UMAREX/VFC H&K 416
GAS BLOW BACK RIFLE
Shakespeare could have written “AEG or GBB? That is the question.”
But he didn’t – so we asked Ratty if Umarex’s HK416 has the answer…
T
he Heckler & Koch 416 series
has become a bit of a legend
in its own right. There have
been airsoft versions of varying
quality around for some time.
While there will always be the debate about
whether to go for an AEG or GBB version of
any rifle or SMG, when offered the chance of
reviewing this latest offering from Umarex I
jumped at it.
History
For some years now Heckler & Koch has
been at the cutting edge of modern firearms
development and manufacture. From icons
such as the MP5 series to the ultra-modern
G36 series, its products have always been held
up as reliable and very well-manufactured.
Delta Force and Heckler & Koch got
together to develop a new carbine.
032
February 2012
H&K’s view was to cure the M16/M4
series of all their problems, inherent to
its 40-year-old design. The company used
its experience from the recent (and very
successful) upgrade programme of the
British Army SA80/L85A1 rifles, as well
as its development on the G36 series. At
that time the G36 had just been adopted
by the German Army. The new project
was originally designated the ‘HK M4’, but
was changed owing to a suit filed by Colt
Defence over trademark infringement.
The main improvement made by H&K was
to use its patented short-stroke gas piston
system, which operates a seven-lug rotating
bolt and is also found in the G36 series. This
system replaced the direct gas system of
the standard M16/M4, so no powder residue
remained in the receiver even after sustained
shooting sessions. This new system is self-
regulating and works reliably with any barrel
length. It also reduces malfunctions and
increases the life of parts.
Other improvements included a new buffer
assembly, improved bolt and a cold hammer
forged barrel with a 20,000-round service life.
The cold forging process provides a stronger
barrel for use in extended firing sessions and
generally improved safety.
The 416 also features a free-floating
handguard which helps improve accuracy,
with integral Picatinny-type rail system on
all four sides. The 416 has a new style,
ergonomically-designed pistol grip, an
adjustable (six position) telescopic stock, and
interestingly the shoulder pad can either be
concave or convex. It also features storage
space for accessories such as batteries and
small maintenance tools. As standard they
come with folding front and rear sights too.