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Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:04 am
by strato_2r5
I'm posting here because I am terrified of the NIC. I was originally going to post on Martianshark's forum but I read it was cancelled. So I just have a lot of questions on modding a Longshot. Should you use a drill or a screwdriver to remove the air restrictor? What is a good padding material for the plunger? I want to replace and exted the barrel, and I'm thinking of using brass. If I am using stock streamlines, do I use 17/32" or 9/16"? Also, how do I insert it into the gun? Is it as simple as putting it in or do you have to do some cutting since there is the dart tooth assembly? Also I don't plan on Angel Breeching. Sorry for the bombardment of questions, I'm a noob at modding.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:20 am
by atvan
That's too bad about the forum. You might be able to just skim in the other nerf forums to look for the answers to your questions. I know that martianshark and zeda.beta are both members of the NIC, so the should be able to help you.

From what I've read, it seams that a knife works best for the AR. I also get that the impression that the LS is a pain in the a** to modify because of the reverse plunger. For the other questions, I have no idea.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:31 am
by strato_2r5
The Longshot is actually a Direct Plunger, and it's hard to reach down the whole bolt assembly with a knife.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:28 pm
by atvan
Oh sorry. Take apart the gun to get to the AR. Won't that work?

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 2:06 pm
by makeitgo
The Longshot is the most documented modded blaster out there. You shouldn't have any trouble finding one on any of the forums or on Youtube. If you're not going to brass breach it there isn't really a point in using brass. The ranges will not increase significantly without a good/perfect seal which an Angel breech offers.

Here is a link to the main mods done to about every Longshot mod out there.

http://www.nerfrevolution.com/forums/vi ... ?f=8&t=251

Rogue has a very good alternative to using a full brass breach which involves PETG:

http://www.nerfrevolution.com/forums/vi ... f=8&t=2802

As far as the AR removal, once you take your blaster apart and the plunger tube assembly, push the boltsled assembly all the way back so you can reach the AR. There should be 3 prongs holding a disk (usually black depending on how new/old your LS is). Cut those 3 prongs. The AR assembly should just fall out. Once you've done that, there should only be a peg left. Most people drill or use a hammer and screwdriver to knock out that last piece.

With just the AR removal, ranges should be around 50' to 60'. With a Half brass breech (like you want to do) ranges will be around 55' to 65'. Not a big difference.

The point of using the brass other than the 'slickness' is that the way it's assembled creates a perfect seal. Brass breeches take the ranges from 50' to over 70' sometimes 80'.

When you add a spring(s) ranges only increase proportionally.

K26 spring addition without brass: 70'

K26 spring addition with half brass breech: 75'.

K26 spring addition with full brass breech: 110'-120'.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:25 pm
by strato_2r5
O_o wow. Thanks for the help makeitgo! The reason I wanted brass was for the barrel to better fit the dart and end up being more accurate and not terribly decrease the range like the stock attachment does, while also adding length to the barrel. So you're saying CPVC would work just as well for the barrel? Also, since the ARs no longer cushion the plunger, what is a good material for padding the plunger?

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 3:47 pm
by New Guy
I personally like foam rubber like what is used to seal windows...

I'm a member on a nerf forum with an extensive writeup on how to make the angel breach, but don't remember the name of the forum... It really is worth doing.

Edit: it sounds complicated but really isn't too bad.

http://nerfhaven.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8021

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:23 pm
by C-A_99
I'd say that CPVC could work if you manage to create an alternative to the Angel Breech, preferably using standard piston loading instead of Nerf's roundabout method of loading. What I mean is to have it setup more like in an actual firearm where a piston pushes the dart into the barrel, instead of the piston being part of or the entire barrel. This is a simpler method though it does require about 3" more space in barrel length. Obviously, if you're not going to make a breech at all, then it's pointless anyway.

CPVC is a very tight fit. Good for spring powered guns that have a powerful spring and good O-ring seal. It's the only thing I have actually, so I never used anything else for the few easy Nerf mods I've done.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 6:33 pm
by makeitgo
CPVC wouldn't make a good barrel in this case unless you could make a 100% seal. It would be too tight for streamlines. Take a look at Rogues' breech. He uses PETG and a tiny bit of 17/32 brass.

Foam or rubber padding is used to glue on to the plunger head. The kind used for furniture. *Not the 'felt' kind!

Plus NEVER dry fire. (Do not fire without a dart in the chamber.)

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:33 pm
by strato_2r5
I remember watching uin13's video on his gatling vulcan. He said he bought it at either PetSmart or Petco. I just went to their website and I can't seem to find PETG, and people on NerfHaven are saying that they only carry 3/4". I know my local Lowe's carries PVC, ABS, CPVC, and brass. I also remember seeing hollow metal dowels as well as solid metal dowels. I never saw PETG at PetCo. I'm curious to see if the hollow metal dowels would work.

Also, in an Alpha Trooper, the stock barrel can be removed as it is held in by the dart tooth and the muzzle. Could I possibly replace the barrel instead of inserting it? There would be no breechwork required since it is not connected to the dart tooth.

Edit: I took another look at the Longshot thread. In the picture of the internals, they colored the barrel a different color than the rest of the gun. Is it removable?

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:48 pm
by DX
I'm posting here because I am terrified of the NIC. I was originally going to post on Martianshark's forum but I read it was cancelled. So I just have a lot of questions on modding a Longshot. Should you use a drill or a screwdriver to remove the air restrictor? What is a good padding material for the plunger? I want to replace and exted the barrel, and I'm thinking of using brass. If I am using stock streamlines, do I use 17/32" or 9/16"? Also, how do I insert it into the gun? Is it as simple as putting it in or do you have to do some cutting since there is the dart tooth assembly? Also I don't plan on Angel Breeching. Sorry for the bombardment of questions, I'm a noob at modding.
Back in the day when I had an LS and there was little data on it, I used an electric drill to get the AR out. A long bit easily reaches the area you want to remove. Simply put the plunger assembly in a vise and hack away. Or, use two cinderblocks if you don't have one - do not use your feet like I did before I got a table vise.

If you have a K26, don't waste it in an LS. Save that baby for a homemade. Go to Ace or something and get a few springs for like $2 to stick over each other. My LS hit 85' with 2 decent powered big springs from Ace, and cleared 120' with 3 springs of which the 3rd was a monster (although that had to be cocked with two hands and was not practical). If you want 100'+ and for it to be battle practical, you want to breech it or at least explore breeching it. Practice first on a more forgiving material, like PVC (or a cheaper metal, like copper), until you can cut a good breech. Then do it with brass. I am not fond of breeches and never make them, but that's what I'd do if I wanted one.

I wouldn't use CPVC for the barrel even though the springs should be able to handle it. An LS should have a pretty long barrel and a long stick of CPVC produces a ton of friction against the dart. I would hammer it into another barrel material that has a slightly looser fit. In the fractions of a second when you fire, the tight fit allows air to pile up behind the dart and give it oomph, but then when it is traveling through, that is not required anymore and all the fit is doing is creating friction. The exception is if you can find a source of CPVC with an abnormally wider ID. My eastern Conn CPVC looked like any other, from Home Depot like any other, but had a slide-in fit rather than a twist-in. It was even too loose for stock darts. It only lasted for one batch of pipe, so when you find something like that, stock up on it.

Why are you afraid of the NIC? There's nothing to be afraid of. If anything, be annoyed at how uptight people can be, or unhelpful. Also remember that the NIC is HUGE and old, meaning that admins have seen the same questions pop up a gazillion times and instead of one person abusing spelling and grammar, you have 50 running around. I don't know about the other sites, but at least at NH you should be fine if you post when you need to and ask questions when what you need to know is not available in search. I've posted really dumb questions about how to mod or fix certain really rare guns, and nobody has ever given me heat for it. If what you want cannot be obtained, even NH people will be friendly and helpful about it. If you are cool-headed, post reasonably, observe the rules, and read what already exists, you'll be absolutely fine. Best way to find information, however, is to ask in person. Not everyone is expected to be a God of modding and especially so at wars - friends randomly show up and get random loaner guns all the time. Wars are pretty low key for the most part, so go to some and ask around there. If you're lucky, maybe someone at a war has a suped up LS that you can ask about - modders love to explain their setups.

I'm glad to assist you in whatever ways that I can over there. I don't have time for the other forums, but I'm on NerfHaven of the same name.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:53 pm
by DX
LS barrels are easily swapped out, but you have to make sure the dart will enter the new barrel correctly (ie don't make the initial entryway tight). Forget what I just posted about the Alpha trooper barrel, I got mine out to have a look at the barrel and it should come out like any other. I never bothered to try before...it's an alpha trooper...you use them for HvZ and other intense high ROF games. Range and accuracy are not too much of an issue, you just need to spit darts out at all those pursuing zombies.

PETG can be hard to get in the size you want. PM if you know a seller who carries it, search the trading section. Other pet supply stores, especially the local mom and pop variety, may be likely to carry it. You can also get versions of it online, just search for the clear plastic pipes used in fish tanks. It isn't called PETG, but it's the same stuff essentially.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:20 am
by makeitgo
Strato, this sounds like your very first mod. A Longshot mod, is an intermediate to advanced mod. I'm not saying you can't do it but experience goes a long way. Understanding the basics of a springer type blaster will help a lot.

I would suggest modding a NiteFinder and/or a Maverick first. A couple of them actually. A Longshot is hard to come by these days and expensive. NiteFinders and Mavericks are relatively cheap. If you screw them up it isn't a big deal. But if you screw up a Longshot, that's an expensive mistake.

If you mod a NiteFinder correctly, ranges from 60' - 70' flat are considered very good. Even 80' ranges are possible.
A well modded Maverick can get 50' to 60' ranges.

These will give you a good idea of the concepts of direct vs. reverse plunger systems, o-ring seals, couplers, AR removal, spring addition, extended draw and catch reinforcements. Without a good 'practical' knowledge of these concepts, a Longshot mod, I'm afraid, will be beyond your reach.

I'm just trying to be helpful. Nitefinders and Mavericks are readilly available at any and all Walmarts', Targets', Giant Tigers', Zellers, K-mart, Sears, ... etc for $14 or less. Longshots can only be found on ebay or Amazon these days and cost a fortune!

Trust me on this. DX and MartianShark, I'm sure would support me on this one.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:42 am
by strato_2r5
Actually, I have experience in the Switch-Shot and LSFG. I have painted an Alpha Trooper and a Recon, so I have basic knowledge of reverse plungers. However, I am not experienced in rebarreling and breeches. Since the Longshot is a Direct Plunger, I was not sure if it was modded in the same way. I plan to make the barrel something like this:

http://meandmunch.deviantart.com/art/Ne ... 0&offset=5

It is not meant to be a breech, just aesthetics. But I also don't want it to decrease the range like the stock attachment. I guess I should have clarified that earlier.

Re: Nerf Longshot Mod?

Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 7:15 am
by New Guy
makeitgo wrote:Strato, this sounds like your very first mod. A Longshot mod, is an intermediate to advanced mod. I'm not saying you can't do it but experience goes a long way. Understanding the basics of a springer type blaster will help a lot.

I would suggest modding a NiteFinder and/or a Maverick first. A couple of them actually. A Longshot is hard to come by these days and expensive. NiteFinders and Mavericks are relatively cheap. If you screw them up it isn't a big deal. But if you screw up a Longshot, that's an expensive mistake.

If you mod a NiteFinder correctly, ranges from 60' - 70' flat are considered very good. Even 80' ranges are possible.
A well modded Maverick can get 50' to 60' ranges.

These will give you a good idea of the concepts of direct vs. reverse plunger systems, o-ring seals, couplers, AR removal, spring addition, extended draw and catch reinforcements. Without a good 'practical' knowledge of these concepts, a Longshot mod, I'm afraid, will be beyond your reach.

I'm just trying to be helpful. Nitefinders and Mavericks are readilly available at any and all Walmarts', Targets', Giant Tigers', Zellers, K-mart, Sears, ... etc for $14 or less. Longshots can only be found on ebay or Amazon these days and cost a fortune!

Trust me on this. DX and MartianShark, I'm sure would support me on this one.
If you can find a Longshot at Walmart (I found one that came out of the backroom the day they brought it out) they sell them for $10 to clear stock. I sold mine to a friend for $20, he has way more fun with it than I ever did. Removed the air restrictors from both the main gun and the front gun. Shoots hard and straight, maybe 60' range with just that one mod.

I run a Stampede modded to hell and back with everything but a K26 or whatever spring and it's mean. I intend to keep it stock spring and run it at 22 volts- the majority of my Nerfing is at close ranges and I have a 35-dart drum... Great fun in HvZ.

To be honest, just removing the AR on a Longshot is plenty. Having gone as far as I have with the Stampede, I almost wish I'd left it stock. No matter how perfectly set up I get it, it will never last as long as a stock one.