Type: BB Rifle.
Manufacturer: Umarex.
Model: AER16.
Materials: Metal and plastic build.
Weight: 4.9 pounds (2.2 kilograms).
Length: 32.25-35.5 inches (82-90.2cm).
Propulsion: AEG (with Deans Connectors).
Battery: Comes with an 11.1 V 120 Mac Battery and USB Charger.
Action: Semi & Full Auto.
Ammunition Type: 4.5mm steel BB's.
Ammunition Capacity: 55 rounds. (650 shots per battery charge Aprox.)
FPS: 430fps.
Rate of Fire: 450+ rounds per minute in full auto (depending on battery voltage).

Trigger Pull: The trigger on the Umarex AER16 AEG full-auto BB Carbine, like most AEGs, isn’t a purely mechanical trigger. It works as an electrical on/off switch, so it feels more like a light, short single-action pull. You’ll notice a small delay between pulling the trigger and the BB firing because the trigger starts a motor that first pulls the spring and piston back. Once the spring is fully drawn and released, it compresses air that propels the 4.5 mm steel BB. Using a higher-voltage battery reduces that delay, since the motor spins faster and returns the spring more quickly, which also raises the full-auto rate of fire.

Accuracy: Starting with the velocity test, we fired several rounds through our chronograph and averaged the last five shots to get a reliable reading. The result was 444 fps, which is slightly higher than the claimed 430 fps, a nice surprise. Since the AER16 is an electric AEG and doesn’t use CO2, temperature has no effect on performance. Likewise, battery voltage doesn’t affect velocity as long as there’s enough power for the motor to fully pull back the spring. Only the trigger response and rate of fire change depending on the voltage. Next, we moved on to accuracy testing. Using a full 55-round magazine, we fired 10 shots fairly quickly from a seated position at a target set 30 feet away, with the rifle resting on a sandbag. The result was an impressive 1.5-inch 10-shot grouping, landing just slightly high and to the right of the bullseye, easily corrected since the iron sights are fully adjustable. Switching over to full-auto, we dumped the remaining 35 or so rounds into the same target. The group opened up a bit, but not much, showing that the Umarex AER16 AEG Full Auto 4.5mm BB Carbine maintains solid accuracy in both semi and full-auto modes.

Build Quality: The Umarex AER16 AEG full-auto BB Carbine is metal and Plastic in design with a plastic hand guard and receiver. That said, it does have a lot of metal parts including the barrel, buffer tube, magazine, trigger, charging handle, magazine release, dust cover, inner bolt shield, selector switch, sling mount and other bolts and pins! It feels very solid when holding it and the fit and finishes is really good. Since there is less metal all around then you find with the Barra 400e, this makes the AER16 a fair bit lighter coming around 5 pounds versus the Barra’s 7.5 pounds.

Realism: The Umarex AER16 AEG full-auto BB Carbine is based on the AR platform in terms of its overall design without any specific licensing other than Umarex branding. It does have a lot of working parts including the charging handle which opens the dust cover showing the simulated bolt. There is no Hop-up like you would find in a similar Airsoft Rifle but with BB’s this is not so much of a requirement. You will also find a working magazine release for the all metal magazine along with a working selector for semi and full auto shooting. The all metal buffer tube allows for an AR style rear adjustable stock which I would assume you can swap out for just about any AR buffer tube based rear stock.

Pros:

• No CO2 required so cost to shoot is less.
• Comes with high volt LiPo battery and charger
• Very consistent velocity as there is no cool down effect from CO2 cooling the gun (Just like an AEG Airsoft rifle).
• Have the option to shoot in semi or full auto modes.
• Lots of metal in construction (buffer tube, magazine, barrel, trigger, dust cover, charging handle, safety switch, magazine release sling mount.
• Lots of rail option for mounting accessories.
• Flip up removable sights with fully adjustable rear peep sight (single aperture).
• 6 position adjustable rear stock.
• Nice high capacity 55 round magazines, easy and fast to reload with speed loader.
• Lots of working parts including the charging handle, dust cover, magazine release, and selector switch.
• Comes with safe storage bag for LiPo battery (no fear of burning your house down).

Cons:

• No blowback operation as with some other Full Auto BB Rifles like the Crosman AR Series.
• Receiver is plastic not metal.
• When battery is installed you cannot use all the shorter positions of the adjustable rear stock.

Comments: The Umarex AER16 AEG full-auto BB Carbine is a nice addition from Umarex to what Barra came out with a year or so ago with their 400e AEG Rifle. I like that the AER16 is a true AR Replica which is a very popular design and it is a lot lighter than the kind of heft 7.5 pound Barra 400e which may be a bit much for some smaller or lighter shooters to handle. The Umarex AER16 AEG full-auto BB Carbine also has the advantage that it comes with an included 1.11V 1200mAH LiPo batter and USB Charger so no further purchasing is required to shoot it other than some BB’s which most Air gunners will normally have on hand. One last point to make is that the AER16 is the less expensive option over the Gen 2 Barra 400e that come in both metal and polymer version.

Buy the compatible magazine

Buy the battery charger