Specna Arms SA-C03 CORE™ Gen.2 M4/AR-15 AEG

If you're looking for a fresh all-purpose platform, the Specna Arms SA-C03 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU™ M4/AR-15 AEG is worth your scrutiny. Constructed to Specna's CORE standard, the SA-C03 boasts a CNC aluminium handguard and alloy outer barrel and bird cage muzzle attachment paired with a high-density polymer receiver, buffer tube, stock and pistol grip, giving you a great introduction to more realistic replicas, but still easy to use during a day of skirmishing. As with the original CORE series, the polymer quality is top-notch, more scratch-resistant than comparable metal receivers and ultra-light for high energy throughout the skirmish day.

Inside this, the latest SA-C03 variant, known as the "Gen.2", we are treated to the advanced AETHER™ gearbox shell and Magnus TDC HOP-up unit of Specna's PRIME™ series, providing enhanced long-range performance and making gearbox tuning a piece of cake. Also inside is the HAL™ ETU/MOSFET, offering binary trigger, AUG mode and sniper delay instead of semi-auto and semi-auto lock, 3-round burst or 5-round burst instead of full auto, along with several quality-of-life improvements and, most importantly for CQB, adjustable pre-cocking. Pre-cocking positions the piston at the rear of its cycle after a shot, meaning when you pull the trigger, the response is practically instantaneous, ideal for semi-auto duels in the close confines of a CQB site.

A considerable improvement over the original SA-C03, the Gen.2 enhancements add a lot of functionality to this compact and lightweight player-friendly platform. With no more trigger lock-ups when shooting semi-auto, plenty of fire mode options and the pre-installed 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel and Magnus rotary HOP-up combo, the CORE™ Gen.2 line provides more bang for your buck than ever before!

Starting at the front, we can see a birdcage flash hider mounted to the 14mm CCW male threading at the tip of the 14.5-inch alloy outer barrel. This means the SA-C03 is ready to be kitted out with a tracer unit or suppressor, or an alternative muzzle device for a more customised look. If you are going for a Block 1 SOPMOD look, add this suppressor if you are going silent!

Next up, we come to the M4A1-style triangular front sight post, which houses the front sight and mock bayonet lug. Being a 14.5-inch barreled M4A1, you can mount an M9 Dummy Bayonet if the enemy gets too close! The front sight itself is adjustable for elevation using an M4/AR-15 front sight adjustment tool, and for less precise work up close, it can be used as an index point for rapid aiming when there is no time to align the sights.

Mounted to the bottom of the front sight assembly, we have our first sling point, which is a standard alloy footman loop compatible with a wide variety of sling types. This can be paired with any of the 3 rear sling mounting options to fit a two-point rifle sling to take the burden off your arms or allow for easy transitions to a sidearm. The perk of a relatively old-school design is that all the sling points are built in, meaning no extra adapters are needed!

Following the front sight, we come to the handguard assembly, which is constructed from a combination of alloy, steel and CNC-machined aluminium. The KAC RAS style handguards are made from flawlessly machined aluminium on this platform and are equipped with 20mm Picatinny rails at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock, ready for your mission essential kit to be mounted. The handguards are held in place using a steel handguard cap at the front and an alloy delta ring at the rear. The handguards are made in two parts, allowing you to remove the lower handguard and mount an M203 launcher to the barrel for some extra firepower.

The modularity of the M4 platform is easily its best feature, and it is no surprise that it gained the nickname "Barbie for men" following its "SOPMOD Block 1" upgrade. This modularity also extends to exchanging external parts, and with an M4/AR-15 armourer's wrench, you can change the entire front set of the SA-C03 and make it look like practically any M4/AR-15 variant out there. Even if you don't have an armourer's wrench, the delta ring front end is compatible with any 7-inch drop-in rail system or handguard set for delta rings, so if you want to change up the looks of your SA-C03, you'll be happy to learn that it can be done without a single tool!

Next up, we reach the receiver, which is of a standard and instantly recognisable as the standard M4/AR-15 configuration with controls laid out in a considerate and ergonomic manner, allowing the SA-C03 to be manipulated quickly and instinctively by veterans or learned rapidly by new users.

The fire selector lever is situated just above the pistol grip, on the left side of the AEG, providing 3 modes of fire: SAFE, SEMI, and AUTO, with a 90-degree throw between each. The fire modes are helpfully marked in bold recessed text on the receiver, and the selector switch locks positively into each mode with the help of texture on its surface to guarantee you have a good grip on this control. The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well, easily accessible for a right-handed user with the tip of the trigger finger, but can also be learned by a lefty using their off-hand thumb.

Pulling back the extended charging handle, at the top rear of the receiver, will open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt carrier, which allows access to the rotary HOP-up adjuster. This is the latest and greatest HOP-up design for the M4/AR-15 AEGs and provides finer increments of adjustment and holds its setting more effectively when compared to the older gear-style HOP-up unit. The charging handle has an extended latch for easier access, allowing even gloved users to access the HOP-up unit, though you may need to remove your glove to adjust the unit!

The bolt catch on the left side of the receiver does not function, but is nonetheless a separate part, mitigating the common tell-tale signs of a replica. The forward assist is a similar story, being present on the right side of the upper receiver and being a separate moving part which can be pressed in but does not affect the function of the AEG. A new addition to this HAL-equipped SA-C03 is the flat trigger, enhancing the aesthetic with a touch of modernity and providing an easily slappable trigger for snappy double taps in semi-auto.

The pistol grip of the SA-C03 is an M16A2/M4A1 style pistol grip, also known as the "A2" finger ridged grip. The A2 has diamond checkering on either side and linear texture on the back strap to provide excellent gripping qualities, no matter the weather or whether you wear gloves or not. The finger ridge is designed to help you keep hold of the rifle and prevent the grip from slipping out of your hands when held in a single hand (if you're going for a Terminator-esque look). As with most M4/AR-15 AEGs, this grip is compatible with aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG grips, ideal for customisation addicts!

The battery compartment is inside the crane stock, accessible by squeezing the two tabs at the toe of the stock together, after which you can lift the butt plate off, remove the battery plug and make use of the stock's built-in battery compartment to house a chunky nunchuck/crane-style battery. Being equipped with the HAL ETU, we are also treated to a Deans/t-plug battery connector, a lower resistance alternative to the mini-Tamiya found on previous Specna Arms CORE AEGs. For the SA-C03, we recommend a 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo crane/nunchuck battery for an easy fit and great performance.

The Crane stock also includes a pair of QD sling sockets, one on each side, allowing for QD sling swivels to be added for a quick, removable sling setup. Conventional sling slots (aka "footman loops") are also present for those who want a two-point sling but prefer the old-fashioned way. The butt plate is also made from grippy rubber, ensuring your SA-C03 doesn't slip off your shoulder at a critical moment.

Inside the Gen.2 SA-C03, we are treated to the Aether-enhanced gearbox shell, the same reinforced V2 shell used in Specna's top-tier PRIME series. The Aether features a reinforced spine and ports throughout the design to allow for easy tuning, ideal for the techy types. Also inside are 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 8mm bushings. The spring guide is an ESA quick-change example, making power tuning a breeze for those who want to get as close to site limits as possible. The inner barrel is a 6.03mm tightbore paired with the Magnus TDC rotary HOP-up unit, giving you superb accuracy potential and the most up-to-date HOP-up unit style for M4/AR-15 AEGs. All internal parts are Tokyo Marui AEG spec, meaning aftermarket upgrades are a go for the performance seekers!

The HAL¹ ETU adds a whole lot of functionality into the mix, with programmable fire controls, 6 levels of pre-cocking adjustment and 5 levels of trigger sensitivity adjustment. Available fire modes include 3 or 5-round burst, binary trigger, AUG mode, aka two-stage trigger, semi-auto only and sniper delay, giving you loads of options for how you use your SA-C03. Features like these are usually only present in high-end replicas; we simply cannot believe the wealth of functionality inside the HAL¹-equipped SA-C03 Gen.2, especially considering the price!

Features

• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• Polymer Receiver - Scratch-resistant and lightweight
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - 14.5" long Tracer/suppressor ready
• Fixed front iron sight with bayonet lug - Compatible with M9 Bayonet replicas
• Front and rear sling points - Front on the gas block, rear on the stock
• CNC Aluminium KAC RAS Style handguards -20mm Picatinny rails at 3, 6, 9 & 12 o'clock
• Flip-up aperture iron sights pre-installed - Adjustable for windage and elevation, 2 apertures to choose from
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for red dot sights, PEQ lasers or scopes to be mounted
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - The latest M4/AR-15 design, holds its setting well and allows for fine adjustment
• Finger-ridged "A2" pistol grip - Comfortable for most hand sizes, textured for extra traction
• Flat mil-spec trigger guard - Matches real US Army-issued M4A1 rifles
• 3-Position fire selector switch - SAFE, SEMI AUTO & FULL AUTO, 90-degree throw between each mode
• Extended charging handle - Fast access to the HOP-up unit for quick mid-game adjustment
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock quickly and easily to suit your body type or loadout
• Crane stock pre-installed - Plenty of battery space, QD sling sockets built-in
• Version 2 Gearbox:
  • Aether Enhanced gearbox shell
  • Aether Aluminium nozzle
  • Polymer piston with steel tooth rack
  • 8mm Bushings
  • ESA quick-change spring system
  • Steel 18:1 ratio gearset
• HAL¹ Programmable MOSFET/ETU functions:
  • Low-voltage alarm
  • Active braking
  • Adjustable pre-cocking (6 levels)
  • Two-stage trigger (AUG mode)
  • Sniper delay
  • Semi-auto only
  • Binary Trigger
  • 3 or 5-round burst
• HAL¹ Programming instructions available  here
• Compatible with   M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - S-Mag High-cap |S-Mag Mid-cap |S-Mag Mid-cap 5 Pack
• Rear wired: Deans battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck config

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-C03 CORE™ Gen.2 M4/AR-15 AEG
• 125rnd S-Mag M4/AR-15 Mid-cap magazine x2