The VFC / Umarex HK416 Owners Thread

[CrackCommandoUnit1972]

Nice one. Never thought of using one of these. Used to have something similar for an old fishing rods I had.

As for the barre kit, its the same old story. Other people had better ideas in what I should be spending my money on. Still, I might pick one up at some point.

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Bah humbug.  I'm having problems with one of my gas mags.

I had broken the fill valve by over-tightening it.   Luckily Fire Support sell compatible Guarder valves at two for a tenner (which makes the fiver postage feel a bit steep, but hey ho)

Anyway, I've just fitted that and tried out the mag again.  
It's leaking 'bigly'

I've narrowed the problem down to two options:

1) I'm an idiot

or

2) I'm definitely an idiot

It's not the gentle leak of bad gasket or o-ring, it's the 'whoosh' of something missing entirely, or installed incorrectly.
I've watched the YT video about servicing this particular magazine, and I seem to have everything in place though.

The one area that seemed most likely is the knocker valve.  If it's screwed in tightly it seems like the o-ring is exposed and it might not block the gas escaping. 
Not screwing it fully in didn't help though.

I've also tested filling it with it without the spring + follower and top cover in place.   The gas comes out of both the top gas hole and seemingly also the BB stack... which can't be right - it must be the gasket...?

Any thoughts as to how I've fecked it up are most welcome!

View attachment 115908

A - the BB stack, gas seemed to vent from here, but surely it was actually coming from 'B'

C - the main gas route, also venting whether the knocker valve is screwed tightly in, or wound out (as per second pic)

Closeup with it screwed completely in... o-ring visible, is it only the hidden / lower side that needs to block the gas?
View attachment 115910

Assorted pics of the valve screwed out, then in...

View attachment 115909

 

[CrackCommandoUnit1972]

I don't wanna take my mags apart again to have a look as they are all working perfectly at the moment. All your pics seem fine and everything is where it should be. However, and it's hard to tell, but the top of the gasket here doesn't look right. Is it fitting snuggly?

View attachment 115940

When I was having my leaks its was to do with the gasket being very slightly deformed. The leaks I experienced went from a very slight leak to a major pissing of gas as the more I fiddled with the mag, the more I was making the gasket worse.

Once I got my new gakests, I smeared all the rubber parts with silicon grease like this - https://www.godive.net/products/silicone-grease/ - and it worked perfectly.

Are getting you leaks from the mags from the same place where I bought my leaking mags.

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Thanks @CrackCommandoUnit1972, I think the gasket in the pic was quite loose on the valve, but seemed to be correctly positioned when assembled.  I'll take it all apart and check for any damage, evidence of it being nipped when in position.  And check the gaskets again too.

I had another mag that I thought had lost its ability to hold gas yesterday at my skirmish.  Luckily it turned out it hadn't quite seated properly - a 'sturdier' approach to getting it in the mag well was all it needed. 

However, all of this is making me think I'll just take advantage of my existing HPA equipment (that doesn't get used, because of my Tippmann issues), get an Airtac adaptor and side-step most of these glitches!  I talked to a couple of people running with them on their gats yesterday, and they seemed very pleased with them.

So... I can order the new M4 adapter from Airtac for £130, I'll have to sacrifice components from one gas mag to complete it, and then I need to buy a regulator for my air tank.  I need some advice on that, I'll start a thread in the HPA section.

 

[The_Roach]

Hi there. I'm sure you can help with these simple questions. Apologies if they have been asked, and answered, before.
With my 416 due to arrive from Hong Kong, I would like to read your recommendations for it :

- BB weight, what would you use to clock below 350 fps, noting that I intend to play in semi for obvious mag capacity reasons
- What gas would you use at which temp ?

- I'm planning to use a single point sling, will the stock and attachment take the weight rubbing ?

- Any simple hacks to increase reliability out of the box, without buying anything, e.g. what needs tightening, loctite, sand papering, silicon lubing etc.
 

And generally any advice for a new owner.

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

- BB weight, what would you use to clock below 350 fps, noting that I intend to play in semi for obvious mag capacity reasons

You can adjust the power by twisting the screw inside the nozzle, you need a 1.5mm Allen key, anti clockwise for more power

Run the heaviest BBs you can find / afford because you won't be shooting many of them... I ran 0.40s mostly but 0.32s are easier to buy

- What gas would you use at which temp ?

Ultrair or Abbey Sniper Brut, minimal silicone content to keep the hop rubber dry

- I'm planning to use a single point sling, will the stock and attachment take the weight rubbing ?

I run a two point sling with a sling point on the top RIS rail and using the built in point on the rear of the receiver.  The whole gun is built like a tank, you won't have any problems.  The stock nut on mine likes to undo itself, that's the only thing that would give me pause about attaching the sling to it. 

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

- Any simple hacks to increase reliability out of the box, without buying anything, e.g. what needs tightening, loctite, sand papering, silicon lubing etc.

Apart from the stock nut maybe needs a dab of thread lock, it's all good.

I use (rightly or wrongly) a bit of silicon grease mixed with abbey silicone spray to make a light grease which I used on the bolt and charging handle.  A bit of the spray on the trigger assembly, and that's it

Enjoy!

 

[CrackCommandoUnit1972]

Ive been running .3g bbs in mine with no issues, I get decent range and accuracy with them.

I have just been using bog standard nuprol green gas in mine and have the npas set at around 320fps with .2g bbs.

I've not used mine in the winter yet so it will be interesting to see how well it runs with green gas. I might try red/black gas if its started to struggle.

I normally give every thing a good clean every few game days and use lithium grease on the bolt.

I always have a quick look at any screws or nuts to see if they need tightening as the recoil of the rifle is pretty firm.

 

[Miêu Anh-Nguyễn]

You'll have to add tax of 20% and customs of 2.5% on them, that's the overall total to with shipping on, just so you are aware ?

I bought 3 VFC magazines in WOG. Than I was told by customs that there was a duty of 42 pounds.  To be honest, this is really frustrating, but my friend told me that I should not use UPS for transportation but should choose EMS, because UPS is a commercial mail, while EMS is a private mail.  Although it is more expensive, it can avoid paying tariffs, but I don't know if this is true.

 

[jim4244]

Hi all

Be gentle with me, I'm new to airsoft and this forum!

Looking at buying a 416 A5 Gen 3 but have watched so many reviews on YouTube that I have confused myself.

I have a few questions if anyone can help:

1/ Is the bolt carrier and bolt in the Gen 3 made of steel or aluminum? I watched a video where the guy kept changing his mind. One minute he appeared to say that the Gen 2 had a steel carrier and bolt and the Gen 3 aluminum ones and then that the Gen 3 had  aluminum ones and the Gen 2 steel ones?

2/ Am I right in thinking that both steel and alloy bolt carriers and bolts can be interchanged between the Gen 3 and Gen 2?

3/ I'm assuming that the steel bolt carrier / steel bolt is the better set up?

4/ The firing pin and spring was apparently the weak point on the Gen 2. I gather that this has been replaced with a steel pin and spring on the Gen 3?

5/ Am I right in saying that the FPS can not be adjusted on the Gen 3 and is instead factory set?

Grateful for any reply's guys & girls.

 

[jim4244]

Three days and no replies?

Have a nice new Gen 3 on the way to me with a few extra mags so I guess that I will be answering my own questions at the weekend.

Jim

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Yeah sorry mate, I think we've all got gen.2 so can't answer your specific questions!

Good luck with your new gnu, I've certainly enjoyed owning mine ?

 

[CrackCommandoUnit1972]

Three days and no replies?

Have a nice new Gen 3 on the way to me with a few extra mags so I guess that I will be answering my own questions at the weekend.

Jim

Hello Jim,

I have a Gen 3 version and its brilliant.

To answer some of your questions;

No, the bolt carrier is not steel. There is a very small square bit of steel where the bolt engages the bolt catch when the mag runs empty. However, although it's not steel, I cant see the bolt carrier cracking or breaking unless you hit it with a hammer.

I have no idea if a steel bolt carrier is better. I would imagine that it would be a bit heavier and affect gas efficiency.

I am sure the bolt carriers with fit both gen 2 and 3 as there is very little difference between the two. The gen 3 has slightly better internals that makes it a bit more reliable and solves the intermitant issue of the bolt not always locking back when the mag is empty. Mine locks back every time (as long as there is enough gas in the mags)

All the internals on the Gen 3 seems to be steel.

The Gen 3 does come with an adjustable npas. You need a small allen key and its a bit fiddly but I have had mine running from 280fps to over 350fps (on 0.2g bbs). I think the asian version might have an insert in the nozzel to prevent it firing too hot, but the Uk version is fully adjustable.

Hope this helps.

 

[jim4244]

Thanks CCU ?

CCU what type / make of optic system have you mounted? I’m tempted to put a low magnification prism sight on? Or should I just go for a 1X red dot?

decisions decisions eh? ?

Jim

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Running a gas blowback rifle is much more akin to sniping than anything else, as you're carefully flinging single shots rather than spamming (well, most of the time anyway)

For that it's important to be able to see the flight of your BB and then to be able to correct the aim for follow up shots, and for that I've found running an LPVO (typically set at ~3X magnification) is really useful.

All the times I've gone back to a red dot I've missed that magnification. 

(I had bought a Eotech clone specifically for my 416 because it looks brilliant on it)

Not the case when I'm running an AEG, where I really prefer the red dot.

View attachment 113727

View attachment 106397

Edit:  Having written that out, I realize a good compromise would be the Eotech paired with a Flip-To-Side magnifier!  Well, that's something else to spend some dosh on)

 

[jim4244]

Thanks for your thoughts McSpoons.

I’m leaning towards a X3 prism scope. Seen a budget one that receives good reviews - Konus PTS2 3X30

Jim

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Yup that could do the trick.  Try to find out what the eye relief / view box is like.

The only thing with that sight is - you're adding even more RIS to a gun that's already (pun-intended) "RIS Heavy"

 

[jim4244]

Yes… I did think that. I know that you can never have too many rails but even I have a limit!?

Now please don’t judge me but in the interim I’ve bought a cheap Chinese X2 red dot until I actually get to see and fire the rifle. I’m overseas with work at present and don’t get home until Saturday afternoon. SWMBO has already been messaging me asking “What are all these bloody packages that keep being delivered and what’s in the big heavy one?”….??? I daren’t even hint at how much I’ve spent…..

So the plan is to arrive home, fuss up the dogs, be ignored by the cat, dump my washing in the basket, kiss SWMBO, and then open everything on the kitchen table, strip and lube the 416, mount all the goodies on the various rails, set up some targets in the garden and let rip ?

Then light the log burner, order a Chinese, drink some cider and then off to bed…..

Sounds like a plan eh?

So…… there’s a lot more to setting up an airsoft GBBR then simply giving it a clean, pulling through the barrel and check zeroing it. What’s this hop up that puts a back spin on the projectile? I’ve watched a couple of YouTube videos and think that I understand the procedure for setting it up.

Hmmm…. and the original plan was just to hang the 416 on the wall in my study ?

Jim

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

The trickiest part of owning GBBRs in my limited experience is getting mags that don't leak (and fixing them if they do).  Everything else is quite straightforward.

Yes, clean the barrel.

Yes, buy some silicone grease and/ or spray for lubing the working parts

And setting the hop is probably not something to worry about while you're just plinking in the garden.  But on this gun it's really easy anyway ?

 

[CrackCommandoUnit1972]

I run a VisionKing LPVO like McSpoons, and just like McSpoons, I find around x2~3 zoom works just fine. Its a decent scope for the money

The VisionKing is also illuminated so you can sort of run it like a red dot of you want. 

View attachment 119622