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Last updated: July 15, 2022
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.
In this article, I am going to explain what a real Nerf shotgun is, what a shotgun-style blaster is, and I am going to share my personal top five.
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 opinion 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, it’s also kind of pointless. You’re running out of ammo a lot quicker, for no real benefit other than the fun of it.
Just something to consider.
Top 5 Nerf Shotguns
Here we go, this 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 at once, and does this through a single barrel, driven 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 a lot 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 5 sets of two smaller barrels.
It’s a pump action blaster that can single fire, multi fire, as well as slam fire. That’s right, you don’t have to fire two darts at once, which makes the TwinShock extra special.
The slam fire option is great too, 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 a rather unique type of 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 5 shells in storage. The word trilogy was chosen because it can fire 3 darts at once, through each shell.
This all sounds 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, and 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 |
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 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 more smooth 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. It comes with three shells though, 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 to have.
| Nerf Zombie Strike SledgeFire | |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2013 |
| Ammunition: | Zombie Strike Darts |
| Firing: | Three at once |
Final Thoughts
As you might already know, real Nerf shotguns are hard to find. They’re quite unique, and maybe that is why they’re simply not the most popular type of Nerf blaster.
I personally quite like Nerf shotgun blasters, despite the obvious drawbacks. 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!
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.