After they started using motor-driven, top or bottom-mounted gel chambers or magazines in 2016, gel blasters have become increasingly popular. We can attribute this to how real they look and their uptake in places like Malaysia and other regions with unfriendly airsoft gun laws.
However, although they are now trendy and all over social media, gel blasters are still a mystery to many.
That could explain why, if you search for the keywords “gel blasters” on Google, the “people also ask” section is full of quirky and interesting gel blaster questions like the ones below:
- Do gel blaster bullets hurt?
- How do gel balls work?
- What hurts more, gel blaster or paintball?
If you are like most people who have a vague idea of what gel blasters are but still have many unanswered questions about them, this blog will answer 10 of the internet’s most searched gel blaster questions, starting at the very beginning.
1: What are gel blasters?
Gel blasters are also called gel guns or gel markers.
They are recreational toys that fire water-based gel balls. They are common in close-quarters combat outdoor games and activities, making them popular for team events, birthday parties, and outdoor gel-blasting fun with kids, family, and friends.
2: How do gel blasters work?
Gel blasters use pressurized air to shoot gel balls out of a barrel, similar to how a paintball gun operates.
Gel blasters use a simple mechanism to launch the gel balls. Pulling the trigger activates the motor, which pushes a small amount of air through the barrel, propelling the gel ball out of the gun.
You can check out the video below to see how most gel blasters look under the hood.
Normally, you load the gel balls into a magazine or hopper, which feeds them into the barrel whenever you shoot.
3: How do gel balls work?
Gel balls, also called water beads or hydrogel balls, are small, soft spheres made of a cross-linked polymer. This polymer can absorb and retain large amounts of water, which gives the gel balls their unique squishy and bouncy properties.
Overall, the science behind gel balls is quite simple.
Fundamentally:
After placing the gel balls in water, they will absorb the liquid and expand to many times their original size. We call this process hydration; it gives the gel balls pliable and elastic qualities. How much water gel balls absorb depends on their make, size, and the specific type of polymer used to make them.
We have previously discussed how to soak gel balls and demonstrated how to use a gel blaster and gel balls. You can check out those videos on our channel.
Once the gel beads are ready, you’ll place them in a magazine or a hopper. Then, you will only need to squeeze the trigger to get the gel blaster to propel the gel balls out of the barrel and toward their target. The air pressure and the gel balls’ elasticity give them their unique trajectory and impact.
4. What are gel blasters made of?
Most gel blasters are plastic; for example, Ferventoys™ 2 in 1 Splatter Ball Gun, a pistol-sized submachine gun, is plastic–so are most of our gel blasters.
However, as illustrated in our How to install the New Gel Ball Blaster video guide, some gel blaster models also have some metal pieces.
Gel blasters also have a battery-powered motor. Some gel blaster models support additional features, like a hopper system that improves shot accuracy and range.
Gel blasters also have a removable and rechargeable battery and circuitry for the motor and compressed air.
5. Are gel blasters safe?
Gel blasters–and gel balls in extension–are generally safe, which explains why they are becoming increasingly popular for recreational use.
First, most gel balls are non-toxic. For example, we make our Ferventoys gel balls from a non-toxic, eco-friendly, and non-staining starch-based material that starts biodegrading upon impact, leaving no mess behind.
Secondly, as illustrated in Rylan Haye’s and Shuan Dai’s case report, there are no reported cases of gel blaster injuries.
However, it is important to have fun with gel blasters safely and to wear protective gear, especially the eyewear that comes with most good gel blasters, because eye injuries are the primary concern and the most likely.
If you’re wondering if gel blaster hits to the body are safe, the answer is YES.
Generally, because they are projectile-based toys meant to simulate close-quarter combat fun, gel blaster hits to the body will sting a bit; most people have said that the pain, which feels like a snapping rubber band on the skin, is bearable and what makes gel blasters so much fun.
6: Can gel blasters be used indoors?
Yes, you can use gel blasters anywhere, indoors or outdoors, as long as you take proper precautions, like wearing safety glasses and having safe fun–no aiming at the eyes, the head, and other sensitive areas.
However, when using loaded gel blasters indoors, say at home, it is important to put up a backstop to ensure your gel balls do not damage any property or injure someone.
7: What is the range of a gel blaster?
How far (range) a gel blaster shoots accurately depends on the make, model, and use case.
However, gel blasters generally have different shooting ranges, ranging from 50-100 feet, with smaller gel blasters having a lower range.
For example, our Gatling Gel Blaster, a monster gel blaster designed with a rotating barrel, can shoot up to 60 feet at 130 fps.
Other factors that affect a gel blaster’s range include the size and type of gel ball used, how powerful a motor the gel blaster has, hop-ups, and environmental factors.
8: How accurate are gel blasters?
Like range, gel blaster accuracy is model specific. By design, some gel blasters are more accurate than others, with some even using a hop-up system to improve accuracy.
Out of the box, most gel blasters have a specific, manufacturer-baked range, but you can mod some gel blasters to improve range; for example, besides hop-ups, you can add a nerf barrel or a suppressor.
Generally, from a 100-feet, you can expect a 50/50 accuracy with most high-quality gel blasters, but this also depends on the make and model.
9: What is the cost of gel blasters?
The cost of a gel blaster varies widely depending on the make, model, and features.
For example, here at Ferventoys, we have basic and starter gel blasters kits costing as low as $29 for the Ferventoys™ 2 in 1 Splatter Ball Gun and advanced pro model kits with gel blasters starting from $39.99 for Ferventoys™ Gel Blaster UZI to $79.99 for the imposing Gatling Gel Blaster.
Generally, shopping around is the best way to get a gel blaster that gives you value for money based on how much it costs and the features it offers you.
10: Are gel blasters legal?
The legality of gel blasters varies by country and state/province. In some places like the US and other countries, gel blasters are 100% legal and free to use because they are considered toys. On the other hand, some countries may have specific gel blasters laws and regulations.
Therefore, checking your location’s gel blaster/toy gun laws is vital before purchasing a gel blaster.
Conclusio
There you have it: answers to the internet’s ten most-asked gel blaster questions.
Overall, the most important thing to keep in mind is that gel blasters are an adrenaline-filled way to have some fun, using a toy that’s both realistic and so much fun to use for everyone, not just kids.
If this blog has made you curious about gel blasters and how much fun you can have with your friends, family, and friends once you get blasters, check out our massive gel blaster collection. We’re sure there’s something in there for everyone.