ZF-LS: The FAST Rail

Today I did some aesthetic work on my Zombie Fighter Longshot (ZFLS).  Using some new tools I got over the holidays, I successfully removed the top carry rail to make way for the FAST Rails from Xplorer Dart Blaster Developments.  The rails follow the existing lines on the blaster perfectly, as I expected, so getting them mounted should be no problem.  I also noticed that these rails weigh more than I had expected, so I hope this ZFLS doesn't get too top-heavy.

Some minor "repairs" to the outer shell might be in order, as the rails aren't molded quite wide enough to cover up the holes left behind by where the front portion of the carry rail used to sit.  Also, as I was test fitting and sanding to fit things right, I couldn't help but notice that this Longshot looks pretty aggressive without a big chunky barrel sitting out in front.  I may try to change up the front barrel of this to retain this kind of look, as there's PLENTY of "child-safe orange" already painted on the front of the blaster.  I'm still considering other ideas, so if you think of something that you think might look good, let me know!

I've also been trying out different combinations for internals to get this thing shooting just right.  I have a few springs that I'm considering using but I'm also still juggling between making this a shotgun-style prime or keeping it a bolt-action type.  If I go with a shotgun-style prime, obviously I can put a stronger spring in it... but it also still depends on what I do aesthetically with this blaster.  I've got some leftover bi-pod pieces I could use to give this an old-school grip up front and keep the original priming system.  Much like the first Elite Longshot I built, the spring would need to be strong enough to achieve the performance I want but not so strong that I can't single-hand prime it with the bolt.

I have also thought about integrating something underneath the main barrel like a Magnus.  I can't recall if the colors are the same between the ZS Magnus in blue and this Longshot.  I think a quick trip to Target is in order to see if my suspicions are true!  Or you guys could just save the the trouble and let this Nerf n00b know whether they match or not.

More to come soon!

NERF FlipFury Review

Released in early 2015, the NERF ZombieStrike FlipFury is a fun revolver blaster that... revolves it's revolving barrels.  Yes, lots of spinning!  This concept has been a popular mod for Mavericks, Strongarms, and other revolver-style blasters before.  At the heart of this fury of flipping lies the guts of a NERF N-Strike Elite Strongarm, which is one of my favorite pistols and the "Most for the Least" award winner... so this should be a home run, right?

...Sorta?  It is refreshing that the gimmick of this blaster is actually helpful for reloading the blaster.  However, halfway through the testing, the mechanism that flips these two barrels started to get less reliable and seem like it was worn out.  It also tends to jam a bit with the Slam-Fire feature, which is not a trait seen often in the Strongarm.  I had the initial review footage put together and, after discovering these changes, I ended up re-shooting the video to reflect these issues.  It's certainly an honest review, as both the barrel flipping and the dart jamming occur in the footage.  I'm not furious, I'm not flipping out, but it is unfortunate that such a fun blaster out-of-the-box went downhill so quickly.

Check out the review below!

Thanks for the Birthday Wishes!

Over the years, I've made a lot of great friendships thanks to my hobbies.  On days like today (my Birthday) it's always special to get those "Happy Birthday" wishes from near and far.  There are a lot of people I've made connections with through Tactical Tag that I still haven't had the pleasure of meeting in person but still consider great friends.

As I continue to grow old (as we all do), I always manage to stay young at heart and the wonderful people in this hobby help me stay that way.  Thank you all for your kind words and wishes!

- Bazookafied

The Year of the Duals (not Duels)

As I sort out the projects to be had on my workbench, I couldn't help but notice a common theme making it's way through my blasters: Dual-Use!  The idea of making one blaster that is good for more than one kind of game has been great on paper, but has rarely made it's way to the battlefield.  Probably the best example I have of this was built and completed several years ago.  The "Durango", a Red Strike Series Longshot CS-6 with Laser Challenge Internals, was a blaster both for Nerf and for Laser Tag that I used mostly for indoor games hosted with college campus groups.

For 2015, there are several blasters that I'm working on that have the ability to be used for more than one kind of game.  I'm hoping I can get all of them finished, but it will be interesting to have so many of these dual-use blasters running around.  I can only use one blaster at a time, so the others will likely be loaned out during games!  Among these blasters, two are already in-production.  The M41A Pulse Rifle is an Airsoft / Laser Tag rifle while the Demolisher 2-in-1 features Nerf / Laser Tag under one roof.  There's a third project I've been considering that requires me to gut the Cam ECS-12 of it's glorious digital camera components to make it a Nerf / Laser Tag rifle like the Demolisher Project, too... so I seem to have picked up a bit of an obsession for making these kinds of creations.  On the one hand, I enjoy a challenge!  On the other, it's a good way to put both of my hobbies into one blaster.  You could say that these blasters are the embodiment of Tactical Tag: Nerf and Laser Tag modifications under one roof!

Should be a fun year working on these!  Stay tuned for more updates on these unique projects!

ONE MILLION PAGEVIEWS

"We hold the world ransom for... (dramatic music)... ONE MILLION PAGEVIEWS!!"

Wait, I didn't force this on you, did I?  Well, regardless of how we got here, it's kinda cool.  Not only the fact that a lot of people have seen a lot of stuff from this little blog... but also the timing of it lining up with the turn of the New Year!

So whether you've been with me since day one or you just found Tactical Tag a week ago, thanks for all the support!

While I've got you here, Happy New Year, everyone!  There's lots of fun stuff coming up for Laser Tag, Nerf, and this blog in 2015... so I'm excited to see what the new year brings.  See you on the flip side!

Zombie Fighter Longshot

So amidst the crazy busy holidays, I managed to assemble some pieces from Xplorer Dart Blaster Developments to build up my first Stefan-toting Longshot.  Using my ZombieStrike Longshot, I'm going to be outfitting it with upgraded internals designed for use with Stefans as well as a sleeker weaver rail mount that will replace the N-Strike Tactical Rail on top.  There's other changes I'll probably make to suit my taste, obviously Xplorer's recent work with the Longshot has influenced my ideas quite a bit!

I've only used Stefan darts for reviewing purposes in the past.  In fact, much of the gear that I reviewed for Xplorer is getting used in this project!  I'm still not sure if I'll use the shotgun grip on mine, as it has become part of the Elite Longshot Ver 2.0 and I kinda like it on there.  However, with a higher-load spring in this Zombie Fighter, I may need to have some kind of better priming system.

First on the mod list will be installing the FAST Rails, a set of custom fabricated rails that fit over the Longshot shell that have been very popular with the Singapore-based Rangers for Xplorer.  Aesthetically they look great, but it's also handy to have some decent optics on a blaster shooting Stefans.  I usually only bother with optics on my Laser Tag gear since it's so accurate, but Stefans are a game-changer for accuracy.

In addition to the optics, you can't have a Zombie Fighter without some sort of flashlight!  I'll be fixing a small side-mounted weaver rail to put a tactical light (probably my Streamlight).  I don't think I'll do any nifty barrel or muzzle extensions since these usually conflict with the effectiveness of the light.  Granted, I probably won't be doing any night-games with the Longshot... but c'mon!  It's a Zombie Fighter!  It HAS to have it for completion's sake!

I'll also be using the X-Mag and parts of the Fighter Kit from Xplorer.  I've already transplanted many of the parts over from the Yellow Longshot sent for reviewing into the Longshot as I prep things for testing out different combinations and improvements to the internals.  I've re-enforced the ZS bolt sled already and have the Stefan Breech mated to it.

Depending on how much I end up adding to this fella, I could have this done in a week or two.  I don't plan on repainting the full blaster.  Probably just some extra markings or details to the existing ZombieStrike coloring.  I might detail up the buttstock a little more so it's not quite so plain, but that'll likely be the most of it.  I'll be turning to my Stefan-shooting friends for advice with the internals and priming, as there's a lot of experience with these kinds of systems that I've admittedly missed out on by using stock darts for so long!

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and everything in-between to all my loyal readers, trigger-happy fighters, meticulous modders, and great friends in this hobby!

Whatever you celebrate, may it be a wonderful and special time for you and yours.  We are all so lucky to be part of and to contribute to this great community.  The year-round support is something to treasure.

So, as you break open presents, remember that it's more than just enjoying the material side of this hobby.  It's about the friends you exchange shots with foam darts or beams of infrared light.  It's about the advice and expertise of the community you're part of.  It's all these things that make this hobby so fulfilling and satisfying!

Happy Holidays, from Tactical Tag!