Barrel extensions are said to make blasters more accurate; however, the popular Elite Dart and previously popular Streamline Dart are known to be inaccurate, even with extensions equipped. Barrel extensions also usually cause a decrease in range due to added friction depending on the size of the tube inside the barrel. However, with a good shot, barrel extensions can increase range, but it must be on a steady surface.
Due to their negative effect on performance, barrel extensions are mostly used for aesthetics on blasters.
History
The first blaster to feature and be compatible with the N-Strike barrel extension system was the Longshot CS-6 in 2006.
Initially, with the exception of the Spectre REV-5, all blasters that featured barrel extension compatibility under the N-Strike line were clip system blasters, due to the smaller inner diameter of most barrel extensions that could only accept Streamline Darts (with the exception of the aforementioned Spectre REV-5's barrel extension). It was not until the standardization of Elite Darts with the N-Strike Elite line that more and more non-clip system blasters started to feature barrel extension compatibility.
The Spectre REV-5's barrel has the greatest range due to the fact that the barrel is rather short and is very wide, reducing friction on the barrel. The lowest ranged barrel extension could be the Longstrike CS-6's barrel because it is the longest barrel extension Nerf has.
