Howdy, y’all! Alright, so it’s no secret I went to Toy Fair. And no secret I saw the Nerf showroom. And even less of a secret that they sent me a Dart Tag Quick 16! These are scheduled for a Spring release, along with the rest of the new Dart Tag blasters for 2011. It’s already popping up in online stores at $19.99. Shouldn’t be too long now before everything filters in and you can get them off the shelves yourself.

Alright, let’s get to it. The Quick 16!

https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

Right off, functionally speaking this is identical to a Nerf Raider Cs-35. You can see the similarities here:

From Nerf DT Quick 16

In the foregrip, the stock, even the action of the blaster. I say “similar” though because the main attraction of the new Dart Tag blasters is the internal clip.

From Nerf DT Quick 16

From Nerf DT Quick 16

Taking a similar page from N-Strike, the Quick 16 houses its ammo in an internal, attached clip/magazine as opposed to the front-loaded turrets or current removable Nerf N-Strike clips/magazines. The reload is pretty simple; take your Dart Tag darts and line them up with the internals of the clip until they just pop in. If you’re forcing them in considerably, then you’re doing it wrong. Fifteen more times, and you’re good to go. The firing action is identical to an N-Strike Raider CS-35, where pumping the blaster primes the blaster for a single shot or you can hold the trigger down and pump the blaster to engage slam fire.

The blaster’s comfy for me to hold, and I’m 5’7″. Dare I say it I think it feels even a bit more solid and of a stronger plastic than the N-Strike Raider.

I realize I’m drawing a lot of comparisons to the Raider and I wasn’t a fan of the N-Strike Alpha Trooper because of the similarities to a Raider. The underside-oriented internal clip is just enough difference for me that I find this more interesting and worth purchasing even if you already own a Raider.

You reload your darts one at a time, but the tactical implications to me read like this: Pop-pop-pop, cover, reload a bit. And continue. Never unload the entire clip unless necessary, work with a buddy, and keep your ammo handy to reload on the fly.. I’ll probably make a video of this later. The underside placement of the mag gives me the comfort I wanted out of the Trooper, as the included 35 round drum mag on a Raider feels awkward at times, and I also feel a faster and handy reload mechanism. Back to carrying an ammo pouch, and not fumbling with pockets full of mags. Even better, this thing will fire most types of darts. Assuming proper placement of the dart in the clip and the dart is in good condition you should be able to use anything BESIDES STREAMLINE DARTS, which not fire out of a Quick 16. Interesting side note, there are no tactical rails, and none of the N-Strike stocks I tried out would fit the rear portion of the Quick 16. It was wider, and not accepting of the connectors.

From Nerf DT Quick 16

In any event, I really dig the Quick 16 and intend to get the rest of the new Dart Tag blasters. The internal clip is definitely a different way to play, and adds a nice little change of tactics than what the N-Strike mags and current blasters offer right now. I am looking forward to seeing how the new blasters affect the landscape of the NDTL. Even more interesting, the box says the NDTL will be on ESPN this year… VERY INTERESTING INDEED.

Big thanks to Nerf for sending me this blaster! I appreciate getting a look before they land in stores!

Ready, Aim, NERF!

– @VasTheStampede