If you do an internet search on modifying nerf guns the range of mods being done to these things are amazing. Some websites will give you step-by-step instuctions from everything from painting to increasing the range and power of nerf guns.

So nerf has no gotten into the feild of LARP weapons :)

I've had my eye on two models for a couple of years now, but I'm torn which to get: the Longstrike or the Longshot? Both tempt me every time I go to Target's toy aisle. (sigh)

Trazalca, I don't know about the Longstrike, but the Longshot is a mess.  It's got so many special features that it causes the whole thing to be unreliable.  The Longstrike looks as though it's a simpler design, but considering the review above, you might want to give one of the new Vortex guns a serious look.  The Nitron is particularly awesome looking.

 My roomies and I have had the melee weapons for a while, though the local store doesn't sell the hatchet.  Sadness.  However, the axes, swords, shield, and mace are all part of our arsenal of destruction for spring and summer.  I wonder what the range is on that Praxis... I love having really, really good range.

That n-strike gun is a popular one to repaint for steampunk stuff.  In fact, I was in a play which did a steampunk theme and that was what we were armed with for props.  Of course, the first thing they tell you to do is sand off the label that says, "Do not modify in any way."  lol

Years ago I went garage saling in this neighborhood where the entire community was participating.  Seventy five percent of the garages were open containing tables filled with tchotchkeys and junk.  Every garage had at least one nerf bow and quiver of arrows hung on the wall.  I grew curious and one father informed me that the bows and arrows had been the hot toy the previous summer and every kid in the development had gotten one.  I guess they were still in use because they were NOT for sale.

I've seen foam pirate cutlasses in toy stores.  I don't know if they were nerf or a knock off brand but they looked cool.

Where was all this when I was a kid??? A kid in the seventies, that is... :(

My son was heavily into the NERF rifles when he was younger. We used to paint them all flat black which really made them look cool. Then, as he got older, he got into airsoft.

What no Oozinator 2? 

I got jipped as a kid. We made swords out of Sticks, logs and lumber, and sprained, broke and other wised assulted each others joints and bones. Kids today and going to grow up fat but with full mental ability... we might get screen plays and tv series again.

We used broomsticks as lightsabres.  It tended to result in lots of cuts and bruises, but nothing too serious.  The Nerf weapons might not cut you, but they are more than capable of leaving a big bruise.  They're certainly less likely to cause a concussion than being whacked upside the head with a broomstick, though.

I don't think they make the bow & arrow anymore, Karas.  I haven't seen them in a while.  I haven't seen the Nerf rocket launcher depicted above in a while, either.

I bought the Stonewall Shield for my youngest nephew, so that he'd be better able to defend himself against his older brother.  It's pretty worthless.  All it has to secure it to one's arm is a single cloth ring in the center of the shield's back, instead of a strap on one side and a handle on the other, like anyone with half an ounce of sense would design.