12 replies to this topic

[RustInPeace117]

Im a noob, and I don't really know how nerf guns work so I was wondering what a longer barrel does because doesn't it make it go less distance? Also, why do people minimize their guns? What does that do to make the gun better? Lastly, I have a longshot and I was wondering where you can find another o-ring that fits it without breaking another Longshot. Thanks.

[sputnik]

Im a noob, and I don't really know how nerf guns work so I was wondering what a longer barrel does because doesn't it make it go less distance? Also, why do people minimize their guns? What does that do to make the gun better? Lastly, I have a longshot and I was wondering where you can find another o-ring that fits it without breaking another Longshot. Thanks.

O-Ring-Take the stock plunger head and o-ring with you to Ace or Lowe's, or any hardware store, and look through the o-rings until you find one that fits around the plunger head.
buy two of these.


Barrel question.
In general, longer barrels are used with stefans (homemade darts), and these darts are much more snug in the barrel, increasing range.
Stock barrels, like the LongShot, are much bigger than the darts, which means that they bounce around on there before they come out.


Minimization: i don't know, because they like it better that way? Usually doesn't make any performance difference, but looks/feels better.
Any more questions?

Edited by sputnik, 08 April 2008 - 03:03 PM.

[bobafan]

1. Saying you're a noob doen't really help you, it just is degrading yourself.
2.Longer barrels provide stability to darts so they don't flop on the ground or tumble through the air. There is an optimal barrel length and tightness for each gun. You just have to figure out the perfect balance.
3.People minimize guns to make them smaller so they will fit in pockets, more easier intigrated, or to be aesthetically pleasing.
4.Take the plunger and plunger tube to your local hardware store and search through the o-rings in the plumbing section. They are usually under a dollar.

[RustInPeace117]

Ok, thanks a lot guys.

[Silencer]

The barrels also increase your accuracy a little. Also, I don't know what minimization of the gun does, besides making is easier to manuevar in a way.

[imaseoulman]

The effects of barrel length on range:
A few of you hit on a few points as to why longer barrels are used, but the real reason is quite simple:
It gives the dart more time to accelerate.
When the gas (compressed air) enters the barrel, it is rapidly expanding. It is this rapid expansion that propels the dart (you can think of it as a tiny explosion propelling the dart).

If your barrel is too short:
The dart leaves the barrel and the gas is still rapidly expanding, but that expansion is diffused into the air and is no longer propelling the dart. You have wasted a large amount of the air. Once the dart leaves the barrel, the dart can no longer accelerate (meaning speed up), but will slowly loose speed until it stops/hits the ground.

If your barrel is too long:
The gas expands and accelerates the dart to its maximum speed. Unfortunately, there's still some barrel left for the dart to travel through, and the friction between the dart and the barrel slows down the dart and it leaves the barrel at a less than maximum speed and therefore cannot obtain the maximum distance (range).

Perfect barrel length:
The dart is in the barrel until it accelerates to its maximum velocity and then leaves the barrel before it starts to lose its maximum velocity.

The point of maximum velocity occurs when the force of friction between the dart and the barrel is equal to the force of the expanding gas applied to the dart. Because of all the variables in NERF, it is very difficult to arrive at any equations which would allow you to calculate this point. You just have to build/mod your gun and then experiment to see what the optimal barrel length would be. This usually means starting with a longer than necessary barrel and then gradually shortening it until range seems to be maximized (can be done by using different barrels attached to a coupler or by actually shortening the barrel and then replacing it with the optimal length). This takes quite a bit of time, because for accurate findings you need to test several darts in each length to eliminate other factors (lack of consistent firing angle, wind, darts skipping across ground, etc.). I have done this with my SM1500's and find the optimal barrel length to be 9" of CPVC with a converted tagger dart weighted with 1/4" steel slingshot ammo. Adding a couple inches to this was far less detrimental than taking off a few inches. Every gun is different and you just need to experiment to find what works best for you.

[RustInPeace117]

Ok, thanks. Lets say I have a nitefinder. What material and what size barrel should I attach to fit Taggers really good?

[Kid Flash]

Ok, thanks. Lets say I have a nitefinder. What material and what size barrel should I attach to fit Taggers really good?

Test your taggers in a crayola marker, .5 inch cpvc, or brass if you can find any.

[Bomberman]

I have found that CPVC is better for shorter barrels, and less powerful guns, like NF's, and brass is better for higher power guns, like an LBB, Titan, SM5K, Big Blast, or maybe a BBB. But I have about 7 inches of CPVC on my BBB, and it performs well.

~Bomberman

Edited by Bomberman, 09 April 2008 - 07:13 PM.

[RustInPeace117]

So what size cpvc should I use for my NF? (length and width)
Also, if I'm gonna mod a Longshot or Crossfire, what materials and what sizes should I use?
Thanks.

[Bomberman]

For the NF, use about 4 inches of 1/2 inch CPVC. Not PVC. You can find 10 feet of CPVC for about 4 bucks at lowes. At mine, a 10 foot legnth is $3.66. But as for longshot, no offense, but since you are new to modding, I would'nt try that yet, it is very hard. And if you want to keep the clip, then you have to create a new breech with a barrel material, preferably brass. But if you are really serious about modding your LS, then look at The official longshot thread. I would reccomend Carrtoon's mod (the first one at the top) for you, because you are newer, but once you gain more expierience, then MAYBE you could attempt FA24's mod. Carrtoon's mod is just basic AR removal and spring additon, and o-ring addition. As for a crossfire, CPVC is fine, the best material for that job. And just a tip: If you are going to paint your guns, then CPVC aheres to paint much better than metal like brass or aluminum. And also, when gluing, make the surfaces you are gluing together more abrasive, sand them a little to roughen the surface. It makes the glue stick more. I hope this helps.

~Bomberman

Edited by Bomberman, 09 April 2008 - 07:12 PM.

[RustInPeace117]

Thanks so much. So, if I can't do that for my Longshot, what else can I do? I so far have a NF spring addition, 2 o-rings, ar removed, and that's it.

[Bomberman]

In The Inventor Guy's Longshot mod, he made it fire stefans, (he modded the clip) and he did the basic mods, plus an aluminum barrel replacement. This is a pretty tough mod, but its a good one. So pretty much, you can reinforce the bolt, make the clip stefan compatible, and a barrel replacement. I would advise not doing a barrel replacement, other wise you could kill your LS. But the Longshot thread should answer all of your questions. And as for barrel materials, and other types of questions you might have, look at the stickied topics, (the ones at the top) of the Modifications Forum. I am glad that I have helped you, young grasshopper.

~Bomberman