Hey uncle Thomas, I was thinking maybe we could go to the park and play some Nerf and stuff...

Nerf’mups

Here is trainee covert agent (code named) “Curly Red” of N.E.R.F. (National Emergency Response Force) undergoing arduous training by experienced members of N.E.R.D. (Netherlands Elite Recon Detachment). The trainee has just been handed an Exploriment Laboratory Nerf’mups to test and evaluate. The Nerf’mups is the latest in elite tactical specops commando Delta Ranger sniper covert SWAT mission counter-terrorist SEAL operator hostage rescue gear!! Red’s face has been obscured so that if he passes the rigorous selection and training and goes on real covert missions, he won’t be recognized by the evil forces arrayed against good order, decency and sanity.

Here is the Nerf’mups fitted with the Exploriment Laboratory Nerf StrikeFire Holster’mups.

On the right hand side is a Maxpedition Holder for his HyTek Komms X-5000.

Closer view of the Exploriment Laboratory Nerf StrikeFire Holster’mups, with a ready array of D.A.R.T.s (Debilating Ambulatory Resistor Traumatizers).

On the left hand side is a Maxpedition MiniRollyPolly, for quickly stowing spent mags in the heat of fearsome exchanges.

View from above.

Ammo ready and loaded for instant reloads. Strikefire ready and loaded for immediate response.

Besides chest rig mode, it can also be worn as a shoulder bag....

...or in bandoleer mode.

Easy access to the all important communications gear.

When fighting the fearsome foes the agents of N.E.R.F. will undoubtedly face, spent mags can be quickly stowed.

Some agents prefer their Holster’mups on their leg, but some prefer them high up on the chest for quick reaction drills when their primary weapon goes down.

The grooming standards in the elite N.E.R.F. are fairly relaxed. In order to blend in, hair is kept longer than usual, and clothes are casual and loose for strenuous physical combat, and emblazoned with familiar local symbols in order to not arouse suspicion on top secret covert missions. The Nerf’mups and weapon systems it supports is deployed only when there is no other option left but to engage the opposition. But make no mistake! These are the most fearsome foam flingers the world has ever seen!


I had the idea to make him a holster and a chest rig for his Nerf setup. He was running around trying to cram a Nerf pistol in his waistbelt and lugging a sleeping bag sack filled with magazines and loose darts around.
“No really, this works fine.”
“That nonsense makes the baby Buddha cry.”
So I built him this. I admittedly didn’t make it to the highest standards. I used up some crappy fake Cordura from a “Flash In The Can” conference attache case, some 420D-ish material, and some crummy floppy webbing I had from ages of scrounging. I didn’t sew it to exceptional tolerances. No bartacking, no triple stitching. It’s a kids plaything. No need to go overboard.

I would have made this out of something that photographs better than black, but I want to keep that for real stuff. And this also gave me a chance to purge some lesser quality stuff from the bins. 

Elastic retention on the mag pouches to allow for security and quick access.

Fun project to do. Just the satisfaction of making him something unique myself. I had previously made him a Batman Utility Belt, and this was just as much fun to make.

Holster’mups

My nephew is really into his Nerf guns. He got this set of Nerf Strikefire guns a while back, and I decided that I’d make him a holster for one of them as a Yule gift. (Gotta have a back up to the carbine.)

I ended up working off little more than a rough trace of it, since I didn’t want him to know what I was up to. Not optimal trying to make it without the actual item, consequently the fit is a bit looser than I would have liked, but it does fit, and that is ultimately what matters.

 Front, with loops for 6 backup darts.

Back, with PALS webbing and MALICE Clips.

I used some old 1050Denier ballistic nylon that I had gotten by taking apart an old pack, and as I manipulated and sewed it, all the waterproof coating started to flake off. After giving it to him I realized that I will have to add some very slick material into the bottom since the little Velcro crosses on the front of the darts stick to the material and pull them out of the barrel and the holder.

Sorry about the abysmal quality of the last two pictures, but I’ll get some better ones up soon.

Fun little project to do, and sewn by hand. If I had more time I’d redo it, but I’m sure he’ll have a blast running around with it. I’m also planning to make him a chest rig for his Nerf Recon CS-6, and he can use this holster in conjunction with it.

Nerf N-Strike Recon CS6

My nephew got one of these about a month ago and it’s been a favourite plaything for a while now. The stock is a bit flimsy, the “tactical light/laser” is a joke, the sight needs to be mounted on the back of the receiver, and the flip-up sight is pointless. But it’s a fun toy. And it’s pretty much a carbine that fires soft squishy pinkish orange darts. (They’re so soft and squishy that they don’t last for long. It’s a bit like an inkjet printer. The device doesn’t cost much, but the consumables end up costing you.)

He was a total fumbler with it at first. Struggling to get the magazine out, getting rounds jammed up inside it, pointing the muzzle at his face as he struggled with it, switching hands as he tried to manipulate it. No good.

First thing I taught him was safe firearms handling. Finger off the trigger, assume it’s always loaded, be aware at all times where the muzzle is pointed, and be certain of your target and what is beyond it. It took a lot of drilling to get those concepts into his head. “How am I supposed to shoot it if I can’t put my finger on the trigger?” But I made sure he understood those concepts entirely. As much a it may be argued that it’s merely a toy, I’d rather inculcate those concepts into his head now.

Then I moved on to how to hold it, aim it, use the sights, correct stance. I showed him how to remove the magazine (“Keep holding it in your right hand, use your left hand and pull the bolt back. Now take your index finger on your right hand and pull back the magazine release catch.”) Then I showed him how to clear jams. (“Pull back the bolt, flip up the flap and check the chamber. Can you push the round into the chamber? If so push it forward, close the flap and push the bolt forward. Rock on! Or if the round is jammed, pull back the magazine release catch and remove the magazine. Remove the round, reinsert the magazine and rock on!”) I had a prototype sling that I put it on it and showed him how to use it. From there I showed him how to move and shoot, do quick reloads, use cover, etc. If he had a Nerf pistol I would have showed him how to do transition drills.

I’ll have him ready for the zombie onslaught. :-)

As we were walking along that morning he said “See uncle Thomas. My finger isn’t on the trigger. And I’m making sure to point it in a safe direction.” Good lad.

He seems to dig the bandoleer, but I can tell he digs some of the rigs I have even more. I may have to sew him up a special one with pouches sized just for Nerf magazines, dump pouch, the whole deal.

Which I did.

Nerf’mups