Arrowstorm

Arrowstorm
Also known as
Arrowstorm Gatling Unit, Firestorm
Release information
Brand / Series	Nerf
Release date	1993
Shelf status	Discontinued
Averageretail price	24.99 USD
Product features
Stockammunition type	11" arrows
Internals type	Direct plunger
Dimensions	17.5" x 8.5" x 5.3" 44.5cm x 21.5cm x 13.5cm
Weight	1 lb 0.4 kg
Product performance
Priming mechanism	Pump-action
Mode of fire	Single-fire
Rate of fire	3 arrows per second

This product has been discontinued. It cannot be purchased in retail stores. The only way to obtain it is through second-hand websites and stores.

The Arrowstorm (known on packaging as the Arrowstorm Gatling Unit and known as the Firestorm outside of North America) is a Nerf blaster that was released in 1993 under the Original Nerf name.

It comes packaged with six arrows.

Details

The Arrowstorm, at the time of its launch, was one of the biggest Nerf blasters produced. The size of the blaster and the way it is fired makes it necessary to have both hands on the blaster at all times. It has a rotating barrel that holds six arrows. When the blaster is pulled back, the barrel automatically rotates. There is a built-in carrying handle on top of the blaster. Iron sights are also found on the carrying handle. Though a trigger well is seen on the design of the Arrowstorm, a trigger is not present; at the time of its release, the only blaster to have a trigger was the Sharpshooter.

The barrels of the blaster are interesting in that they contain no caps, allowing whatever the user decides to insert into the barrel to be fired, though some variants of the blaster allegedly do feature caps on the end of each barrel. This allows the blaster to not only be compatible with Mega Darts, but also Micro Darts and Elite Darts as well as their individual variants. When loading Elite Darts and other flat-tipped dart, one has to take note not to tilt the blaster backwards or the dart may fall into the air release hole. On a similar note, tilting the blaster downwards will cause the dart to fall out of the blaster when using this type of ammunition.

History

The Arrowstorm was widely considered to be among the best blasters ever released in the early Nerf community, with Nerfers consistently hailing the blaster as among the best well into the late 1990's. The blaster most likely earned its reputation through its power, performance, and innovative, as well as generally intimidating, design.

At the time of its launch, the Arrowstorm was heavily promoted, appearing in catalogs until 1995 and often being the centerpiece of television advertisements depicting more than one Nerf blaster. A famous television advertisement featuring actor Devon Sawa aired in 1993 with the tagline "If you don't have the Nerf Arrowstorm, you're just another target". It was apparent that Kenner viewed the Arrowstorm as the flagship blaster in the Nerf line for the 1993/1994 seasons.

Though the title "Arrowstorm" does not appear to have any negative connotations, when launched for an international audience the blaster was renamed to "Firestorm" instead. This name would later be reused on a Koosh Vortex blaster several years later. The Arrowstorm was scheduled to make an appearance in the 1995 Max Force: The Video Game, though this would be eventually canceled before release.

Modification

An Arrowstorm contains no air restrictors and, because it has such a strong stock performance, has little modification potential. The stock string is incredibly powerful on its own. On the other hand, barrel replacements have often been completed by modders. Seal improvements and minor cosmetic adjustments, mostly the ability to make the blaster rear-load, are also popular choices. Lastly, airflow improvements have also been completed from time to time. The Arrowstorm, though unable to have many serious modifications, is still able to sustain powerful but simple modification without major overhaul.

Reloading and firing

To reload, place up to six arrows onto the barrel/muzzle of the blaster.

To fire the Arrowstorm, pull back the back handle on the blaster and push it forward.

Trivia

• The blaster is similar in design and name to the Missilestorm, though the two blasters differ wildly in performance, size and ammunition. Interestingly, some advertisements used the similarities of the two blasters to a marketing advantage, as seen in 1993 Kenner catalogs.
• Mega Darts, when placed in the barrel of this blaster, reach distances of around fifty feet.
• There are two reported variations of the Arrowstorm: one has the open slits near the turret, and the other has only the outline for the slits.
• Although the blaster is discontinued, a rival company to Nerf named Air Zone has produced a blaster named the Arrowstorm that is extremely similar to Nerf's Arrowstorm.

Gallery

The packaging of the Arrowstorm.

The packaging of the Firestorm.

Official videos

Devon Sawa in Nerf Arrow Storm Ad from 1993

External links

• Arrowstorm instructions on the Hasbro website