Specna Arms SA-H23 EDGE 2.0™ Carbine AEG

The Specna Arms SA-H23 is an advanced AR15 design, based on the well known 416 series receiver. This AEG is constructed from metal everywhere a real AR15 is, featuring high-quality anodising on the CNC machined Aluminium handguard, and Specna's own Nano-coating on the receiver, giving it the smooth, light-absorbing matt finish we have come to expect from Specna EDGE™ series replicas.

At the tip of the 10 inch alloy outer barrel, we can find a birdcage flash hider, mounted to its 14mm CCW male barrel threads. The threaded barrel is of the most common type, allowing the SA-H23 to have suppressors, tracers, and muzzle devices of different styles added to spice up its looks. The top of the handguard features a full-length 20mm Picatinny rail which interfaces seamlessly with the raised receiver rail, using the 416 style locking key to prevent rotation. This handguard also features two QD sling sockets on either side, at the front and at the receiver end, allowing QD sling points to be used by both left and right handed shooters. At the very front of the handguard rail, we can find the detachable front iron sight, which combines with the rotary drum aperture rear sight found at the rear of the receiver rail. The front sight is a non adjustable winged blade type, with the protective wings preventing your front sight blade from being knocked out of alignment in the event of a drop. The rear sight provides 4 different apertures of different sizes which can be easily selected without the need for tools, and is adjustable for windage. These sights are widely considered to be one of the best designs for fast acquisition and flexibility, providing presets for different ranges which are easily selectable by rotating the rear sight drum. If you prefer flip-up sights or an optic, the rotary drum sights can be removed from the upper 20mm rail easily and replaced with the aiming device of your choice.

The receiver of the SA-H23 is finished in Specna's proprietary Nano-coating, giving it an extremely smooth and thin, yet hard wearing surface which is vastly superior to the painted finish found on other guns in this price range. To run your finger across the surface is a true pleasure, with a soft velvety texture which is thin enough to retain the sharp and detailed "SPECNA ARMS 5.56MM NATO" markings found on the left side of the magazine well. On the right side of the upper receiver we can find the dust cover and ejection port, through which we can access our HOP adjuster. When the charging handle is pulled, the dust cover will flip open and the mock bolt carrier will be held to the rear, revealing the rotary HOP adjustment dial. The rotary adjustment method is the most consistent and accurate out there, and with the SA-H23 you will likely never need an upgraded HOP unit, anything out there would at best be an equivalent! At the top and rear of the receiver, we can find the AR15 style charging handle, which features an extended latch, optimised for one-fingered operation in line with modern AR15 shooting technique. As mentioned, this can be pulled back to provide access to the HOP adjuster which is found within the ejection port. To the rear of the dust cover, we can observe both the mock shell ejector which serves to complete the AR15 look, and the forward assist, which provides a realistically textured button which would provide a way to force the bolt closed in the event of a stoppage on the real AR, though on our SA-H23 this exists for aesthetic reasons and provides no function.

On the left side of the receiver, we can find the bolt catch, or "ping pong paddle", sitting dead centre. This piece allows the mock bolt carrier to be released after it has been locked to the rear with the charging handle. Simply pressing firmly on the textured upper section of the bolt catch will release the mock bolt with a satisfying "clack". Also on the left side of the receiver is the fire selector lever, which can be set to one of three positions; Safe, Semi-Automatic, and Fully automatic. These positions are helpfully marked with high visibility pictograms, which both function perfectly and add to the AEG's authentic styling. The rear of the receiver features an ambidextrous sling plate which is designed for hook type slings, and is ideally suited to single-point bungee sling setups. When coupled with the front QD sling sockets on the handguard this rifle can also be set up with a two or 3 point sling. The pistol grip of the SA-H23 is an ergonomic design, featuring a discrete finger ridge, textured panels on the sides and rear, and an enhanced grip angle, ensuring you have a comfortable grip on the rifle and can avail yourself of the most modern shooting stances and techniques.

The stock of this AEG attaches to a standard AR15 6 position buffer tube, which is constructed from alloy and has been Nano-coated, similarly to the receiver. The tube features a knurled castle nut, aiding in removing the buffer tube to access the quick change spring system. The stock is of an advanced crane style design, and features a low profile adjustment lever, reducing the chances of the stock snagging on a sling or other equipment, and giving the rifle a dynamic look. The butt plate is made from rubber, and features linear checkering to ensure the stock stays firmly in the shooters shoulder in all weather conditions, and with or without body armour. To remove the butt plate, simply rotate it counter clockwise by 90 degrees and it will come off, revealing the SA-H23's battery compartment. The stock also provides an additional 4 sling attachment points; a sling bar on the top of either side of the stock, a sling slot in the centre and a loop at the top rear of the stock.

Before we take a dive into what this AEG has to offer in its Specna Arms Orion reinforced gearbox, lets take a look at the GATE ASTER V2, the fire control system MOSFET at the heart of the SA-H23:

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The GATE ASTER

The ASTER V2 is the younger brother of the well-known TITAN V2. The world's first 4th generation AEG Control System is designed for most of AEGs with a V2  gearbox on the market (including stock, low- and mid-tuned) and even for high-tuned guns (in case of EXPERT firmware). It was designed to achieve maximum reliability at an attractive price.

Transform your AEG by replacing the trigger contacts with a computerized controller equipped with innovative optical sensors, including a proximity trigger sensor which offers even 250 sensitivity settings. Gain a unique tactical advantage thanks to extremely fast trigger response and lots of other useful functions. The ASTER's smart fuse protects your AEG’s battery, motor, and the controller, even in case of reverse battery connection. This feature, along with the optical sensors, makes the ASTER the most durable drop-in unit on the market. You choose how to configure the ASTER – simply via the trigger or through USB-Link / Blu-Link* and GATE's GCS App. To enjoy the full potential of the ASTER, you can upgrade its firmware to ADVANCED or EXPERT.

• Protection against battery reverse polarity
• Proximity trigger sensor which offers 250 possible sensitivity settings!
• Option to configure its main settings simply via the trigger or completely through the GATE Control Station App for Android, Windows and macOS (also for iOS in 2020, after Bluetooth® dongle release)
• Built-in RGB led makes programming easier
• Removing of the safety lever is not required
• No modification of the gearbox shell needed, even in case of KRYTAC* and ICS (*when bolt catch lever is removed. This applies to ASTER Rev 1. Next ASTER revisions will be fully compatible with KRYTAC gearbox)
• Optical gear cam sensor supports all types of gears: Infinite Torque-up, DSG, SSG, 19-tooth, and standard
• Binary trigger function as a basic function
• Premium level functionality at a fair price – Great price-performance ratio

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The 'ORION Gearbox' featured inside has a reinforced shell, designed to handle high power springs and also incorporates a quick change spring system. The gearbox internals feature a Steel Gear Set, Full Steel Rack Piston, Aluminium Sealed Nozzle, Aluminium Double Sealed Cylinder, Aluminium Double Sealed Piston head w/ Bearings, 8mm Bearings and a Bearing Spring Guide. This feature set provides a long lasting and high performance gearbox that guns of twice the price would envy! Coupled with the rotary HOP unit and tight bore 6.03mm inner barrel the SA-H23 is one of the most refined and well equipped AEGs in its price range.

Features

• Gate ASTER MOSFET installed
• Rotary HOP unit
• Rubber butt plate
• Unique serial number
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel
• Specna Reinforced Orion Gearbox
• Ambidextrous CQD sling plate
• Handguard with QD sling sockets
• Ergonomic polymer Grip and stock
• Nano-Coating finish on Receiver
• Quick change Spring system
• 14mm CCW threaded barrel

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-H23 EDGE 2.0™ Carbine AEG
• 2 x 125rnd Medium Capacity Magazines
• User Manual
• Deans to Mini-Tamiya Adaptor