From the Armory: Nerf Vortex Proton

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL RIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!

So last week we talked about the new Vortex line, so now its time to look at the individual blasters starting with the baby of the range, the Nite-Finder replacement known as the Proton.

The Proton is a single shot pistol, well suited for use as a sidearm. Its N-Strike companion is the venerable Nite-Finder, favorite among Nerfers for its compact size, versatility, and modibility. A stock Nite-Finders range about 10-15 ft. unmodded, compared to 40-60 for an unmodded Proton. So the range is impressive, but what about accuracy?

Well the Proton still uses the new disks, which do sacrifice some accuracy for range, but overall its great for an unmodded gun. The weapon is very stylized, but still maintains a straight line design on the top with a modular rail, so though it lacks hard sights, one can at least sight along the top the weapon. The grip is properly angled to be comfortable in most adult hands so its a comfortable weapon.

Now Nerf has made many wonderful single shots over the year and really, seen one seen them all. To make a good new gun, it has to have something to make it special. Aside from the ammo, the loading system is what makes this one stand out. Most single shots are front loaders, you load the ammo into the barrel from the front, but the Proton is a breach loader. The way the system work is, like a Nite-Finder, you pull a plastic loop on the back to the gun to cock it, but in the Proton it also opens a tray. You pop a disk into the tray, and flick the orange switch by your thumb and the tray shoots back into the gun. It is now primed and ready to fire from the trigger.

Now some say that this system is just for show, and is a needless over complication for a simple weapon, and that is quite true. Its a gimmick, its difference for difference sake, but in that comes a certain use. The main limitations of single shot weapons is rate of fire. Single shot means that you can fire one shot without reloading. So to prepare a new shot takes two motions: cocking the gun and loading a round. With the rear loading system, one can turn cocking and loading into one motion. With a bit of practice, you can hold a disk or two in your off hand (the one that doesn’t hold the gun) and as you pull open the tray, drop the disk in one motion into the tray, then snap the tray closed with your on-hand thumb. This makes loading take on average about half the time, not as fast as multi-shot weapon, but faster than a front loader, its kind of in the middle and occupies a nice place.

Now onto the big question: money. Single shots are generally the cheap guns, your eight dollar entry level guys. Nerf has been known to take new guns and up charge for their newness in comparison with an equivalent (and often times superior) older model. Well they’re on form here, ten bucks for the Proton as compared to eight for the Nite-Finder. But that doesn’t put me off, and neither should it put you off. Its a good gun, for a good price, which with a little training, can give you a solid weapon with a good rate of fire (approx. 30 rpm).

So in summation. The Proton is a solid single shot, breach loading sidearm that takes the new Vortex ammo. It is very reasonably priced, has a nice feel, and can used with a good rate of fire and great range for an out of the box gun. Due to the issues with accuracy, I give the proton 4 out of 5 disks.

Note: All reviews are based on test data on one example weapon, your results may vary due to differences in quality and ammunition.

Terms of Unfamiliarity:

Single Shot: can fire one shot without having to be reloaded.

Multi Shot: can fire more than one shot without having to be reloaded (does NOT mean fully automatic)

Muzzle/Front Loader: ammo is loaded into the barrel from the front

Breach Loader: ammo is loaded into the barrel from the back

The Nerf Proton© is the property of Hasbro Toys.