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[Raestin Ke'Varek]

NERF Conversion
Lead Author: Raestin Ke’Varek
Edited by: MMCC Education Team


This tutorial will help guide you through the process of modifying a NERF weapon with the goal of getting the weapon approved. It is not a complete guide but when used together with the Nerf Tutorial Video , you should be well on your way to creating a successful NERF conversion.



Conversion Tips

• Remove ALL functional equipment inside the gun.  Club rules prevent us from using functional weapons, even toy weapons.

• Do what you can to simplify the weapon. NERF weapons are generally way too busy.  Try and think "70's future tech".  The goal here is to make it look like it's from the SW universe....NOT Starship Troopers.

• Remove ALL lettering from the weapon.

• Do your best to identify the trademark NERF features from the weapon, and remove/modify them. (See below for reference images)

• Use things like sintra to create custom panels and pieces for the gun.  Changing the shape & profile of the weapon goes a LONG way.

• Remove as many of the rails as you can.  If you need one for a scope that's one thing....but you don't need 20 rails on it...

• Greeblies!!!  Seriously...the quickest and easiest way to swarz up a weapon is greeblies.  Try and integrate them well.  Don't just stick them in weird places.

• Fill ALL of the "toy" screw holes.  Real weapons have screws holding them together.  But we don't want to see any of the holes that say "I'm a toy"....

• Add a custom barrel.  PVC pipe and fittings are perfect for this.

• Open up the gun, and modify the trigger.  Cut it down, so it looks more like a realistic trigger.  This seems like a small thing, but it has a HUGE effect.

• Remove things like the access panel/vent, charging handle, and/or revolver section (if that applies).

• Scopes are always a great addition to a weapon.  Star Wars loves scopes... Even backwards mounted scopes... Just DON'T use an unmodified NERF scope...

• The stocks on NERF rifles ALWAYS need to be heavily modified.  They're just too easily recognized.  If you can...remove the stock, and switch it to something else.

• Paint your weapon to look realistic.  Weather it appropriately to match the weathering on your kit.  There are TONS of great videos online of how to paint/weather NERF guns.

But what about the Star Wars line of NERF guns you ask?  Surely they’re good to go right out of the box, right?  Well...they’re almost ready.  While the Star Wars line has indeed been modeled using existing canon references, and they’re very close to being ready to use, there are still things that you will need to do to make them passable.  Some of the things listed above, still hold true. 

• You still need to fill any of the “toy” screw holes.

• You still need to remove any lettering on the weapon.

• You might also need to look over the gun for any distinguishing NERF features that weren’t present on the canon weapon.  NERF loves putting those little triangles on things...PLEASE remove those.

• Finally….you still need to paint & weather the blaster in a realistic manner.

Reference Photos

Shown below are some reference photos of NERF blasters, and some of the most common features and areas that need attention when doing a conversion. Many of these features are so common, that you see them on most every NERF weapon.  Some of them can be a bit more subtle, but they all take away from the Star Wars aesthetic, and should be altered in some way. 

** Note: The following reference pics have MANY things that need to be changed on each gun.  For simplicity sake, we've highlighted only a few on each gun.

• The revolver section needs to be removed. Always.  It’s just too easy to spot.
• The triangles need to be removed. This is a VERY common NERF feature.

• The toy screw holes need to be filled in.
• The lettering needs to be removed.
• The grip needs to be modified.  It is still too busy.  Changing the shape/profile of the grip helps a lot on a NERF conversion.

• The access panel/vent needs to be removed or covered up.
• The "fake" wrap needs to be removed/covered.  This feature is present in all of the "zombie" line of NERF guns.
• The triangles need to be removed.

• The stock needs extensive modification.  In some cases, it's easier to remove it, and replace with something less NERF.
• The grip needs to be modified. The loop on the grip is pretty common, and an easily recognizable feature.
• The access panel/vent needs to be removed or covered.

• The lettering needs to be removed.
• The triangles on the barrel need to be removed.
• The unnecessary rails need to be removed.

• The charging handle needs to be removed.
• The triangles need to be removed.

• The lettering needs to be removed.
• The toy screw holes need to be filled in.
• The stock needs extensive modification.  In some cases, it's easier to remove it, and replace with something less NERF.

• A wrap is not sufficient to disguise a NERF blaster.  Only add a wrap AFTER the conversion is complete, and only to complement the build.
• The cocking lever/handle needs to be removed or heavily modified.
• The stock needs extensive modification.  In some cases, it's easier to remove it, and replace with something less NERF.

• The lettering needs to be removed.
• The trigger needs to be cut.

Nerf Conversion (Progress  Pics)

The following is a series of photos showing a start to finish NERF conversion of a Sledgefire blaster.



Base NERF Sledgefire:



Screw holes and lettering that need to be removed:







Stock and grip need to be removed / modified:



Starting to come together.  Words removed, parts of the blaster removed, SW scope assembly added, sintra panels added.





Custom sintra (6mm) foregrip added:



Custom barrel (travel hairspray can!) added:



Trigger cut, and grip filled in then shaped:



Adding little greeblies:





Base coat of black primer:





Base coat of metallic silver, followed by adding the black details:







Finished, weathered product:



















Before and After:

Photo permission courtesy of: Raestin Ke'Varek





Photo permission courtesy of: Kebiin Ke'Varek





Photo permission courtesy of: Anansi




In summary

There are more ways to modify nerf weapons for approvability than could possibly be listed.  Let your creativity go wild...just keep the Star Wars aesthetic in mind, make sure you eliminate the distinctly "nerf" features, and keep a WiP so you can get feedback and advice.  And most of all, have fun.

--MMCC Education Team--