So you want to mod the barrel on your Nerf gun so it will shoot farther?

That’s understandable.

The three most commonly used materials for this mod are:

  • Brass Barrel – Most Popular
  • CPVC Barrel
  • PETG Barrel

Chances are you’ve looked around and to much demise, have no idea what type of material you should use for the barrel. Don’t fret, I’ve been where you are, and was clueless as to how to go about doing it.

After sifting through hundreds of pages I managed to get a good grasp of how this is done and to save you the hassle. Here is what you need to know about the different barrel sizes and materials.

But First, Why Even Mod The Barrel?

The major reason why Nerfers mod the barrel is to increase shooting distance. The standard barrel that comes with most Nerf blasters, including N-Strike Nerf guns, is considerably larger than the dart, which doesn’t allow much air pressure to build up.

By decreasing the ID (inner diameter) of the barrel size so it is closer to the OD (outer diameter) of your darts, there will be less room around the dart for air to pass, allowing more pressure to build up behind the dart.

What’s the Trick to Getting The Most Range?

It’s important to know that you will not get maximum range if the dart fits too loosely or too tightly in your barrel. For maximum range you generally want the dart to go into the barrel without having to twist or wedge it in.

A dart should fit in snug enough that it doesn’t fall out when the barrel is held vertically but comes out with a decent puff of air.

To test a barrel you can perform what is called a drop test.

  • Hold the barrel vertically
  • Insert a dart
  • If the dart falls through then the barrel is too big

If it fits in easily without twisting then proceed to blow into the barrel with a small burst of air.

If it comes out then you have a winner!

Breakdown of CPVC, PETG, & Brass

Again, the three most commonly used materials for a barrel mod are CPVC, PETG, and Brass tubing.  I will list the ideal barrel size for each material.

CPVC as a Nerf Gun Barrel

CPVC stands for Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride. Basically, all you need to know is that it is just an acronym that tells the buyer the chemical compatibility of the “plastic” piping.

nerf barrel pvc

Many people use CPVC because it’s cheap, easy to work with, and available in sizes that will easily fit a Nerf dart.

nerf barrel pvc 1

You can find a huge selection of CPVC on Amazon along with the tools to cut it.

nerf barrel pvc 2

Brass as a Nerf Gun Barrel

Brass is also used because of its availability in small sizes. Another big reason to use Brass is because of its polishing abilities. It can be polished to a finer tolerance, meaning that there will be less friction on darts that pass through it.

brass nerf barrel

Many Nerfers buy polished 17/32 Brass (best size for Nerf Brass Barral) tubing for that reason. However, the only drawback to using polished 17/32 Brass is the price, but I have found a deal on Amazon, under $9 for a 12″ piece of polished 17/32 Brass. Of all the options, Brass makes the most sense if you are looking for serious performance. If you do go with Brass, the size you should use is 17/32, which fits streamline darts. The drawback to using brass is epoxy glue doesn’t stick to it as well, and its also tougher to cut.

brass nerf barrel

PETG as a Nerf Gun Barrel

Why is PETG used? Because it’s clear and looks cool on a Nerf gun. It is also available in small sizes.

If you want a barrel that outperforms the stock barrel on your Nerf gun, yet also something that looks cool, then PETG is a good choice.

petg nerf barrel

Aside from looking cool, it also is easier to cut, easier to glue, and light enough to use on a Nerf gun with an auto-rotating barrel without hindering performance.

You can find a huge selection of PETG on Amazon along with the tools to cut it.

petg nerf barrel

So, Which Should You Use?

I and many other Nerfers swear by Brass, it works phenomenally and can add 15 feet in range to a stock Nerf gun.

Do some other mods and you can easily get TWICE that!

However, while we do love brass, there are some benefits of getting the other two. Here is a quick summary of the benefits of each of the above materials:

  • If you’re on a budget, CPVC can’t be beaten!
  • If you want performance, 17/32″ Brass is the best!
  • If you need something light, PETG is perfect!

Get Started! Here’s Some 17/32 Brass For Sale

Since you’ll probably be buying some Brass of your own to mod your Nerf gun’s barrel, here’s a fantastic deal on 1 foot of polished 17/32″ Brass and the tools to cut and polish it.