Airsoft Cloner shows his personalized, custom-built VFC HK416C gas blowback airsoft rifle that has been a work in progress for a couple of years. Since the original model was discontinued, the rifle had to be assembled piece by piece from various parts. This DIY approach led to a few unique hurdles, including a finicky magazine release spring that initially jammed the trigger and a hop-up unit that requires a tiny Allen key and a lot of patience to adjust.

The build blends classic aesthetics with modern functionality, featuring a traditional quad rail and a real EOTech optic alongside a modernized receiver and a flat trigger that the speaker admits looks a bit like a cheesy lightning bolt. For a more compact look, a 3D-printed suppressor wrapped in tape is attached to the front. A customized recoil system with an extra buffer inside the stock tube helps maintain a snappy and respectable rate of fire during games.

The rifle performs well in close-quarters combat environments, though its tendency to shoot BBs toward the moon makes outdoor use a bit of a challenge for now. Despite occasionally thinking about selling the replica, the speaker plans to keep it because the second-hand market simply will not pay for the amount of time, money, and soul poured into the project. Future plans include swapping out the trigger, tweaking the stock, and tracking down an iconic hand stop to complete the look.