How To Unjam Nerf Gun: (Step By Step Guide)

The original Nerf Sharpshooter, the first dart blaster made by Nerf, was a straightforward spring-powered toy gun. At its best, you could fire off around one dart every three seconds, but the advantage was the darts seldom jammed.

Over the last three decades, Nerf has gotten ever more complex, which means more jams are inevitable. How do you unjam a Nerf gun? I will walk you through it step-by-step for different blaster styles.

Unjamming most Nerf guns is typically as simple as pulling a bent dart out of the chamber and putting in an undamaged one instead. However, the technique is different for more complex mechanisms like rotating barrels and overloaded clips. For each firing mechanism, you need to get your hands on the stuck dart and pull it free to unjam.

Dart Jams: Chambers vs Clips vs Rotating Barrels

Before we get into how to unjam various Nerf guns, it’s important to distinguish between the three general types of dart holding and firing parts that can jam.

There are three main styles for Nerf. The three styles are the chamber, clip, and rotating barrel.

Although there are a few unique firing mechanisms like those on Nerf Crossbows, most nerf darts will get stuck in one of the following three places.

Below I have explained what each one is, how darts go into it, and the most common place it jams up.

The Basic Chamber

For this style, you usually front-load a single dart into the chamber by hand, and a spring or pressurized air propels it out again. The most common jam is a bent or caught dart.

Clips

These hold multiple darts in a straight up and down stack. These rows have a springloaded mechanism at the bottom that pushes the next dart into place.

The most common jam is an overloaded clip that forces two darts into one chamber.

Rotating Barrel

A rotating barrel is like a series of basic chambers. The barrel connects the firing mechanism and the chamber the darts exit out of.

Depending on the model, these can be loaded from the front or back. Regardless of load style, the barrel rotates to place a new dart in the firing chamber after each shot.

The most common jams on this style happen when the barrel doesn’t fully rotate. Regrettably, this often means disassembling or asking for manufacturer assistance to fix.

Darts aren’t the only part of a Nerf gun that can jam. The other most-frequent jams include triggers, which can get safety locked by accident, and priming mechanisms like slides. I will cover these below.

How To Unjam A Rival Nerf Gun

Rival Nerf guns are prone to ammo jamming. However, these don’t fire darts the way many Nerf basters do. Instead, the Rivals fire balls.

Check the list below to unjam a Rival Nerf gun.

• For most Rival models, you can simply open the jam clearing door and remove a stuck ball to clear the path for the next ball.

• Fully prime the blaster before you try to fire. An internal safety doesn’t release until it’s ready to fire.

• Please make sure the jam door is closed all the way as well, or it won’t allow the gun to fire.

• If the trouble is not a ball jam, the next step is to check your trigger lock. The blaster won’t fire when this is on, but it’s not broken. Flip the switch, and you’ll be fine.

The Nerf Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K is one of the most popular and reliable Rival models. The Rival series round balls are simpler than darts and less prone to getting stuck.

Moreover, they move a lot faster when fired. Plus, the Nemesis MXVII-10K holds a considerable number of rounds, so you can keep playing all day. Now that you know how easy they are to unjam, grab yours right here.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Unjam Fortnite Nerf Gun

The Fortnite series is fantastic and colorful. Happily, this series isn’t prone to jams, but they can still happen. If you drop a blaster, it can break an internal component or shift something out of place.

To unjam a Fortnite Nerf gun, use the troubleshooting list below.

• Clear the barrel. Sometimes the problem is as simple as a bent dart, plastic burr, or pebble blocking the way. Bent darts don’t fly straight and can be tough to fix, so replacing them is better.

• Ensure that you’re pulling the trigger all the way back every time. This is the most common reason for jammed triggers. The mechanism doesn’t engage properly if you don’t depress it.

• Check that you’ve primed the blaster completely. It may be a failed priming attempt rather than a jam depending on the model. If the slide doesn’t move, rotate the clear plastic piece to release it and make sure you pull back completely.

• Check that all your darts are facing the correct direction for models with clips. Additionally, you may get dart jams if you try to fit too many darts in the clip. Always use the exact number the manufacturer recommends to avoid bottlenecks and bent darts.

The Nerf Fortnite BASR-R Bolt Action Blaster uses a six dart clip. Carrying spares makes it easy to reload on the go for even more fun.

Furthermore, this model comes with three free-standing bush targets and a removable scope for better aim.

Best of all, the bolt-action primer is easy to check, so you know when it’s all the way primed. Get your Nerf Fortnite BASR-R Bolt Action Blaster by clicking here.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Unjam A Delta Trooper Nerf Gun

The Delta Trooper Nerf guns sometimes have issues with the primer. Like most Nerf blasters, the fix is simple enough.

Check out the steps below to unjam a Delta Trooper.

• See if you have any loose screws. Since screws and glue quite literally hold a Nerf gun together, a loose screw can cause a surprising number of problems. Check the backside of the primer and tighten that up as needed.

• Adding a lubricant can also help the primer slide, but it’s vital to get the right lubricant or damage the plastic and exacerbate the issue. Reading Plastic explains, “Lubricants based on silicone, perfluorinated PFAE, mineral oils, and synthetic hydrocarbons(SHC or PAO), typically work well with plastics. Esters and polyglycols are generally not compatible with plastic, although there are exceptions based on the type of plastic material.” However, you should also find out what the rest of the ingredients in your lube are made from, as some additives also cause problems with various plastics.

How To Unjam D.Va Nerf Gun

The Overwatch D.Va Rival Blaster is an incredibly cool-looking pink Nerf gun based on the popular Overwatch video games.

This particular model is coveted by cosplayers and fans of the game alike. For the most part, this is a reliable and highly accurate blaster, but it is prone to slide jamming.

If you get a jammed slide or ball, follow the steps below for the easiest unjam ever.

• So your slide is jammed. No worries, this is a common issue with an easy fix. All you need is a little power. What you have to do to unjam the slide on the Overwatch D.Va Rival Blaster is pull it back really hard. Yep, it’s that simple. Doing this will clear the jam about 99 percent of the time.

• You have to pull back the primer to open the loading door. If you have an ammo jam, either opening this door with the pink unjamming button on top should allow you to remove the balls if they get stuck.

• There are trigger safeties on both sides of the Overwatch D.Va Rival Blaster. One of them is fake, and the other locks the trigger. If your trigger seems jammed, check the safety and ensure it’s not engaged.

The Nerf Overwatch D.Va Rival Blaster is modeled on the D.Va character from Overwatch. Fans of Overwatch, Nerf and blaster-toting female characters alike will love this surprisingly easy to unjam Nerf gun.

Most importantly, for all the fancy details, this blaster is incredibly accurate when you use the sights as provided. Add an Overwatch D.Va Rival Blaster to your collection by clicking right here.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Unjam Slingfire Nerf Gun

One of the great things about the Zombie Strike SlingFire Blaster is that it cocks two different. You can use the swing lever or flick to cock options depending on how you’re carrying it.

However, having twice the mechanisms means twice the chance of getting a jam. Unfortunately, this particular Nerf gun is prone to dart and lever jams.

• If you have a dart stuck in the chamber, you will need to fish it out. Likewise, if you get one stuck inside the clip, pulling it free is the only option.

• As for the lever, brute strengths will often do the trick. The Zombie series is so incredibly detailed and cool-looking that it’s easy to forget how durable Nerf can be.

• Ultimately this is one Nerf gun that is so specialized that you may need to unscrew it and take it apart to release any jammed internal components.

The Zombie Strike SlingFire Blaster is a fan favorite. This model is prevalent among players of HVZ (Humans Versus Zombies) because of its dystopian, toxic futuristic appeal.

Additionally, the bright colors help ensure that it looks like the toy blaster it is. You can pick up the Strike SlingFire Blaster when you click here.

Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Helpful Tips To Know About How To Unjam Nerf Gun

Unjamming your Nerf dart guns is part of owning blaster toys. Fortunately, it shouldn’t happen too often if you maintain your Nerf guns properly. Moreover, with the right tools, you can solve any problem.

Here are more helpful tips and tricks to know about how to unjam Nerf guns.

• Sadly, there are times when the jam isn’t so simple. When you break an internal component, there are only two possible options for a fix. You can contact Nerf to see if they’ll repair it, or you can replace the part yourself if you have the skill. Beyond that, all you can do is get a new blaster. Don’t worry if you cannot reach the dart with your fingers. A pair of slender tweezers or needle nose pliers will often help you get ahold of a jammed dart. However, please do not try cramming your fingers inside the dart chambers as they could get stuck, and then you’d have to break the toy to get it off your hand.

• Speaking of tools that help you unjam your darts, metal pieces can scratch up the plastic of your blasters very easily. To avoid this, try using a rubberized coating like Tool Dip on any metal tools you plan to use. The protective coating will stop those scratches and preserve your toys.

• When your dart chambers are already scratched up, you can use a fine grain file or piece of sandpaper to remove the burrs and create a smooth firing surface that won’t catch on your darts and cause more jams. Start with a larger grain and move down in size after each sanding until you have a smooth surface. However, be aware that doing this too many times or too vigorously will thin and weaken your plastic.

Final Thoughts

Unjamming Nerf guns is a surprisingly easy task. In fact, most children can unjam their own blasters.

The simplicity of the darts and firing mechanisms and ease of clearing jams have doubtless helped the Nerf company rise to the top of the foam blaster arena.

Fabulous designs and bright colors also matter, but only if you can get the darts to go where you aim them. Quality materials and well-thought-out builds are a part of Nerf culture.

Now that you know how to fix jammed chambers, slides, and more, you should be able to unjam almost any Nerf gun.