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Last updated: August 6, 2023
Reviews of the five best Nerf shotguns currently available, based on looks, performance, authenticity, ergonomics, and the shotgun factor.
The Nerf shotgun is a unique type of blaster that we don’t see very often appearing on the shelves. And that’s a pity because they’re fun to play with and usually look pretty cool.
In this article, I am going to explain what a real Nerf shotgun is (as opposed to a shotgun-style blaster), and I will share my personal top five.
Spoiler alert: a REAL Nerf shotgun is a blaster that can fire multiple rounds at the same time.
Top 5 Nerf Shotguns:
What Is a Nerf Shotgun?
I think it’s important to clearly explain what can be classified as a Nerf shotgun, because there is a lot of misunderstanding around this topic.
Please note though that this is my opinion, and everyone is welcome to have their own thoughts about it.
So, what is a Nerf shotgun?
A Nerf shotgun is essentially a blaster that is able to fire multiple darts or rounds at the same time.
Bonus points if these blasters are also “shaped” like a classic shotgun, with an almost horizontal handle, a longer barrel, etc.
There are quite a few Nerf blasters that are considered shotgun-style blasters, the Nerf Rival Takedown for example, but these aren’t real Nerf shotguns because they can’t fire multiple rounds at once.
There is one very obvious drawback to real Nerf shotguns, though. As fun as it is to fire multiple rounds at once, you will, of course, run out of ammo a lot quicker.
Now, if you’re looking for a shotgun-style blaster that isn’t a REAL shotgun, then the Nerf Mega Fortnite TS is my favorite:
- DART-BLASTING REPLICA OF THE FORTNITE BLASTER: This TS blaster is inspired by...
- PUMP-ACTION 4-DART BLASTING: Blast 4 darts in a row from this 4-dart,...
- 8 DARTS AND STORAGE STOCK: Includes 8 Official Nerf Mega darts and has storage...
Top 5 Nerf Shotguns
Here is my top 5 best Nerf shotguns you should consider adding to your Nerf blaster collection.
1. Nerf Rival Atlas XVI-1200
Let’s kick off this list with a blaster from my favorite range of Nerf guns, the Rival series.
The Atlas XVI-1200 is a pump action blaster with a direct plunger insider. It fires two High-Impact Rounds simultaneously through a single barrel, powered by a smooth priming mechanism.
As you can expect with most blasters in the Rival range, the Atlas performs very well, with excellent power, velocity, and firing range. Being able to fire two rounds at once is a lot of fun, but as mentioned above, you are also running out of ammunition much quicker.
The Atlas has a 12-round magazine, which isn’t super big. But its performance + the fun factor make this my favorite shotgun on this list.
| Nerf Rival Atlas XVI-1200 | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2016 |
| Ammunition: | High-Impact Rounds |
| Shooting: | Two at once |
2. Nerf N-Strike Mega TwinShock
The Nerf TwinShock in the N-Strike Mega series is a rather odd-looking shotgun with a huge 10-pipe barrel at the front. The TwinShock fires two Mega Darts at a time, which matches the design of the barrel, with five sets of two smaller barrels.
It’s a pump action blaster that can do single-fire, multi-fire, and slam-fire. In other words, you don’t have to fire two darts at once if you don’t want to, which makes the TwinShock extra special.
The slam fire option is pretty cool, as it allows you to quickly fire all ten darts one after the other. The priming and firing mechanism overall with the TwinShock is top-notch.
The versatility of the Mega TwinShock, in combination with its excellent firing performance, makes it one of the best Nerf shotguns ever made.
| Nerf N-Strike Mega TwinShock | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2017 |
| Ammunition: | Mega Darts |
| Firing: | Two at once |
3. Nerf N-Strike Elite Trilogy DS-15
The Trilogy DS-15 in the N-Strike Elite series is quite a unique blaster in the sense that it uses shells to fire darts.
This is also where the name comes from. DS stands for Dart Shell, and 15 refers to the 15 darts it can fire with five shells in storage. The word trilogy was chosen because it can fire three darts at once through each shell.
This may all sound a bit complicated, and perhaps it is, but handling the Trilogy DS-15 is super easy and a lot of fun. Simply prime it, load a shell into the top of the blaster, and fire the three darts from the shell.
When priming, the previously used shell (that is empty) will drop out automatically, freeing up space for the next one. Overall, it’s a fun, unique, solid blaster that deserves to be part of your collection.
| Nerf N-Strike Elite Trilogy DS-15 | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2019 |
| Ammunition: | Elite Darts |
| Firing: | Three at once |
| More info: | Nerf Elite Trilogy DS-15 review |
4. Nerf N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2×4
The Rough Cut 2×4 in the N-Strike Elite series looks, feels, and fires exactly like a real Nerf shotgun, which is why it belongs on this list despite its age.
It’s a direct plunger pump-action blaster that can fire two Elite Darts at once, but it can also do single-fire as well as slam-fire.
There are two versions of the Elite Rough Cut 2×4, with the first one released in 2013 and an improved version re-released a year later.
The newer version has improved internal workings, resulting in better firing performance and a smoother firing mechanism overall.
| Nerf N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2×4 | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2013 |
| Ammunition: | Elite Darts |
| Firing: | Two at once |
5. Nerf Zombie Strike SledgeFire
The last blaster on this list of best (real) Nerf shotguns is very similar to the Trilogy DS-15, not based on looks, but more so based on how it works.
The Nerf Zombie Strike SledgeFire uses shells to fire three darts at the same time. But this one comes with three shells, not five like the Trilogy DS-15.
The SledgeFire fires ZombieStrike Darts, which are essentially the same as Elite Darts, but have a different color theme to match the ZombieStrike sub series of blasters.
This blaster has been around for quite some time, but it’s a real Nerf shotgun that deserves a spot on this list. The SledgeFire was quite revolutionary when it first came out and is now a great collector’s item.
| Nerf Zombie Strike SledgeFire | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2013 |
| Ammunition: | Zombie Strike Darts |
| Firing: | Three at once |
Final Thoughts
As you might have already worked out, real Nerf shotguns are hard to find. They’re pretty unique and a bit ineffective, so maybe that’s why they’re not the most popular type of Nerf blaster.
I actually quite like Nerf shotgun blasters, primarily because of their looks, despite the apparent drawbacks, with the Nerf Rival Atlas being the best one.
In any case, I hope you found the above list useful and that you’ve been able to pick your favorite. As always, if I’ve missed one that you believe belongs on this list, do let me know in the comments.
I used to have the blue Rough Cut 2×4 until it broke where I could not fix it and I had to throw it away.