If you grew up in the nineties or early 2000s, you remember the arms race. It wasn't about geopolitical territory; it was about who had the most plastic real estate on their shoulder. We’re talking about the super soaker biggest gun ever made. Most people think they know which one takes the crown, but the answer actually depends on whether you're talking about something you could buy at Toys "R" Us or a seven-foot monstrosity built by a NASA engineer.
Honestly, the "biggest" title is messy. Do we mean the longest? The heaviest? The one that could literally knock a toddler over with water pressure?
The Heavyweight King: Monster XL
When it comes to mass-produced retail blasters, the Super Soaker Monster XL is the undisputed heavyweight champion. Released in 2000 by Larami, this thing was a beast. It wasn't just a toy; it was an endurance test.
Imagine a plastic rifle that’s nearly four feet long. Now imagine it has two separate barrels and two massive firing chambers. Fully loaded with water, the Monster XL weighed over 13 pounds. That’s more than some actual bowling balls. It was so heavy that Larami actually included a fold-out bipod on the bottom so you could rest it on a fence or a car hood to shoot.
It used Constant Pressure System (CPS) technology, which basically meant it used a thick rubber bladder to force water out at a steady rate. You didn't get that "dying squirt" feeling typical of cheap dollar-store guns. Instead, it just hammered people.
- Reservoir Capacity: 3.5 Liters (roughly 118 ounces).
- Nozzle Settings: 11 different spray patterns, including "Typhoon Blast."
- Pumping: It took about 30 to 40 pumps to fully charge both chambers.
The Monster XL was kind of a legend, but it had a fatal flaw. It was so big it was actually awkward to use. If you were a skinny ten-year-old, you weren't running around the backyard with this. You were basically a stationary turret. It was the ultimate "base defense" weapon, but if someone with a smaller, faster CPS 1500 flanked you, you were toast.
The Most Powerful: CPS 2000
We have to talk about the Super Soaker CPS 2000. If the Monster XL was the biggest by size, the CPS 2000 was the biggest by "scare factor."
Released in 1996, the CPS 2000 is often cited as the most powerful water gun ever sold to the public. Rumor has it that it was actually discontinued because it was too powerful—the "Mark 1" version supposedly caused eye injuries because the stream was so dense and fast. Whether that's 100% true or just playground legend, the stats don't lie. It could dump an entire liter of water in about one second.
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You’d pull the trigger, and a massive wall of water would hit your target like a fire hose. It had a range of 50 feet. In the world of water wars, that’s basically a sniper rifle.
Going Off the Rails: The Mark Rober Record
Now, if we step away from what you can find in a dusty attic and talk about the actual Guinness World Record, things get weird. In 2017, former NASA engineer Mark Rober decided that "retail big" wasn't big enough.
He built a seven-foot-long Super Soaker.
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This wasn't just a scaled-up plastic toy. It used pressurized nitrogen tanks to blast water at 2,400 PSI. For context, your kitchen faucet probably runs at 40-60 PSI. Rober's gun could literally slice through a watermelon or shatter glass bottles. It shot water at 243 miles per hour.
You can't buy this. You shouldn't try to build it unless you have a degree in aerospace engineering. But as far as the "super soaker biggest gun" title goes, Rober owns the record. He even got Lonnie Johnson—the actual inventor of the Super Soaker—on the phone to verify the madness.
Why They Don't Make Them Like This Anymore
You've probably noticed that if you walk into a store today, the "Nerf Super Soaker" aisle looks... smaller.
There are a few reasons for the "shrinkage" of water guns. First, safety regulations became much tighter in the mid-2000s. Manufacturers got nervous about the lawsuit potential of a high-pressure stream hitting someone’s ear or eye at close range.
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Second, the cost of manufacturing large CPS rubber bladders went up. Modern soakers mostly use "piston pressure," which means the water only shoots when you're actively moving the pump handle. It’s cheaper to make, but it feels like a downgrade compared to the old-school "pump and fire" mechanics.
Actionable Tips for Collectors
If you’re looking to get your hands on a massive vintage blaster, here is what you need to know:
- Check the O-Rings: These old guns are 20+ years old. The rubber seals (O-rings) often dry out and crack. You can usually fix this with some silicone grease or by replacing the rings entirely.
- Search for "Larami": When hunting on eBay or at garage sales, look for the Larami brand name. Hasbro bought them out, but the "Golden Age" blasters (CPS series) usually have the Larami logo somewhere.
- The "Shake Test": If you find a Monster XL or a CPS 2000, shake it. If you hear loose plastic rattling inside the pressure chamber, the internal bladder might be burst. It's a tough fix.
- Avoid Sun Damage: Vintage neon plastic becomes incredibly brittle if left in the sun. If the colors look faded or "chalky," the casing might crack the first time you drop it.
The era of the "heavy artillery" water gun might be over in retail, but the Monster XL remains a testament to a time when toy companies weren't afraid to let kids carry ten pounds of water into battle. If you're looking for the absolute biggest, that's your target. Just make sure you've been doing your pushups.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
Start by searching local classifieds or specialty sites like iSoaker.com to verify specific model variations before buying. If you're planning a DIY build, stick to PVC-based "Air Pressurized" designs, which are safer and more manageable than trying to replicate industrial-grade nitrogen systems.