Reverse plunger

A reverse plunger is a type of plunger mechanism that many N-Strike series blasters use. This type of plunger is considered to be less powerful than the direct plunger mechanism because it is less efficient and reduces the range of the blaster.

Details
A reverse plunger's main components are the catch, spring, a large plunger tube, the O-ring, as well as a second fixed plunger tube.

The reverse plunger system doesn't have a plunger rod like the direct plunger system and instead has two plunger tubes; a large one that moves back to compress the spring and a smaller fixed one that directs the air towards the dart. When primed, the large plunger tube moves back, and is locked in place by the catch. When the firing trigger is pulled, it releases the catch, and the large tube moves forward, pushing air into the smaller tube and thus sending the dart out of the barrel.

This plunger system has reduced range due to mechanical inefficiencies of the design. When the plunger tube moves back, it creates a seal, but when the plunger tube moves forward after the firing trigger is pulled, the seal breaks and some of the air leaks out. Air pressure builds in the back of the plunger instead of the front, near the barrel, which also reduces range and air power. It also has significantly less air volume than a direct plunger of the same size. Reverse plungers are also much more difficult to modify due to the fact that in most reverse plunger clip system blasters, the spring is located around the plunger tube, making spring replacements very difficult if one does not have the exact size required. The result is a much less efficient and more complex air delivery system, which is why reverse plungers are disliked by many Nerfers.