I love Mavericks. Easy to mod, readily available in large numbers - they're versatile and reliable -- the old standby. I don't care what kind of new pistols NERF comes out with -- I will still mod these puppies as long as they are available. Yeah, the Elite Strongarm is a better blaster head to head in straight-up combat and performance, but you can't easily do a removable Cylinder Mod on a Strongarm. And nothing says "Old School Hotness" like a modded Maverick.
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Modified NERF Maverick "Tac Ops"
First
in Maverick Gallery is "Tac Ops". The ultimate in zombie defense handguns. Shooting darts over twice as far as a stock Maverick allows you to take out more Zeds faster,
before they close the distance, or break your defenses. The tactical LED
ensures efficient target acquisition in low light conditions. Drop
cylinders ensure you won't be fumbling with ammo as you mow down waves
of the undead.
For those not familiar with the term "Removable Cylinders" or this type of mod; this mod allows the use of additional Maverick cylinders (or Cylindrical Magazines) to be swapped out as reloads. I normally include one spare cylinder, but have been known to include more upon request. Customers can also opt to cannibalize other old Mavericks to create additional spare cylinders (or Cylindrical Magazines).
Reinforced body and shell for balanced heft and additional durability. Reinforcing the body and shell also helps minimize any rattle or "plastic" sounds.
Performance Mods:
- Solid Clutch
- Spring Compression
- Nozzle Spring
- Additional trigger spring
- Air restrictors removed
- Air tight barrels
- Cylinder springs
- Drop cylinder mod
Final ranges: 70+ (angled) 40-55ft PTG using Elite darts.
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For those not familiar with the term "Removable Cylinders" or this type of mod; this mod allows the use of additional Maverick cylinders (or Cylindrical Magazines) to be swapped out as reloads. I normally include one spare cylinder, but have been known to include more upon request. Customers can also opt to cannibalize other old Mavericks to create additional spare cylinders (or Cylindrical Magazines).
Reinforced body and shell for balanced heft and additional durability. Reinforcing the body and shell also helps minimize any rattle or "plastic" sounds.
Performance Mods:
- Solid Clutch
- Spring Compression
- Nozzle Spring
- Additional trigger spring
- Air restrictors removed
- Air tight barrels
- Cylinder springs
- Drop cylinder mod
Final ranges: 70+ (angled) 40-55ft PTG using Elite darts.
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Custom Modified NERF Maverick "The Constable"
Performance
modified, featuring open-front quick load cylinder; load directly into
the exposed barrels. Four barrels are exposed at all times. Shooter
either can opt to press the cylinder button and spin the cylinder to
expose the remaining two barrels, or pull the trigger to advance the
barrels, similar to the Barricade, Fury Fire or Lanard X-8.
Reinforced body and shell, removed restrictors, air-tight barrels, spring compression, improved air seal, trigger spring mod, air nozzle spring, wood grip.
This was the first Maverick mod I had done eliminating the lower support. This mod doesn't leave much plastic to support the cylinder -- although I am sure it would have held and been strong enough, I opted to add a metal bracket to maximize durability and help keep things solid. In the pic you can just make out the metal nut securing the metal bracket in front of the cylinder.
This was the first Maverick mod I had done eliminating the lower support. This mod doesn't leave much plastic to support the cylinder -- although I am sure it would have held and been strong enough, I opted to add a metal bracket to maximize durability and help keep things solid. In the pic you can just make out the metal nut securing the metal bracket in front of the cylinder.
Final ranges were 60+ (angled) 40-50ft PTG using Whistlers. (this was before Elite darts were available)
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Custom Modified NERF Maverick Mod "Black Ops"
Another performance modified custom NERF Maverick, also featuring removed air
restrictors, air-tight barrels, increased spring compression, improved
air seal, drop cylinder mod, bolt-mounted LED, additional trigger
spring, air nozzle spring and custom wood grip.
This was an awesome blaster. The grip shape came out perfect. I loved way this one felt in your hand. I reinforced the body and shell, balancing the weight evenly for improved heft, aim and durability. Reinforcing the body and shell also helps minimize any rattle or "plastic" sounds.
Final ranges: 70+ (angled) 40-55ft PTG using Elite darts.
This was an awesome blaster. The grip shape came out perfect. I loved way this one felt in your hand. I reinforced the body and shell, balancing the weight evenly for improved heft, aim and durability. Reinforcing the body and shell also helps minimize any rattle or "plastic" sounds.
Final ranges: 70+ (angled) 40-55ft PTG using Elite darts.
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Custom Modified NERF Maverick 'Tsarist Fury'
Heavily modified and customized NERF Maverick featuring
wood and brass hybrid cylinder support, custom wood grip, removed
restrictors, air-tight barrels, spring compression mod, improved air
seal and additional trigger spring.
High concept: "Hell Hath No Fury Like a Tsar Scorned" or something like that. The idea behind this one was to create an elegant and elaborate, flowing piece - the kind of Royal weapon that might be commissioned by some now long forgotten Tsar.
Instead of elegant and flowing, it kinda morphed into a bulbous monstrosity. The handle on top kind of reminded me of the traditional Russian onion domes, but in hindsight it just looks gawdy and garish. That little ball is solid metal -- and weighs as much if not more than the rest of the blaster combined - including the wood pieces. Sheesh.
This was before I had really done any "Steampunk" designs. You can see the strong military influence of my paint with the Flat Black base coat. In hindsight I should have done a combination of metallic colors and weathering for the body.
The metal cylinder support was made from an old curtain rod assembly. While not originally designed to be, this blaster can easily be used as a "removable cylinder mod", where additional Maverick cylinders (or Cylindrical Magazines) can be swapped out as reloads.
The wood grip and front assembly are firmly anchored into the shell with bolts and brackets. This has to be the most extensive modification I've done with a Maverick - or at least tied with "Todesengel". The blaster can still be disassembled if needed for further modification and/or repair.
A gun that looks this strange and unique needs to perform as well. The trigger was stiff and the slider spring struggled to keep that heavy bulb on top from moving around, but the blaster performed well in final tests. Final ranges were 60+ (angled) 40-50ft PTG using Whistlers. (this was before Elite darts were available)
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Custom Modified "NERF HvZ Super Uber Ultra Jager Maverick"
Uber deluxo performance modified Maverick. LED/laser combo unit, allows for use with pressure switch or without, holographic red dot/green dot scope, removable cylinders and two upper/lower metal weaver tactical rails bolted into gun body. Top rail elevated and adjustable at the rear portion to allow accurate scope sighting (Scope rail aims down a bit to compensate for dart dropping in flight)
This has to be one of my favorite Maverick Mods of all time. This thing was a hefty beast, solid and intimidating. I had reinforced the shell and body to help balance the nose-heavy attachments. Reinforcing the body and shell also helps minimize any rattle or "plastic" sounds. The result was a blaster with the heft and feel of a real pistol. Freaking awesome.
The Laser/LED Combo unit allows for use with or without the pressure switch - so for example if you don't want to give away your position by having the laser or light on at all times -- you simply strap the pressure switch to the pistol grip and press down to activate. If, however, you want to simply turn them on and leave them on, you can remove the cord and toggle the functions.
The Scope is actually accurate up to around 40-50 feet. This is done by angling the sight downwards to compensate for darts dropping in flight. Whistlers seem to be more accurate than Elite darts - although you give up some distance.
This Maverick was so impressive, so freaking awesome -- that it screamed for a holster. I ended up converting and adapting a Mil-Spec Drop Leg Thigh Holster. I had created some simple Mil-Spec Drop Leg Holsters for Mavericks in the past -- but for this creation I wanted a spare cylinder holder -- as well as a way to carry the attachments; the LED/Laser combo unit and Scope.
The Laser/LED Combo unit allows for use with or without the pressure switch - so for example if you don't want to give away your position by having the laser or light on at all times -- you simply strap the pressure switch to the pistol grip and press down to activate. If, however, you want to simply turn them on and leave them on, you can remove the cord and toggle the functions.
The Scope is actually accurate up to around 40-50 feet. This is done by angling the sight downwards to compensate for darts dropping in flight. Whistlers seem to be more accurate than Elite darts - although you give up some distance.
This Maverick was so impressive, so freaking awesome -- that it screamed for a holster. I ended up converting and adapting a Mil-Spec Drop Leg Thigh Holster. I had created some simple Mil-Spec Drop Leg Holsters for Mavericks in the past -- but for this creation I wanted a spare cylinder holder -- as well as a way to carry the attachments; the LED/Laser combo unit and Scope.
Of course I don't have the final pic anymore, but you can get the idea above. I ended up using a camera lens pouch for the Scope Pouch. It worked perfect. The spare cylinder is held on the outside of the holster - it cinches down tight around the "narrow" area of the Maverick cylinder -- ensuring it won't fall out during sustained operations.
Seriously, once you strap this thing to your leg you feel like some Foam Slinging NERF Pimp saying, "Come At Me, Zombro!" all day long. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't regret selling it. I regret selling everything. I want to keep you all!
Mods:
- Spring compression
- Removed restrictors/posts
- Air tight barrels
- Improved air seal
- Nozzle Spring Mod
- Upsized O-ring
- Trigger spring mod
- Reinforced body and shell
- Bolt mounted weaver rails
- LED Laser Combo Unit
- Leapers Red Dot/Green Dot Holographic Scope
Ranges: 75+ feet (angled) 45-55ft PTG using Elite Darts.
You can see the upper Tactical Rail is a Picatinny Rail - while the lower Tac Rail is a Weaver Rail. A good side by side comparison of the two common rail types. I epoxied the anchor nuts into the maverick body -- to one side of the shell only. This allows the rails to be removed, and allows the Maverick shell to come apart if needed for further modification and/or repair.
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Heavily modified high performance Nerf Maverick with wood grip / handle. Steampunk style. Shoots Whistlers 55+ feet PTG. Quick-load feature; Simply load rounds into the exposed barrels without taking your shooting hand away from the trigger. Ended up calling it "Todesengel" for it's awesome power.
"Todesengel" means Angel of Death in German.
This is the second most complex and extensive mod I've ever done on a Maverick. The cylinder support is anchored inside the blaster body for maximum strength. It's also made to come apart again for further modification and/or repair if needed.
For some reason this thing ended up being super powered and Uber-Badarse. The shape seen above the cylinder is a spring housing that pulls the compression tube against the cylinder - to ensure maximum air seal at all times. It's an attempt to squeeze every bit of power out of the limited Maverick design. I've never had a Maverick make such a loud "pop" sound each time it fired. Insane.
While I had done a fair number of Wood Grip Mavericks in the past, this was one of my first "Steampunk" variants. I used Rustoleum hammered metallic paints in combination with a dark wash. At this point in modding I had never really attempted weathering - I had always done more military or tactical style paint.
Final ranges: 45-55ft PTG, 70+ ft (angled) using Whistler darts. Yeah, you read that right -- 70+ with Whistlers! This was before Elite darts were available.
Performance Mods:
- Solid Clutch
- Spring Compression
- Nozzle Spring
- Additional trigger spring
- Air restrictors removed
- Air tight barrels
- Cylinder spring
- Quick load cylinder
- Custom wood grip
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I made this as sort of a novelty project. The more I tested this thing, the more I realized it could actually be a decent main weapon in HvZ.
Everyone loves the 18 shot Maverick.
Removed restrictors, air-tight barrels, improved seal, spring compression, extra trigger spring.
Shoots Whistlers 40-55+ ft PTG (60+ angled) Elites 50-60ft PTG. (70+ angled) It's compact, decent ammo capacity... it's not just a novelty -- it also kicks some butt!
In hindsight the one thing I would change on these is the bolts securing the cylinders -- I followed the traditional design for this and used two separate nut and bolt assemblies -- one in the front and one in the rear. The entire body could be reinforced by using one long bolt instead of two -- this would link the lower span and strengthen the overall structure. (if that makes sense)
I need to make a few of these with wood grips - and maybe a full rifle stock. (note to self...)
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Dual cylinder high performance Maverick. Shaved body, steel slide handle and steel lanyard ring. Wood pistol grip. Shoots Whistlers 40-50 feet PTG. Elites 40-55ft PTG, 65+ angled.
The grip on this one turned out perfect - at least for my hand. This is my favorite removable cylinder gun of all time. The body was shaved and streamlined - the shell weighted and balanced. The slider on top allows for some fast shooting -- it won't beat a Strongarm with slamfire -- but still makes for an awesome competition grade blaster.
Performance Mods:
- Solid Clutch
- Spring Compression
- Nozzle Spring
- Additional Trigger Spring
- Posts & Restrictors Removed
- Air Tight Barrels
- Removable Cylinder Mod
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Not all Maverick Mods need to be slick tactical rigs or accessory laden Steampunk jobs - some can be done just for fun. In fact, since most competitive NERF games require some kind of yellow safety tip and some groups don't even allow painted blasters at all, having several brightly colored "Frankenstein" guns on hand can be highly beneficial...
Just like the title says, this is a spare parts Maverick. The slider and cylinder are from an older blue Maverick model, the shoulder stock is (obviously) from a Recon, and there's an old LED painted yellow and mounted to the bottom rail with machine screws.
It's got the simple "drop out cylinder mod", removed posts & restrictors, airtight barrels, spring compression and air nozzle spring. The Recon stock is firmly anchored inside the handle for maximum strength. It's a fun piece to play with, even if only as a secondary weapon.
Ironically, it feels like you're wielding some kind of SMG - it definitely feels more powerful than it is. The biggest risk you run is feeling overconfident with the awesome shoulder stock and tacticool LED -- only to then remember that all you really have in your hands is a Maverick.
For fun at one point we were toying with the idea of adding a scope, but decided that would be excessive.
The scope interferes with your hand when priming. If I had a spare yellow NERF Aimpoint scope on the other hand, I would definitely throw it on there... FTW
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Performance Mods:
- Solid Clutch
- Spring Compression
- Nozzle Spring
- Additional Trigger Spring
- Posts & Restrictors Removed
- Air Tight Barrels
- Laser
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You can see the upper Tactical Rail is a Picatinny Rail - while the lower Tac Rail is a Weaver Rail. A good side by side comparison of the two common rail types. I epoxied the anchor nuts into the maverick body -- to one side of the shell only. This allows the rails to be removed, and allows the Maverick shell to come apart if needed for further modification and/or repair.
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Custom Modified NERF Maverick "Todesengel"
Heavily modified high performance Nerf Maverick with wood grip / handle. Steampunk style. Shoots Whistlers 55+ feet PTG. Quick-load feature; Simply load rounds into the exposed barrels without taking your shooting hand away from the trigger. Ended up calling it "Todesengel" for it's awesome power.
"Todesengel" means Angel of Death in German.
This is the second most complex and extensive mod I've ever done on a Maverick. The cylinder support is anchored inside the blaster body for maximum strength. It's also made to come apart again for further modification and/or repair if needed.
For some reason this thing ended up being super powered and Uber-Badarse. The shape seen above the cylinder is a spring housing that pulls the compression tube against the cylinder - to ensure maximum air seal at all times. It's an attempt to squeeze every bit of power out of the limited Maverick design. I've never had a Maverick make such a loud "pop" sound each time it fired. Insane.
While I had done a fair number of Wood Grip Mavericks in the past, this was one of my first "Steampunk" variants. I used Rustoleum hammered metallic paints in combination with a dark wash. At this point in modding I had never really attempted weathering - I had always done more military or tactical style paint.
Final ranges: 45-55ft PTG, 70+ ft (angled) using Whistler darts. Yeah, you read that right -- 70+ with Whistlers! This was before Elite darts were available.
Performance Mods:
- Solid Clutch
- Spring Compression
- Nozzle Spring
- Additional trigger spring
- Air restrictors removed
- Air tight barrels
- Cylinder spring
- Quick load cylinder
- Custom wood grip
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Custom Modified 18 Round NERF Maverick Mod
aka "The Trifecta"
I made this as sort of a novelty project. The more I tested this thing, the more I realized it could actually be a decent main weapon in HvZ.
Everyone loves the 18 shot Maverick.
Removed restrictors, air-tight barrels, improved seal, spring compression, extra trigger spring.
Shoots Whistlers 40-55+ ft PTG (60+ angled) Elites 50-60ft PTG. (70+ angled) It's compact, decent ammo capacity... it's not just a novelty -- it also kicks some butt!
In hindsight the one thing I would change on these is the bolts securing the cylinders -- I followed the traditional design for this and used two separate nut and bolt assemblies -- one in the front and one in the rear. The entire body could be reinforced by using one long bolt instead of two -- this would link the lower span and strengthen the overall structure. (if that makes sense)
I need to make a few of these with wood grips - and maybe a full rifle stock. (note to self...)
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Custom Modified NERF Maverick "The Shootist"
Dual cylinder high performance Maverick. Shaved body, steel slide handle and steel lanyard ring. Wood pistol grip. Shoots Whistlers 40-50 feet PTG. Elites 40-55ft PTG, 65+ angled.
The grip on this one turned out perfect - at least for my hand. This is my favorite removable cylinder gun of all time. The body was shaved and streamlined - the shell weighted and balanced. The slider on top allows for some fast shooting -- it won't beat a Strongarm with slamfire -- but still makes for an awesome competition grade blaster.
Performance Mods:
- Solid Clutch
- Spring Compression
- Nozzle Spring
- Additional Trigger Spring
- Posts & Restrictors Removed
- Air Tight Barrels
- Removable Cylinder Mod
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"Old Yeller" The Spare Parts Maverick
Not all Maverick Mods need to be slick tactical rigs or accessory laden Steampunk jobs - some can be done just for fun. In fact, since most competitive NERF games require some kind of yellow safety tip and some groups don't even allow painted blasters at all, having several brightly colored "Frankenstein" guns on hand can be highly beneficial...
Just like the title says, this is a spare parts Maverick. The slider and cylinder are from an older blue Maverick model, the shoulder stock is (obviously) from a Recon, and there's an old LED painted yellow and mounted to the bottom rail with machine screws.
It's got the simple "drop out cylinder mod", removed posts & restrictors, airtight barrels, spring compression and air nozzle spring. The Recon stock is firmly anchored inside the handle for maximum strength. It's a fun piece to play with, even if only as a secondary weapon.
Ironically, it feels like you're wielding some kind of SMG - it definitely feels more powerful than it is. The biggest risk you run is feeling overconfident with the awesome shoulder stock and tacticool LED -- only to then remember that all you really have in your hands is a Maverick.
For fun at one point we were toying with the idea of adding a scope, but decided that would be excessive.
The scope interferes with your hand when priming. If I had a spare yellow NERF Aimpoint scope on the other hand, I would definitely throw it on there... FTW
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Custom Modified Laser Maverick
Over time I had several customers ask for basic performance modified Mavericks. They didn't want the fancy wood grips or removable cylinders. Started making variants in flat black and/or satin black combinations. I ended up throwing a pressure switch operated laser to complete the setup. These were more popular than I expected for such a simple mod.Performance Mods:
- Solid Clutch
- Spring Compression
- Nozzle Spring
- Additional Trigger Spring
- Posts & Restrictors Removed
- Air Tight Barrels
- Laser
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Custom Modified Ultimate NERF Maverick - "Overkill"
This is one of two matching Silver/Black NERF Mavericks with removable cylinders and custom wood grip. This variant has a Weaver rail on the lower span, and a Picatinny rail on the upper. The Picatinny rail is slightly elevated at the rear to allow for accurate scope aiming. The scope aims down slightly to compensate for darts dropping in flight.
In the below mock-up I was pondering some detachable metal stocks.