Nerf Raider CS-35 -Review

The Raider is a Heavy class blaster with a staggering 35 dart capacity drum and the ability slam fire.  It was released in 2009 as part of the Nerf N-Strike range.  The Raider is a single shot reverse plunger blaster packaged with a detachable shoulder stock, 35 dart drum and streamline darts.

Usability

The Raider is a beast of a blaster the imposing view of a 35 dart drum on the side and the front pump handle scream look out to unwilling enemies in the field.  The blaster is super comfortable to hold the shoulder stock is probably the best stock Nerf has released and I often use it on other weapons.  The blaster is fired by pulling back and pushing forward the pump handle and pulling the trigger.  Like most slam fire capable weapons this style of fire is achieved by holding down the trigger and repeatedly pumping the front handle.

Loading the drum clip is fairly straight forward much like a regular 6 dart clip but having a maximum capacity of 35 means that the loading process takes quite a while. The clear back of the blaster is handy to show clearly the remaining dart capacity. The blaster rarely jams and it only happens when incorrect priming occurs.

The blaster feels slightly unbalanced with the large drum on the side and is probably better suited to being a support style weapon laying down heavy fire from a distance rather than close quarters skirmishes.

Usability Score - 6/10

Styling/Tacticool

I was always hesitant to buy the Raider as being an largely looks over use type of Nerfer the 'Tommy Gun' style wasn't my cup of tea.  After finding a Trade Me bargain I decided to take the plunge.  In similar fashion to the Longstrike the Raider shuns the yellow colour scheme of over N-Strike blasters, and is better for it as it seamlessly integrates with Elite accesories.  I really like theRaider tag splashed along the front barrel and the subtle use of orange throughout the make of the blaster.  Without the drum attached the Raider looks more appealing but replacing the drum with a clip looks a little unusual like a Mascheinenpistole 35 from German WW2 fame.  As mentioned above the stock is fantastic and really adds to the overall look of the blaster, but with only 2 tactical rails and the inability to more than one sight and no under barrel attachment cuts down tacticool options.  My favourite loadout with this blaster is to add a pin point sight and change the stock.  A particular favourite is with the stockade stock another favourite of mine.

Nerf Raider CS-35 with shoulder stock and Elite pinpoint sight

Nerf N-Strike CS-35 with Retaliator stock and Elite pinpoint sight.

Nerf N-Strike CS-35 with Stockade stock and Elite pinpoint sight.

Styling/Tacticool Score - 6/10

Performance

There is no doubting that with the combination of slam fire and a 35 dart drum this is going to score high in the performance stakes for darts per second alone.  Out of the 30 blasters currently tested for distance the Raider sits at 21st (oh how I wish it would fire further many a mod is on the cards)

Dart Distance - 9.7m (32 feet).  The Raider fired a maximum distance of 13m (43 feet) with the a lowest distance of 6m (19 feet) on three occassions.

Darts per second (Slam Fire mode) 3.3 dps.  This is a fantastic result for the Raider and as mentioned above makes it the perfect support blaster for laying down cover fire as a team mate heads for an objective.

Performance Score 7/10

This is one blaster that I love to hate, it doesn't have the style of the other blasters in my collection but the insane dart capacity and fire rate make it a must have in many game types.

Overall I give the Raider CS-35 19/30