This time, I'll be reviewing a VFC HK416 CAG electric airsoft gun, which is a rare example of a shop-customized model.
I bought this about a year ago, and my reason for buying it was that I wanted to know "what the latest customizations were like at the time (a year ago)? What were the trendy FCUs?"
The model is not sold in Japan and appears to be a limited edition VFC product for the Canadian market. The model is the HK416 CAG (although the individual components are sold in Japan).
As of this writing, the gas blowback version is sold in Japan, but the electric version is the HK416A5.
The components are basically almost identical to those of Tokyo Marui's HK416 Delta Custom.
This is a unit that the shop imported from Canada and then installed and adjusted with an FCU Leviathan.
Personally, I didn't need recoil (and back then, customizing was too much of a hassle), so I wanted a standard-type Delta Custom, and when I found one, I bought it.
By the way, I didn't really understand what CAG meant, so I looked it up and it seems to stand for C (Combat), A (Applications), and G (Group).
Apparently, when Delta Force, a special forces unit, was transferred under the umbrella of SOCOM, a portion of Delta came to be known as the CAG Group.
Enough with the preamble, let's get to the review.
*This article aims to provide educational explanations from a mechanical engineering perspective regarding the safe hobby use of airsoft guns.
This does not promote acts of violence, the use of weapons, weapon modification, practical evaluation, or violation of laws and regulations.
appearance
Since it's been about a year since I bought it, this will be a review that's like it's straight out of the box.
The packaging was quite simple, and it contained nothing but the shop's warranty card/instruction manual.
Well, VFC's official Japanese products are also quite simple and similar (they only come with a rudimentary instruction manual).
Let's take the main unit out of the bag.
It feels good.
The color isn't just simple tan, but apparently it's color code RAL8000, and it has a slightly glossy tan finish.
The included magazine is a standard STD-type STAG mag.
The only accessories included are the shop's warranty card and instruction manual.
Incidentally, there was a sticker on the corner of the box indicating it was for Canada.
Upon investigation, it appears this product is sold for around $600 in Canadian dollars, which is approximately 53000 yen in Japanese currency.
The purchase price for this custom item was 85000 yen, but considering the customization costs and import fees, it seems like a reasonable price.
Let's look at the details.
muzzle area
This is a three-pronged, machined part.
There are no set screws or anything to prevent it from turning; it can be removed by turning it clockwise.
What's surprisingly impressive is that, despite the lack of a muzzle alignment mechanism, the position of the suppressor locking surface on the flash hider is perfectly aligned. It seems that both the barrel and flash hider have undergone some meticulous machining, such as aligning the male and female thread positions.
When removed, a versatile 14mm reverse thread is revealed.
The gas block is also faithfully reproduced. It appears to be made of cast aluminum.
ハンドガード
It's equipped with the Geissele SMR 10.5-inch, which has become its signature weapon.
This handguard is basically finished with machining, the markings are perfect, and it's a very beautiful piece of equipment.
Unfortunately, there was a scratch near the base of the outer barrel from the assembly process. The outer barrel near the scratch has the markings "HK 5.56mm".
This is the top rail.
The receiver and the other parts are assembled very neatly, with almost no gap between them.
The handguard is in very good condition and gives off an expensive vibe.
レシーバー
This is a side view of the receiver.
It's basically made of cast aluminum and is very neatly shaped. Also, the receiver is from an early HK416 model and is the same as a standard M4, without any ambidextrous modifications.
Let's take a closer look.
It's near the magazine housing.
The markings are clearly visible. It says it's made in Germany by HK.
正面です。
It has the usual "Read the manual before use" stamp.
Next is the area near the magazine housing on the opposite side.
This one also has the engraving perfectly done.
Next, let's look at selectors.
It features HK's signature pictograms (unfortunately, the selector part is just a simple cap).
Next is the top rail of the receiver.
It's been processed very nicely, and the number is painted neatly (no paint bleeding).
Next is the charging handle.
Unlike the M4, this model is larger and easier to operate.
Pulling this charging handle opens a bolt-shaped cover, allowing you to adjust the hop-up.
The hop-up system is a well-regarded VFC original drum type. The cover locks in this position, and pressing the bolt release lever closes the port.
It's a very convenient mechanism.
Next is the grip.
It is fitted with what is known as the A2 type.
It uses common VFC parts, is slim, and easy to grip.
The trigger is not the original part, but a straight-type trigger that comes with the FCU Leviathan.
stock
Next, let's look at the base of the stock.
The stock has a swivel at the base for a single point of attachment, which I find very useful.
The swivel can be used on either the left or right side.
The stock is a standard crane type.
You can insert the battery by opening the cover at the rear. The connector was the original T-type connector from the FCU Leviathan.
Site
Next is the iron sight.
This is the front site.
It's the usual height-adjustable, tilt-and-turn type.
This is the rear sight.
This is another VFC site that allows for vertical and horizontal adjustment.
Finally, here's the site view.
This site is very well-made, but buying individual parts is quite expensive.
Overall, it's very well made, and the exterior is of such high quality that some people might even use it as material for a training weapon.
This is truly VFC quality, and I personally think it's the definitive example of Western-style rifle exteriors.
Live-fire performance verification
We will now examine the live-fire performance, while also confirming the FCU Leviathan's capabilities.
First, let's look at the initial velocity. The conditions are that the battery is an ET-1 LiPo battery Red Line (probably 25C) 1200mAh, stored at a voltage of 7.6V.
The BBs used are G&G 0.2g bio BBs, and the hop-up is checked with the setting at 0.
That's a good initial velocity.
The variation was a bit large; after measuring about 15 shots, there was a fluctuation of approximately ±1 m/s.
Next is the cycle.
It's a normal cycle.
This time, I think the FCU manages the voltage and current applied to the motor even if the battery isn't fully charged, so I don't think there will be any difference in cycle time due to differences in battery voltage.
If you're interested, please also check out my review of the chronograph.
Next, we will confirm that it works in video format.
It's semi-automatic, but thanks to the pre-cocking, it feels surprisingly responsive for its cycle.
However, personally, I'm bothered by the gear noise.
It seems a bit large considering the customization, so I'll adjust it later (especially the bevel and pinion gears).
We will provide more details about the performance and operation of the FCU Leviathan at a later date.
To give you a brief impression from playing around with it, it has a binary trigger (it fires either when pulled back or released).
バーストモード
Disengage precocking, hold down the trigger for 1 second in semi-automatic mode.
VFC HK416 CAG Pre-cocking Deactivation
There are many other things to do, which I'll introduce later.
Summary
In summary, thanks to VFC's impressive exterior and the fact that it's a shop custom build, it seems to have the performance to be used at a high level right out of the box.
My memory is a bit hazy, but I remember taking it to an airsoft game once and using it a little, and the trajectory was pretty good.
The only downsides are that the gearbox noise was personally unacceptable to me, and although it has a Leviathan FCU, it's set to a safe cycle, so there's little room for adjustment for fun and it lacks excitement (it's perfectly high performance for normal airsoft use).
Personally, I'd like to maintain responsiveness with a high cycle rate as usual, and then use the FCU to adjust the cycle rate for more fun.
I feel bad for the shop, but I've decided to customize it to my liking.
So next time, I'd like to introduce the disassembly and component inspection.
VFC HK416A5 AEG
The closest match in terms of specifications among VFC's officially sold models in Japan is probably the HK416A5.
VFC HK416CAG GBB
It's a gas blowback model, but I think the exterior is probably the same.
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