Cybergun FN Herstal MK16 SCAR-L 14.5-Inch AEG

If you love having M4 mag compatibility but don't love M4s, the Cybergun FN Herstal MK16 SCAR-L 14.5-Inch AEG is one to watch. This full metal AEG replicates the real steel MK16 SCAR-L, an assault rifle design specified by US Special Forces to meet their exact requirements.

The SCAR design beats out most M4s in its inclusion of ambidextrous fire controls, a strong monolithic upper receiver made from a single piece of aluminium and a multi-adjustable stock. The stock folds to the side, can be adjusted into 6 different length of pull positions and even features an adjustable cheek riser to allow for comfort and a clear view down the iron sights or your choice of optical sight. Highlights of this SCAR-L include its steel outer barrel and flash hider, superb quality polymer parts and licenced FN Herstal trademarks, making it hard to tell apart from the real deal!

Starting at the tip of the outer barrel we can find a steel three-prong flash hider, faithfully mimicking the muzzle device issued with the real SCAR-L. The flash hider attaches to male 14mm CCW male threads at the tip of the outer barrel, meaning if you want to go full Special Forces with your SCAR, you have the option to mount a tracer or suppressor, or an alternative flash hider if you fancy a different look. The outer barrel's steel construction gives this SCAR extremely realistic weight distribution, ideal for the skirmisher who prioritises an authentic feeling build.

Immediately following the flash hider we get to the dummy gas bloc with the front flip-up iron sight sitting on top. The gas block is faithfully designed, looking almost identical to the real SCAR-L gas block, complete with a mock gas adjuster which allows you to adjust between "normal" and "adverse" positions in the real thing to ensure the rifle cycles whatever the conditions. This is merely for looks when it comes to Airsoft, but the authentic SCAR build would not be complete without it.

The front sight mounts into a dovetail at the top of the gas block but can easily be removed if you prefer to mount a flip-up sight on the receiver rail instead. The front sight can be deployed by pushing the button on the left side of the front sight forward and lifting it up. This also allows the sight to be flipped down for storage or use with optical sights. The front sight is a protected design, with a full hood preventing the adjustable AR-style front sight blade from being damaged should the rifle take a bump or scrape.

Following our front sight, we can find the first of several sling points on the SCAR-L. This comes in the form of two loops, one on either side, positioned at the front of the monolithic upper receiver and constructed from alloy for additional strength. These sling points are compatible with "hook" type slings and are functional for either left or right-handed shooters.

The upper receiver of the SCAR-L, like the real thing, is machined from a single piece of Aluminium and provides a rock-solid base for any optical sight you wish to mount. The rail is long enough that you can install a Red dot sight, magnifier, and PEQ box in true Special Forces style, with plenty of room to spare! At the rear of the upper rail, we can find the rear iron sight, which is adjustable for both windage and elevation without using tools, and comes with a fine yet easy-to-acquire aperture for aiming.

On the rear left side of the receiver is where we can find the licenced FN Herstal trademarks, a near-perfect match for the manufacturer's markings on the real SCAR-L. The markings read "FN HERSTAL BELGIUM", with "FN SCAR-L CAL. 5.56x45" just below. Where the upper receiver meets the lower, we also have an FN Herstal logo, with "Licenced by FN HERSTAL" beneath. The trademarks are the icing on the cake, completing the authentic SCAR-L build.

At the rear of the upper receiver, we can also find more sling points! This time a flat loop on the left side and a small loop on the right. If you intend to use the smaller loop on the right side, we recommend you put a key ring through it first to enable larger "hook" style slings to mount.

At either side of the SCAR-L upper receiver, we are provided with 20mm Picatinny rails which are great for mounting any 20mm Picatinny accessory that you didn't fit on your top rail, such as a tactical flashlight. These rails are very precisely machined but can be quite sharp to hold, so we recommend using gloves or Picatinny rail covers to keep those hands baby-soft. At the bottom of the handguard section, we are treated to yet another Picatinny rail, which makes a great home for a vertical or angled foregrip, or even a bipod should you choose to take this SCAR in a DMR direction!

Moving rearwards, we come to the SCAR-L's charging handle, which is installed on the left side of the AEG but can be reversed to the right side when the AEG is disassembled. When the charging handle is pulled, the mock bolt carrier retracts and travels a realistic length, and when released makes a satisfying metal-on-metal "clank". This provides no function but does reveal our gear adjustable HOP unit, located within the ejection port. The HOP-up can be adjusted in order to provide the appropriate amount of backspin to your chosen BB weight, extending your range when set correctly. With your adjustment complete, you can hit the mock bolt catch (aka the "ping pong paddle") on the centre right of the receiver to send the mock bolt home with a gloriously noisy "clank".

Below the bolt catch, we can find the magazine release, which is present on either side of the AEG, making this rifle as easy to reload for lefties as it is for correct-handed people. Above the pistol grip, we can find the fire selector lever, which sits comfortably under the shooter's thumb, ready for fast access. Being an ambidextrous design, the fire selector also allows anyone to use the selector with ease while also providing extra utility for those who like to "shoulder-to-shoulder transition" when negotiating corners in CQB. The fire selectors have a very short throw, approximately 45 degrees, allowing you to go from safe to semi-automatic much more quickly and with less movement than an M4/AR15 with its 90-degree selector throw.

The pistol grip of the SCAR-L is a standard A2 finger-ridged pistol grip with checkering on either side and the rear, ensuring you can keep a tight hold of your SCAR in even the worst weather conditions. This grip is potentially compatible with some aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG grips but we haven't tried that yet so no guarantees!

As we arrive at the rear of the rifle, we come to one of its finest features. The multi-function retractable/foldable stock. This stock is known as the "Ugg boot", due to its similarity in looks to what can loosely be described as footwear. If you ask us, Ugg boots should be known as "SCAR stock shoes" since the stock predates the boot!

As mentioned, this stock provides a whole lot of functionality and has inspired many other stock designs since its inception. The stock can be extended to any of 6 positions depending on body type and also features an adjustable cheek riser which offers 3 positions, intended to ensure you get a clear view down whatever optical sight you have mounted. The stock can also be folded and locked to the right side for storage, transportation, or engagements at kissing distance. The stock folding button is located on the left side of the stock, close to the hinge, with the cheek riser adjustment button sitting just above. The control to extend/retract the stock can be found close to the rubber butt plate on the toe of the stock.

The battery compartment of the Cybergun SCAR-L is inside the stock, accessible with the rubber butt plate removed. To achieve this, simply push the pin at the toe of the stock through and the rubber butt plate should pop off, revealing a Mini-Tamiya connector. For the SCAR-L, we recommend a 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo battery in nun-chuck/crane configuration for an easy fit. Being constructed from rubber as opposed to polymer allows the SCAR butt plate to grip your shoulder, making the AEG easy to shoulder and preventing the stock from shifting during aiming, especially in wet weather conditions.

If you're in search of a modern platform that isn't an M4 variant, the Cybergun FN Herstal MK16 SCAR-L 14.5-Inch AEG is a great choice. Built like a tank, just like the real thing with full licencing from FN Herstal themselves via Cybergun, this SCAR-L is one for the collectors and skirmishers who value an authentic build!

Features

• Full Metal construction
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Tri-prong flash hider pre-installed - A perfect match for the real SCAR-L
• Steel outer barrel - Realistically hefty front end, great for authenticity
• Gear adjustable HOP unit - Accessible with the bolt locked back
• Finger-ridged "A2" pistol grip - Comfortable for most hand sizes
• Ambidextrous fire selector - Great for left or right-handed shooters
• Adjustable cheek riser - Allows a comfortable cheek weld when using optical sights
• Functional mock bolt release - Let the bolt drop with a satisfying "clank"
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Drop the mag from the left or right side
• Flip-up aperture iron sights - Adjustable for windage and elevation
• 20mm Picatinny railed handguard - Rails at 3, 6, & 9 o'clock, ready for grips, flashlights & lasers
• 20mm Picatinny railed monolithic upper receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope, loads of room!
• Multi-function side folding retractable stock - Folds to the side, extends into 6 positions
• Rear wired: Mini-Tamiya battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Spares are plentiful!
• OEM: VFC, Taiwan

Package Includes

• Cybergun FN Herstal MK16 SCAR-L 14.5-Inch AEG
• 300rnd High-capacity magazine
• User manual