and thought it'd be the perfect candidate for this project.

Only problem is, they're tough to come by as I've learned in my searches for them (see my WTB Longstrike RedStrike thread), so until I can nab one of those, this project will continue to see the backburner.  I do have internals layout ideas nailed down pretty well.  I'll try to get pictures of those, but I'd rather get the blaster and get to work on this.

[K1LLPOCALYPSE]

I think the Redstrike thing was for Recon, Vulcan and Longshot, but not the Longstrike. Also, since you're a good painter anyway couldn't you just paint it red and black?

[Bazookafied]

You're right, I meant Longshot (darn you Nerf!!)

I am good with paints, but ideally, if you can go with the color of the plastic itself, you don't have the problem of it wearing off.  I've yet to find a paint that can endure what I put my weapons through.

[K1LLPOCALYPSE]

Do you use clearcoat?

Also, roll 2D6 to name Nerf's next blaster.

Die one:                 Die two:
1-Hyper                  1-Shot
2-Fury                    2-Strike
3-Long                    3-Finder
4-Cross                   4-Fire
5-Mag                     5-Tech
6-Secret                  6-Dongs

[Bazookafied]

...S**t.  I got "LongDongs".  Well, so then is Nerf gonna be compensating for something?

The paints I use are Krylon Fusion Ultra Flat camouflage paints.  I usually use a Krylon gray or black primer too.  Then I use a Flat laquer finsish.

[K1LLPOCALYPSE]

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[archangel]

Hey if you want you can do a cpvc breech since it is cheaper but has a few flaws depending on the wire but here is a link to the write up on nerfhaven by ice :http://nerfhaven.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17884&hl=and there is also a video on it that has a link in the write up.
Last year I did a ice breech (clipped cpvc breech) and it jams every once in a while  but that can be solved by using actual stefans and not the mini modded streamlines i use because i don't have any current funding to pay for the materials.
ice breech pros:
cheaper than angel breech
less prone to breaking
hardly any brass
supplies can be found at hardware stores and hobby stores
ice breech cons:
jamming is more likely depending on size of wire used
cpvc can flare out from brass insertion