Toyologist Review - Nerf N Strike Barricade MREV-10

I've said before that I don't really like guns as toys for children. I'm just uncomfortable with the concept. However, I know that it's impossible for me to ban them; they'll play with them anyway.It's just it makes me uncomfortable to hear children talking about shooting each other - even if they don't generally watch programmes with scenes of shooting.

That said, we've been sent Nerf guns before and at least they aren't harmful or anything. So, this time around, we get sent the Nerf N Strike Barricade to try out. It's smaller than the other Nerfs we've been sent previously - we got sent the Recon and the Rapid Fire Blaster before which are both huge. This size is far better for a boy of 6, which is the suggested lower age limit for Nerfs - and easier to run around with and perhaps the odd "stealth" mission.


The Barricade has a revolving 10-dart barrel blaster, which is battery powered, rather than the pump action of the other models we have. This makes a whirring noise which is about as close as you're going to get to sound effects.

I asked Monkey what he liked and disliked about the Barricade. He said he liked the fact that it was smaller and faster than the other guns, but what he doesn't like is that it sometimes gets jammed - if the darts gets misshapen in the barrel and catch, then they can get stuck. Could be lethal if you're on an important mission, I guess. Apart from that one flaw though, it's fairly solid and well made so unlikely to fall apart after a couple of plays.

Monkey decided to show off his gun to you and this was captured on video. Unfortunately, Windows Movie Maker has not transferred the audio for some reason (shakes fist at the injustice of it all) and so you'll miss out on the lovely whirring noise and my husband saying "don't shoot at the camera" but spot the flying darts.




I won't really change my misgivings about guns as toys for children, but this gun is good value. At least Nerfs are safe and provide some good clean fun. Monkey loves this more than the previous guns he was sent and it's not bad value at £17.99, especially as they are so well made compared to cheaper guns. Overall, it's a thumbs up from us, if you're comfortable with your kids having toy guns.

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(I was provided with the above toy to review and have received no other compensation. The opinions stated here are my own, and have not been influenced by the aforementioned compensation.)