Umarex H&K HK416 CQB Low Power Electric Gun

If your kids or younger siblings want to get in on the Airsoft action, perhaps it is a bit soon for skirmishing but that doesn't mean shooting is off the cards! The Umarex H&K HK416 CQB Low Power Electric Gun is designed for those who are a bit too young for full-fat Airsofting but want to get a head start on their skirmishing skills in the backyard, under adult supervision of course!

This LPEG is constructed entirely from polymer and as such weighs very little, tipping the scales at a minuscule 1.6 kg despite the box insisting this is a "heavyweight" gun. The reference to heavyweight is a bit of a mystery to us as this LPEG seems to be the perfect weight for youngsters who might struggle to hold a normal AEG steady and on target, being around half the weight of a full metal HK416 and lighter still than full polymer AEG with a metal gearbox.

Though it may be a low-power option, clocking in at around 191 FPS with a 0.2g BB, the HK416 CQB still requires eye protection and the appropriate care and attention to operate but with considerably less dire consequences than a stray shot with an AEG. If you want to get your child or a younger sibling warmed up for future Airsoft adventures so they can hit the ground running when it comes time to skirmish, the HK416 CQB will give them a taste of AEG handling without the risks associated with a full power Airsoft gun!

Starting at the front, we have a polymer birdcage flash hider fixed to the tip of the outer barrel, completing the look of the CQB model of the iconic HK416. Just to the rear, we have the dummy gas block featuring built-in sling points on either side and a flip-up front sight at the top. The sling points can be paired with the sling loop on the bottom of the stock to mount a two-point sling and though they may be polymer, the sling points are easily up to the task of supporting this featherweight HK416.

The front sight takes the form of a slim flip-up front post with built-in protective wings on either side of the squared front sight post, keeping the sight post safe in the event of a drop or scrape. The flip-up front sight can be deployed by pulling the sliding button forwards and lifting the sight up where it will lock into place. The rear sight, found at the rear of the receiver rail can also be flipped up and down and also allows windage adjustments to be applied from the dial on the left side. With the rear sight deployed, you can select from 4 different aiming apertures by turning the dial on the sides of the sight, offering a choice of wider apertures for full auto fire and smaller apertures for semi-auto fire.

Accessory options are provided by the 20mm Picatinny quad railed handguard which is constructed from polymer and styled to match the real HK416 perfectly. The handguard provides 20mm rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions, allowing lasers, tactical flashlights and vertical grips to be mounted at any point on the handguard easily and quickly. The top rail runs back to meet the receiver rail seamlessly in classic HK416 style, being keyed into the receiver to absolutely eliminate wobble and any chance that the handguard will rotate. The upper rail also allows red dot sights to be mounted, making for quicker target acquisition and a more elite look.

The receiver matches well with the real HK416, including the raised top rail and altered magazine well angle, and being a Umarex licenced product, the left side of the receiver boasts full-colour H&K trademarks in the usual spot. The magazine release is on the right side, protected by a built-in magazine release fence, and is a push button design like the M4/AR-15 platform, sitting well within reach of the shooter's trigger finger when the rifle is held in a firing grip.

The fire selector is positioned just above the pistol grip on the left side, providing 3 fire modes with a 90-degree throw between each. The first mode is safe, indicated by a recessed crossed-out projectile marking, the second mode is semi-automatic, denoted with a single projectile in a box and the final mode is full auto which is marked with a projectile in an open box with "30" just in front. The selector markings are a perfect match for the real HK416 and with a dab of coloured paint, these could be made to stand out even more, as they do on the real deal.

The grip is a finger-ridged "A2" style pistol grip, featuring diamond texture on either side and linear grooves on the backstrap, providing ample grip in all weather conditions. The trigger guard is the standard M4/AR-15 flat type, as seen on the original HK416 CQB this replica is modelled after. The pistol grip and trigger guard are built into the receiver, meaning they cannot be swapped for AEG aftermarket parts.

The upper receiver is where we can find the charging handle, at the top rear just above the buffer tube and stock. Pulling the handle rearwards will open the dust cover on the right side and allow access to the adjustable HOP-up unit. The HOP-up allows you to tune the HK416 CQB for different ammo weights and extend your range. Adjustments are applied by turning the gear on the HOP-up unit, and we recommend going for 0.2g BBs (throw the ones in the box away) and adjusting the HOP-up until you find the flattest possible trajectory to get this HK416 shooting its best. If you are curious about HOP-up you can find out more by watching this video!

Just behind the dust cover on the right side, we can find the dummy forward assist, which does nothing but can still be pressed as a nod to realism. In the real HK416, this device allows the bolt carrier to be pushed forward in the event that it jams up and while this isn't needed for a replica, it is a nice touch that Umarex chose to include this part as a movable dummy control.

At the rear of the receiver, we can find our stock setup; a 6-position M4/AR-15 style buffer tube constructed from polymer with an early type HK416 sliding stock running over the top. The stock can be set to any of the 6 positions by pressing the lever on the bottom and sliding the stock into your position of choice. This means the HK416 CQB can be set up to suit practically any body type and provide a comfortable cheek weld with a grippy serrated butt pad which keeps the rifle firmly locked into your shoulder.

The battery compartment is located inside the stock and can be accessed by pulling the butt plate down, after which it can be removed. Inside you will see a mini-Tamiya battery connector to which you mount your choice of battery. We recommend an 8.4V 1600mAh NiMh battery in crane/nunchuck configuration for easy installation and optimal performance.

The HK416 CQB is supplied with a high-capacity magazine which holds 300 BBs and is also compatible with most standard AEG magazines. The high-capacity magazine uses a clockwork mechanism to feed BBs into the gun and requires winding before you can shoot. The fill window is on the top of the mag, taking the form of a sliding door. With the fill window open you can pour BBs straight in, insert the magazine and then wind the winding wheel on the bottom of the mag 5-10 times to tension the internals and allow the BBs to feed into the gun. If the BBs stop feeding but there are still BBs left in the mag, wind it up again and get back to shooting!

On the inside, this HK416 is equipped with a polymer gearbox set up for low power and is not compatible with any standard AEG internals as far as we are aware. Basic though this internal setup may be, it is ideal for those who aren't yet ready for full-blown Airsoft skirmishing at full power and are more at home with backyard plinking. The reduced power level also means there is little chance of your BBs going through a garden hedge or ricocheting off your property, keeping well clear of any potential legal issues and allowing the skirmishers of the future to get comfortable with the safe handling of Airsoft guns with the appropriate adult supervision while minimising the risks associated with shooting Airsoft guns.

If you have a young associate who isn't quite old enough to handle a proper AEG, this HK416 CQB will keep them off your back until they are old enough! While not suitable for skirmishing, this HK416 is ideal for those future skirmishers to get to grips with the sport and hone their skills, maximising fun while staying safe and minimising risks!

Features

• Full polymer construction
• Super lightweight - Only 1.6kg!
• Low Power Electric Gun (LPEG) 
  • Muzzle velocity: 191 FPS approx w/0.2g BB
  • Muzzle energy: < 0.5 joules
• Suitable for plinking, backyard skirmishes and those too young for a proper AEG
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope
• 20mm Picatinny quad rail handguard - Mount a flashlight, grip or laser
• Flip-up multi-aperture iron sights - Fully adjustable, no tools needed!
• 6-Position sliding stock - Adjust the stock to suit any body type
• Finger ridged "A2" style pistol grip - Grip enhancing texture on either side
• Sling points front and rear - Front sling point on the dummy gas block/barrel, rear sling point on the stock
• Gear adjustable HOP-up unit - Add backspin to your BBs to extend your range
• 3-Position fire selector switch - SAFE | SEMI AUTO | FULL AUTO
• 300-round High capacity magazine included - Wind it up using the wheel on the bottom or the included key
• Clear polymer gearbox shell - NOT compatible with AEG internal parts
• Rear wired - Mini-Tamiya battery connector
• Easy access battery compartment inside the stock - Slide the butt plate down and remove it to access
• Compatible with standard AEG magazines - Spares are plentiful!
• Recommended battery: 8.4V 1600mAh NiMh in Crane configuration
• Recommended charger: NUPROL Compact NIMh charger
• If you want something suitable for skirmishing, check out the Umarex H&K HK416 A5 Sportsline

Package Includes

• Umarex H&K HK416 CQB Low Power Electric Gun
• 300rnd High-capacity magazine
• Winding Key
• User manual