10 Best Nerf Pistols (2023 Buyers Guide)

Nerf pistols are great because they can pack a punch in a battle and are more affordable. If you are looking for one for yourself or as a gift, you are in the right place.

There are many good reasons to have a pistol in a Nerf war, for example:

• You can move easier and quicker with pistols.
• With a pistol in each hand, you can attack two targets at once.
• Most pistols can be hidden for surprise attacks or a backup.

One common myth about big Nerf guns is that they are more powerful and accurate, but this is not always the case.

The truth is there are some excellent classic Nerf pistols out there and some new ones that are completely changing the Nerf blaster game.

Plus, many are so customizable that they can be made larger to meet the big boys head-on.

Best Nerf Pistols 2023

If you’re looking for the best Nerf pistols, which I am sure you are, we have you covered. There are a ton of Nerf pistols out there, and it takes time to find the best, but we did it! You will find no guesswork here, only guarantees.

We have extensively researched and reviewed the top Nerf pistols to ensure these are the best out now in 2023. You will also find the second-best choice for each category if you are looking for a different design or something in a slightly different price range.

What is the best Nerf Pistol?

The Nerf Rival Kronos XVIII-500 is our choice for the best Nerf pistol due to its overall quality, ease of use, and accuracy. It shoots Rival balls at an impressive 90 feet per second and holds five rounds in an internal clip. The Kronos has a nice slim design and is available to purchase in several different color options.

For quick information about identifying some of the parts and features of Nerf guns, jump to the buyer’s guide at the bottom of this article. Here we go!

Now let’s look at what makes these the best in each category!

Nerf Pistol Buying Guide – 2023

If you don’t know much about Nerf guns yet or are shopping for someone else, there are a few important things to consider.

1. Size and Grip

If you are looking at Nerf pistols, I think it’s fair to say your not looking for something too massive. When the darts start flying, you will do what you have to survive, but not thinking about the size and grip first can be a real pain in the hands.

The pistols are well enough designed to work well in most sizes of hands.

2. Ease of Use

You will find that most Nerf guns are pretty easy to use, but some are much easier than others.

Younger kids, usually under the age recommendation, may have issues with pull or pump-action guns.

The easiest Nerf pistols to use, for most ages, are the motorized ones that require batteries but can be fired without having to pump or pull to fire each dart.

It all depends on the person because some people enjoy the process of taking the time to load and fire.

3. Customizability & Attachments

The ability to change and customize a Nerf pistol from its stock form is a very cool thing that can add so much. Most Nerf pistols come with at least one tactical rail allowing you to attach something like a scope, ammo storage, or an extra grip.

However, some guns like the Nerf Cmmmander RD-6 we covered above have multiple rails and offer room for a barrel and stock attachments.

If you are not looking to buy more attachments, this isn’t a big deal, but these options can make the pistol you buy the only one you will ever need.

The downside is that the price of attachments can add up quickly, so you may want to look into that before picking a gun.

3. Fire Rate and Speed

When considering fire rate, it mostly comes down to patience and if you want to spam out a ton of bullets quickly or don’t mind taking a little more time to get the shot right.

Some guns have features that help you get more bullets out faster than others do.

For example, some guns can be slam-fired fast, while others require a deliberate pull before each shot.

The speed at which the guns shoot a dart or ball, measured in feet per second(FPS), is essential to look at depending on the person’s age using the gun and what type of space it will be used in.

Most guns firing the normal Elite darts or the Mega darts are appropriate for ages 8+ and are fine for indoor or outdoor use.

On the other hand, the Rival and Hyper series guns generally shoot harder and faster. These types of guns are suggested for ages 14+ and not typically suggested for indoor use. These guns can be used indoors with proper precautions, but they will shoot farther and bounce around more inside.

While a lower FPS gun may be perfect for a younger child, others may not be happy with a weaker shooting gun.

4. Ammo Type

There are a handful of different ammo types, and while some Nerf blasters shoot multiple types, others only work with one.

If you are buying multiple guns at a time, it may be good to get ones that use the same ammo type to make it easier.

The ammo is also important to consider because of the size differences and potential choking hazards.

What is the Most Accurate Nerf Ammo Type?

Rival rounds, the foam balls used in the Rival series guns, are generally considered the most accurate Nerf rounds. However, you can buy non-Nerf brand darts that will shoot straighter and further than those that come stock in the Elite series guns. Waffle darts, which you can buy separately, can make Elite dart shooting guns almost as accurate as Rival series guns.

It can be important to know that the traditional “Elite suction cup” darts are usually more accurate than the regular close-ended Elite darts.

Out of the box, the most accurate stock darts are AccuStrike rounds, but the best you can buy separately are waffle darts.

You will see a noticeable difference in FPS and range with them, and you can get 100 waffle darts for under $10.

5. Ammo Capacity

Before selecting that Nerf pistol that is just right for your type of battle, you will want to make sure to look at its ammo capacity.

Depending on how often you want to reload and how much ammo you want flying about the house, the ammo capacity is often a critical factor in purchasing.

You can purchase bigger ammo clips for more customizable pistols, but many are limited to what they can hold in the barrel.

The pistol is usually a secondary backup to a bigger gun, but not in all cases.

So that means the capacity may not be the primary focus for everyone but rather something like accuracy or fire rate.

The choice for ammo capacity really depends on how much the gun will be used and by whom.

More ammo is probably better if it is the only gun someone owns or if it is being used as a primary.

6. Price and Warranty

Last but certainly not least is considering the prices and warranties of the Nerf guns you purchase.

The most expensive pistol on this best list is around $30, but most average somewhere between  $10-$20.

Some awesome older guns didn’t quite make the list because they are harder to find and therefore are high-priced.

It is good to check that store’s specific warranty information, especially on more expensive guns, when making a purchase.

Summary

Nerf pistols make awesome gifts for both kids and adults alike.

A Nerf battle has to be one of the cheapest, most fun, and family-inclusive activities around.

Remember that protective eyewear is recommended, and check out what age group each gun is appropriate for.

There are some awesome pistol blasters that can be made into all-one guns. and others that are so unique you just have to try them.

Knowing a little more about the features, like how hard they shoot and which ones are easier to use, can definitely save you some hassle.

Happy Nerfing!