S&T ST416D Sports Line AEG; ETU Version

If you're working on a special forces loadout on a budget, the S&T ST416D Sports Line AEG; ETU Version is the ideal primary. This 416-style replica makes use of high-density polymer throughout the build with an alloy outer barrel, boasting a rock-solid feel while being light as a feather. Gone are the days when polymer meant shiny, squeaky and rattly rubbish. The ST416D feels great in the hands and will not get greasy over time thanks to its textured polymer finish!

Inside, the ST416D is generously equipped, boasting a 6.02mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up for solid long-range performance. This, the latest version, is also equipped with an in-line MOSFET and low resistance wiring, preventing lockups in semi-automatic mode and providing a snappy trigger ideal for CQB scenarios. Built like a tank, with no rattles, wobbles, or other niggles to be found, the ST416D is the perfect tool to use as a backup to a full metal AEG around the end of the day when the arms get tired, or for younger skirmishers with less physical strength!

Starting at the tip of the 10-inch outer barrel, we can find a polymer birdcage flash hider attached to 14mm CCW male threading. This means you can add a tracer or suppressor straight away, and all you need to do is remove the flash hider grub screw and unscrew it. The barrel is constructed from high-density polymer, which is an unusual choice, but fits in well with the objective of the ST416D, to provide a lightweight AEG with 416-like looks for those who want the special forces style without spending all day in the gym like the real SF guys do!

Following the flash hider, we come to the gas block, which is the appropriate design to mimic the real thing, complete with a flip-up front sight post and sling loops on either side. The sight post can be raised by hand and will lock into the deployed position via a spring-loaded detent inside the sight base. This sight aligns well with the multi-aperture dioptre rear iron sight, but if you aren't one for aiming or the front sight gets in the way of mounting a suppressor, it can be removed by removing the screw on the left side.

The handguard of the ST416D is constructed from the same high-density polymer as the rest of the rifle, and offers 20mm Picatinny rails at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock. The rails allow you to deck the platform out with accessories to your heart's content, and also feature numbered slots, so if you share accessories between different platforms, you can remove and remount them in the same spot if you take note of the slot number. Rails are one area where skirmishers often choose metal, but when you mount accessories and regularly remove or relocate them, the rail will get scratched and end up looking quite tatty. The high-density polymer handguard should maintain its looks and keep the front-end weight to an absolute minimum for seriously quick target-to-target transitions, even if you've decked the ST416D out with the usual SF complement of gizmos.

The receiver is based on the prolific M4/AR-15, making it a familiar layout for many and an easy transition from another M4/AR-15 platform. The fire selector is located on the left side of the lower receiver and provides 3 modes of fire: safe, semi-auto and full auto. Each mode is denoted with a high vis bullet style pictogram in tribute to the real rifle the ST416D was inspired by, with a crossed out projectile in white to indicate safe, a single projectile in red to indicate semi auto and a single projectile with "30" alongside, also in red, to denote the full auto fire mode. The fire selector has a 90-degree throw between each mode, giving us a perfect compromise between fast actuation and assurance that the selector cannot be easily knocked into the wrong mode.

The magazine release is located on the right side of the magazine well, as it is on any other M4/AR-15, and is a push-button design which is well within reach of the trigger finger when in a firing grip. Compatibility-wise, the ST416D should take most metal STANAG-style M4/AR-15 AEG magazines, but may not work with certain polymer magazines due to the angle of the magazine well. The trigger guard is a standard M4/AR-15 flat style, and the pistol grip is an ergonomic design inspired by the real rifle the ST416D is designed after, setting the wrist at a more comfortable angle and filling out the palm for comfort, whether you rock gloves on the field or not.

Being based on the M4/AR-15, the charging handle of the ST416D is positioned at the top rear of the receiver, just like an M4. Pulling the charging handle back will open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt, revealing the rotary HOP-up adjuster within. The rotary unit is the latest design for the M4/AR-15 AEG platform and benefits from providing finer increments of adjustment and also holds its setting for longer under the vibrations of full auto fire. This HOP-up unit is fully compatible with aftermarket upgrades, including inner barrels, so if you want to fill this plastic fantastic platform with high-end upgrades, it is not out of the question!

Bringing up the rear of the ST416D, we have a 6-position M4/AR-15 buffer tube with full compatibility with aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG stocks. This gives you a wide range of stock options if you want to style up the platform to suit your preferences. The pre-installed stock is a Crane-style rifle stock with QD sling sockets built into the stock on either side and sling slots for more traditional strap slings. The battery compartment is also located within the Crane stock and can be accessed by pushing the two tabs at the toe of the stock together, after which the butt plate can be removed. With the butt plate removed the battery plug can be pulled out, revealing the battery compartment and the Deans battery connector within. For the ST416D, we recommend a 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo battery in Crane/Nunchuck configuration.

On the inside, the ST416D is based on Tokyo Marui's proven M4 AEG design, with an alloy version 2 gearbox with steel 18:1 ratio gears running on 8mm bushings and full compatibility with aftermarket upgrades. A quick change spring system makes power tuning a breeze, and inside this latest version, we're treated to low-resistance wiring and an in-line MOSFET, improving trigger response significantly and guaranteeing that you never get a lock-up when shooting semi-auto at pace.

A 6.02mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a modern, rotary HOP-up unit gives the ST416D solid performance at long range and great accuracy potential with high quality ammo. The use of a rotary HOP-up unit should provide ample range, but if you want more, the HOP-up and inner barrel are also compatible with upgrade parts. We cannot deny it, we get a kick out of imagining this full polymer AEG with an HPA engine or other internal wizardry inside, and if you share our fantasy, you can make it happen!

So, for those looking for a lightweight backup AEG with an elite look, or those looking to rock the elite look without making their arms burn after a couple of hours of skirmishing, the ST416D would be a welcome addition to your armoury. If you run a GBBR or NGRS and you are looking for an alternative for when you just want to run and gun with something simple, this AEG should fit in with any SF loadout for obvious reasons!

Features

• High density polymer construction - Super light & agile
• 6.02mm Tightbore inner barrel - Impressive accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Flip-up front iron sight - Mounted to the gas block
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - The latest M4/AR-15 HOP-up unit design
• 20mm Picatinny railed handguard - 20mm rails at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock, ready for 20mm accessories
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope
• Numbered rail slots - Keep track of your accessory mounting locations
• Ergonomic 416 style pistol grip - Very comfortable and modern
• Ambidextrous CQD style sling plate - Ideal for single-point slings
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Compatible with aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG stocks
• Front sling points on either side of the dummy gas block - Great for left or right-handed shooters
• Rear sling slots and QD sling socket in the stock - Ready for two-point slings
• Rear wired: Deans connector - Recommended Battery: 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo in nun-chuck/crane config.
• Alloy version 2 gearbox:
  • 18:1 Steel gearset
  • 8mm bushings
  • Quick change spring system
  • Low-resistance wiring
  • In-line MOSFET
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG STANAG magazines - High cap | Mid cap

Package Includes

• S&T ST416D Sports Line AEG; ETU Version
• 120rnd Medium capacity magazine