Board Thread:General Nerf discussion/@comment-26431461-20171103015139/@comment-27058814-20171103020551

The part is necessary for blasters like the Firestrike, because it is directly on the plunger. A plunger rod also keeps the plunger head in straighter. On top of this, the spring is more secure because the plunger rod and head keep it in place and compress it from behind.