The VFC / Umarex HK416 Owners Thread

[RostokMcSpoons]

Couldn't spot a thread for this big ol' lump of goodness, so I thought I'd kick one off, so I can ask all my dumb "new owner" questions in one place.

I'll also do a personal review once I've taken it for a skirmish, but the TL;DR version is - it feels fantastic as it's built like a tank, the recoil is powerful, and with heavy BBs it seems very accurate at 15m (which is as far as I've shot it so far)

A bit of context: I've got several AEGs, a Tippmann M4 HPA which hasn't been set up well enough to skirmish with, and this is my first GBBR, so I'll be asking newbie questions about gas guns in general, as much as about this in particular.

This gun was bought used with minimal wear, with a single mag (which itself suggests light plinking use rather than skirmishing) from Action Hobbies.   I've just received a second mag from Patrolbase (cost £50, the last they had in stock)
As it's set up right now, with some old Green Gas in the mag, it's hitting 290fps with 0.40g Geoff's Natural Precision BBs ... that's about 50fps more than I should have.  Oopsies.

My initial questions are:

 

1) What should I check / maintain in the gun from the off?   I have already used some light silicone grease mixed with a squirt of silicone spray to make a very light grease, and lubed the bolt carrier and bolt.

2) I understand there's a built-in NPAS or power valve.  The instruction booklet is useless, doesn't say anything about that - how do I adjust it?

3) I've only shot my gun at 15m with those 0.40's... is the standard hop-up capable of lifting them at range?   Or should I be ordering something a little lighter?   (My current ammo is all 0.25 and 0.28)

4) Any recommendations on gas?  Currently there's some weird old "Puff Dino"(!) green gas in there that came with the gun.  I mostly have Abbey Ultra, Abbey Sniper, and Ultrair Power Gas that I bought for my winter use of pistols.    A bit of Nuprol 1.0 and 2.0, and some Abbey 144a Maintenance gas too.

5) Any must-have accessories?   I've already got a specialised speedloader adapter (for the cheapo pistol speedloader I'm using at the moment) off of eBay.  It seems to work a bit better than the standard one.  I've got an Odin knock-off coming too, but I suspect the mag spring will defeat that quite quickly.   The full Odin + adapter combo is a bit pricey at ~£72 though!

 

As always, your thoughts much appreciated

 

 

Edited February 2, 2023 by RostokMcSpoons

[RostokMcSpoons]

So many views, so few answers ;D 
Guess I'll answer the ones I've figured out...

2) The NPAS valve is actually inside the nozzle, in the front of the bolt.  It needs a 1.5mm Allen key to adjust it, CW = Less Power, CCW = "MOAR POWERRRRRRR".   I've not actually done this yet, but it now seems it should be straightforward

 

3) A test fire at a target reveals my 0.40s were hitting smack on where I was aiming.   Either that's very lucky on the ballistics, or the hop is keeping them on the level.

(For reference - red dot sight, 15 shots in a 4.5" group, standing, no rest.  6 inside the 1" bullseye.  That's quite close to the peformance of my AEG's from a rest with scope sights - pleasing!)
 

4) I'm now thinking that this big ol' hunk of metal should be able to take pretty much any gas I throw into it.  It's really all down to adjusting the quantity of gas via the NPAS to get the right output.
I'll probably use my Ultrair and Abbey Sniper gas as they're low on the lube content and won't mess with my hop too much.   I'll save my lily-livered Nuprol 1.0 for my plastic slide pistols.

 

5) I found that BZ Tactical have the rebuild kits for Odin Speedloaders, so could buy one and fit to my cheapo speedloader, and then buy the £22 adapter.   But as I've just got two mags for ~60 rounds capacity, I might as well stick with the pistol speedloader for the moment
https://www.bztactical.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/8721/s/odin-innovations-m12-parts-rebuild-kit/

 

 

[CheeseToastie]

I use utra air no problems.

I have lost the mag feeder though. So reloading mags is now a pain.

Patrolbase do see mags if you need more. I run 4 in a game and I still feel likeI need more.

[RostokMcSpoons]

1 hour ago, CheeseToastie said:

I use utra air no problems.

I have lost the mag feeder though. So reloading mags is now a pain.

Patrolbase do see mags if you need more. I run 4 in a game and I still feel likeI need more.

I bought the last mag Patrolbase had, last week
Defcon have some, at £60 a pop.  Ouch. 
(Edit: oh no they don't, can't find any in the UK at the moment)

I'll play my skirmish next week with 2 mags just to make sure I'm not pining for my AEG + 4x300rnd high caps

Edited February 5, 2023 by RostokMcSpoons

[Dentonboy]

My brother had one a few years back.

 

My lasting impression was:

 

- Gorgeous externals.

 

- Internals made of cheese.

[RostokMcSpoons]

I like cheese

 

[Nick G]

Sounds like it's performing well so far. A mate of mine has the 417 and it's a beast ! BB weight wise I tend to use .30's in my GBBRs , although they will lift heavier I dont find the benefit out weighs the extra cost. Game play with them is great fun, work in close to the otrher team then pick your shots. It's very satisfying, ofcourse the other side will know where you are as soon as you open up just from the noise , and that can also be a factor in if you take a shot or not. 

 

5 mags and a speedloader work for me and gives me ample ammo for an hours game, getting about 2.5 BB loads from a gas fill (on my WE mags) 

Have fun with it !

[RostokMcSpoons]

My 2 mags is a long way from 5... I sense I may have some frustration with that on the day. Oh well, I'll have to keep telling myself it's an experiment at the moment.

WGC Shop have them in stock, has anyone had recent experience with them?

https://www.wgcshop.com/products/umarex-vfc-30rds-gas-magazine-for-hk416-ccwar-gbb-series

£48 a mag, on par with Patrolbase (who have none left).  It looks to be about £30 for the cheapest shipping, but I think that's by sailing dinghy, might take a good long while to turn up!

Edit2: Powair6 have the lighter (in colour and weight) mags in stock.. with the shipping coming from France, and cheaper per-mag prices (I think because these ones don't have the H&K trades on them), it works out at £105 for two, shipped.   
https://www.powair6.com/en/gbb-magazine/12768-vfc-30rds-magazine-for-umarex-hk416-ar-gbbr-grey.html
Are Powair6 ok?

Edited February 6, 2023 by RostokMcSpoons
Stuff and nonsense

[cart3rlfc]

2 hours ago, RostokMcSpoons said:

My 2 mags is a long way from 5... I sense I may have some frustration with that on the day. Oh well, I'll have to keep telling myself it's an experiment at the moment.

WGC Shop have them in stock, has anyone had recent experience with them?

https://www.wgcshop.com/products/umarex-vfc-30rds-gas-magazine-for-hk416-ccwar-gbb-series

£48 a mag, on par with Patrolbase (who have none left).  It looks to be about £30 for the cheapest shipping, but I think that's by sailing dinghy, might take a good long while to turn up!

Edit2: Powair6 have the lighter (in colour and weight) mags in stock.. with the shipping coming from France, and cheaper per-mag prices (I think because these ones don't have the H&K trades on them), it works out at £105 for two, shipped.   
https://www.powair6.com/en/gbb-magazine/12768-vfc-30rds-magazine-for-umarex-hk416-ar-gbbr-grey.html
Are Powair6 ok?

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 👍

[Nick G]

2 hours ago, RostokMcSpoons said:

My 2 mags is a long way from 5... I sense I may have some frustration with that on the day. Oh well, I'll have to keep telling myself it's an experiment at the moment.

 

Are Powair6 ok?

Take a bottle of gas out with you if you've got a pouch it'll fit in. Having 5 mags just means I dont have to re gas in a game. Just refill when there is a lull in playing or while respawning..

 

Can't comment on the mags I'm afraid

[RostokMcSpoons]

On 06/02/2023 at 13:16, cart3rlfc said:

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 👍

Looks like I might as well go with Defcon Airsoft at £60 each then.   But as I didn't sort out my gun at site yesterday, I'm still not fully committed...
I suspect I'll wait a bit to see if Patrolbase re-stock at £50.

[cart3rlfc]

7 hours ago, RostokMcSpoons said:

Looks like I might as well go with Defcon Airsoft at £60 each then.   But as I didn't sort out my gun at site yesterday, I'm still not fully committed...
I suspect I'll wait a bit to see if Patrolbase re-stock at £50.

What was up with it at site?

[RostokMcSpoons]

Honestly it was just stupid time-panic that meant I didn't use decent ammo in it (I had it in my mind to burn through all my 0.25g ammo I'd bought for my AUG before I changed the hop rubber in that, it just didn't suit the gun), and I didn't spend any time tuning the hop setting.

 

Basically it left the range in the same 'happy at 15m with 0.40g ammo) setup as it entered it.  Entirely my fault!

 

I was also maybe too conscious of the fact I had 2 mags and therefore playing a proper skirmish with it would be a very different experience to what I have been used to ... i.e. laying down lots of suppressive fire as I push up.  

 

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by RostokMcSpoons

[RostokMcSpoons]

I got a notification last night that Powair6 had new stock of these little beauties...

https://www.powair6.com/en/stock-atelier/11842-p6-400rds-hpa-hi-cap-magazine-for-vfc-umarex-hk416-m4-gbbr.html

 

 

 

So basically a high-cap mag with an HPA line installed in.  That would save me paying out £50-60 per low cap mag, and give me stable FPS with no concerns of cool-down etc.   
Usual downsides of dealing with a line getting tangled, losing the fun of tactical mag changes etc, but I think it's a trade-off I'm willing to accept.

Has anyone tried something like this, how did you find it?

My current Tippmann HPA setup has a Dye LT small tank.  It's just got an open/close valve on the top, along with a pressure gauge.  I'm not versed in the ways of HPA... would I need to buy a regulator for this?

 

Also, the Powair6 page asks for "EU or USA connector".    As my setup is a Tippmann, is there any chance I've got USA connectors?  How do I tell?

Edited February 16, 2023 by RostokMcSpoons

[CheeseToastie]

I believe Total Recoil Airsoft on you tube used this or something very similar in his 416 as well. I did look into it but after shipping and import I can imagine it being rather expensive.

 

I was thinking of approaching airtac and seeing if they could possibly make something like they have with the tm ak

[RostokMcSpoons]

Yeah there are actually two videos from total recoil on the product page... He seemed pleased with it.  

 

It is expensive, especially if I'm unlucky and get whacked for tax / duty / fees but if it lets me get more use from the gun then I consider it a good investment!

[CheeseToastie]

On 16/02/2023 at 09:16, RostokMcSpoons said:

I got a notification last night that Powair6 had new stock of these little beauties...

https://www.powair6.com/en/stock-atelier/11842-p6-400rds-hpa-hi-cap-magazine-for-vfc-umarex-hk416-m4-gbbr.html

 

 

 

So basically a high-cap mag with an HPA line installed in.  That would save me paying out £50-60 per low cap mag, and give me stable FPS with no concerns of cool-down etc.   
Usual downsides of dealing with a line getting tangled, losing the fun of tactical mag changes etc, but I think it's a trade-off I'm willing to accept.

Has anyone tried something like this, how did you find it?

My current Tippmann HPA setup has a Dye LT small tank.  It's just got an open/close valve on the top, along with a pressure gauge.  I'm not versed in the ways of HPA... would I need to buy a regulator for this?

 

Also, the Powair6 page asks for "EU or USA connector".    As my setup is a Tippmann, is there any chance I've got USA connectors?  How do I tell?

 

Back in stock and just placed an order for one

[RostokMcSpoons]

Yup I got a notification too, nearly went for it immediately.

 

It'd be great to hear from you how well it works... Any idea on how long it'll take to arrive?

 

Edited March 11, 2023 by RostokMcSpoons

[CheeseToastie]

2 minutes ago, RostokMcSpoons said:

Yup I got a notification too, nearly went for it immediately.

 

It'd be great to hear from you how well it works... Any idea on how long it'll take to arrive?

 

 

Hopefully before next weekend. Paid a bit extra for faster postage but guess it all depends if it getd stuck at customs.

[CheeseToastie]

It's arrived. Ordered Sat arrived Tues.

£230 after Brexit tax

 

Seems well put together. 

Going to field it this weekend and test it out.

 

Not used the 416 since October so looking forward to taking it out.

 

 

[RostokMcSpoons]

Looks good, I look forward to hearing how it does. 

 

Unfortunately I think I'm about to get some bad news at work, might be jobless in a couple of weeks time when my contract finishes.  So I'm more likely to be selling my gun than buying expensive bits for it 😥

[Shamal]

2 minutes ago, RostokMcSpoons said:

Looks good, I look forward to hearing how it does. 

 

Unfortunately I think I'm about to get some bad news at work, might be jobless in a couple of weeks time when my contract finishes.  So I'm more likely to be selling my gun than buying expensive bits for it 😥

There is a 'might' in there so possibly not 🤞

 

Regards 

[CheeseToastie]

44 minutes ago, RostokMcSpoons said:

Looks good, I look forward to hearing how it does. 

 

Unfortunately I think I'm about to get some bad news at work, might be jobless in a couple of weeks time when my contract finishes.  So I'm more likely to be selling my gun than buying expensive bits for it 😥

 

Man that sucks but as Shamal says there is a "might" in your post. If shit happens I'm sure something better will be around the corner. 

[RostokMcSpoons]

I've been very lucky for a few years now, unfortunately it looks like my luck is about to run out.  36 years employed without a single jobless week... April 1st seems the appropriate day for that to come to an end 🥴.

 

There is still a small chance it'll be ok, but other people around me have had their contacts renewed, but only for short terms with very short notice periods, and I've heard zilch.  No news is bad news in this scenario. 

 

And nothing out there to go to at the moment, because I work in a niche market. 

[Colin Allen]

8 hours ago, RostokMcSpoons said:

I've been very lucky for a few years now, unfortunately it looks like my luck is about to run out.  36 years employed without a single jobless week... April 1st seems the appropriate day for that to come to an end 🥴.

 

There is still a small chance it'll be ok, but other people around me have had their contacts renewed, but only for short terms with very short notice periods, and I've heard zilch.  No news is bad news in this scenario. 

 

And nothing out there to go to at the moment, because I work in a niche market. 

That really sucks.  I hope that it does not end up as you fear.