Nerf recommendations for 9yo? Any good "starter sets"?

[vikjul]

Hoping for some wise advice from those of you with experience of Nerf weapons as I really have no idea where to start here. DS8 (9 in December) has asked for Nerf guns for Christmas. I don't think he has played with them before, so he doesn't really know what he wants. I have had a look on Amazon and there seem to be so many different options. I would like to get at least two guns (feels a bit strange typing that!) so that he can play with a friend or two.

For those of you who have experience of Nerf, what would you say would be good to start with? Anything Nerf to particularly avoid (apart from the whole toy gun debate which is not what I'm looking for here) or recommend? Do your DCs have more fun with the smaller or larger guns?

Any experience of this for example?: www.amazon.co.uk/Nerf-Dart-Tag-Player-Starter/dp/B00665TL9O/ref=sr_1_1?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1413670744&sr=1-1&keywords=nerf%20dart%20tag%202%20player%20set&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Or perhaps this? www.amazon.co.uk/Nerf-Zombie-Strike-Dual-Action-Double-Hammershot-Pack/dp/B00FKH6IFO/ref=sr_1_2?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1413670853&sr=1-2&keywords=nerf%20dual&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Or this? www.amazon.co.uk/Hasbro-Zombie-Strike-Quick-Sidestrike/dp/B00ERK8YV6/ref=sr_1_20?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1413670978&sr=1-20&keywords=nerf&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Any suggestions gratefully received!

[michaelgoveisatwat]

I have nerf guns galore! My DS (8) really likes them- we have a giant stacking box full!
I think if your son hasn't played with them before, a smaller one would be fine. I've found that the big ones (yes, you semi- automatic one just taking up space) don't really get played with as they like to run around and chase and they are too heavy for that.
We have the older blue version of the Zombie side strike and that's really easy. We also have the zombie crossbow (I like to play with this too!). I'd also recommended the mega Magnus. That looks nice and chunky and shoots bigger bullets. Buy extra bullets too!

I found the dart tag a bit rubbish tbh. Another option is BoomCo. They're all a little smaller and stick to targets. DS just bought a pack of two guns- search for Dual Defenders- for £15 in Toys r Us. On offer in Tesco too.

[vikjul]

Thank you so much, this is exactly the type of advice I was hoping for! Off to google some more!

[PenelopeGarciasCrazyHair]

My nephews have an entire wall of Nerf guns in all their variations. They have just got the Boomco ones (I've never heard of these before) and said they were brilliant because they actually stick to targets (saves their dm having to collect up the blasted things too. I find blooming Nerf bullets all over my house and garden, but at least it gets them off the computer for half an hour!

Ds also got the mega thunder bow for his birthday which is very powerful and has huge bullets. He's very impressed with it, having already tried all the other kinds.

[Waitingonasunnyday]

Yy to Magnum. DS has all sorts of nerfs and the Magnum is the one with the real cool factor. And the bullets are bigger so easier to find and less breakable.

What has prompted your DS to ask for nerf? If he has played at a friends with one, you could ask their parent what sort it was.

[vikjul]

Thanks again, leaning towards a Magnum and a couple of smaller ones for friends. The Boomco ones look interesting too, unfortunately seem not to have entered this market yet (not in UK), so might stick with nerf.

Waiting, I think he has asked for nerf as he has had and enjoyed pretend gun fights (though not with nerf) at friends' houses recently, and also knows "of" nerf as something cool that others talk about.

[vikjul]

Mega Magnus, that should be.

[Kewcumber]

CAn you wait for me to ask DS? He is a nerf geek and films himself doing Nerf comparisons. He will be able to tell you which ones jam and which bullets fire in which guns. Guns which require the unusual bullets are pants.

And of course some have slam fire action... apparently...

He is 9 in November so just about the same age

[vikjul]

How nice of you to offer that Kewcumber, nerf geek input would be wonderful help! Perhaps you could also ask him which ones are the easiest/most fun ones for beginners to run around chasing each other with?

Also, would he agree with dart tag being not great? I thought it sounded fun, but not if the darts don't stick of course.

[WeAllHaveWings]

We have 4-5 nerf guns and the dart tag part was never played with here either.

His favourite guns were the ones that weren't too big, had a decent range and could load 8 or more darts at a time to save reloading a lot during battles (his are 4-ish years old so probably don't do the same ones now).

Recommend buying extra bullets as they jam/get damaged fairly easily and/or get lost.

[Badvoc123]

Agree...don't bother with dart tag.
Ds1s fave is the hail fire.
Ds2 likes the retaliator.

[Kewcumber]

DS will be thrilled to be consulted. He llikes to think of himself as an expert (he isn't!)

[NathalieM]

I got my nephew a Nerf gun from Windswept. They can be cheaper than Amazon. Keep an eye out for deals

Don't get something too big to start off with but don't get something too tiny either.

[Kewcumber]

DS says ...

First thing is that you should never ever buy an enormous gun for a beginner.

Dart tag comes with rubbish guns and the suits are really uncomfortable and the guns don't work that well

never buy a zombie strike - they don't have good range and are basically rubbish.

Don't buy guns that use batteries for a beginner because you are forever changing the batteries.

You should buy a cocking gun - the nerf demolisher is a good one as it fires really well and its not too big. Its the first "two in one" nerf gun (It can fire missiles as well as just darts). Apparently its so cool in the reviews (Editors note - DS hasn;t got this he just aspires to have one!)

Of the guns DS has, he would recommend the Strife for a beginner even though it has batteries. The Maverick is a good all rounder and can use almost any dart and is one of the cheaper guns.

All emphasis and most of the language is his...

Hope that helps

[FriskyMare]

Sainsbury's have some nerf guns in their half price sale, I got an elite fire strike for under a £5 for my cousins son hopes it will be acceptable, they also had some mini guns for about £2.50, might buy a few for us to have a battle on Xmas day

[vikjul]

Kewcumber

Brilliant! Please give my thanks to your inhouse nerf expert !

[Kewcumber]

He really thought about it! Take the nerf demolisher comment with a pinch of salt, having looked at it myself - I think it was more of a hint for me than a serious suggestion for a newbie!

I'd either go for a strife or two (with plenty of batteries) or a couple of Mavericks

[QuintessentiallyGhoulish]

Dont by an "automatic" one with pump action.
My sons love the Maverick.

Kewcumber, are you coming to the London Christmas meet up?

[Kewcumber]

I don't think I can - its the same day as DS's birthday