Critical Reviews - BuzzBee Toys - Thundershot

[@MongooseJakeNerf]

Well, on the viability or worthwhileness of making a better hammer and trigger... I'm making metal replacements for the two worse internal versions I bought locally. Also, for anyone looking to see the side by side difference, my Revisiting video shows it. Also x2: Captain, if you go in person to look for a second, prime the blaster. If the trigger moves, it's the same as the one you've got. If the trigger is unaffected by the prime, it's the actual black catch model.

[@connerturner529]

Wonderful video, I'm curious if BuzzBee is going through company changes, a change in manufacturer or something like that, and that's why, because that would explain the change in cylinder finish as well. The Thundershot makes me excited largely because of the shell, I love the multiple pieces, it's a cheaper way to get more color than paint I would imagine, and it increases cosmetic mod potential and ease of disassembly, because while all that's been made so far is replacement pistol grips you could just as easily make an old west style rifle grip/stock that would look great on that thing.

[@camerongrandstaff5008]

With a better grip, rear load vents, an upgrade to extended metal hammer and trigger, as well as a spring upgrade and you have me sold!! This seems like it has a lot of potential at a very low price.

[@josyfstandars1552]

Wonderful video, I appreciate the fact that you don't angrily vent or explode on a blaster and explain your reasoning very calm and thoroughly, very nice choices my friend

[@dgresham2729]

I agree with your level headed assessment of Buzzbee. Revisions do happen and sometimes they happen during initial production. The PR folks at BB probably didn't even know about the revisions. Hanlon's razor-"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

[@scottbionicnerf8727]

We appreciate your honest help and consideration regarding this blaster. I do hope that the community will be able to solve issues that this blaster has created. I'm sure Mongoose Jake is working on something. I'm sure the community won't stop with making a more comfy/ aesthetically pleasing handle for the blaster if there weren't oodles of ideas out there floating around waiting to come to fruition to make this thing better.

[@flame1245]

I think with the black catch version was pre production variation that later was corrected for production cost cut or to simplify the production it was very similar with kingdom galvatron where the pinned the shoulders wrong and they sat lower than the way with the pins facing forward that has been corrected now

[@76hotrodF250]

Bought one before the negative reviews, I've barely touched it since then. However now that I know about the extra catch mechanism you speak of, I grabbed mine just to look. Sure enough no extra black catch, the slot for the hammer is sufficient enough to look through, its all open and you can see only the trigger and hammer parts inside. Also I can't help but notice how much just the cylinder and plunger assembly look by themselves to the pepperbox revolver.

[@Valandar2]

With respects to the controversy... I think Hanlon's Razor applies. "Never blame on malice what could be explained by incompetance."

[@LadyKaira]

I hate to say it, since usually labeling companies and groups in a tiered system of quality leads to forming unneeded bias, but... it’s BuzzBee. We all know by now that their prices are low, their ammo is horrid, their plastic is brittle, and overall their blasters are cheaper made. I am not surprised in the slightest that a company that is built around this lower price range doesn’t have the best communication involving the creation of their products and lacks tight quality control. These issues are there and should be dealt with yes, but they’re not entirely unexpected.

[@CaptainXavier]

Indeed. Managing expectations is one of the easiest ways to avoid disappointment.

[@notacompleteidiot...1285]

Here's the thing... At one point "cheap" meant something very specific. At least in reference to BuzzBee. It used to mean a dart blaster that had weird ergonomics, terrible darts, questionable aesthetics, BUT good performance out of the box. Now, in recent years, they don't even have the performance. And in some cases, design flaws that shouldn't have made it past the prototype stage.

[@Sbomb16]

Ehh I’m still on the Reflex 6 train, imo it’s the best revolver you can buy for the money. Decent mod potential, good oob performance, and very holsterable. Sure, it’s not hammer primed like this or the hammershot, but it’s actually comfortable, and doesn’t require $50 worth of mods to make competitively viable

[@CaptainXavier]

Oh absolutely. It really cannot be beaten for the price.

[@weakestbutterscotchenjoyer]

Idk I'm onboard with the storm squad, half the size, half the price and only %20 less capacity. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's 30% more value.

[@Xenosthewatcher]

I would flip for an AFP hammer shot like blaster.

[@pdtheowl9292]

I think gameface was gonna make one

[@okayishdrummer]

I have one I bought on eBay the seller told me it had the catch. It also has the matte cylinder. If it’s legit l, I’ll send it for shipping costs. I’ll reply to you on the tenth when it arrives

[@CaptainXavier]

You, sir, are awesome!

[@echo3568]

Evan coming in clutch for tha boys

[@LumiMoonCh]

Very fair review, sir. I like that you didn't just jump to calling out or dismissing BuzzBee like others have. There are a lot of reasons why these kinds of things can happen and it's not always someone's "fault". The situation with Mongoose Jake could have come down to a disconnect between the marketing and engineer & design departments at BuzzBee Toys. I hope the version with the black catch is the way forward for this blaster. The only issue then concerning modding it would be the flexibility of the cheap plastic under heavier spring loads.

[@H3zzard]

Chances are I won't see one of these in my lifetime (BuzzBee doesn't always cross the pond), but the concept is definitely a good one.

[@Tbug20]

Oh no, a critical review. We haven’t had that since elite 2.0.

[@lokimoonwing3598]

I think a shotgun style grip might work for this

[@CaptainXavier]

I rather agree. I would like to see that done.

[@alexandermacphearson4379]

That is a very well thought out and “fair” Critical Review. I come down you for taking the positive route on the controversy, and explaining your position beautifully. Thank you for being a force for positivity in the community instead of another drama monger

[@WeTalkAboutSpaceships]

Watching this I realize, “hammer” primed blasters are actually lever actions in disguise

[@FflawedMetalhead]

If they do actually make another one and improve it to be dual-wield-able, as well as still easy to mod, that would mean a fair chunk of people will probably buy two - The Hammershot hasn't been available in any stores near me for several years, so even this Thundershot is the only hammer-primed blaster available in-person.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

Excellent review sir! Inasmuch as it has kind of lame internals, with the way the grip and muzzle are so easily removable and so few screws holding it together, it seems much more mod-friendly than most blasters and certainly more than Elite 2.0.

[@ProfessorPhysics2]

But at least Elite 2.0 blasters don't break on you unmodded lol

[@siosilvar]

@@ProfessorPhysics2 uh... warden?

[@CaptainResident]

@@ProfessorPhysics2 must have forgotten how several Wardens have been shown to break from just slamfire. Even that aside, they will not long after getting them. Plastic springs are awful for long term use.

[@xavierhibbs4850]

I want one to take barrel and handle off to make an underslung

[@albruitstuart8408]

2 weeks ago I picked up a pair of these at a local Kansas City Walmart based on MongooseJakes initial review and they both have the black sear bar. I cut the barrel back to the frame to make it more of a pepper box and painted it up for a LARP and they worked great. Wife used one paired with sword and I used one paired with a Hammershot and they worked great. I DID unfortunately experience the same low point of aim resulting in shooting someone in the crotch, but was able to adjust quickly to not repeat that issue. Lol I'm looking to upgrade the spring soon to get a little more range. Has anyone figured out if the spring is compatible to anything else on the market yet?

[@randomsteve8]

found the bad catch version. going to try a dif walmart

[@poggerfrogger9327]

the redemption

[@cowboybebop6968]

yes yes dart zone and x-shot too

[@koolBOY8323]

i think a replacement trigger, hammer, front end reduction, new grips, and some way to help the overall shell quality with reinforcements or something would make this cool. that said, a 7 shot cylinder for a hammershot can be had for the cost of 2 of these. sooo..

[@weakestbutterscotchenjoyer]

Oh yeah just change out the entire thing or buy a 20 dollar mod for a blaster that isn't made anymore.

[@cpsway]

They played mongoose Jake for a fool with this and unfortunately it does reflect on him even though we all know he was the victim of buzzbees bull. The ten bucks price point doesn't matter if it breaks the first time you use it, which happened with one of the two I bought for my son the other is still in the box. I'd gladly pay the nerf price point for a hammer shot for a non nerf brand 8 shot hammer primed revolver and I don't think I'm alone in that. Unfortunately at this point I don't think we should hold buzzbee in the same league of nerf alternatives that dart zone and zuru are in. And yes the best bang for your buck in unmodified nerf guns is still the zuru 6 shot revolver which is a whooping$6.50 when you buy them in pairs from target or $7 on its own from Walmart.

[@ziploc2000]

Spot on. Imagine buying a bunch of these for a kid's birthday party and half of them break? Buzzbee majorly messed up. It's not quite as bad as the Nerf Elite 2.0 Warden disaster, but it's bad. I hate when a bad blaster is put on the shelves, because it's going to upset the kids.

[@BigBongly]

yknow what? Upon further reflection this blaster might just become really shnazzy with a 3d printed grip and some sort of uh.. useful hammer lol. I very much disregarded this blaster upon its release but i think ive come around to it now

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

Hmmmm... cutting the cylinder in half so it loads just 8 half darts, cutting the body down to fit the new cylinder, fitting a new hammer that can be primed in one hand and making an adult size grip for it. and this is pretty close to what I want in a foam dart revolver. The Hammershot has is just a bit too... sci-fi pepperbox for my taste, rather than true revolver I want. I want a Sweet Revenge, but that's still more of a pepperbox than a revolver. The SH-6 is too long and cartoony. Though what I really want is a Magpie that isn't 3D printed, as I A. I can't afford a 3d printed one and B. wouldn't trust a 3d printed blaster it to take the much abuse.

[@jeffreycarman2185]

You could try an in-line clip on a doublestrike, it wouldn’t be a true revolver, but it would definitely have a more authentic revolver feel…

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

@@jeffreycarman2185 Aye, I've seen a few nice looking faux-revolvers using the DoubleStrike. But its not for me. I want, the look, feel and mechanical function of a true revolver. Hell... if I had my way, it would be top break revolver or have a swing-out cylinder.

[@poisxnashley]

@@RainMakeR_Workshop if you’re going out of your way to cut down the cylinder and body and then reattach it for half darts, may as well put the front on a hinge with some magnets! i’ve seen a few break action hammershots, so the same process *should* work

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

@@poisxnashley Yeah, I've seen that too. If I can get hold of one I might give that a shot.

[@liamthepyro]

If I get my hands on one of these I’ll try and design a 3D printed hammer that’s usable one handed. You mentioned 3D printed replacement grips in the video, it would be very easy to cut off the original grip mount and put some kind of 3D printed grip mount on there so you could use airsoft or real pistol grips.

[@sixgunmojo]

I kinda want to get one and turn it into “Hellboy’s” Gun.

[@gargunkle]

I'm not sure if this came up already (didn't hear it in the video, and I don't see it in the comments at least, my apologies if redundant) is that Buzz Bee deleted comments on the facebook and instagram posts about the Thundershot.

[@stuntmatt7124]

I'm starting to think BuzzBee is just in this for the Money.

[@CaptainXavier]

A business being in it for the money!? Unheard of! As we all know Hasbro is a charitable organization interested only in the happiness of the little kiddies. ;)

[@stuntmatt7124]

@@CaptainXavier Ahhh- Yesssss !........That explains their Designs over the last year !

[@mwc1707]

Something about it makes me think Flare Gun. Like help I'm lost at sea Flare Gun. :)

[@alexknouse9133]

It can *Almost* take 2 half-lengths, that was one of my first thoughts when I got mine. The front dart sticks out just enough to cause malfunctions.

[@PhoenixFyre]

We also need more lever action springers from other companies outside Hasbro.

[@Devalis]

Orange Mod Works kit?

[@dustinclose9930]

I’m getting Rodger rabbit vibes

[@CaptainXavier]

Very true!

[@yummehcheezman]

new captain xavier video yall imma get da floppie katze popcorn

[@kingpenguin7618]

The shell looks like a flare gun with a revolver cylinder

[@sonters]

Just a suggestion for the next "can it take a K26?", how about testing the Roblox MM2 Shark Seeker?

[@Terminatorbart]

Ooh, revolver!

[@HexagonThatReallyLikesVinegar]

Are there any mag-fed hammer-prime blasters?

[@CaptainXavier]

Not that I am aware of.

[@souljjjah]

with a big plastic on his hip

[@jack_marston768]

K26?

[@ofearghailthefearless6481]

Nothing but an oversized feculent blaster with a jank grip. Now that the Elite 2.0 Trailblazer (another 8 shot revolver) exists, there's no reason to buy this now.

[@CaptainXavier]

I can think of several reasons. Performance and ergonomics are just not among them.

[@HexagonThatReallyLikesVinegar]

[[Big Shot]]

[@mattbatesteacher]

#DartZone please get on this (if you are not already).

[@NavySeabee333]

Honestly I love this blaster. It's easy to change out parts. It's not too complicated and it hits decent stock. It's a easy pick for a close quarters hvz secondary. The main problems it has are the brittle plastic hammer and trigger and the trigger guard. The grip is fine in the hand when it's not on the blaster. You can tell they had a team design the grip and then a blaster to fit it. The trigger guard is too big and I'm thinking about cutting mine off and trimming the trigger to make room for a smaller guard I integration

[@jeremybohannon7549]

Good video as always captain

[@voidwalker5784]

I am going to make a pepperbox revolver with this. I have to

[@sampersonguy5337]

I’d love to agree with you on what happened but their response so far isn’t quite indicative of that

[@CaptainXavier]

Fair. But we will never know the whole truth so I prefer to err on the more positive side. There is more than enough negativity in the world so why assume the worst?

[@sampersonguy5337]

@@CaptainXavier fair enough sir, fair enough

[@boid9761]

What is the pistol you used in the intro?

[@CaptainXavier]

It is a Doublestrike

[@nathanlloyd9454]

oooooooh. That looks interesting without the barrel. Maybe I will have to give it a look!

[@supercow61]

yes for mod , I will get 2 !!!

[@Matthew_Raymond]

Stop!… Hammer Prime!

[@ziploc2000]

Just too much wrong with this blaster. Deliberately terrible ergonomics, creaky cheap plastic, and the dodgy internal mechanism change that means we don't know if it's going to break on day 1.

[@pv8685]

There are so much problems that i think it would bei smarter to desing a whole new blaster insteed. BUT - for the black catch downgrade ist no excuse. I would absolutly avoid this Blaster and if this more often the case i would avoid Buzz Bee.

[@rocker4144]

Good morrow good sir.

[@gagek3844]

Good day to you good sir

[@Jackalblade9]

I think a lot of people assumed the worst because, let's be honest, with any major corporation that's a safe assumption. Anyone who's monitored the video game industry knows about fake preview footage at events, vertical slices and all manner of other chicanery. A quick review of the Aliens Colonial Marines fiasco might best highlight this kind of thing. Sure, we'll find out they pulled a fast one, but only by purchasing the product. I'm actually a bit more concerned about members of the community who have failed to be nice. Firstly those who accused Mongoose Jake of being less than honest before his second video, and now of those who are accusing Walcom of fake outrage over this fiasco. Jake got done dirty by BuzzBee, whether they meant to or not. Walcom's got a right to be mad. And, unlike corporations, I'm prepared to give private reviewers the full benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise. Neither Mongoose Jake or Walcom have ever been disingenuous in the past. Opinionated? Sure. Had favorites? Absolutely. But neither's been dishonest. Let's not assume they are.

[@vincentwiddershoven2122]

But captain... we are always nice...! Most of the time for shure, wahaha.

[@marisaheeren8470]

But can it take a k26 is the question

[@CaptainXavier]

I'm fairly certain 8t would break if you yelled "k26" at it long enough...but obviously I going to try anyway.

[@vane5736]

Lol finally someone other than nerf screwed up. Should do a critical on the tetra shot also that one has some controversy.

[@CaptainResident]

Buzzbee has had more misses than hits, it's rare that they *don't* mess up. Plus all the companies have been sorta screwing up this year, even Dart Zone did with the Monolith.

[@stijnVDA1994]

If im honest if the black catch version is a store exclusive then why release an inferior product for other stores without telling the stores and the consumers..

[@CaptainXavier]

Do you know that to be the case?

[@stijnVDA1994]

@@CaptainXavier i did say if, because everyone expects a product to be similar in quality wether or not it wil be bought for mods. If there would be ammount of products with a better different part and an ammount of cheaper parts then most people would prefer the better parts..

[@CaptainXavier]

@@stijnVDA1994 what IF they released the black catch ones selectively like a lottery? What IF they picked one store to get the good ones out of spite? What IF they lost a patent suit to Hasbro half way thru production and were forced to change the design? What IF they won a patent suit half way thru production and were able to change the design? What IF one factory didn't get the memo about the change? What IF they flip a coin every time to determine which version to ship? What IF they chose the lesser design intentionally knowing they would break so we would have to buy more? We can "IF" all day long but unless we have some actual evidence to support our theories it is just idle speculation that server no purpose except to invent misery and negativity and world has plenty of both already.

[@stijnVDA1994]

@@CaptainXavier that is true

[@CaptainXavier]

That being said...I am very curious what the truth is. But I very much doubt we will ever know.

[@thetribunaloftheimaginatio5247]

I'd chalk up the "black-catch" controversy to Hanlon's Razor- "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." Also, this is a blaster I want to like... eight-shot hammer-primed revolver that's all big and cartoony? Hell to the HELL yes.

[@Pineapples0723]

999 videos…

[@CaptainXavier]

I have been busy...

[@Pineapples0723]

@@CaptainXavier We thank you very much for amazing content cap!

[@Yeetman-t4y]

Hi

[@CaptainXavier]

Hi

[@pipimipeanuts2112]

nice

[@dummyvr9802]

Hey man I have a black catch version that I would give you for 15 dollars I just need to find it in my house

[@CaptainXavier]

Email me!

[@dummyvr9802]

@@CaptainXavier what's your email

[@CaptainXavier]

@@dummyvr9802 it is in the video description. ;)

[@dummyvr9802]

@@CaptainXavier Ok

[@dummyvr9802]

@@CaptainXavier I emailed you

[@m00k61]

Thundergate goes deeper and deeper

[@CaptainXavier]

Does it? You can't have watched the whole video. It is a 20 minute video that came out 13 mins ago. Please watch the whole video before commenting. ;)

[@m00k61]

I'm sorry this comment was mostly in jest. I found it funny a whole conspiracy and a name like that for a blaster with proportions and colors like it has. It's cool that more people hear about it though as it seems some people didn't know the distinction in Adventure Force blasters and the different companies that make them.

[@CaptainXavier]

@@m00k61 no worries. It did look very bad at first. But as more information has come out it looks more and more like it was an oversight rather than a conspiracy. But people love drama. I still get confused over the whole Adventure Force branding. I failed to say BuzzBees name in my first review at all and they called me on it. :P

[@m00k61]

@@CaptainXavier I will say even if they're not the best performance wise I like seeing Buzzbee taking a lot of chances with different blaster designs.

[@CaptainXavier]

@@m00k61 exactly! Their designs, while not best executed, have SO much potential. They just need the nudge in the right direction. Or we need someone else *cough Dart Zone cough* to give us their take on them.

[@LucasBell420]

Nerf

[@thedartdomain4197]

Nope. Not nerf.

[@RaNd0Mk1D8o3I]

Lol