Nerf have been tried out all kinds of things in 2013 - from the excellent Zombie Strike line to the Mega Series.
This has been fine, but it's interesting how one can go so right and one can go so wrong!
Both the Zombie Strike and Mega Series are branded as part of the Elite series of blasters promising greater range via a new plunger system rather than the traditional spring.
That being said, I took the plunge on one of the Mega Series blasters today and bought the Magnus - and i'll be honest - there's a lot to say - good and bad...
This has been fine, but it's interesting how one can go so right and one can go so wrong!
Both the Zombie Strike and Mega Series are branded as part of the Elite series of blasters promising greater range via a new plunger system rather than the traditional spring.
That being said, I took the plunge on one of the Mega Series blasters today and bought the Magnus - and i'll be honest - there's a lot to say - good and bad...
Okay, I'm going to be honest, I have misgivings about the whole Mega range of Nerf.
The Centurion does look amazing and big darts on that completely conform to the idea of a big sniper rifle, but a hand version seems a tad out of place.
The Centurion does look amazing and big darts on that completely conform to the idea of a big sniper rifle, but a hand version seems a tad out of place.
The Nerf Centurion - a good sniper rifle with actual range from Nerf? There's a change!
Nerf Magnus
Here it is - the Nerf Magnus - great name by the way! Have a look at the size of it... It's big!
Notice the rail under the barrel - interesting placement.
Notice the rail under the barrel - interesting placement.
So you thought the gun was big, have a look at the size of the slide. It's a nice action, smooth and not jerky to the point that it seems a generation apart from the old Maverick or even the Strongarm - I guess it is in many ways. | 
Here's an interesting feature - this is the release catch if you get a jam. Unlike other blasters, clearing a jam has nothing to do with the slider, this is a release to free the plunger system. It seems to work - shame I have to know that! |
... and here it is, the 3-round internal magazine. You slide the darts into the v-shaped slot to load, a wholly unsatisfying method I think. Also fraught with issues such as inconsistency and jams.
Not a good mechanism and definitely too few darts!
Not a good mechanism and definitely too few darts!
Now - this is the bit that really annoyed me - the label says "N-Strike Elite".
The whole point of Elite was further range and a new approach - they even took my much-loved Alpha Trooper... and made it better!
Honestly, I have no issues with the Elite range (apart from some of the boring designs), in fact Nerf did a good job.
What I do have a problem with is the N-Strike Elite badge being on this crappy blaster!
It has none of the hallmarks of any of the Elite range, in fact in testing my Maverick got better range than this bulky under powered throwback.
They claim it can fire up to 22 metres - which I'm sure it can, but I got about 7 metres out of it!
Not only that, but the actual power coming out of the blaster was about half that of the Zombie Strike Hammershot (a great blaster BTW - here's our look at it).
Honestly, this is the most disappointing blaster since the Longshot, which though cool looking, was wimpy, under powered and probably only good for cosplay.
Which interestingly is the only thing the Magnus would be good for - cosplay!
Buy this at your own risk... or just save the money and buy a second Hammershot or a fourth Elite Alpha Trooper :D
The whole point of Elite was further range and a new approach - they even took my much-loved Alpha Trooper... and made it better!
Honestly, I have no issues with the Elite range (apart from some of the boring designs), in fact Nerf did a good job.
What I do have a problem with is the N-Strike Elite badge being on this crappy blaster!
It has none of the hallmarks of any of the Elite range, in fact in testing my Maverick got better range than this bulky under powered throwback.
They claim it can fire up to 22 metres - which I'm sure it can, but I got about 7 metres out of it!
Not only that, but the actual power coming out of the blaster was about half that of the Zombie Strike Hammershot (a great blaster BTW - here's our look at it).
Honestly, this is the most disappointing blaster since the Longshot, which though cool looking, was wimpy, under powered and probably only good for cosplay.
Which interestingly is the only thing the Magnus would be good for - cosplay!
Buy this at your own risk... or just save the money and buy a second Hammershot or a fourth Elite Alpha Trooper :D
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