The Lanard Max Shot is an unusual gun by most standards. First, it shoots large foam "mortars" while stock. The major benefit, however, is the mechanical advantage that the priming mechanism has. By using a lever to cock the plunger rod, the Max Shot can use a stronger spring while still keeping the gun easy to prime quickly. Another feature is the safety system inside the gun that prevents it from being fired unless the priming lever is fully returned to its resting position. This is required to prevent the spring from propelling the plunger forward and taking the lever with it, so that when the plunger hits home it doesn't cause the lever to smash anything in its path.
Stock:The Lanard Max Shot, while still new in box.Range: 5/10 (Although it has a great amount of power, it is difficult to propel the large foam mortar over a distance that it could be useful.)
Accuracy: 2/10 (Due to the weight of the projectile, it has a much different trajectory than other weapons. The gun must be angled correctly in order to hit a target, and when aiming at a moving mark, it is not easy for most people to make the shot)
Rate of Fire: 6/10 (Due to the mechanical advantage of using a lever to prime the weapon, the powerful spring can be compressed quickly, and a mortar slipped over the muzzle. This process can take as little as two seconds if you have a spare shot with you. What brings this down is that the operator must still manually load and prime after firing each round.)
Muzzle Velocity: 5/10 (The mortars leave the muzzle traveling at a slower speed than darts, but still acceptable for a stock weapon.)
Manageability: 8/10 (The Max Shot is actually very compact compared to other mortar or rocket firing guns, and the grip is comfortable albeit a bit small.)
Usability in a War: 1/10 (The projectiles' pitiful trajectory, the size of the round, the muzzle velocity, and the low range make this gun very impractical to use in a war.
Modification Potential: 10/10 (This gun becomes a force to be reckoned with once modified, and if fitted with a breach and magazine, it can be even deadlier.)
Total: 37/70Modified:The Max Shot after being fitted with a coupler-removable brass barrel and suppressed internally. Write-up is available here:
http://thefoamfighters.smfforfree.com/topic/284.0.htmlRange: 10/10(For a spring-powered plunger weapon, the Max Shot is one of the supreme guns in the field. It can fire up to and even above 130 feet while parallel to the ground.)
Accuracy: 10/10(The power of this weapon guarantees that the dart will go where the barrel is pointing).
Rate of Fire: 7/10(With a coupler, the gun can attain high rates of fire. If a breach is added, the ROF is increased even more. With a magazine and a breach, the ROF is raised to around 60 rounds per minute.)
Muzzle Velocity: 10/10(Due to the drastically different masses of darts and mortar rounds, the dart leaves the barrel at incredibly high speeds for spring-gun classes.)
Manageablility: 7/10(With a coupler and a PVC-sheathed brass barrel, the overall length of the gun is increased by five inches, but it is still very maneuverable.)
Usability in a War: 9/10(This weapon, after modification, excels in long and medium-range engagements, but its power makes it a very poor choice for close quarters.)
Ease of Use: 10/10(The Max Shot is a very reliable and accurate gun after modification, and can be easily mastered by any new player in a few minutes.)
Total: 63/70Conclusion: The Max Shot is definitely worth up to $20, with the most common price being between $10-$15. It has great potential after modification, and is a very reliable and important factor in any arsenal. (Note: Max Shots are commonly found at Amazon.com, and may sometimes be located at Toys 'R' Us stores.)