Rival had a fairly quiet 2020, with only the Edge series Saturn after the spring releases and a few models slipping off into the sunset. 2021, however, is already off to the races.
We’ve been wondering what to expect going forward for some time with Rival given an astounding number of Hasbro activities casting uncertainty on the future of the line. Between Hasbro’s recent tight-lippedness about future releases, the dribbles of information we’ve seen on Hyper, and the previously mentioned light 2020 it has seemed bleak. Is Rival headed off to pasture? Or worse, the state of living death that Mega products live in?
It is beginning to look like that’s not the case. Starting last week, Listings on Wal-Mart went live with inventory for some of the previously listed while undescribed blasters. We managed to get ours in quickly. Presenting the Nerf Rival Curve Shot Flex XXI-100. We’re just gonna say Flex …
Overview
The Flex is a single shot, breach-load springer that very clearly extends the design of last year’s Knockout. The design is larger, though less so than it seems at first blush. A large knuckleduster has been added, with friction-fit pockets for 4 rounds on either side. The blobish pull has been changed out with an upswept t-pull, improving the prime. Lastly, the nose features the line’s feature gimmick, a rotating barrel design to alter the angle of the hop-up tab, and the effect on the projectile spin. The shell is smooth and clean, carrying over decorative elements seen in other Rival blasters. IN hand it feels sold, as you would expect.
Performace
In addition to the structural changes, the five-step prime has been reduced to three steps on the Flex. To prime, pull the t-pull down until it locks. This, in turn, releases the spring-loaded breach. Once a round is placed in the breach, close it by pushing on the barrel. To lock the blaster, toggle a mechanical up-down switch in the front of the trigger well.
Performance is as expected and as promised. I found an average of 91 FPS in my testing, just over the promised 90 and in line with its brethren.
This brings us to the gimmick. The gimmick for the Curve shot line is the barrel contains a rotating hop-up tab that rachets from top-center to 45 degrees left, 45 degrees, and finally 180 degrees. In tests, this works largely as expected, but doesn’t alter the range before the curve effect kicks in compared to a typical Rival blaster. The rachet provides a solid lock with no fear of slipping and the front sight provides a simple reminder you’ve altered your arc.
Conclusion
Depending on how you feel about the Knockout, this is either a better or worse implementation of the same concept. I find it improved by the abbreviated loading cycle, but that was a goofy fun feature for many. The handguard does make it a bit less secondary-practical, while improving utility in pistol rounds. For the price, it is a solid purchase.
Don’t Take My Word for It
Links to other reviews as they are discovered.