The Buzz Bee Eradicator recolours the predominantly blue Tactical Storm. It’s a modular mag-fed blaster that is similar in design to the old Champion/Ultra Tek 8. This blaster is so good, I was excited to test the new version.
Disclaimer This blaster was sent to me by Buzz Bee Toys for review. I will do my best to ensure that the review remains as objective and unbiased as possible.
Everything inside the box
Open box in Buzz Bee style.
The Eradicator Blaster
Left side of blaster
Right side.
Look up.
The muzzle.
The base Eradicator’s dimensions are quite compact. It features many extra shell details that are not found on older Buzz Bee blasters, just like the rest of Buzz Bee’s new releases. The patterning on the mag well and just above the trigger is an example. Additionally, the Eradicator name is printed on rather than stickered, and the plastic feels like a step up compared to older Buzz Bee blasters. This gives the Eradicator an even more solid feel.
Closeup of the handle
Hand on handle.
A closer look at the priming slide.
Looking at the top of the slide.
Slide your hand.
Slide firmly back.
Personally, I find the Eradicators‘ handle to be very comfortable. It is reasonably large, and has no odd angles or protrusions that get in the way. It is easily the best handle of the new wave of blasters.
The Eradicator is operated by a top priming slide. It functions in the same way as Buzz Bees Champion, Reaper or Nerf Retaliator. While it is fairly reasonably sized, I personally have a minor issue with it. I find the priming slide to be situated a little too far backwards, making it slightly more awkward than say a Retaliator, whose slide is further forward.
Closeup of the magwell
Mag loaded in the blaster
Reaching out for the mag release
Nerf mag loaded.
The Eradicator is of course a mag fed blaster, and a pretty standard one at that. It uses the same cylindrical vertical mag release that most of Buzz Bees other mag fed blasters use. This mag release button can be reached at a stretch with your second or third finger, though this action can be a little awkward. It would have been better to use a more traditional mag release.
The Eradicator can accept both Buzz Bee and Nerf magazines with no problem. I have tried various Nerf mags with it, and have had no issues with any of them.
The Stock
The stock piece.
Another angle of the stock.
Showing the stock attachment point.
Stock attached
Removing the stock.
The Eradicator includes a detachable stock, which is unfortunately not compatible with any other Buzz Bee blaster so far. Unlike many of Nerfs detachable stocks, it does not perform any additional functions. The stock slides on smoothly to the rear end of the blaster, and clicks into place. It is easily removed by pinching the two buttons on the stock, one on either side, and pulling the stock piece backwards.
It is worth noting that the stock length is incredibly short. There is a photo of the Eradicator next to a Retaliator just below, and the Eradicators stock is a little shorter than the Retaliators. I already find the Retaliator stock almost unusably short, and I find the Eradicators to be even more uncomfortable.
The Barrel
Take a look at the barrel.
Close look at the threads on the end.
Barrel attached to muzzle.
The Eradicators barrel is very similar to the detachable barrels from some of Buzz Bees other offerings, namely the Range Master and Snipe/Ultra Master Tek. The tube is simple and stylised with threading at the end that attaches to the blasters muzzle. This barrel might be compatible with the Eradicator and the blasters mentioned, however, I am unsure.
Fully Assembled
Fully assembled blaster.
Next to a retaliator.
Performance Of The Eradicator
First person view.
You can find my chrono data in my chrono file. The Eradicator’s muzzle velocity is approximately 85fps with the Long Distance darts. This gives the Eradicator a range of approximately 15-20 meters parallel to the ground. This is a remarkable feat for a stock blaster and puts it in a class above any modern stock Nerf blaster.
Accuracy is highly dependent on darts. Long Distance darts included in the package are not as accurate and can be mistaken for Elite darts.
It is important to note that I didn’t observe the barrel affecting the Eradicators performance in any way. It is very long but also very wide. There are many vents along its length.
Rate of fire wise, I can achieve roughly 2-2.5 darts per second. The priming slide is a little further back than ideal, which makes it a little more awkward to prime rapidly than say a Retaliator. As such, I find the Retaliator to be capable of a slightly faster rate of fire.
Role In Gameplay
The Eradicator can be used without attachments as a solid, compact, mag-fed blaster. It can be used in the same way as a Retaliator, and is cross-compatible with Nerf magazines. Its raw power in stock form is noteworthy, as it gives the Eradicator an edge over many other stock blasters. Its attachments however, are not as useful as the Retaliators are, and the Retaliator also has far more aftermarket part support. ROF wise, the Eradicator is decent, but is still easily outclassed by many blasters, such as most flywheelers and slam-fire blasters.
Value And Summary
The US-spec Eradicators release, the Tactical Storm retails at around 16-22 USD depending on where you shop. This puts it below the price of the Retaliator.
It comes with a lot of parts, including a barrel, stock and two mags. It is also a very solid blaster, and compares quite favourably with most other blasters in its price range. If youre looking for a solid manual action mag-fed blaster, Id certainly give the Eradicator a recommendation.
The same post can be found on my blog, Outback Nerf
