ActualAirsoft.com

We test the new 416 line of weapons from JG (both the full length version and the shorty crane stock version). Read on to see what we found.

The JG 416 [left image from PointAct.com, Right Image from AirsoftGI.com]

Model Differences

Jing Gong (JG) released three versions of their new HK416. The first is the full length version that sports a standard m4 length barrel (363mm) and a solid m16 style stock. The other two versions are both shorty length weapons (~290mm barrel) with telescoping m4 style stocks. The difference between the two shorty versions is in the stock and battery placement. One of which houses the battery in a crane stock while the other has a traditional telescoping m4 stock and stores the battery up front in a mock PEQ2 box.

Full Length [out of the box]

Shorty [with extras not included]

We were pleasantly surprised when we received our two JG 416 and started messing around with the full length version. Basically all that separates the shorty from the full length version (except for the stock style) is a barrel extension added to the full length version. It adds about four to five inches in length to the weapons barrel and is attached via a standard 14mm counter-clockwise thread. So what is so special about this? Well basically if you purchase the full length 416 and later on you want to shorten it up a bit (to the same length as the shorty version) all you have to do is remove this barrel extension and replace it with a standard m4 flash hider. You will of course need a new inner barrel because the supplied barrel in the full length package sticks out past this point. Good to know that you have the option to do so or to attached a silencer to the weapon.

What’s Included

Full Length: Rifle, hi-cap Magazine, wall charger, small package of bb’s, bb unjamming rod, small Phillips screw driver, 8.4volt NiCd 1500 milliamp/hour (large type connector) battery, barrel cap.

PEQ2 Shorty: Rifle, hi-cap Magazine, wall charger, small package of bb’s, bb unjamming rod, small Phillips screw driver, 8.4volt NiCd 1500 milliamp/hour (small type connector) battery, barrel cap.

Crane Stock Shorty: Rifle, hi-cap Magazine, wall charger, small package of bb’s, bb unjamming rod, small Phillips screw driver, 8.4volt NiCd 1500 milliamp/hour (small type connector) crane style battery, barrel cap.

Construction/Take-Apart

Well there is no getting around it. This weapon is a plastic body. This is, however, perhaps the most solid plastic body weapon I have ever used. There really is no creaking and squeaking that you traditionally get from other plastic weapons. This is due to the extremely robust rail system that this weapon sports. This is perhaps the best part. The entire front heatguard/rail is one solid piece of metal. When this piece is cinched down it seems to hold the entire weapon firmly in place.

Now, this is probably the most impressive part. To remove the entire front rail assembly, all you have to do is fold down the front sight, then take out the SINGLE hex screw clamp (located at the receiver end of the rail) and boom! The entire assembly slides off the front of the barrel. Couldn’t be easier. Then to make things even better. To remove the outer barrel just twist the “inverse delta ring (yes I just made that up because I don’t know what it is called)” counter-clockwise and it just comes off.

Remove this single hex screw to slide the entire front rail assembly off the weapon.

The rest of the take-down is identical to any other plastic body ar-15 (m4, m16, etc). Pull the rear receiver pin and the upper and lower receiver separate exposing the gearbox.

The Pistol grip on the JG 416 is at a slightly more severe angle. Took about 5 minutes to get use to. After that it was just fine.

If you purchase the Full Length version and decide you want to a shorty length you are in luck. The extra length is in an outer barrel extension that starts directly in front of the gasblock. It is attached by a counter-clockwise thread. Simply unscrew the extension and just like that you have a shorty length 416. Of course the full length 416 has a longer inner barrel than the shorty version. So you will need to purchase a shorty barrel to put in there, and a new flash hider wouldn’t hurt either to protect the 14mm threads.

One drawback is the included (orange) flash hider. On both models we had (full length and the shorty crane stock) we COULD NOT get the flash hider unscrewed (yes we know it is a counter-clockwise thread and yes we know to remove the little Allen screw that secures it). No matter what we tried (stopped with channel locks) we could not remove the flash hider. Leave a comment if you could.

Internals, Hop-up, Barrel, Motor

Over the past few years we have been very happy with JG. They really stepped it up a notch. These weapons are no different. Both came with the famous “Black Gearbox” made so popular by the JG M4 S-System series rifles and the JG Full Metal RAS/RIS MP5 [review]. These are standard version 2 gearboxes that should accept any TM standard replacement or upgrade parts.

The hopup unit is of the 2-piece plastic type. The shorty (firing .20 gram bb’s) had a permanent hopup issue. That is to say that even with the hopup turned completely off, rounds still flew towards the sky about 130 feet out of the barrel. We suspect a new hopup sleeve and/or bucking should fix this. The fully length version had no hopup issues. After we dialed it in, each round fired behaved just like the one before it and floated to its target.

Although we do not know the inner bore of the barrels we are fairly certain they are not tightbores. The full length package gets you a standar m4 363mm barrel while the shorty comes equiped with a 290mm barrel.

The motor is of unknown origin but is of course a standard long-type configuration. Pulls hard and appears to be fairly efficient.

First Shots

The included 8.4v NiCd battery performed very well. We fully discharged and then recharged it again. The Full length setup fired 13.5 rounds per second (810 rounds per minute) while the shorty fired 12 rounds per second (720 rounds per minute). The difference is most likely attributable to the set-screw position. And since it is a NiCd battery it should maintain a fairly consistent RPM even in the cold months.

The shorty length version chrono’d in at 405 feet per second. While the full length version at 415 feet per second. This is understandable considering the extra barrel length. Both rifles were consisten with their repeated shots, varying +/- 3 fps.

It is also nice that JG put the correct iron sights on this weapon. Notice how the rear sight copies that which you would find on an HK MP5.

4 position rotary rear sight.

Spare Parts and Upgradability

The weapons gearbox and hopup system are completely TM compatible.

Mag Compatibility

As usual, out of the different brand of magazines we tested, the MAG brand worked the best. Although they all fed with no problems, the MAG mags seemed to slide in/out and click into place just a little bit better. Other brands that were tested and worked were A&K and STAR type. We had none on hand but there is no reason to believe TM and CA brand magazines wouldn’t work.

Purchasing Info

PointAct.com supplied both of our test models. Purchasing information below:

JG 416 fixed stock - $181.00
JG 416 (shorty) Crane-stock - $180.00
JG 416 (short) PEQ2 - $169.00 (we are not sure why this version is listed as less. Although it is the only varient of the three that has been “out of stock” for some time with an “Arrival Date: Unknown”. Perhaps PointAct does not plan on receiving anymore. We asked PointAct about this via email but did not receiver an answer by the time we published this article.

Final Thoughts

The JG 416 family is a very formidable set of weapons. Good rate of fire, great velocity, time test reliability (internals) and the toughest plastic M4 we have ever tested. If you are looking for an AR-15 variant weapon, do yourself a favor and at least consider the 416 family from Jing Gong.

 

After Battle Followup

 

 

 

Nothing really knew to report here. We are still just as happy with both of the tested weapons even after three games with each. They also are not very common on the airsoft battlefield so you get a few people to turn their heads. I have a feeling this won’t last though. Two more individuals have ordered a JG 416 in preparation for our next Op.

The Tables and Score

Scores (out of 10)

Construction	7	The construction is good. But it still has some plastic
Battle Durability	8	I would have no problem dropping it.
Velocity vs Claimed	10	Shoots faster!
Accuracy	9	Tightbore couldn’t hurt.
SCORE	8.5

This table is ActualAirsoft Approved!

FULL LENGTH JG 416	Claimed (by retailers)	Tested
Velocity (.20g)	360	415
Effective Range		175
Accuracy at 75 ft		100%
Accuracy at 100 ft (14″ target)		100%
Accuracy at 125 ft (14″ target)		80%
Accuracy at 150 ft (14″ target)		70%

SHORTY JG 416	Claimed (by retailers)	Tested
Velocity (.20g)	380	405
Effective Range		150
Accuracy at 75 ft		100%
Accuracy at 100 ft (14″ target)		100%
Accuracy at 125 ft (14″ target)		70%
Accuracy at 150 ft (14″ target)		70%

Additional Images (click images to enlarge)

Shown with Madbull GemTech G5 Quick Detach Silencer (not included).

Correct HK selector symbols.

Top rails are numbered.

Photo of attached EOTech holosight (not included).

Photo of attached SureFire Tac Light (not included).

Photo of rear 4 position rotary sight (image from airsplat.com).

 

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