Specna Arms SA-C23 CORE™ Gen.2 M4/AR-15 AEG

If you need a modern M4 platform, ready for any situation, then the Specna Arms SA-C23 CORE™ Gen.2 M4/AR-15 AEG is one to keep an eye on. Constructed to Specna's CORE™ standard, the SA-C23 boasts a CNC aluminium handguard and alloy outer barrel paired with a high-density polymer receiver, buffer tube, stock and pistol grip, giving you a great combination of realism and ease of use.

Starting at the front, we find an M4-style Bird Cage flash hider attached to the outer barrel, which sticks out from the front of the CNC aluminium quad-railed handguard. This gives the SA-C20 a classic military look and replicates the real steel platform perfectly. The outer barrel features the common 14mm CCW male threading, ideal for swapping to a sneaky suppressor or tracer unit.

Moving rearwards, you will find the M-LOK handguard, which is made from aluminium using CNC machining, guaranteeing that the attachment slots and rails are in flawless form. The handguard is also equipped with attractive angular vent ports to give the replica a cutting-edge look. The M-LOK slots are present at the 3, 6 & 9 o'clock positions with a 20mm Picatinny rail up top.

Up top, this rifle is equipped with flip-up aperture iron sights. The benefit of a modern M-LOK handguard is that, in its slick configuration, the handguard is lightweight and surprisingly ergonomic, meaning you don't need to add rail covers to avoid the discomfort as you might with a 20mm quad rail.

Next up, we reach the receiver, which is instantly recognisable as the common M4/AR-15 configuration, with its controls laid out in a considerate and ergonomic manner, allowing the SA-C23 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. The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well.

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 HOP-up design provides fine increments of adjustment and holds its setting effectively. 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 pistol grip of the SA-C23 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. The finger ridge helps 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. For the SA-C23, 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-C23 doesn't slip off your shoulder at a critical moment.

Inside the Gen.2 SA-C20, 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-C20. 

Features and parts like these are usually only present in high-end replicas; we simply cannot believe the wealth of functionality inside the HAL¹-equipped SA-C20 Gen.2, especially considering the price! The SA-C23 makes for a fantastic beginner platform or a great choice for experienced skirmishers looking for a reliable and well-performing backup platform!

Features

• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• High-density polymer with CNC Aluminium handguard
• Bird cage Flash Hider pre-installed - The iconic M4/M16 muzzle device
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• M-LOK handguard - Picatinny rail at 12 o'clock, M-LOK slots at other positions
• Picatinny sections preinstalled
• 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:
  • 3 or 5-round burst
  • Binary Trigger
  • Semi-auto only
  • Sniper delay
  • Two-stage trigger (AUG mode)
  • Adjustable pre-cocking (6 levels)
  • Active braking
  • Low voltage alarm
• HAL¹ Programming instructions
• Rear wired: Deans battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck config.
• Compatible with  M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - S-Mag High-cap | S-Mag Mid-cap | S-Mag Mid-cap 5 Pack

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-C23 CORE™ Gen.2 M4/AR-15 AEG
• 125rnd S-Mag M4/AR-15 Mid-cap magazine x 2
• Speedloader