You will like the new Buzz Bee Tommy 20!
The Buzz Bee Tommy 20 reviewed here is the newest 2nd generation version, which can now fire foam darts in full-auto mode, along with a new green colour scheme (the 1st generation version was only semi-auto with a yellow colour scheme).
The Tommy 20 uses a fly-wheel based firing system, this is different from the usual spring plunger or compressed air systems usually found in Nerf blasters.
Fly-wheel based systems do not use air pressure to fire a foam dart, instead it utilises 2 fast-spinning motorised wheels at the front of the blaster to "throw" the foam dart out of the barrel, similiar to tennis ball launchers.
To operate its full-auto firing mode, the new generation Tommy 20 now features a motorised dart pusher to push darts forward in sequence into the 2 spinning wheels, with the drum magazine rotating in sync to position a new foam dart after every shot is fired.
The Tommy 20 comes packaged with 20 foam darts. It also requires 3 x AA Batteries to operate.
Point to note: Buzz Bee foam darts are shorter in length than Nerf foam darts and the Tommy 20 drum magazine feed gap is quite narrow, therefore although its possible to use Nerf foam darts, you might have to trim them shorter to fit properly.
With fresh batteries, the firing distance of the Tommy 20 can average around 25+ feet, and the average rate of fire is approx. 2 rounds per second or 120 rounds per minute (RPM)!
Review:
Buzz Bee Tommy 20 - Box (Front)
Buzz Bee Tommy 20 - Box (Back)
Buzz Bee Tommy 20 - Un-Boxed & Assembled
Buzz Bee Tommy 20 - Fly-Wheel System (Close-up view from Front Barrel)
Buzz Bee Tommy 20 - Nerf Foam Darts vs. Buzz Bee Foam Dart (Yellow)
Buzz Bee Tommy 20 - Scale Comparison with Nerf Maverick
Buzz Bee Tommy 20 - Test Fire
Note that the Tommy 20's firing performance depends on battery power. If battery power is low, firing distance will decrease and the rate-of-fire becomes slower, so make sure you stock up on fresh AA Batteries (or use rechargables/alternative power sources).
Overall, the Tommy 20 definitely offers an interesting alternative to the conventional spring plunger or compressed air firing systems.
This blaster is compact in size and provides a steady rate of automatic firepower... very suitable for close-quarter skirmish games! :)
