Specna Arms SA-J05 EDGE™ AK-74 Tactical AEG w/Gate ASTER MOSFET

If you like pineapple on pizza, a spoiler on your work van or you rock socks with sandals, an AK with an M4 stock sounds like your perfect rifle! Jokes aside, the SA-J05 EDGE™ from Specna Arms is an AK-74-based AEG platform constructed almost entirely from steel and equipped with an M4/AR15 buffer tube at the rear, providing adjustable length of pull and access to some of the best modern rifle stock designs around today.

Mimicking AK configurations built by US firearms companies for the civilian tactical market, no Russian would be caught dead with this AK in their hands but those who value ergonomics will in all likelihood find this setup more agreeable than a standard AK, especially if you run a PMC loadout or you are already accustomed to the M4 platform.

Things are equally special on the inside with the SA-J05, featuring Specna's ORION™ reinforced version 3 gearbox with a pre-fitted Gate ASTER™ MOSFET, resulting in a ferocious trigger response and some serious effect on target downrange. With a snappy trigger and a way above average rate of fire, things get even better when we add in the pre-installed 6.03mm tightbore and Helium™ flat HOP-up rubber, extending range, improving FPS and pushing accuracy potential far beyond what we would expect from a standard, out-of-the-box AEG. Though it goes without saying, you shouldn't have to worry about upgrading the internals running the SA-J05!

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-J05 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. The sight is a fine post which aligns well with the rear tangent sight, providing a wide field of view so you can effectively track and engage moving targets. 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-74 and is stamped from sheet steel for a realistic look. The gas tube meets the polymer upper handguard via a steel handguard cap which is integral to the gas tube.

The modernised 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. This may not be needed for an AK AEG but the realism fans should get a kick out of this!

The handguards themselves match those of the real steel AK-74M, the most modern iteration of the AK-74 platform, and are ribbed to encourage positive grip even when wearing thick winter gloves. The handguards are bulged slightly at the front just like the real wood handguards they replaced in service, filling the hand for greater comfort and allowing for "downforce" to be applied to help keep the muzzle under control when firing the real thing in full auto.

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-J05 a substantial and realistic feel in the hands, just like the real AK-74. 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. The SA-J05 should definitely please the stitch counters!

To access the adjustable HOP-up unit of the SA-J05, 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 HOP-up 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 thanks to its flat contact surface providing more consistent lift to the entire upper surface of each BB.

Being a top-wired design, the battery compartment of the SA-J05 is beneath the top cover, as it is in all "top wired" AK AEGs. Accessing the battery compartment is quite simple, all you need to do is press the button at the rear of the top cover and it should come straight off, revealing the Deans battery connector inside. We recommend a 7.4V LiPo battery in AK stick configuration for the SA-J05 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 AEG, 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-J05 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, making reloads simple for both left and right-handed shooters. 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.

At the rear is where this AK sidesteps conventions, replacing the usual fixed or side folding stock with an M4/AR15 buffer tube adapter, a 6-position buffer tube and a slimline crane-style stock. This stock adapter appears to be similar to real steel VLTOR design, offering a pair of QD sling sockets on the stock base, one on either side. During testing, we found that these QD points aren't functional with the G&G swivel we used so make sure you test them thoroughly with your chosen swivel before entrusting them with the weight of the rifle.

The buffer tube follows the stock base and is constructed from aluminium, offering 6 positions of adjustment for the slimline crane stock. Adjusting the stock is as it is with any other M4/AR15 stock; simply press the adjustment lever on the bottom and slide the stock into your desired position. The stock mimics the crane style of rifle stock with its ergonomic sloped cheekpiece and rubber butt plate for enhanced grip but is a slimmer design to reduce snags and the overall bulk of the rifle. The stock also has a pair of sling slots in the toe, allowing for traditional strap slings to be mounted, and a QD socket on either side, which we can confirm are functional. While it may upset a few purists, this M4 style stock setup suits the SA-J05 well and offers improved comfort and plenty of aftermarket stock options as a bonus!

Just like it is on the outside, the SA-J05 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.

Last but certainly not least, the Gate ASTER™ MOSFET takes pride of place inside, replacing the original trigger contacts and the fuse for improved electrical efficiency, a higher rate of fire and a snappier trigger response. Being a programmable ETU, the ASTER also allows for burst modes of various durations to be programmed in using the fire controls of the AEG, and also allows for binary trigger mode. 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 want an AK to add to your collection but you are not hamstrung by the need for it to be 100% Russian approved, why not take advantage of this westernised AK rifle? The SA-J05 combines the robust steel construction of an authentic AK with the modern ergonomics of the M4/AR15 adjustable stock, and its plethora of aftermarket stock options. On the inside, this AEG is more than a match for most M4s, rocking its Gate ASTER MOSFET, tightbore inner barrel and Helium flat HOP-up rubber to provide performance in all aspects!

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-74
• Steel mock cleaning rod - An essential part of an authentic AK
• Polymer ribbed handguard - AK-74M style modernised furniture
• VLTR Style buffer tube adapter with slimline crane stock & QD sling sockets
• 6-Position stock adjustment - Adjust the stock to suit your body type and loadout
• 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
• 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-J05 EDGE™ AK-74 Tactical AEG w/Gate ASTER MOSFET
• 130rnd S-MAG AK Medium capacity magazine x 2
• Deans to mini-Tamiya adapter
• Cleaning rod
• User manual