R-Spec Retaliator Production Notes.

With the upcomming Stage 2 kits and other sealed breach blaster kits (maybe your own) coming out.  This Mod formula might be useful to get the most out of it.  What you have to understand is that blasters like the Longshot have larger Plunger Tubes.  This means if it is airtight, it will have more resistance because the o ring has more surface area to slow down the piston and go slower.  The upshot, of course is that a larger diameter piston moves more air, exponentially more air.

With a Retaliator, you do not have that luxury, the diameter is small and you have to make the most of it.  In Retaliator terms roughly

10Kg's Longshot = 16Kg's Retaliator with the same mods.

Or, given a stock bolt assembily...

(More air, Less pressure/Time"a" = Force "a") = (Less air, More pressure/Time"a"= Force "a")

Or in a sealed breach system...

More air, Less pressure/Longer barrel  = Force "a" = Less Air, More pressure/Shorter barrel

Now I have never made a 16 Kg Retaliator, so mine more like...

10Kg Longshot = 14Kg Retaliator, why?

In a couple of words, if your into that whole brievety thing, craftsmanship and details. If not, that piston needs to be airtight yet not so much it is pushing on the plunger tube.  But because smaller o ring means smaller drag footprint, this is possible and this is the concept of the R-Spec Lineup.   These blasters work on the concept of less piston volume but more force.  The downside is a harder cocking effort, the upside, small blasters that make people fucking run away and a fun challenge.

So here are the production notes as I wrote in Facebook to a friend that wanted to know how to build one.

1. *Stage 2 OMW kit has a plunger, I haven't used it or tested it but it can probably take as much stress as an Xplorer replacemet piston which I use.
   
   * Take the stage 1 trigger catch, file both sides down 1/2 a mm, but not the inside that touches the trigger.
   
   * Use a OMW trigger catch spring on the trigger catch spring and a metal trigger catch from ...OMW.
   
   *Make sure you have an airtight plunger by wrapping the plunger 2-3 times with Teflon tape, 8-10 if using explorer piston and use lithium grease, it might take a number of firings to break it in, but it is worth it. The goal is airtight but free flowing with little resistance.
   
   * Wrap the o-ring 3 times under and then 3 times over on the bolt, this does 2 things, airtight bolt assembly and keeps the o-ring from popping off in battle.
   
   *If ever found loose, remove the o ring on the piston and put 2 more windings of Teflon tape over it and replace the o ring with some new lithium grease.
   
   *Take out the mid prime lock on the bolt sled OR ELSE and put a OMW trigger catch spring on the trigger lock cam. If you don't want a trigger lock, break off the finger on the trigger going to it.
   
   * Use an XTM racing 107x1.7 mm spring, yellow is easier, recommended, but if you get black and trim off 1 coil, you have 14 Kg's but it's a little hard to break in.. File the I.D. of the retaliator on both sides to fit the spring. I believe it is 11/16ths, but I could be wrong.
   
   * If you Chaff the composite piston catchface, and you will, take a fine flat file (I bought mine at sears) and file it at the face where the trigger catch meets. You will do this quite a bit but it repairs a catch nicely.  This trick does not work with ABS and proves why a $20 Xplorer Plunger is worth the dough.
   
   * The blaster tends to dive with a normal Nerf Retaliator bolt, but aimed flat as the dart flies 90-100 is average peaking around 110-115, but you gotta play with it a bit to get there. It is intended without a barrel attachment.

   
   

   Difficulty: 9.2 out of 10, can you tell me why?  Comments, comments....

   
   

   
   

   
   

   --Cartaya

   
   

   
   

   
   

Stage 2/3 Retaliator Kits Delayed Again....But Pics Help? I......Think?

Ahh man, my dreams of Retaliator bliss smashed again temporary when I went on  facebook today and woke up to this on the Orange Mod Works forum.  Much to the appeasement of some of my friends who take over parks and have big wars that think some of my blasters are too powerful for their wars already.



         "UPDATE

1. Retaliator Stage 2:
   
   Breech has been modified and reinforced. We had a delay in receiving the new fixed breech but it tested nicely. Boltsled, Plunger Rod and Triggers are all good to go.
   
   We now move into Assembly & Packaging, shipping will start as early as next week.
   
   Strongarm Final Stage:
   ...
   Slam Fire Catch has been modified and reinforced. Plunger Rod and Trigger Catch are good to go. Although we did what we could with the Slam Fire Catch, it will still be difficult to slam fire due to higher spring tension. The new modified catch improved durability and smooth the operation a bit but it will still be difficult to execute.
   
   We are currently polishing the trigger, which will be delayed until 11/18. Therefore, we have decided to ship all pre-orders first without it and ship triggers separately when they are done.
   
   Retaliator Stage 3:
   
   This kit was flawless until we decided to mess around with the breech (doh!). Now we have to modify the sealed breech chamber so that it will properly work with the new breech design.
   
   This kit will be delayed until 11/8.
   
   So here is what the shipping schedule will look like:
   
   10/23~10/30: Retaliator Stage 2 & Strongarm Final Stage
   11/11~11/13: Retaliator Stage 3
   11/18: All Strongarm Triggers"

   
   

   But look at it, the breach (not the barrel) looks alot like...himm someone elses....

   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   Now put in mind, this is a make or break kit for Orange Mod Works.  A commercially available sealed breach kit with the low price of $50-60 more coupled with a more powerful spring would not only potentially bring the Retaliator to another level of above most modders can do without a mod kit, it would also be a good alternative to a Longshot, well most anyhow.  

   
   

   And since they don't make longshots anymore since 2009, Remedy Metals bit the dust and any great Longshot kit costs upwards of $200-400 USD, this has "Nerf product of the year" potential. 

   
   

   I don't have one yet, I can't quote exact numbers, I can only say a flat range in theory what is possible. But an R-Spec Retaliator wastes most of it's energy because the dart is only pushed tightly by the last half inch of the bolt, the rest is around 17/32nds I.D. and loose.  Even with a 14 Kg spring, it will ONLY pull an average of 95-100 feet peaking at 110-115 with new darts.  100 Flat is common with this blaster which took much of the year developing it into a reliable holstered sidearm.

   
   

   Now with a sealed breach, if properly done, the same blaster could concievably go Ultra Match Firestrike Ranges, but as a repeater.  Xplorer's kits already do that and do that well, but I never had one to try it.  This is epic, but will is be as professional as Xplorer's kits?

   
   

   Well they are trying to make the "kits" professional Orange Mod Works is anyways, their office...I can only imagine.  Low morale, long hours, complaints everywhere about the delays. Trying not to go the way of Pak-D in an industry that is hard to work in, convince people what you have is great, kids that don't understand that a good product costs money and so does quality labor and commissions.  And then you have smart asses like me making jokes like this......

   

   
   

   All in good taste guys, but my entire Nerf season since after HvZ in July has been a buzzkill wishing and hoping and praying I will get these kits!  Even with the Insane Firestrike's I make, not that motivated to play knowing the heat is on it's way....someday...someday....opps, we need another 2 weeks : (

   
   

   Pouty again campers, but we will overcome!

   
   

   
   

   --Cartaya

Magnus Not A Single Shot? You Gotta Be Kidding!

There is no way this can be a 3 shot internal mag pistol, no way.

Not to mention, it looks too much like this pistol, and we all know it has no internal mags, the Sidestrike.

Also earlier I saw this on the Blasterparts.de Facebook forum, it would seem just enough room for 2 extra darts, good point but.....

Think about this?

A.  If it was mag fed, why not just use a 6 round clip instead, make it interchangable and...

B.  This would indicate no room for spring slack or for the spring plate which a Nerf Elite mag needs 2 inches of space which I do not see room for.

Yea I think it's "Comes with 3 Darts" Just like the Firestrike instead of "3 dart magazine," the Hasbro Rumor machine at it agian

Never have I heard such courageous speculation on a given Nerf blaster line than the Mega Elite series and I do not think it is anyone's fault but Hasbro.  They aren't "that" great, I totally believe the first we heard from My Last Dart, who otherwise has excellent scoops and a much more professional blog than me was intended to be a plant from Hasbro P.R.  Get everyone talking about the Centurion, break out pre release demos, without the slits in the pistons, generate some hype.  And we were hyped, then let down, who pays for it?  We the blogger, we the consumer, we the modders.

In this case, it is to promote their items, what are they are doing instead? demoting the credibility of the Mega Elite line.

I do the same thing inadvertently sometimes, anyone remember the Hammershot, busy with Research and Designing 2, 16 Kg Ultra Match pistols before sending them to the Owner of Xplorer, I took a break and Modded a Hammershot. Got mad range with the brand new darts, first shot flew, measuring where it landed after the fact.  I could do so because I remember well because it landed on an oil stain in the street, 91 feet, 2 inches, but it doesn't matter, it was not sustainable.  So I said "oh great" put it away and figured that was that.

Well I posted it where it sat and got hell for it in the NIC because after 25 shots in one day I made that the published range....without any more tests, stupid.  And because it wasn't sustainable and they knew it, they were right.  Totally irresponsible of me, consistently it can pull 70-80 flat, awesome still, keep the mods that make it do 90 feet, spring takes a set and shoots 70's.

Time to start a new plan of attack Hasbro as I have about blasters I do not commonly battle test day in, day out, rumor control and honesty when a mistake or assumption is made rather than saying "It's all good."  

Remember this haughting quote that taught me the limits of corporate, marketing, there are none!

"Build it anyways, Those fucking kids, they'll buy anything!"  Micheal Eisner, July 1986, boardroom staff meeting.

The quote is believed to be about merchandising at the future Euro Disney.  Frank Wells argued that France would not approve of the same merchandise made for theme parks in America and Japan, He was right!

--Cartaya

My Mean Battle Loadout (Batbelt Array 3.0)

Yes, sorta pouty looking, best friends Dad is dying, slowly, sorry.

The belt rig is the Batbelt Version 3.0 by of course, Cartaya Mod Works.  So is this pistol it clasps in with Neodymium Magnets.

The Belt is made for instant access to all Nerf gear required for battle.

It is non-restrictive at arms reach and easy to use, I like it much better than a vest as it promotes freer use of the body during battle.  I do wish a company would pick up my idea and manufacture it, maybe pay me a small royalty and let me help them design other things.

The other thing I would like to point out is...

My pistols, able to deal out foam as far as 120-130 average Flat feet with a peak as high as 150.  Now are they as stable as lets say an Xplorer Xarrett?  No, but in pistol range you don't need it.   I would also love it if a company would help me with a parts kit and only pay me a small royalty for designing them, my first choice is of course Xplorer, love that company.  Dninja Heng, who owns explorer has such a positive and inventive spirit.  I don't want to work with crooks or matchstick men.  He bought a couple a couple months back, but maybe it is not his cup of tea.  The draw is hard, the higher yields are higher maintenance, but I finally made a single spring model, the last one on the right.  

They are from left to right.

Stage 1 12 Kg, R-Spec Ultra Match $59.99

Stage 2 R-Spec Ultra Match ZDS 18 Kg $99.99, 16Kg Version  $89.99

Rebelle Yell ZDS 16 Kg, $59.99

And the R-Spec ZDS, just finished today, 11 Kg, $34.99 

Tomorrow I will show you the New R-Spec Tagger, 75-85 flat and the bruises it leaves, OUCH!

--Cartaya

This Is Why I Mod Mainly Pistols

I have been modding Recons, Retaliators, Firestrikes, Triads, Reflexes, and anything thrown my way since 2008.  In an novice sense, since i was 10, that would be 1985.  Much has happened, blasters got clipfed, Larami's Super Soaker line being bought out, I dare say it, the "Second best" revolution Nerf ever saw and the departure from huge darts (that they had to be) to more tactical micro darts and later streamlines being the mainstay.

The third best revolution was clipfed...

The first being the proliferation of modding and how professional it has become.  Not just companies, but individuals like me and many others.

So the question always looms, every week at least one person asks it, "Why not a modded longshot Cartaya."   Everyone knows I "Can" mod one, it's in my abilities, but I mod weapons I use and test in battle,  and to be honest, I just don't need one. Years of pistol use, firearms training and personal tactical gear development make me more acustom to pistols and less evasive designs of Nerf blasters.

I have trained myself to be a more resourceful player, not dependent on a high rate of fire, electric blasters. Endorsing the use of easy, quick and ample supply of backups and spare magazines full of ammo.   Above average ranges, some call outrageous, others confirm in reviews and others still, victims. But not power over usability.

And then I thought it out, THAT'S IT!,  My real purpose of Modding,  Battle supremacy!

* I find too many clumsy stickings with players fucking around with the bolts of the Longshot and Longstrikes, who jam the magazines and fail to prime them when the time is right.  I have yet to play with a really great Magfed Longshot player who truely had so much better range he could beat me or had the jump on me.  I am sure an Xplorer longshot would be different, but then again Basic Nerf would ban that from his wars like customs ban Cuban Cigars.

*I Hear the roar of spinup motors and get the jump on players dependent of batteries, unless I am cornered, surprised, or all my team is dead, a full auto victory against Cartaya is Scarce.  Even people with Rapidstrikes run from my, hehe....Firestrikes : )

Yeah, I got some hot Firestrikes, but a Longshot that could do as long of ranges and clipfeds are better.  Yeah, a Retaliator that has done 110 flat is nice, a good longshot can do 120- 160 flat, but a smaller package I have found is worth the sacrifice in range.  Not to mention, always catches them by surprise when they think it is nothing more than a "Shit-Taliator."

Does anyone understand that I am not after the longest range, I am after the best configuration?

Range is a Byproduct, I have great ranges for what I mod but I think for example.....

....A Super Veloce Retaliator is the most Genius mod I ever came up with. Simple, to the point 90 ish flat average range and only requires 3 new parts that cost $14, very effective weapon in battle that makes Zombies run away and I have nailed people with it from 160 feet away!.  Just today someone mentioned it on a post on Facebook, it made my day, seriously.

Well gotta go to bed, peace.


--Cartaya

The Natives Are Restless.

Life Begins October 14th! Should have a review by the 25th  14Kg R-Spec Plant, 7 inches of sealed breach, Cartaya is modding it, which automatically means LOOK OUT!

No More Monetized Vids And a Few Business Changes.

Not worth it man, I was running that for awhile just to see what kinda money I can make on the side and it's not worth the trouble.  I mean I am a struggling Nerf modder, on a fixed income, I want to give my audience the best I have, right?  Then why monetize vids, ads are annoying, Esecially people who just see my vids for the first time where the quality imagewise is ok, but the content is good.  So I am going though em, losing the ads and a few more things about doing business with me.

* To pay for a blaster, deposit up front (price of blaster) and shipping calculated and you pay that too, you must pay both to get the blaster.

* In person it will be cash up front, no exceptions, too many people owe me money and I hate having to ask people if they have money they owe me.

*Friend Discount is 10%, no more, no less, unless it's a used blaster, then I will deal.

*I....DO.....NOT....PAINT.....BLASTERS! It's actually a belief that I have not to, But feel free to if you want to.

*If you own one of my blasters you can mod it further to suit, just don't blame me if you fuck it up.

*The Price you pay is the price I get after paypal, not what you pay paypal.

*Some blasters do not have a how to vid.  Reasons possible is A. Confidentiality reasons such as selling the idea to another company.  B. Prototype and uncertianty about sustained performance and durability (e.g. Hammershot article).  C. Dangerous.

Well just a quick update, that's all for now.  I should have them all unmonetized by the end of the week.


--Cartaya