Specna Arms SA-J03 EDGE™ AKS-74M AEG w/Gate ASTER MOSFET

The SA-J03 is a member of Specna Arms' high end AK range, boasting the same realistic disassembly as the polymer version but constructed primarily from steel to provide a more realistic weight and feel. This AK is patterned after a modernised real steel AKS-74 issued to paratroopers and mechanised infantry which retains its steel skeleton folding stock but replaces the wood handguards up front with modern polymer equivalents with grip-enhancing ribs, matching those of the general issue variant, the AK-74M.

Built like a tank and bristling with pre-upgraded parts including the exceptional Gate ASTER™ MOSFET, if you are in the market for an AK and you need a woodland-capable barrel length with a folding stock for easier transportation, storage and greater utility up close, the SA-J03 should be high up on your list!

Starting at the tip of the steel outer barrel we can find an AK-74 style muzzle brake, which is designed to counteract the recoil forces of the 5.45mm cartridge and keep the real AK-74 controllable in fully automatic. The muzzle brake mounts to a 24mm CW adapter mounted over the 14mm CCW male threads at the tip of the 16.3-inch outer barrel and can be swapped out for a suppressor or tracer unit if you are going for more of a Spetsnaz look for your AK.

To remove the muzzle brake from the 24mm CW adapter you will need to hold the steel detent in the front sight as you unthread the brake, and to access the 14mm CCW male threading you will need to remove the grub screw in the adapter before unscrewing it.

The alloy front sight of the SA-J01 mounts directly to its outer barrel and provides an adjustable front post with protective wings to ensure an accidental bump or scrape does not render your sights useless. As part of the classic AK aesthetic, we can find a dummy cleaning rod running parallel to the outer barrel, stored on the weapon to give the Russian soldier less to remember! This cleaning rod is constructed from steel and isn't intended for cleaning an Airsoft barrel, though it is a big part of what makes the iconic AK silhouette so recognisable.

Moving further down the outer barrel we come to the dummy gas block which is constructed from alloy with a convincing gun metal finish applied. This connects to the gas tube, which is the correct design for an AK-74M and is stamped from sheet steel for extra realism. The gas tube meets the high density polymer upper handguard via a steel handguard cap which is integral to the gas tube. The ribbed polymer lower handguard is held on using an alloy handguard cap with a sling point built into the left side and can be removed using the same method as in a real AK; by first removing the gas tube and upper handguard via the disassembly lever on the trunnion block, then turning the lever in the handguard cap to free the handguard up.

The lower handguard features horizontal ribs to improve gripping qualities over the older AK variants which use wooden handguards, providing a comfortable but grippy support hand position whether you wear gloves or not. The upper handguard is smooth and featureless, just like the real AK-74M and older AK-74s upgraded to this more modern configuration. While they may not look as elegant and tasteful as real wood handguards, polymer handguards have the benefit of being immune to damage from moisture and won't show damage as readily.

Next up, we reach the trunnion block which provides the mounting point for the classic AK tangent rear iron sight. The rear sight is an open design which provides multiple graduations for adjustment and a fine rear sight notch to align with the front sight post. The sight can be adjusted by pressing the buttons on either side of the sight drum and moving the drum back and forth on its base. The lever on the right side is the handguard disassembly lever, and as with all AK AEGs using the VFC external design, this can be rotated upwards by 90 degrees to release the upper handguard and gas tube.

As we reach the receiver we can take note of its stamped steel construction, giving the SA-J01 a substantial and realistic feel in the hands, just like the real AK-74M. The receiver has standard AK style controls on the right side, with a fire selector lever which doubles as a dust cover when in safe mode, and a charging handle attached to an authentic black dummy bolt carrier.

Matching the control layout of the real AK rifle, the first position on the fire selector is fully auto and the lowermost position is semi-automatic. Each fire mode is denoted by a crispy engraved authentic Russian Cyrillic marking, adding some realism to this already very realistic AK. Over on the left side, we can find an AK quick detach dovetail mounting rail, allowing for authentic Russian AK scopes to be mounted, or Picatinny rail mounts if you prefer a more modern western optic. As with other AK side rails, this side rail is NOT compatible with the SVD side rail mounts and only works with AK side rail mounts.

The receiver also features several rivets in all the right places, as well as the receiver strengthening dimples present on all Russian stamped AK receivers. The top cover is also stamped from steel and has all the correct reinforcement ribs to mimic the real AK-74 family. The SA-J01, like other Specna AKs, should definitely please the stitch counters!

To access the adjustable HOP-up unit of the SA-J01, simply hold the charging handle to the rear to reveal the alloy slider adjustable HOP unit. The slider unit is known as one of the best designs out there, and that is the reason this unit has not changed in design since the original Tokyo Marui AK-47 AEG. To increase the HOP effect, simply move the slider rearwards. Returning the slider to the front will reduce the HOP to its lowest setting. This unit is constructed from alloy instead of the usual polymer to add strength and minimise the chances of failure, and to make matters all the sweeter the pre-installed HOP-up rubber is a Helium™ flat HOP bucking, which should improve range and accuracy considerably compared to standard rubbers.

Being a top-wired design, the battery compartment of the SA-J01 is beneath the top cover. To access the battery compartment, simply press the button at the rear of the top cover and it should come straight off, revealing the Deans battery connector. We recommend a 7.4V LiPo battery in AK stick configuration for the SA-J01 but you can just about squeeze in certain stick batteries designed for AR buffer tubes if you are very careful when reinstalling the top cover. With the battery connected and installed, you can place the top cover back into the SA-J01, align the button with the hole in the rear of the top cover, and pull the charging handle to lock the cover down if necessary.

The pistol grip is a standard AKM/AK-74 type pistol grip, with diamond checkering on either side to ensure the SA-J01 stays firmly in your grasp in any weather conditions. The trigger guard and magazine release can be found just ahead of the pistol grip, and are constructed from steel to provide solid magazine locking and ample rigidity. The magazine release is placed in the centre of the receiver and is accessible from either side of the AEG. The magazine retention system of the AK platform is a "rock and lock" motion, requiring you to first index the front "hook" on the magazine inside the receiver, then rock the magazine to engage the catch.

The stock of the SA-J01 is constructed from steel and is a classic AKS-74 style stock providing strength and keeping the weight low due to its skeleton design. To fold the stock to the side, simply press the button on the left side of the rear of the receiver, fold the stock to the left side and lock it on its hook. To unfold the stock, lift the locking latch on the receiver to disengage the hook, and the stock can be folded into the deployed position and locked. The right side of the stock also features a steel sling loop which pairs well with the front sling point on the lower handguard cap, providing appropriate mounting apparatus for a two-point sling, but ideally suited to an AK47/74 sling.

Just like it is on the outside, the SA-J01 is impressively equipped internally, boasting Specna's ORION™ reinforced version 3 gearbox equipped with an aluminium piston head and cylinder head, a steel-toothed polycarbonate piston and reinforced steel gears. The spring guide is equipped with ball bearings in its base to reduce rotational stress on the spring, piston and gearbox shell, and is also quickly removable to allow for easy power tuning via the ESA™ quick change spring system. The inner barrel is a 6.03mm tightbore paired with the Helium™ flat HOP-up bucking and mounted into an alloy slider HOP-up unit, promising above-average range and accuracy.

The icing on the cake is the Gate ASTER™ MOSFET which improves electrical efficiency and raises the rate of fire and trigger response while allowing you to program burst modes of various durations, as well as binary trigger. With the "expert" firmware and the Gate Control Station app, you can unlock even more functions from the ASTER, including rate of fire adjustment, trigger sensitivity adjustment and pre-cocking. This is a seriously advanced ETU and we are always happy to see it pre-installed into more and more platforms.

So, if you fancy an upgraded AK but you don't fancy installing the upgrades yourself, the SA-J03 would be a fantastic choice, offering both realistic steel externals and fully upgraded internals. The AKS-74M configuration is great for those who primarily skirmish outdoors but reserve the right to clear rooms, and is a perfect solution for those AK fans who want robust modern polymer furniture but demand the bomb-proof steel stock setup of this paratrooper friendly AK-74 rifle.

Features

• Full metal construction
• 14mm CCW male threaded barrel - 24mm CW adapter
• Gate ASTER MOSFET pre-installed - Click here to find out what it does!
• Steel muzzle brake - Authentic for an AK-74M
• Polymer AK-74M handguard with gripping ribs - Great for 90s/2000s AK look
• AKS-74 & AK-74M Hybrid setup - AKS-74M
• Steel mock cleaning rod - An essential part of an authentic AK
• Steel outer barrel, gas tube, receiver, trigger guard, selector & top cover - Hefty!
• Sling points front and rear - Ready for a two-point rifle sling
• 3-Position steel fire selector - Safe - Full auto - Semi-auto
• Realistic disassembly - VFC style; All pins and levers, no screws
• Steel side folding skeleton stock - Great for storage and close quarters battle
• Textured AKM/AK-74 pistol grip - Plenty of grip for wet weather work
• ORION™ Reinforced version 3 gearbox - Steel toothed piston, aluminium cylinder head & piston head
• ESA™ Quick change spring guide mounted on ball bearings - Reduced stress on the guide & spring
• Alloy slider adjustable HOP-up unit - Stronger than polymer units, little chance of failure
• Helium™ flat HOP-up bucking pre-installed - Serious range and accuracy potential
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Improved FPS and accuracy downrange
• Russian AK dovetail side rail - Allows for Russian AK optics and 20mm rail adapters to be mounted
• Includes 2 Specna Arms S-MAG AK Mid-caps - Compatible with AK AEG platform magazines

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-J01 EDGE™ AK-74M AEG w/Gate ASTER MOSFET
• 130rnd S-MAG AK Medium capacity magazine x 2
• Deans to mini-Tamiya adapter
• Cleaning rod
• User manual