Specna Arms SA-J81 CORE™ AKS-74U Gen. 2; HAL ETU

If you're after a lightweight and handy AK for CQB, the Specna Arms SA-J81 CORE™ AKS-74U Gen. 2; HAL ETU should be right up your street! A mixed high-density polymer, steel and alloy build, the SA-J81 is far easier to run than the average AK but keeps the realistic metal where it counts, making it ideal for new skirmishers or those who need a platform which will never slow them down!

Internally, this CORE™ Gen.2 build has some impressive pre-upgraded parts for a platform in this price range, including a CNC aluminium air nozzle, 16:1 ratio high-speed gears, a polymer piston with a full steel tooth rack and the Magnus TDC rotary HOP-up unit paired with a Helium flat HOP bucking and 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel. Make no mistake, the SA-J81 brings some serious heat downrange, perfect for a beginner with "bad guy" vibes or experienced skirmishers looking for an "easy mode" AK build!

Starting at the tip of the alloy outer barrel, we can find the muzzle device, which attaches to the 24mm CW AK threads on the front sight/gas block. The muzzle device is the correct design for an AKS-74U of this era, complete with ribs on the exterior, marking it out from earlier AKS-74U models with smooth-sided muzzle devices. The front sight is adjustable for elevation using the included front sight tool and is housed inside the gas block/front sight block combination, a hallmark of the AKS-74U. 

Beneath the 24mm CW AK threads are 14mm CCW threads, which can be accessed by removing the grub screw under the muzzle device and unthreading the 24mm CW adapter. This adapter is held on with some form of adhesive, so please be careful not to strip any threads when removing the grub screw and adapter. The front sight/gas block also includes a sling point on the left side, which can be used in concert with the sling point on the stock to attach a two-point rifle sling.

Moving rearwards, we come to the polymer handguards, matching the original variant of the AKS-74U first issued in the 1970s. These handguards include two ports on either side, intended in the real firearm to help cool the barrel after rapid firing. The profile of these handguards is designed to provide a stable grip and has a comfortable profile that fills out the hand to assist in controlling recoil by allowing the user to exert "downforce" to keep the muzzle rise under control. The wooden handguard look is perfect if you are doing a guerrilla rebel loadout, early Soviet Spetsnaz impression or an Osama Bin Laden loadout. Just be prepared for all the players dressed as SEAL Team 6 to burst into your bedroom and fill you full of plastic! 

Next up, we find the receiver, which is constructed from high-density polymer to keep the build lightweight and agile. Standard AK-style controls can be found on the right side, with a steel 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, also made from steel. In typical AK style, the first position on the fire selector is fully auto, and the lowermost position is semi-automatic. Each fire mode is denoted by a crisp, moulded, 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 mounting rail, allowing for authentic Russian scopes to be mounted, or Picatinny rail mounts if you prefer a more modern western optic. The receiver also provides several authentic dummy rivets, all found in the correct place for this AK variant. 

To access the Magnus™ adjustable HOP-up unit of the SA-PJ05, simply hold the charging handle to the rear to reveal this new rotary adjustable HOP-up unit design. The HOP-up allows you to tune the SA-PJ05 for different ammo weights, seeking the flattest possible trajectory. The Magnus™ design shows a lot of promise, being a TDC design which applies pressure directly to the top of the bucking to minimise side-to-side shot deviation. The Helium™ HOP-up bucking can also lift heavy BBs, should the mission require it. 

The receiver top cover of the SA-J81 is constructed from stamped steel and is the appropriate design for an AKS-74U, with ribs stamped into the upper surface to provide additional strength while keeping the material thin and lightweight. The battery compartment is beneath the top cover, accessible by pressing the button at the rear of the top cover, after which it should come straight off. Inside, you'll find a Deans battery connector. For the SA-J81, we recommend a 7.4V 1300mAh slim stick battery for an easy fit and flawless performance. With the battery connected and installed, you can place the top cover back into the rifle, 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 rifle stays firmly in your grasp in any weather condition. 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, a definite advantage over other designs for left-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.

The side-folding skeleton stock of the SA-J81 is constructed from steel and mimics the classic AKS-74 stock present on AKS-74 rifles issued to paratroopers and mechanised infantry. Being constructed from steel adds strength and keeps 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 AK-47/74 sling.

Inside, the SA-J81 is rocking Specna's CORE™ Gen.2 internals, including a smattering of high-end components featured in the PRIME™ range. These include an aluminium air nozzle, 16:1 high-speed gears, a polymer piston with a full steel tooth rack and an aluminium cylinder. Also inside is the Magnus TDC Rotary HOP-up unit and Helium HOP-up bucking, enhancing range and accuracy despite the short overall length of the SA-J81.

The HAL¹ 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 FX01. Features like these are usually only present in high-end replicas; we simply cannot believe the wealth of functionality inside this beast, especially considering the price!

If you're looking for a lightweight "easy mode" AK with solid internals ideal for CQB, the Specna Arms SA-J81 CORE™ AKS-74U Gen. 2; HAL ETU is about the best option out there. Made from a fantastic combo of strong polymer with alloy and steel where it counts, the SA-J81 is ideal for fast movers with a "bad guy" vibe!

Features

• High-density polymer build - Steel and alloy trim parts
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• 24mm CW Male thread adapter pre-installed - Compatible with Russian-style tracers & suppressors
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Ready for standard tracer units and suppressors
• AKS-74U "Gas booster" trumpet muzzle brake pre-installed - Iconic Krinkov looks
• Open iron sights - Two notches for aiming at different ranges
• Hinged top cover - Easy battery access, press the button on the rear, and the cover will lift up
• Russian AK dovetail side mount - Compatible with Russian AK optics or 20mm Picatinny mounts
• Alloy mock bolt carrier - Authentic finish, sounds great when racked
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - A new design with loads of potential
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Easy reloads from the left or right side
• Realistic disassembly - VFC-style build, all pins and rivets, no screws!
• Steel side folding skeleton stock - Iconic Soviet looks, steel sling point built-in
• HAL 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
• HAL Programming instructions available  here
• Version 3 Gearbox:
  • Aluminium Nozzle
  • 16:1 CNC Steel gears
  • Polymer piston with full steel tooth rack
  • Aluminium cylinder
  • HAL Programmable MOSFET
• Top-wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in Crane/Nunchuck config
• Compatible with AK-47/74 AEG magazines - Plenty of spare magazine options available

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-J81 CORE™ AKS-74U Gen. 2; HAL ETU
  • 130rnd Medium Capacity Magazine x 2