Specna Arms SA-PJ05 PRIME™ AK-74 PMC AEG

If you're into the AK-74 vibe but prefer to shoot using modern stances, the Specna Arms SA-PJ05 PRIME™ AK-74 PMC AEG is ideal! A marriage of the AK-74M front end with a modern AR buffer tube and sliding stock, the SA-PJ05 is built like a tank with externals well suited to a PMC loadout and internals which put its rivals to shame!

Inside, we're kitted out with the best internals Specna has to offer, including CNC 16:1 ratio steel gears running on 8mm J-CAGE bushings, a reinforced piston with a full rack of steel teeth, a reinforced tappet plate for reliable feeding, and a CNC aluminium piston head, cylinder head and nozzle for maximum long-term durability. The cylinder is also CNC machined from steel, as is the spring guide.

The main boasts for the SA-PJ05 are its Dark Matter™ Brushless Motor and Gate ASTER™ SE MOSFET, impressive parts rarely seen in mass-produced AEGs. The Dark Matter™ motor provides incredible speed and torque, boasting minimal heat build-up due to its brushless design. The ASTER™ MOSFET offers programmable fire controls, adjustable pre-cocking and active braking, a near infinite number of trigger sensitivity adjustments and the ability to connect to your phone or mobile device using Bluetooth if you add the Gate Blu-link(not included) to your setup.

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.

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-PJ05 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 automatic, and the lowermost position is semi-automatic. Each fire mode is denoted by a crisply 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-PJ05, like other Specna AKs, should definitely please the stitch counters!

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 also has the capability to lift heavy BBs, should the mission require it.

Being a top-wired design, the battery compartment of the SA-PJ05 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 1300mAh LiPo battery in AK stick configuration, 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 on, 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-PJ05 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, perfect for left or 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, we are equipped with a modern stock setup replacing the usual fixed or side folding stock of the AK-74 with an M4/AR-15 buffer tube adapter, a 6-position buffer tube and a slimline crane-style stock. This stock adapter appears to be similar to a 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/AR-15 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 QD sockets on either side, which we can confirm are functional. While it may upset a few purists, this M4-style stock setup suits the SA-PJ05 well and offers improved comfort and plenty of aftermarket stock options as a bonus!

Inside, the SA-PJ05 is ready to rock, equipped with pre-upgraded parts to rival the best. Inside the AETHER™ version 3 gearbox, we're equipped with 16:1 CNC steel high-speed gears running on 8mm J-cage ball bearing bushings, a polymer piston with a full steel tooth rack, a CNC aluminium nozzle, piston head and cylinder head and a reinforced tappet plate to ensure feeding is reliable.

The incredible Dark Matter 27K brushless motor provides impressive torque and speed; an impressive piece of hit usually sold on the aftermarket for a substantial price. Also inside is the Gate ASTER SE MOSFET, an advanced electronic trigger system offering programmable fire controls through the Gate Control Station app, adjustable pre-cocking for a ferocious trigger response in semi-auto, cycle timing control, adaptive active braking, adjustable trigger sensitivity and voltage control, all of which combine to give this AK a wealth of functionality that is hard to beat.

Whether you're working on a PMC-style loadout or you appreciate an AK with a sprinkle of Western ergonomics, the SA-PJ05 is a great fit. Packed with insane pre-upgraded parts for stunning performance in all environments with the beastly external build to back it up, the Specna Arms SA-PJ05 PRIME™ AK-74 PMC AEG is a foe to fear on gameday!

Features

• Full metal construction - Mostly steel for a hefty feel!
• Steel outer barrel, receiver & top cover - Realistic weight distribution
• 6.02mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• Gate ASTER™ SE MOSFET Pre-installed - One of the best out there, near-unlimited features
• 24mm CW Russian threaded barrel - Choose tracers & suppressors for 24mm CW
• AK-74 Muzzle brake pre-installed - Iconic AK-74 looks
• Steel mock cleaning rod - An essential part of an authentic AK
• Polymer ribbed handguard - AK-74M/AK-105 style modernised furniture
• Ambidextrous magazine release - Centrally positioned, great for lefties
• Adjustable open tangent iron sights - Great field of view
• Magnus™ Rotary HOP-up unit - A new design, finer adjustment increments & better setting retention
• Textured pistol grip - Appropriate for modern AK variants, textured panels for optimal traction
• Russian AK dovetail side mount - Compatible with Russian AK optics or 20mm rail adapters
• Realistic disassembly - VFC style, all pins and rivets, no screws!
• Front and rear sling points - Ideal for AK47/74 replica slings, suitable for most two-point slings
• Fixed stock with steel butt plate - Gorgeous real wood with a high-quality finish
• Storage compartment in the stock - Ideal for tactical sweeties, accessory batteries, etc.
• Version 3 AETHER™ Gearbox:
  • Reinforced Piston with a steel full tooth rack
  • Reinforced Tappet plate
  • CNC Aluminium piston head
  • CNC Aluminium cylinder head
  • CNC Aluminium nozzle
  • CNC Steel cylinder
  • CNC Steel quick-change spring guide
  • CNC Steel 16:1 gearset
  • 8mm J-CAGE Bearings
  • Specna Arms Dark Matter 27K Brushless Motor
  • Gate ASTER SE MOSFET
• Learn more about the ASTER™ MOSFET and what it does here
• Compatible with AK side rail scope mounts: M-ETAL 20mm Scope Mount For AK | NUPROL AK Side Scope Mount
• Compatible with AK-47/74 AEG magazines - 5.45 Style to please the stitch counters, but most will work

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-PJ05 PRIME™ AK-74 PMC AEG
  • 130rnd S-MAG AK Medium capacity magazine x 2
  • Speed loader