Ryobi 18V One+ 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer Hits The Nail On The Head with Meaningful Improvements
Ever since their release, Ryobi Air Strike cordless nailers have impressed us with their easy-to-use design and approachable price tag. A few generations later, the same feelings ring true for our testing team. Today, I’ve got the Ryobi 18V One+ 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer in house, and I’m going to share my experience so you can decide if it’s right for you!
Pros
- Confident firing power
- Excellent nose visibility
- Easy to maneuver
- Dry-fire lockout
- Tool-free adjustment and jam clearing
- Select fire modes
- Improved magazine capacity
Cons
- Bulkier head than Pro-focused models
- Slight firing delay
Ryobi 18V 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer Performance
- Magazine Capacity: 112 nails
- Nail Length: 1 1/4 – 2 1/2 in.
- Runtime: 1,800 shots per charge
Basics
At its heart, the Ryobi PBL370 features a brushless motor that is capable of firing up to 1,800 nails per charge when using a 4.0Ah High Performance battery. Regardless, that’s plenty of runtime to get you through the day, but you could always opt for a smaller 2.5Ah battery if you want to shave off a little weight!
As far as nails are concerned, this nailer accepts fasteners ranging from 1-1/4 inches up to 2-1/2 inches. What’s interesting is that the previous model, the P326, has a range of 3/4 inches up to 2 1/2 inches. This isn’t a major issue for most projects, but it’s something to be aware of if you use nails on the shorter end.
Like the previous model, the PBL370 features an adjustable air pressure lever, which allows you to dial in the driving power to match your material.
Visibility
Nose visibility is a big deal when talking about nailers because it affects overall accuracy. Ryobi redesigned the nose of this nailer and included their AccuDrive tip, so it’s much slimmer than the P326. The narrower design allows you to access tight spaces, which is handy when installing cabinets, trim, or door casing.
Firing Modes
One big improvement over the previous model is the selectable firing modes that allow for either contact actuation or single sequential driving. You’re not likely to bump fire at a crazy rate with a 16-gauge finish nailer, but I was able to consistently drive 2 1/2-inch nails at roughly a 1/2-second interval without an issue.
Like we’re used to from Ryobi’s cordless nailer technology, there is a slight firing delay. It doesn’t really bother our team since we’re used to it, but some people may find it annoying at first.
Tool-Free Jam Clearance
No nailer is perfect, and while I didn’t experience any jams during my testing, it’s only a matter of time before it occurs. When that happens, simply flip the top latch on the nose and fold it forward to expose the firing chamber.
For added safety, be sure to remove the battery and nails first to prevent accidental firing.
Hands-On Testing
A major component of my nailer testing process involves firing them into an LVL beam and our hardwood Oak test block. This determines whether they can successfully drive a fastener in denser material, and even though LVL isn’t exactly in this nailer’s wheelhouse, the test helps reveal a nailer’s strengths and weaknesses.
After firing a series of 2 1/2-inch fasteners into both materials, it’s abundantly clear that Ryobi’s Airstrike technology means business. It fully sank the nails in both firing modes and impressed our team.
The firing power we experienced really is like what we expect from a quality pneumatic model. Of course, not having to deal with a compressor or dragging around a hose makes the job more convenient, and we don’t have to worry about sacrificing performance.
Dialing in the right driving power for each material took a few shots, but the process was quick and easy.
Ryobi 18V 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer Design Notes
- Model: Ryobi PBL370
- Power Source: Ryobi 18V battery
- Weight: 5.8 lbs (bare tool), 7.4 lbs (with 4.0Ah Edge battery)
- Head Length: 13-1/4 in.
Size and Weight
The Ryobi PBL370 weighs 5.8 pounds as a bare tool, 7.4 pounds with a Ryobi 18V Edge 4.0Ah battery, and measures 13-1/4 inches from tip to tail. This is pretty lightweight for a cordless nailer, which has traditionally been a pain point, especially when you’re coming from pneumatic models.
Ergonomics
Looking back at our review of the P326 nailer, we see that there were a lot of positives concerning ergonomics. However, Ryobi stepped up its game with the PBL370. The rubber overmold grip features large grooves to channel away sweat and a finger-style mold to improve your grip and control. We often find this grip style on Ryobi One+ HP products, and I must say, it’s a welcome addition.
The overall feel of this nailer is quite pleasant. It’s well-balanced and doesn’t feel too top—or bottom-heavy. Admittedly, there is a slight forward lean, but that’s the norm with most cordless nailers in this class.
Drive Depth Adjustment
Like the previous model, this nailer sports a tool-free drive depth adjustment thumbwheel. Rotating the wheel moves the Accudrive nose forward and backward, allowing you to dial in the drive depth based on your material. This feature is pretty standard for modern nailers, but it’s still worth mentioning.
Additional Features
- 2-position belt hook
- LED work light
- Dry-fire lockout
- Spare no-mar tip
- Compatible with all Ryobi 18V batteries
Ryobi 18V 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer Price
The Ryobi 18V PBL370 nailer retails for $249 as a bare tool and is backed by a 3-year warranty. As of the time of writing this, there are no kit options available, so be sure to pick up a battery and charger if you’re not already on the Ryobi 18V platform.
The Bottom Line
What’s cool about the Ryobi PBL370 is that the product team managed to elevate an already solid tool to a new level. The 18V Brushless 16-gauge Straight Finish Nailer hits hard enough to handle hardwoods with ease, plus it’s light enough that your arms won’t be screaming by the end of the project. With that said, if you’re tired of messing with hoses and compressors, this is an easy nailer to recommend.
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