From Thorn- Assassins: Concealed Carry 101

 Let me start by telling you a little about myself. I started organized nerfing as part of a group who ran “Assassins”-style games at a steampunk nightclub. Yes, really. As more members joined, we branched out and eventually started playing normal games, but the core lessons I learned playing with this group have stayed with me. It’s a rare day I’m not within arm’s reach of a loaded Nerf gun, even when far from home.

Why should you care? Carrying a Nerf blaster surreptitiously has a number of advantages, ranging from the obvious – if you’re playing Assassins yourself – to the more subtle, like to surprise an opponent in a regular team game by drawing a blaster they didn’t know you had.

Those who play Humans vs. Zombies on university campuses should also get some use from the following, because if you’re not recognized as prey, you can blend in to any ‘civilians’ in the game area with greater ease, escaping the notice of the horde (for extra points, pretend to be another zombie).

While you can get plenty of inspiration from real firearm concealed-carry methods, Nerf guns present a couple of significant differences you’ll have to take into account.

Firstly, most Nerf blasters are far bulkier than real firearms. Generally speaking, this rules out tucking it into a belt at the front or back and covering it with your shirt.

Secondly, most Nerf blasters also require two-handed operation to cock and fire or reload repeatedly.

To start with, I’ll introduce two basic concealment techniques: The pocket/sleeve hold, and the underarm position.

The pocket/sleeve hold is something most people do intuitively. Simply wear a jacket with a pocket or pair of cargo pants, hold the blaster in one hand and sick it in you pocket. The advantages are plain: You’ve already got your hand on the blaster, ready to draw and fire instantly. Your hand and sleeve conceals any protruding orange bits and disguises the shape of the blaster in your pocket.

The downside is that only the smallest blasters, such as the Secret Strike IX-1, the Reflex IX-1, Buzz Bee Tek 3, etc., can be used effectively in this manner unless your jacket or pants have very large pockets.

                                   1. A concealed Reflex IX-1. So easy, your boss could do it.

While using a small blaster like the Tek 3 or Secret Strike, try to hold the blaster so that your hand and sleeve covers as much of it as possible. This is to prevent people other than your target from seeing the blaster, and for him it’s too late.

                                           2. This should be the last thing your target sees.

The second carry method I’m showing you today is one which requires a short strap. I have one off an old laptop bag.

3. The Strap. And a hardwood floor.

A number of larger ‘pistol’ Nerf blasters such as the Spectre REV-5 and Recon CS-6 have strap loops on their grips. It can also be done with any similarly sized blaster.

4. Wearing an underarm blaster.

The Underarm position can also be achieved via the use of a Nerf Bandoleer. Simply hook the bandoleer on your belt loops over your shoulder like suspenders, and thread the blaster through the elastic loops.

5. Note the bandoleer clip is connected to the belt loop. Blaster is pointing outwards…

6. …so you can draw it easily.

The same lesson can be applied to larger blasters, like this Spectre, at the expense of a slightly more difficult draw. Note that I’ve looped the elastic around the protrusion near the stock anchor. This is to stop the blaster from falling out, since its added weight and bulk means it will swing while running. 

7. The Spectre in underarm position.

7. The Spectre in underarm position.

Thanks for tuning in to The Nerf Blog once more. I hope you find these interesting, and I’ll continue this series some time in the future to cover larger blasters and other accessories you can easily get to help keep your nerfing clandestine.