Whilst the fully automatic NERF machine guns might get most of the press, semi automatic blasters give you much more control over accuracy and how quickly you fire off your precious ammo. For example, if you are in a NERF war that is not based around a camp, and you’re solely reliant on your loadout, these are probably your best bet.
They have also been around longer than their full auto brethren, so the mod kits available on the popular models are far more plentiful.
But which should you choose? Check out our top picks below:
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NERF N-Strike Elite Stryfe
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NERF Rival Hera
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NERF N-Strike Elite Modulus
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NERF N-Strike Elite Stockade
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NERF N-Strike Elite Demolisher 2 in 1
The Best Semi-Automatic NERF Guns
In the list I have included the obvious Stryfe, which is an excellent workhorse, and you will probably find people saying that every single one of these is a Styfe re-skin as…well the Stryfe got it right and hence why the mechanicals are pretty similar.
This does not mean the only choice is a Stryfe as out of the box it is a solid, basic blaster. This means it makes a great blaster to mod, but if you do not want to do that, others offer many add-ons that might make it just what you are looking for.
Having said that, there are many other scenarios that mean a different selection is needed. If you are a fan of the Rival range (and why wouldn’t you be?) then the Hera is a fantastic blaster – functionally even better than the Stryfe!
The other blasters all use standard Nerf darts with different pieces of additional functionality, which makes them all interesting and cool blasters…!
Nerf N-Strike Elite Stryfe
- Motorized Stryfe blasters Acceleration Trigger powers up the motor for blasting
- Tactical Rail is compatible with most N-Strike accessories
- Quick Reload clip holds 6 Elite darts and works with any Clip System blaster
- Darts work with any N-Strike Elite blaster and most original N-Strike blasters
- Blaster comes with Quick Reload Clip, 6 Elite Darts and instructions
The N-Strike Elite Stryfe has been around for many moons now. It forms the basis of so many other blasters, both stock and modified and there is a reason – because it is a great blaster!
These days it comes with 6 round mags, but junk these in favor of larger capacity ones, add a stock and you have a semi-auto primary that will do pretty much what you want of a semi-auto blaster.
Four AA batteries mean that even if you do not change it to some kind of rechargeable power, it is still not expensive to run and semi-auto will keep your ammo bill to a minimum too.
There is not a lot more to add, the remaining options are for those people that want something that you cannot get with a stock Stryfe. This is my go-to semi-auto blaster.
Read my full review of the Elite XD Stryfe here.
Nerf Rival Hera
- N-Strike Elite blasters and Elite darts deliver the ultimate in blaster performance
- Mega series blasters feature Mega Whistler darts that scream through the air
- Defend against a zombie invasion with ZombieStrike blasters
- Ignite the night with FireVision sports gear that glows when thrown
- Raise your game with the Pro-Grip football and Nerfoop basketball set
The Hera is a member of the NERF rival line, which fires small, balls of foam rather than darts. These are aimed at the 14+ age group so fire a bit harder and more accurately than their Elite cousins.
This blaster is easily the best semi-auto in the Rival line, fixing the problems of the Zeus. I am a big fan of the Rival range as I like the power and the accuracy, and as an adult (is size at least!) fits me well.
, In addition, it can use the Rival battery pack, which makes it fire better and saves you a fortune in batteries over the lifetime (plus they can be used across several of the Rival range, so a very recommended add-on!)
The Hera, unlike the Zeus, uses standard Rival magazines, so you can choose anything from 6 to 15 rounds, although it can get in the way as it sticks out a fair amount.
So overall this is a great blaster and it would be my top pick for the semi-autos from a functionality point of view, expect that it is hard to get hold of and the Stryfe is much better for younger kids and has many more options to mod. This is truly a cracking Rival Blaster.
Nerf Doomlands Desolator
- Make an impact with the Nerf Doomlands Desolator toy blaster as you shoot 10 darts rapidly with motorized blasting
- The Desolator Nerf blaster comes with a 10-dart clip so you can fire 10 darts in a row
- Includes 10 Official Nerf Doomlands Elite darts
- Look through the clear area on this Doomlands Nerf blaster to see the inner mechanism
- Power up the motor with the acceleration button
The Nerf Doomlands Desolator is the epitome of a Stryfe reskin – it even has the battery tray in the same place. However, they have added a stock (so you do not have to!) and they have upgraded the trigger action noticeably.
The Doomlands styling does make the grips a bit small and this means that people with larger hands will probably struggle with holding it comfortably. For everyone else, this reworking of the Stryfe could be ideal, especially if you like the newer styling.
Recommended if you like the idea of a Stryfe with a stock and a better trigger action. This is an excellent re-skin of the Stryfe, as long as you have relatively small hands (ie you are not an adult like me!)
Nerf N-Strike Elite Modulus
- Build your own blaster with the motorized Nerf Modulus ECS-10 blaster
- Flexible blaster has more than 30 combinations
- Features targeting scope, drop grip and dual-rail barrel
- Includes blaster, targeting scope, drop grip, dual-rail barrel, storage stock, banana clip, 10 darts, and instructions
- Requires 4 AA batteries (not included).
NERF N-Strike Elite Modulus is the epitome of a Stryfe reskin. I mentioned that the Stryfe can be customized but you can change this one so many different ways straight from the box!
So if you like what NERF have done with the styling options here, this could be the perfect way to get what you want without having to visit third parties for mod kits. This is a great bit of kit if you want a ton of options straight from the box.
Nerf Elite Stockade
- Holds 10 darts
- To load, darts are simply inserted into the rotating turret
- The key qualifier is that it shoots up to 75 feet
- Holds 10 darts
- To load, darts are simply inserted into the rotating turret
- The key qualifier is that it shoots up to 75 feet
The Nerf Elite Stockade is slightly different in that it runs a revolver style cylinder rather than a magazine. This means that you can be reloading from the front and still able to defend yourself. This is something that is a big benefit in tighter NERF war areas or where you have to do a lot of scavenging for ammo.
I like this blaster and have used it without a stock as a secondary. Added to this is one of the best of the NERF stocks – it is well shaped, sturdy and lets you store 10 darts.
All in all the Stockade is a really good semi-auto blaster with good amounts of ammo on tap. While reloading a magazine is always going to be faster for a complete reload, the ability to quickly scavenge in tight spots is a real bonus. Good ammo store, front loading and with an excellent stock makes the Stockade a good potential choice
Nerf Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher
- Demolisher 2-in-1 blaster fires darts, missiles, or both up to 90 feet
- Motorized dart blasting and pump-action missile blasting
- Acceleration trigger powers up the motor
- 10-dart banana clip
- Detachable stock with integrated missile storage
The Nerf Elite 2-in-1 Demolisher is another take on the Stryfe mechanicals, but this time, as well as adding a pretty good stock it also comes with a missile-firing attachment!
The missile is a nice touch, as it gives you something you can fire when you are reloading. It is especially good in games where you get different points for different ammo – some give double points for larger ammo like this or the MEGA, so this makes it an excellent choice for those games!
The front looks bulky but in reality, it is pretty comfortable and I also like the stock more than the Desolator’s, so I like it.
You get a semi-auto with a single shot back-up and a nice stock – not a bad combo!
Summary
Semi automatic blasters are a great choice, providing a great compromise between the awesome fire rates of the latest NERF machine guns and the ammo conservation of spring-powered blasters.
All of the blasters I have listed above are great, however, the Stryfe has always had a special place and I thoroughly recommend it as a great place to start if you just want a semi-auto blaster.
However if you are slightly older, then the Rival Hera is the best performer here, so get it if you can find a sensible price.
The others all add little twists on the Stryfe theme. Of these, the Stockade has a front-loading barrel, which can be great in games where you have to scramble around for ammo as it is much easier and faster to load than a mag.
The Demolisher gives you a stock and the ability to fire a hand-pumped missile, great in games where you get different points for different ammo!
Finally we have the Doomlands Desolator, essentially a Stryfe with a stock and Doomlands looks, which is no bad thing and I have found this selling very cheaply before, so it can make a great buy.
Check out some of the other reviews I have for other types of NERF Guns: