Umarex H&K HK416 A5 Sportsline Airsoft AEG Rifle

The real HK416 A5 is the latest version of the much-lauded HK416, a development of the M4/AR15 platform 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/AR15 platform innovation.

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 is compatible with M4/AR15 magazines, and unlike earlier variants, you don't have to stick with the metal STANAG types. M4/AR15 AEG pistol grips are also compatible, as are stocks, so if you want a more "ally" look for your 416 you can dress it up however you please.

Starting at the tip of the alloy outer barrel we can see a polymer birdcage flash hider, which conceals 14mm CCW male threading beneath. This flash hider is unfortunately glued on but can be removed with careful application of hot water and moderate force. Using a polymer flash hider saves us a few quid, as Umarex know that most users of this platform will put their own choice of muzzle device on, as is the nature of a platform like the 416 which is often seen in the hands of SF operators with a suppressor installed.

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 recessed 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 the same high-density fibre reinforced polymer as the receiver and has a rough matt texture to it and a high quality feel. The use of fibre reinforced polymer offers lower weight than alloy equivalents and better scratch/drop resistance, making this HK416 great for aggressive and potentially clumsy skirmishers! 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 recessed 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/AR15 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 deeply engraved and prominent H&K logo, with the rifle name "HK416" 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/AR15 style 5-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 which is 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 and castle nut are both constructed from alloy, giving the rifle a realistic centre of balance despite its reduced weight. The HK416 A5s 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 rubber, guaranteeing the HK416 A5 wont 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 LiPo battery in stick configuration, which fits neatly inside and is easy to install.

The Umarex HK416 A5 Sportsline isn't quite a standard AEG beneath its gorgeous H&K shell, it is pre-fitted with an electronic trigger unit which protects the internal circuitry and monitors battery voltage, cutting power to the AEG when the voltage drops too low to protect your battery from damage. The ETU is also capable of performing diagnostics for the AEG, so in the event that your gun stops firing unexpectedly refer to the instruction manual for details on how to troubleshoot the AEG.

If you want an absolutely perfect replica of the H&K HK416 A5 but without replicating the significant weight of a fully loaded real steel 416, the Umarex Sportsline edition would be a great choice. Even laden down with a PEQ15, scout tactical flashlight, optical sight and magnifier, this rifle is easy to carry and wield all day and is well equipped to challenge other AEGs on the Airsoft battlefield with its rotary HOP-up unit and the ferocious trigger response from its pre-installed ETU!

Features

• High density polymer construction
• Alloy outer barrel and buffer tube
• Full H&K Licensing - Authentic trademarks everywhere!
• Near perfect replica of the latest HK416 variant
• Ambidextrous fire selector switch
• Ambidextrous mock bolt release
• Ambidextrous magazine release
• Electronic Trigger Unit (ETU) - Diagnostics function, battery protection
• Redesigned receiver to reduce snags on extended controls
• 14mm CCW male barrel threading - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Pre-installed flash hider is glued on - Be careful when removing it!
• 5 Position M4/AR15 buffer tube - Compatible with aftermarket stocks
• Quad 20mm Picatinny railed handguard with built-in flip up front sight
• Removable flip-up rear "ghost ring" aperture sight
• HK416 slimline carbine stock with rubber butt plate
• Ambidextrous sling plate - Ready for single-point slings
• Ergonomic HK416 pistol grip - Refined angle for modern stances
• Rear wired to a mini-Tamiya battery connector
• Compatible with version 2 gearbox upgrades and AEG inner barrels/HOP-up rubbers

Package Includes

• Umarex H&K HK416 A5 Sportsline Airsoft AEG Rifle
• 160rnd Medium capacity magazine
• User manual
• Cleaning/unjamming rod