Umarex H&K HK416 A5 AEG Rifle

The HK416 A5 is the latest evolution of the much-lauded HK416 platform, a development of the M4/AR-15 built by German firearms masters Heckler & Koch and worked on by Larry Vickers, former Delta Force operator and an extremely credible name in the world of tactical shooting.

The A5 variant adds full ambidextrous functionality, a redesigned receiver for compatibility with a wider variety of magazines, a longer free-floated quad rail handguard with a built-in flip-up front sight and a new slimline stock and refined pistol grip, bringing the 416-er back into the forefront of M4/AR-15 platform innovation by adding some slick features rarely seen in even the most advanced standard M4/AR-15s.

The HK416 A5 has a similar receiver design to the M4/AR15 but with a plethora of improvements, reinforcements and a slightly raised top rail for a better view down optical sights, and to accommodate the HK416's piston operating system. This means the HK416 A5 is compatible with M4/AR-15 magazines, and unlike earlier variants, you don't have to stick with the metal STANAG types. M4/AR-15 AEG pistol grips are also compatible, as are stocks, so if you want less of a factory fresh look for your 416 you can dress it up in full special forces style with no compatibility worries.

Both the outer barrel and the flash hider are constructed from steel, providing extra weight and a similar feel to a real firearm thanks to more realistic weight distribution. The flash hider is the typical birdcage type and mounts to 14mm CCW male threading, meaning you can mount a tracer unit or suppressor if the mission requires it. The flash hider has a grub screw in the bottom, so make sure you remember to remove the grub screw before attempting to unscrew it to avoid ruining the threads.

Moving rearwards we can see the realistic mock gas block, complete with a mock gas adjuster which can be rotated between "normal" and "suppressed" modes, with each mode being indicated on the left side of the handguard with engraved lettering. Running beneath the handguard there is a realistic mock gas piston and spring which is visible through the ports of the handguard, proving Umarex are stepping up to the standards set by H&K, compromising on nothing! These parts do not affect function in an Airsoft AEG but they nonetheless are essential to give the HK416 A5 its authentic, realistic appearance.

The handguard itself is constructed from aluminium using CNC machining, providing perfectly in-spec rails and a flawless shape, matching that of the real HK416 A5 perfectly. The handguard is equipped with 20mm Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions, and also has an integral flip-up front sight built in. The upper rail meets the receiver rail in a monolithic manner, and thanks to it being keyed into the receiver there is absolutely no chance of handguard wobble or rotation developing over time. This is one of the best refinements of the HK416 system and improves on the structural integrity of the base M4/AR15 considerably.

Every second rail slot of the handguard is numbed with laser engraved digits, just like the real HK416 A5 handguard. This means if you like to swap and change accessories between guns you can make a note of the slot number you use, and remount your accessories in the same spot every time. Punctuating the 20mm Picatinny rails we can see the H&K style handguard vents which give the 416 its recognisable H&K style, being similar in shape to those found on earlier HK416 rifles, the G36 series and the H&K UMP.

Moving on to the receiver we can see the linage of the HK416. M4/AR15 users will feel right at home with these controls, but there are a few notable enhancements on the HK416 A5 that most M4/AR-15 AEGs lack. The fire selector for example is located just above the pistol grip as it would be on an M4, but this selector is redesigned with a wider contact surface for easier actuation in wet weather conditions and is mirrored on the right side to allow for left-handed use.

The magazine release is also ambidextrous, being positioned on either side of the magazine well. The mock bolt release is functional in that it will allow you to release the mock bolt after HOP-up adjustment, and is also ambidextrous. The left side catch is the conventional "ping pong paddle" style but is slightly enlarged, and the right side catch is a small tab just above the magazine release which can be actuated with the trigger finger. Pressing either of these catches when the mock bolt is locked back will release it with a satisfying clack, and is a lot of fun to play with.

All these ambi controls, arent we spoilt? It gets even better. One of the major pitfalls of ambidextrous controls is the increased likelihood of snagging and accidentally pressing a button when your rifle rubs against your kit as you move. The HK416 A5 has solved this issue by adding raised protrusions on the receiver to protect the controls from accidental use, in a similar manner to the "magazine release fence" found surrounding the magazine release of a standard M4/AR15. This is why H&K are the kings, they think of everything and their designs are extremely practical and well thought out.

Being officially licensed by H&K via Umarex, this HK416 A5 boasts full realistic H&K trademarks across the entirety of its externals. On the left side of the upper receiver, we can see a small H&K logo stamp, which also appears on the mock bolt carrier over on the right. The lower receiver is also marked with a prominent engraved H&K logo, with the rifle name "HK 416" and the calibre indicated beneath.

On the right side of the mag well the trademarks read "Licensed Trademark of Heckler and Koch GMBH Germany", which is the only marking which is not present on the real HK416 A5, though this was included for legal reasons. The stock also has an embossed H&K logo on either side, and the fire selector modes are indicated with the classic H&K red and white bullet pictograms, a prerequisite for any H&K rifle which everyone recognises.

The adjustable HOP-up of the HK416 A5 is located inside the mock ejection port on the right side of the receiver and is accessible when the charging handle (found at the top rear of the receiver) is pulled to the rear. This will open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt, revealing its authentic H&K logo marking and the rotary HOP-up adjuster. The rotary HOP-up type is the latest design for M4/AR15 pattern AEGs and benefits from being able to hold its setting for longer under the vibrations of firing and can be adjusted in finer increments for greater precision. This device allows you to apply a varied amount of backspin to your BBs, and tune your HK416 A5 for your ammo weight of choice.

The pistol grip is the latest HK416 design and has a refined grip angle with the usual finger ridge removed for greater comfort for a variety of hand sizes. On either side and the rear, we can find crackle texturing to provide superb gripping qualities regardless of what type of gloves you wear for skirmishing. The trigger guard is enlarged for fast access to the trigger, and the trigger itself is the curved "mil-spec" style trigger, as it should be.

At the rear of the receiver, we can find an M4/AR-15 style 6-position buffer tube with the appropriate enlarged castle nut used on the real HK416 A5. Between the castle nut and receiver, we are treated to an ambidextrous sling plate constructed from steel, in the perfect location for mounting a single-point sling. There is also an additional sling slot on the stock, but this would be more useful when set up with a 20mm Picatinny sling mount (available separately) on the handguard if you prefer a two or three-point sling setup.

The buffer tube is constructed from aluminium and the castle nut is constructed from steel, keeping these parts in line with the premium build of this HK416 A5 AEG. The castle nut is also the appropriate lengthened design for the A5 variant, keeping the realism fans happy.

The sliding stock is installed over the top of the buffer tube, offering a snag-free design with a low profile adjustment lever located on the bottom, out of the way of any dangling slings, comms cables or other obstructions. The butt plate of the stock has aggressive chevron texture on its surface and is constructed from super grippy rubberised polymer, guaranteeing the HK416 A5 won't slip out of your shoulder when you are operating in bad weather conditions.

The battery compartment is located inside the buffer tube and is accessible through the rear of the stock. The butt plate of the stock can be removed by pulling the sliding catch at the toe of the stock forwards, after which the butt plate can be slid downwards and off the rifle. Inside you will find a mini-Tamiya battery connector to which you mount your choice of battery. For the HK416 A5, we recommend a 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo battery in stick configuration, which fits neatly inside and is easy to install.

On the inside, the HK416 A5 is based around the ever-reliable version 2 gearbox and most of the internal parts are reinforced, including the gearbox shell itself. A MOSFET, known as the VFC ECS is installed inside, bypassing the traditional trigger contacts for a snappier response in semi-automatic and to avoid the issues around electrical arcing. The MOSFET also improves electrical efficiency by reducing resistance.

The gearbox shell is a unique design based on the version 2 gearbox, known as the VFC Version 2.1 gearbox which is redesigned to accommodate the ambidextrous fire selector switch. Thankfully, all of the internals of the version 2.1 gearbox are compatible with version 2 aftermarket parts; great news for those who simply must upgrade everything they own!

If you are an H&K fan or a milsim enthusiast this HK416 A5 AEG is the ultimate museum-quality replica of the latest and greatest rifle in a long line of Heckler & Koch enhanced M4/AR-15 platforms. With build quality second to none, as we would expect from Umarex and VFC working hand in hand, and solid internals with a MOSFET pre-wired in, whether you are hitting the skirmish field or displaying it on the wall, this HK416 A5 will make onlookers jaws drop!

Features

• Full metal construction
• Steel flash hider & outer barrel - Realistic feel and weight distribution
• Detailed mock gas piston with gas adjuster - Very realistic, finely engraved gas setting markings
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Ready for suppressors and tracer units
• 20mm Picatinny railed handguard - 20mm rails at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock, ready for accessories
• Numerically marked Picatinny rail slots - Keep track of where you mount accessories
• Flip up front and rear aperture iron sights - Front sight inset into the handguard, rail mounted rear sight
• Ambidextrous fire selector switch - Easy fire mode changes for both left and right-handed shooters
• Ambidextrous magazine release - The latest H&K design, accessible from either side
• Ambidextrous mock bolt release - Drop the mock bolt from the left or right side
• Enlarged trigger guard - Plenty of room for using thick full finger gloves
• Enlarged mock bolt release - Larger than the normal "ping pong paddle", protected by a built-in fence
• Extended charging handle - Easy access to the HOP-up chamber for adjustments
• Detailed and realistic Heckler & Koch trademarks - Immaculate engraving, absolutely gorgeous
• Standard M4/AR-15 magazine well angle - Compatible with all types of M4/AR-15 AEG magazine
• Ergonomic H&K pistol grip - Texture on the sides and rear, reduced grip angle for comfort
• Steel ambidextrous sling plate - Mount a single-point sling on either side
• Steel castle nut - The appropriate lengthened design for the latest HK416 rifles
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Compatible with aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG stocks
• H&K style slimline sliding stock - Sling slot in the centre, H&K logo marking and chevron textured butt plate
• Version 2.1 gearbox - Reinforced design, fully compatible with V2 gearbox parts
• Pre-installed VFC ECS MOSFET - Reduced resistance, improved electrical efficiency, no arcing
• Rear wired to a mini-Tamiya battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo stick battery
• OEM: VFC Taiwan
• Licenced by UMAREX GmbH & Co. KG

Package Includes

• Umarex H&K HK416 A5 AEG Rifle
• 300rnd High-capacity Key Wound magazine
• User manual