The Best Nerf Shotguns in 2023
We’re mainly focused on discussing kid-level toys that shoot foam darts. This means we won’t be going into Airsoft shotguns or Spring Thunder shotguns, as they are a step above for our purposes here.
But hey, if you’re going to wage a Nerf on Nerf battle, you might as well pack a shotgun. Below is a list of some of the best on the market.
Actually, one of these might even be the best in Nerf's entire history.
List of Nerf Shotguns
- Nerf Rival Takedown XX-800 Blaster
- Nerf N-Strike Mega TwinShock
- Nerf Zombie Strike SledgeFire
- Nerf N-Strike Elite Trilogy DS-15
- Nerf Fortnite Pump SG Blaster
- Nerf Doomlands 2169 Vagabond Blaster
- Buzz Bee The Walking Dead Rick's Shotgun
- JFIEEI Double Barrel Shotgun
- X-Shot Excel Vigilante Foam Dart Blaster
Nerf Rival Takedown XX-800 Blaster
Within the Nerf Rival lineup is the Nerf Rival Takedown XX-800, a pump-action blaster that is the weapon of choice for taking on and defeating even the most tenacious opponents. Pump the handle and pull the trigger on your foes when you breach the walls of their make shift fortress with this Nerf Shotgun. You’ll enjoy the stopping power of heavy foam!
The 8 nerf bullet capacity can be good enough for us, especially if we’re stocked with an accessory ammo clip. Because at 90 fps, we feel confident in all of our actions.
As for the aesthetics, the Takedown XX-800 looks and feels the part. This isn’t an elongated blaster that they’re calling a shotgun, it’s a legit piece of pump-action plastic hardware. Some folks argue that it’s not a shotgun because it doesn’t shoot multiple shots at once, but perhaps they haven’t heard of a slug shot?
A pro that comes to mind is that the shooting is true and accurate. A con that comes to mind is that pulling the trigger requires a very solid squeeze. It feels fast to reload and comes in with a decent price tag.
It’s a great intro into the category and you won’t regret buying one for your Nerf arsenal.
Features
- Pump Action
- Breech-Load
- 8-Round Capacity
- 90 FPS
- 8 Official Rival Rounds
- Team Red
Nerf N-Strike Mega TwinShock
TwinShock for twice the pain. At least, that’s what we like to believe with the TwinShock model from the Nerf N-Strike Mega series gun. Capable of holding 10 shots, it’s a tour-de-force that looks like the tubes of a Gunner’s Mate set of fireworks ready to explode in Nerf form. We can confirm that your enemy wants no part of the business end of the N-Strike TwinShock.
Though it’s best situated for a two-at-once double blast, this Mega series gun can go one-at-a-time, or, be pushed into slam mode (rapid fire). No reason why it’s not one of the top picks in the foam projectile shotgun game.
Nerf Zombie Strike SledgeFire
The Nerf Zombie Strike SledgeFire looks (and acts) the part of the T-800’s (Arnold Schwarzenegger) grenade launcher in Terminator 2. And it’s every bit as devastating too.
It fires three shots at once and holds another handful in the extended stock. The SledgeFire’s Zombie Strike darts are similar to the foam darts on the Nerf Elite models, only they bear a different color.
In a true Nerf war, we’d probably carry an extra Nerf pistol as a sidearm to help defend ourselves when equipped with the SledgeFire. That doesn’t take away from its effectiveness, we just prefer to be prepared. And all that we can be, in the Nerf army.
Nerf N-Strike Elite Trilogy DS-15
Subscribers to the theory that more is better will love this elite shotgun that fires mega darts at your targets. It’s the type of assault weapon that will draw out the sneakiest ghillie-suited Nerf Sniper out of the brush.
One of the best benefits of this Nerf Shotgun is the shell ejecting mechanism that helps save you time and energy during the reloading process. Getting jammed up is the last thing you want from your Nerf Blaster when you’re in the thick of battle and getting fired upon.
While it makes our list of the Best Nerf Shotguns, the downsides include a larger price tag, definitively two-handed operation, and a bit more weight to the weapon. Those aren’t reasons to skip over the model, just more of a FYI.
Nerf Fortnite Pump SG Blaster
Nerf’s Fortnite Pump SG model shotgun looks like a shotgun, shoots like a shotgun, and smells like a shotgun. If shotguns had a plastic smell.
A true breech-load toy gun that eschews modern upgrades in favor of a classic design, the Fortnite SG may not be among the best Nerf guns, but it retains a spot among the best foam shotguns based on design alone.
It comes with 4 single nerf darts, ready to be uncorked at unsuspecting enemies. Kids will love the toy blaster because it’s a replica of actual equipment in the full video game.
What’s best is that it is shipped in sustainable packaging. So while you might not be able to save your squad with this Nerf shotgun, but you can help save the environment.
Nerf Doomlands 2169 Vagabond Blaster
Think of the Doomlands blaster as a super revolver that leveled-up into a shotgun. That’s because the two-handed wielding and the pump-action suggest it should be so.
It’s light enough to fire one-handed and can burst out six shots prior to reload. It could also serve as an effective sidearm if you can secure it firmly to your body somehow. Hasbro intends this model to be used by the 8+ crowd.
Non-Nerf Brand Shotgun Alternatives
Here are a few toy shotguns from other foam-based projectile brands to check out.
Buzz Bee The Walking Dead Rick's Shotgun
Much like the Fortnite Pump SG Blaster, Buzy Bee’s The Walking Dead Shotgun is a toy tribute to Rick and the show itself. With a secret compartment and single/dual shot fire, it’s a handy tool to have in case you run into any foam zombies that need a beating.
The toy gun features shell ejection and a threat range of up to 35 linear feet. If The Walking Dead is your jam, give this blaster a whirl.
JFIEEI Double Barrel Shotgun
JFIEEI gives us a sawed off toy shotgun with a scope. A scope, plus its sawed off? Are we filming an early 90s rap video?
Toys today are getting pretty serious, and JFIEEI’s double barrel foam dart blaster is no exception. Consider all enemies within a 25 foot cone within your dart zone as you wield this squishy bullet weapon of joy.
It’s not Nerf Mega or Nerf Ultra or Nerf Elite 2.0, but it doesn’t need to be. It just needs to be for sale on Amazon and Walmart and ready for some fun!
X-Shot Excel Vigilante Foam Dart Blaster
X-Shot’s Excel Vigilante is fairly similar to some of the popular Hasbro/Nerf models above. Even the darts are fairly similar to the elite darts used in those shotguns. The color scheme makes it seem like something out of Star Wars, which is never out-of-style with our tastes.
Comes with a handful of darts and promises a good time. If you’re against Nerf for some reason, give X-Shot’s foam-shooting shotgun some consideration.
Wrapping Up
That pretty much does it for Nerf Shotguns. They tend to be a little less popular than Nerf Pistols and especially regular Nerf Blasters. But, they’re handy when you need them in a Nerf War, so think about picking one up today.