Specna Arms SA-F12 FLEX™ M4A1 AEG; X-ASR MOSFET

If you're an Airsofter on a budget and need a military-style primary, the Specna Arms SA-F12 FLEX™ GATE X-ASR M4A1 AEG; X-ASR MOSFET should suit you perfectly! A lightweight beginner-friendly build from Specna's CORE™ range, this M4A1 replica is made from high-density polymer, giving you a lightweight build with a healthy dose of metal in the mix!

Inside, we are treated to the same robust, reliable and simple internals that made the AEGs of the Flex™ series such impressive and dependable platforms, equipped with a quick change spring system for easy power tuning, 18:1 steel gears running on 8mm bushings and a tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, ensuring the SA-F12 can still do its job out to long range.

This is the updated "X-ASR MOSFET" version, equipped with the Gate X-ASR Smart Fuse MOSFET, providing diagnostics and battery protection while enhancing trigger response. Whether this will be your first foray into Airsoft or you need an affordable loaner AEG, the SA-F12 is a fantastic option with more than its fair share of perks!

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-F12 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 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 polymer. 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-F12 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.

Moving down, we come to the pistol grip of the SA-F12, 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 by 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-F12 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 X-ASR, we are also treated to a Deans/t-plug battery connector, a lower resistance alternative to the mini-Tamiya found on previous Specna Arms AEGs. For the SA-F12, we recommend a 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo crane/nunchuck battery for an easy fit and great performance.

Inside, the SA-F12, we're equipped with respectable internal features, more than enough to keep new skirmishers competitive on the field. The version 2  gearbox has an alloy shell and is equipped with 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 8mm bushings, offering a smooth, friction-free gearbox report and a longer lifespan thanks to reduced wear on the gear axles and gearbox shell. The spring guide is also an "ESA" quick-change example, making power tuning a breeze for those into the techy side of the hobby.

This revamped SA-F12 is also equipped with the Gate X-ASR MOSFET, a "Smart Fuse" type device designed to provide diagnostics and warn the user of certain errors. The X-ASR also enhances electrical efficiency, which results in a snappier trigger feel and a slight boost in rate of fire. The inner barrel is also a 6.03mm tightbore paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, promising above-average accuracy and range using high-quality BBs, as long as you do your part!

If you want a military style rifle at a low price, the Specna Arms SA-F12 FLEX™ GATE X-ASR M4A1 AEG; X-ASR MOSFET is an excellent option. It has a reliable build and a lightweight body, making it perfect as a backup rifle or a starter platform for younger Airsofters.

Features

• High-density polymer build - Alloy outer barrel, steel trim parts
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• 14.5-inch Outer barrel - Realistic M4A1 profile with M203 cut
• M4A1 Triangle front sight post/gas block - Compatible with Ghost 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
• Rear wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in Crane/Nunchuck config
• Version 2 gearbox:
  • Alloy shell
  • 18:1 Steel gears
  • 8mm Bushings
  • ESA Quick Change Spring System
  • Gate X-ASR MOSFET
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Spares are cheap and always available!

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-F12 FLEX™ GATE X-ASR M4A1 AEG; X-ASR MOSFET
• 300rnd High-Capacity magazine