:: Super Soaker: Soaker Wars Shot Blast

The Super Soaker SoakerWars Shot Blast is the largest of the SoakerWars Super Soaker series released in 2010 by Hasbro Inc. It is a pump-action blaster akin to the 2008 Super Soaker Quick Blast. However, unlike the Quick Blast, the Shot Blast features a number of improvements over its predecessor, notably in its styling, construction, and additional options. It should also be noted that the Shot Blast comes in two colour-schemes: red and blue. A Red SoakerWars Shot Blast is what was tested here at iSoaker.com.

The Blaster ::

Nozzle ::

The Shot Blast features a single, slightly larger than average nozzle, but with no direct trigger control. Interestingly, when first pumping the blaster, a single full pump does not yield a stream. Instead, it charges up the internal firing chamber. A second pump, however, unleashes the Shot Blast's respectably thick stream. The stream itself is pseudo-laminated, spreading slightly as it travels. Like the Quick Blast, the Shot Blast will only fire once adequate pressure is applied on the nozzle valve. If one pulls the pump slowly, the blaster will not fire immediately, instead slowly building up pressure within its small pseudo-pressure chamber.After the initial priming pump, each successive full pump is enough to get the blaster to fire. However, for those unable to push as hard on the pump, stream performance will still be quite good. When the nozzle valve is in its open position, force applied to the pump affects stream speed to some degree. What this nozzle prevents are dribble shots from a slowly pulled pump.

Since there is no manual way to open the nozzle valve after use. Thus, the Shot Blast must be air-pumped several times, generating mist shots, in an attempt to flush out the internal pressure chamber. This makes it rather difficult to completely dry out the blaster after use.

Pump ::

As noted already, the Super Soaker Shot Blast is a piston-based blaster, but it not necessaily fire from the nozzle with every pump. Despite not having a trigger, the Super Soaker Shot Blast has an internal spring-based pressure chamber that controls the nozzle valve. Enough water (or air, if cleaning) must be pumped into the pressure chamber before the blaster will fire. That said, after the initial priming pump, each successive full length pump will push enough water into the pressure chamber to trigger the activation of the nozzle valve. Pumping is smooth on the fully-tracked pump and the pump pushes a respectable amount of water per cycle. Thanks to the Shot Blast's nozzle valve, force of pumping does not directly translate into stream performance, with slow pumping still able to produce a relatively strong stream, though the firing will be delayed.

Grip and Accessories::

There is no manual trigger on the Super Soaker Shot Blast. The grip, however, has a good size and length, accomodating even the largest of hands comfortably. The pump grip and grip have some texturing and are very comfortable to hold, not likely to slip from one's hands even when wet.

Beyond the grip, the Shot Blast also features a detachable shoulder stock. The shoulder stock's length is adjustable to some degree and adds to the overall look and feel of this well-built blaster. Its usefulness, however, is limited as the stream's power is not to the point that significant recoil is felt to justify a rifle stock.

The Shot Blast after features a "Tactical Rail", something initially found on Nerf guns. The Tactical Rail is fully compatible with Nerf accessories and allows the attachment of a scope or other accessories.

The Reservoir ::

With the shotgun-type styling of the Shot Blast, something had to be sacrificed, namely reservoir capacity. The reservoir on the Shot Blast holds a decent amount of water, but it is on the lower-side for a blaster of this size. Thankfully, unlike the Quick Blast, the Shot Blast features a fully internal reservoir accessed via a screw-on tethered cap. The handle grip is actually also part of the reservoir with an intake tube feeding down into it, able to make use of the majority of the reservoir's contents. The Shot Blast feels well balanced both when full or when empty with the reservoir supplying able shots for its firing system

Overall ::

As a whole, the Super Soaker SoakerWars Shot Blast makes for a respectable, mid-sized, piston-based blaster. Its design draws heavily from the Nerf line and its construction feels very sturdy and durable. Thanks to its nozzle valve, the Shot Blast virtually always produces a good-powered stream, though there is a brief delay between pumping and stream generation. As well, if not enough pressure is generated on an incomplete pump, the Shot Blast will not fire at all. This can be of benefit for those who cannot pump as forcefully as streams from the Shot Blast have a minimum force to them. Then again, in the hands of an experienced water warrior, the Shot Blast can be quite effective.

Though beautifully built and capable of producing solid blasts of water, the Shot Blast feels a little underwhelming for a water blaster of its size. The shorter Flash Flood and Arctic Blast can push out more water in a single blast (though they also drain their reservoirs faster, too). Firing less water per shot does mean more time in between refills, but it also means less amount of soakage per shot. Nevertheless, the Shot Blast can make for a decent close-range blaster as well as a good option for small engagements or even scouting missions. Of course, versus larger water blasters capable of producing continuous streams, the Shot Blast's utility meets its limit.

Pros

Great styling, clean lines, and good solid feel to the soaker. Decent pump volume and reservoir capacity. Dribble shots virtually eliminated. Detachable shoulder stock and optional accessories to be used with the "Tactical Rail". Tethered reservoir cap.

Cons

Piston-based firing; continuous streams not possible. Delayed or even aborted firing if not enough pressure generated from pumping. Difficult to empty the pressure chamber; no manual way to open the nozzle valve. No strap.

   

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:: Submitted Reviews

By: Jason H

Soaker Name:Super Soaker Shot Blast
Pressurization System:Piston Pressure

Review:

The Shot Blast is the largest blaster in the "Soaker Wars" range. It's quite impressive, about a mid-weight water gun that fires a shot with each pull-back of the pump handle. It can perform up to about 40 of these at maximum capacity, which is about a litre and a bit, though you start to notice the blasts weakening at around 30. It also comes with a screw cap that is attached to a piece of plastic inside the gun that prevents it from falling off.

You may find that it comes with a shoulder stock and a scope which fits snuggly into the tactical rail, which apparently can fit in different accessories from the Nerf range. The shoulder stock doesn't actually do much. Although it can make precision shots more accurate, it makes the blaster more clumbersome to use, and there isn't any significant power to warrant a stock (although it is quite powerful).

As for the scope, it similarly doesn't do that much of a job either. The range of the Shot Blast simply isn't enough to need one, which is 25 feet according to the packet. It's blurry as well, although can be used to "scope" out targets (pun not intended).

Still, these are just bonuses for a pretty all-rounded blaster. You can choose for yourself whether to use the accessories or not. It does say "Offense" on the box I bought, but I woundn't be storming any enemy camp with it, simply because of it's slow rate of fire. But in modern times, the Shot Blast probably equates to your medium-build weapon. I found it quite light and it gave out a decent drench with each shot, but if you want to buy it is up to you.

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Related Links :.

 Product Listing Page | Super Soaker Product Evolution Tree 

Additional Resources

Water Blaster: Basics | Care, Cleaning, and Storage | Soaker Use: Basics|Repair Articles