Umarex Heckler & Koch HK416 F-S AEG

If you're working on a French Army loadout or you collect iconic H&K designs, the Umarex Heckler & Koch HK416 F-S AEG will put a big smile on your face! A flawless full metal replica of the unique 14.5-inch barrelled HK415 A5 issued to the Armée de terre, the HK416 F-S is built to the same fantastic standard as the standard HK416 A5, with plenty of steel parts and none of the unique French-issued skipped over!

Like the A5, the HK416 F-S boasts full ambidextrous functionality, a redesigned receiver for compatibility with a wider variety of magazines, a longer free-floated quad rail handguard, the latest version of H&K's storage stock and a refined ergonomic pistol grip, giving the now ageing HK416 design the 21st century feature set it needs to stay ahead. Unique to the F-S (French Standard) model is its steel bayonet lug/rifle grenade launching-ring, flawlessly replicating the real deal.

Inside, the HK416 F-S is based around the VFC version 2.1 gearbox, a V2-derived design with 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 8mm ball bearing bushings, a reinforced shell, a quick-change spring system and an in-line MOSFET to prevent trigger lockups. The inner barrel is a 6.03mm tightbore example paired with a Rotary HOP-up unit, providing fantastic accuracy potential with high-quality BBs. Whether you're running a French Foreign Legion loadout or you're a fan of rare yet recognisable modern rifles which handle like a dream, the Umarex Heckler & Koch HK416 F-S AEG has your name on it!

Starting at the front, we can find an H&K three-prong flash hider mounted to the tip of the 14.5-inch outer barrel. The flash hider is constructed from steel, providing extra weight and a similar feel to a real firearm, thanks to more realistic weight distribution. The flash hider 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 damaging the threads.

Between the flash hider and gas block, we come to the detailed mock bayonet lug/rifle grenade launching ring, a unique addition to the French Standard HK416 to permit the use of bayonets and NATO standard rifle grenades used with the previous FAMAS rifle. This lug looks very similar to those on M4/AR-15s, but we have not yet tested our dummy bayonets for compatibility. Stay tuned for more info!

Running beneath the handguard, we can see the realistic mock gas block with a realistic mock gas piston and spring, 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 are nonetheless 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 F-S extended quad rail perfectly. The handguard is equipped with 20mm Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions, ready for your choice of accessories. 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 numbered with laser-engraved digits, just like the real HK416 F-S 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 lineage of the HK416 F-S. M4/AR-15 users will feel right at home with these controls, but there are a few notable enhancements on this rifle 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 it is a lot of fun to play with.

All these ambi controls, aren't 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 F-S 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/AR-15. 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 F-S boasts realistic H&K trademarks across the entirety of its externals, matching perfectly with those present on the real French Standard HK416. On the left side of the upper receiver, we can see a small "HK416 F-S" laser engraving, with an H&K logo stamp 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 F-S" and the real steel calibre indicated beneath. As we expect from Umarex, none of the authentic details have been missed.

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 F-S, 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 F-S is located inside the mock ejection port on the right side of the receiver and is accessible when the ambidextrous 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/AR-15 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 F-S 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 for an authentic replica.

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. The loops on the sling plate are rather small in classic H&K style, so we recommend adding a Universal Sling Adapter, a keyring or a loop of paracord if you find your sling hook is too large to fit. There is also an additional sling slot on the stock, but this would be best used when set up with the included ambidextrous 20mm Picatinny sling mount fitted to the handguard to mount 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 with yet more flawlessly realistic details.

The H&K sliding storage stock is installed over the top of the buffer tube, offering a comfortable sloped cheek piece similar to the legendary Crane stock. The low-profile adjustment lever is located on the bottom, out of the way of any dangling slings, comms cables or other obstructions. The butt plate of the stock has an aggressive chevron texture on its surface and is constructed from super-grippy rubberised polymer, guaranteeing the HK416 F-S won't slip off your shoulder when 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 forward, after which the butt plate can be slid downwards and off the rifle. Inside, you will find an AMASS-branded Deans battery connector to which you mount your choice of battery. We recommend a 7.4V 2000mAh LiPo battery in Crane/Nunchuck configuration, which fits neatly inside and is easy to install. You can also use batteries designed for M4/AR-15 buffer tubes, just in case you already have one handy.

On the inside, the HK416 F-S is based around the ever-reliable version 2 gearbox and most of the internal parts are reinforced, including the gearbox shell itself. An in-line MOSFET, known as the VFC ECS, is installed inside, bypassing the traditional trigger contacts to achieve a snappier response in semi-automatic mode and to avoid issues related to 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!

Whether you collect high-end H&K replicas or you're rocking CCE camo for your French Foreign Legion loadout, the Umarex Heckler & Koch HK416 F-S AEG will be an asset to your arsenal! With all the authentic details, licensed H&K markings and incredible build quality, the HK416 F-S is practically museum-worthy!

Features

• Full metal construction - Plenty of steel parts
• Unique French Army HK416 variant - Great for French Army loadouts
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• Steel flash hider, gas block & bayonet lug - Realistic details
• Pre-installed VFC ECS In-line MOSFET - Reduced resistance, improved electrical efficiency, no arcing
• 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 - Rail-mounted H&K iron sights included in the box
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope
• 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
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Behind the mock bolt, pull the charging handle to access
• Enlarged trigger guard - Plenty of room for using thick full finger gloves
• Enlarged ambidextrous mock bolt release - Enlarged "ping pong paddle" & shelf-style release on the right
• 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 magazines
• 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 Sliding stock - Sling slot in the centre, H&K logo marking and chevron textured butt plate
• Version 2.1 gearbox:
  • Reinforced alloy shell
  • 18:1 Ratio steel gearset
  • 8mm Ball bearing bushings
  • VFC ECS MOSFET
  • Quick-change spring system
• Rear wired: Deans battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo stick battery
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG Magazines - Plenty of spare magazine options
• OEM: VFC Taiwan
• Licensed by UMAREX GmbH & Co. KG

Package Includes

• Umarex H&K HK416 A5 AEG Rifle
  • 120rnd H&K Gen.3 PM Mid-cap magazine
  • Flip-up iron sights
  • Ambidextrous sling point for 20mm Picatinny rails
  • Deans to mini-Tamiya
  • Allen keys