How Does a Gel Blaster Work?

2024-03-13

Welcome to the exciting world of gel blasters, the engaging new addition to recreational shooting games. Gel blasters operate using gel balls, small water-hydrated beads, as safe, biodegradable ammunition. This beginner-friendly guide will demystify how these toy guns work, from ammunition hydration to the firing mechanism, and will explain why gel blasters are becoming a favored choice for outdoor fun. Get ready to learn about the technology behind gel blasters that combines safety with the thrill of tactical play.

The Basics of Gel Blasters

Gel blasters are a type of recreational toy gun that shoots gel balls—tiny, water-absorbent beads that expand and become soft and squishy when soaked in water. These blasters are designed to resemble real firearms but are built explicitly for safe play, catering to various ages and skill levels. The operation of a gel blaster is straightforward: when the trigger is pulled, it propels the gel balls through the air until they hit a target and harmlessly shatter, leaving a small residue that evaporates quickly.

In contrast with other recreational shooting toys, gel blasters offer a unique middle ground. Unlike paintball markers, which launch larger, paint-filled balls that can be messy and painful, gel blasters fire smaller, water-based projectiles that are easier to clean and less likely to cause bruising. Airsoft guns, on the other hand, shoot hard plastic BBs that require more protective gear due to the increased risk of pain upon impact. Gel blasters are thus a more user-friendly option, providing a safer, cleaner experience that still retains the excitement of tactical gameplay.Learn more about gel blaster comparisons: Orbeez gun VS Gel blaster gun

Gel Balls: The Ammunition

Gel balls are the unique ammo for gel blasters and need proper preparation to work well. They start out small and dehydrated and must be soaked in water to expand.

Here's a quick guide to getting gel balls ready:

● Hydrate the Gel Balls: Soak them in water for 4 to 6 hours as recommended by the brand. This ensures they grow to the right size and texture.

● Check Size and Softness: They should measure around 7-8mm and feel soft throughout after soaking.

● Drain and Pat Dry: After hydration, let the excess water drain away. They should be slightly wet but not dripping for smooth operation in the blaster.

● Store Correctly:If you're not using them straight away, keep the gel balls in a sealed container with a little water to stop them from drying out. Use them soon for the best quality.

Proper prep ensures they perform well and are gentle on the environment.

The Mechanics of a Gel Blaster

Gel blasters, which are less intense cousins of airsoft and paintball guns, use gentle, water-soaked gel balls for ammunition. Learning the inner workings of these blasters not only boosts your gaming experience but also equips you to handle any operational hiccups.

Types of Gel Blasters and Their Mechanics

There are two primary varieties of gel blasters, each with its own shooting mechanism:

● Spring-Loaded Gel Blasters: These are manual and need you to cock the blaster before every shot. Pulling the cocking handle compresses a spring. When you fire, the spring snaps forward, forcing a piston to push air out rapidly, which then ejects the gel ball from the barrel.

● Electric Motor Gel Blasters: These run on batteries and automate the firing process. Pressing the trigger kicks a motor into gear (literally), which cycles a piston back and forth, compressing air to launch the gel balls. This type allows for quick, successive shots, either semi-automatic or fully automatic, without manual cocking between shots.

Learn more gel blaster types: Strongest Splatter Ball Gun: Your Ideal Choice

How to Load and Fire

To get your gel blaster ready for action, you'll need to load it up and get it primed:

● Load:For hopper-fed blasters, simply pour the gel balls into the container on the top. If your blaster uses a magazine, insert the spring-loaded magazine filled with gel balls into the designated slot.

● Prime:With spring-loaded models, you'll cock the blaster to set up the first shot. Electric models are readied by switching them on, which primes the blaster for firing.

● Fire: Pulling the trigger releases one gel ball at a time in spring-loaded blasters, whereas electric blasters can sustain firing as long as you hold the trigger down, or until the magazine is empty.

Hopper vs. Magazine

● Hopper:This is a bulk container that feeds gel balls into the firing chamber using gravity. It's great for lengthy play as it reduces the need to reload often.

● Magazine:This is a more tactical option, providing a realistic experience similar to real firearms. Magazines are inserted into the blaster and a spring mechanism feeds gel balls into the firing chamber.

● Each system has its perks:hoppers offer high ammo capacity and longer play without reloading, while magazines provide a more authentic and tactical feel. Your preference will likely depend on the style of gameplay you enjoy and the model of the gel blaster you choose.

Power Source and Firing Mechanism

Gel blasters come with two main types of power sources, each affecting how the blaster fires the gel balls.

1. Types of Power Sources

● Battery-Powered: These blasters use a rechargeable battery, much like the one in your phone, to power an electric motor inside the blaster. This motor does the work of getting the gel ball ready to fire.

● Manual: Manual blasters rely on your muscle power. You have to pull back a part of the blaster (like a slide or handle) to get ready for each shot. This action gets a spring inside ready to push out the gel ball.

2. Trigger Mechanism

The trigger is the part of the gel blaster that you pull to start the firing process.

● In Battery-Powered Blasters: Pulling the trigger activates the electric motor, which sets off a series of events inside the blaster to fire a gel ball. You can keep pulling the trigger for continuous fire, as long as the battery has power and the blaster is loaded with gel balls.

● In Manual Blasters: The trigger on a manual blaster releases the spring you've cocked. This spring moves forward quickly, pushing air out of the blaster and propelling the gel ball through the barrel.

3. Practical Tips:

● Battery Care: For battery-powered blasters, always use the charger provided and avoid leaving the battery plugged in after it's fully charged. This will help your battery last longer.

● Spring Maintenance: For manual blasters, occasionally lubricate the moving parts to keep the action smooth and protect the spring from wearing out.

● Trigger Sensitivity:With both types, the trigger should be responsive and easy to pull. If it's not, it might need cleaning or maintenance.

Whether you go for a battery-powered or manual gel blaster, understanding how they work will help you troubleshoot problems and keep your blaster in good working order. Remember, the smoother the mechanism, the better your blaster will perform during the game.

The Takeaways

Gel blasters are a safe and enjoyable recreational shooting option, using hydrated, biodegradable gel balls as ammunition. These blasters come in spring-loaded or battery-powered varieties and are simpler and less painful than paintball or airsoft guns. Proper preparation of gel balls is crucial for the best experience. Understanding your gel blaster's mechanics and maintenance needs will ensure reliable performance and a fun time during play.

Read more:

• The Truth About Gel Blaster Gun: Do They Really Hurt?
• How to Upgrade Your Gel Blasters?