Specna Arms SA-C03 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU M4A1 AEG

If you're an Airsofter on a budget and need a military-style primary, the Specna Arms SA-C03 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU M4A1 AEG should suit you perfectly! A lightweight beginner friendly build from Specna's CORE™ range, this M4A1 replica is made from high density polymer with an alloy outer barrel and CNC aluminium handguard, giving you a lightweight build with a healthy dose of metal in the mix!

Inside this, the latest CORE M4A1, we are treated to the HAL¹ ETU/MOSFET, a lovely addition to a rifle in a beginner-friendly price bracket! The HAL¹ ETU offers 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.

The HAL¹ ETU adds a lot of functionality to this compact and lightweight military-style 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 rotary HOP-up combo which made the original SA-C03 CORE such a solid choice, the new version is hard to beat!

Starting at the front, we find an M4-style Bird Cage flash hider at the tip of the 14.5-inch alloy outer barrel. The outer barrel profile perfectly matches the real steel M4A1 "Heavy" profile outer barrel with its ever-recognisable M203 cutout, giving the SA-C03 the iconic US Army M4A1 aesthetic. The outer barrel features the common 14mm CCW male threading, ideal for swapping to a suppressor or tracer unit. If you want a suppressor to match the US military M4A1 look, check out the Big Dragon Knights-Type QD Suppressor!

Following the outer barrel, we come to the M4A1 style triangular front sight post, which houses the front sight and mock bayonet lug. The bayonet lug is functional on this rifle, allowing you to equip a Dummy Bayonet for the aesthetics. The front sight itself is an iconic part of the ever-recognisable M4A1 silhouette, present on the US Army's M4A1 along with the Royal Marine Commando's L119A1 CQB. Also present on the front sight assembly is a sling point, ready to be paired with those on the Crane stock to allow a two-point sling to be mounted.

The handguard itself is patterned after the KAC RAS, constructed from CNC-machined aluminium, guaranteeing a flawless form and precise, in-spec attachment interfaces. There are 20mm Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions, allowing you to mount the included vertical foregrip or other 20mm Picatinny accessories where you need them. The included rail covers match those issued with the real steel M4A1 perfectly but can be removed by pressing the flat spring on each and sliding them off to access the side rails.

The handguards are made in two parts, held in place using a steel handguard cap at the front and an alloy delta ring at the rear. A perk of this system which directly translates to Airsoft is compatibility with barrel-mounted grenade launchers. Pulling the delta ring rearwards slightly allows you to remove the lower handguard and mount an M203 grenade launcher for some extra firepower or to complete the GWOT grenadier look!

Next up, we reach the receiver, which is of a standard and instantly recognisable 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 can be found 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. Each fire mode is helpfully marked in 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 can stay in control of your fire modes in wet conditions.

The magazine release is a standard M4/AR-15 push-through design with a button on the right side of the magazine well and is accessible for a right-handed user with their trigger finger or by a lefty using their off-hand thumb. The mag release button is also textured and protected on each side with what is known as the "mag release fence", a raised protrusion built into the receiver to prevent accidental mag drops in the field.

Pulling back the extended charging handle found at the rear of the receiver will pop open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt carrier on the right side of the rifle, which allows access to the rotary HOP-up adjuster. This is the latest HOP-up unit design for the M4/AR-15 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 those with thick gloves to access the HOP-up unit, though you may need to remove your glove to carry out your adjustments.

The dummy bolt catch on the left side of the receiver does not function, but is nonetheless a separate movable part to reduce 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; another separate moving part which can be pressed in, but has no effect on the function of the AEG. A new addition to this HAL-equipped SA-C03 is its flat trigger, enhancing the aesthetic with a touch of modernity and providing an easily slappable trigger for snappy double taps in semi-auto.

Moving down, we come to the pistol grip of the SA-C03, which 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, 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. As with most M4/AR-15 AEGs, this grip is compatible with aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG grips, ideal for customisation addicts!

At the rear of the receiver, we can find the classic M4/AR-15 buffer tube, a 6-position example allowing any M4 AEG sliding stock to be mounted to suit any style or loadout preference. The pre-installed Crane stock is ideal for a military style build, entering widespread use with the US Army as part of its "SOPMOD Block 1" upgrade kit and being seen on a wide variety of M4 rifles used with other militaries.

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.

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 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 1450mAh LiPo crane/nunchuck battery for an easy fit and great performance.

Inside the HAL¹ equipped SA-C03, we have an alloy V2 gearbox shell with 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 a 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 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, especially considering the price!

If you're in search of an all-arounder AEG capable of contending in CQB or the great outdoors, the Specna Arms SA-C03 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU™ M4A1 AEG is a fine choice. Fans of the classic military look seeking an affordable primary or base gun for a custom build, you cannot ask for better at this price!

Features

• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• High-density polymer build with CNC Aluminium handguard & alloy outer barrel
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• M4A1 Triangle front sight post/gas block - Compatible withGhost Dummy M9 Bayonet
• Birdcage Flash Hider pre-installed - A perfect fit for the US Army M4A1 look
• RAS Style 20mm Picatinny quad railed handguard - Ready for 20mm Picatinny accessories
• 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:
  • 8mm bushings
  • ESA quick-change spring system
  • Steel 18:1 ratio gearset
  • Alloy shell
• HAL¹ Programmable MOSFET/ETU functions:
  • Low voltage alarmActive 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 1450mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck config

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-C03 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU™ M4A1 AEG
• 380rnd S-Mag M4/AR-15 High-cap magazine
• Cleaning rod