19 replies to this topic

[Richomundo]

We all see the banded gun to help improve ranges, but what are your opinions on it?

When you range test should you band-on or band-off?

What are the moral implications of banding?

We all bought our own guns, so we all have a right to do what we will with them, I'd just like to see some of other people's opinions about banding or (insert similar stretchy enhancer here), and even tank replacement / constriction.

*Edit
The moral implications was a joke, seeing as I had just got done writing a term paper.

Edited by Richomundo, 22 July 2005 - 04:46 PM.

[Richomundo]

I'll be the first to say that in my opinion, I don't like bands because they're ugly.
I'm fine with how I modded my own gun, and if it doesn't perform up to speed then I suppose I should look at another way to enhance my guns internally.
I look at banding as an external enhancement kind of like steroids. It's adding power that was not originally there in the first place.
This could go right along with spring replacement and tank replacement as well.

I think range tests should be conducted bands-off because the bands are somewhat misleading. All rubber bands don't have the same tensile strength as others.

[The Infinite Shindig]

Please use the edit button in the future.

In terms of your questions, I think I speak for most nerfers when I say banding is a fairly common practice. It is one of the simplest ways to increase range in spring guns. Unless you are looking for a purists version of Nerf, there is no reason why you shouldn't band. The only factor that must be taken into account is the increased force that will be exerted on the case as a result of the fast moving plunger; this may mean a breakage if you don't do re-enforce in places.

If I range test, I do it with bands. Range testing is to give you an idea how effective the gun will be during a Nerf War. If you use bands in a Nerf war, you should use them in a range test. I would consider it critical to know your gun when you get into a war. From strictly an observational standpoint, it takes a person at least a couple of rounds to gain an understanding of a gun's capabilities. If one wants to gain a good standing knowledge of their gun's quirks and capabilities, a few wars are needed. Therefore, test for what you will use, and be consistent in what you use.

Moral implications of banding? Have I lost all morals, or does any really see a moral conflict with banding a Nerf gun?

[kickass jb]

I have to disagree. Personally, I'm a big fan of spring and tank replacement because it gives my gun a buff up, like steroids (haha, I use it as a positive expression). They allow me to give my gun the extra power it needs or that I desire. HOWEVER.... I am totally against banding because (even though I do love the increase in power), I've had bad experiences where I banded wrong and the "cocker" became all twisted and warped. Also, I find that when I am running around with a banded gun in my pocket or in my hands, the bands tend to get stuck on things and create a nuissance and I'd rather have that faster draw and shoot over a slight increase in range. Culminating point - I am all for increasing my gun's power but only on the inside.

[NinjZ]

Range testing:

Should be done un-banded. Doing so gives everyone a more even playing feild when it comes to posting ranges. When you throw in banding, people can claim more ranges due to varried types of bands used.

Banding blasters for wars:

I see absolutely no problem in doing so. You're not changing the gun, just adding more edge to it for more velocity. You say banding makes your blasters look ugly? I say learn how to band them in a way its not ugly. All the banding I do to my guns does nothing to take away from the already "kiddy" look that is already a toy. Personally I dont care for looks, just performance.

Tank expansions/replacemeants:

I like others here feel that when it comes to blasters with airtanks, the tank should be left alone. Replacing or expanding it takes the NERF out of it. Modding the tank to have more air volume takes away the specific dissadvantages of using each blaster.

[VACC]

If you do any mod incorrectly you stand the risk of damaging your gun, banding is no different. I also fail to see how there is ANY moral differentiation between banding and any other form of modification. In fact, I fail to see how any moral dillema can be presented by a nerf gun. If you have safety concerns or believe that a certain weapon unbalances gameplay that is perfectly understandible; but the assertion that putting rubber bands on a nerf gun in some way infringes on a higher philosophical principle is ridiculous to say the least.

VACC

[leftnut]

Any one else feel VACC needs a cult to worship his superior wisdom?

I band all my spring pistols and I don't have any bad feelings about it. I do it because I run around with only pistols so it is more to even the playing field for me.

[ompa]

His name stands for the Vacc Associates Country Club. He already has his own club/cult of followers.

I believe banding is a nice replacement for those who can't seem to find the correct spring for replacements. I for one cannot find the correct spring type at my ACE hardware, although I'll probably check Home Depot eventually, but I have my doubts.

No matter how you increase the velocity the plunger is moving, you're going to risk damage. With a new spring, you risk having the plunger head itself detach from the plunger rod, which I say is more difficult to fix than a slightly warped plunger rod due to banding. It all depends on which wear you find worse I suppose.

Morals? What morals?

I like others here feel that when it comes to blasters with airtanks, the tank should be left alone. Replacing or expanding it takes the NERF out of it. Modding the tank to have more air volume takes away the specific dissadvantages of using each blaster.

I don't find that true- expanding the airtank means the gun needs more pumps, pretty much making the gun more and more like a Titan- a longer reload at the benefit of higher range.

~ompa

[sporkboyofjustice]

I don't have any problems with banding, even for range testing. It is a basic mod that increases performance which is what we usually try to do. Removing a mod for testing seems counter productive.

I do however believe that when posting ranges you should let everyone know how the gun is modded, if it's banded everyone should know. Forgetting to mention this would be very misleading. There is no shame in banding as it does increase range and I'm all for that.

[Starbuck]

I am in favor of banding. Acutally... I use surgical rubber. It doesn't look as goofy as rubber bands.

Yes, I've had plungers start to warp up on me, but this can be corrected by soaking in hot water and putting into a vise. A way to prevent warping is to remove the bands when you're not using the gun.

I test all my guns with banding. However, I denote all the mods performed on a gun whn I post a write up.

Edited by Starbuck, 22 July 2005 - 12:29 PM.

[cxwq]

His name stands for the Vacc Associates Country Club.

Oooh, a recursively defined acronym. Shit like that makes the universe unstable.

[Spaztic 75]

Rubber banding while range testing is not that different from testing while modded, the results very with the band just like the normal ranges differ with different modder. You slap some rubber bands just before a war, take them off when you're done, not a big issue. It's also a good way for my friends that are too timid to mod or let me mod their guns get a little more power while giving them the comfort of using their own weapon. When you have consistant cases of bands decreasing range or breaking because of rubber bands report it, but until then if you don't want to use rubber bands then don't.

[VACC]

Oooh, a recursively defined acronym. Shit like that makes the universe unstable.

hehe, he said curse.

VACC

[Langley]

((((((((((((Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)Associates Country Club)



ERROR(Universe) Line:42

Stack Overflow

Edited by Langley, 22 July 2005 - 02:58 PM.

[cxwq]

ERROR(Universe) Line:42

The geek humor is strong with this one.

[ompa]

That was good, I needed a laugh at that moment. Thanks man. I love these forums.

~ompa

[MattPaintballer]

Sorry, stupid question. How do I tie two rubber bands together?

[rylundo]

matt i know how but i cant really explain it.

[flashflint]

You stick one through the other and loop it through its selfe.
Hard to explane.

Edited by poo, 23 July 2005 - 05:50 PM.

[The Inventor Guy]

I use a single, Lion brand 72" Octopus Strap (Bungee Cord) on my Crossbow (with its stock spring) and I can get ranges of 120' if I use a well made/well weighted dart. Maybe more. The barrel is 10" 9/16" and 2" 17/32" stuck in the coupler so I can use fat or thin darts.

-Tidge.