Delta Armory DA-A02 ALPHA™ M4A1 RAS AEG

If you're searching for the perfect combination of old-school aesthetics and modern ergonomics, the Delta Armory DA-A02 ALPHA™ M4A1 RAS AEG is one to watch. This ALPHA™ line replica is styled after the US Army issue M4A1 but adds a unique enhanced receiver, an ergonomic pistol grip, and an enlarged trigger guard and CNC Type A flat trigger.

Boasting full metal construction externally and superb pre-upgraded internals on the inside, the DA-A02 ALPHA™ boasts full metal construction and plenty of pre-upgraded internals, beating out the BRAVO and CHARLIE AEGs with its 18:1 ratio steel gears, 8mm ball bearing bushings and plenty of other pre-upgraded internals.

To deliver your BBs accurately, a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel is fitted and paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, making this platform the perfect companion to any Airsoft loadout with an emphasis on long-range. Upgrading is not entirely necessary with this AEG, simply add your favourite optic and get busy straight out of the box!

Starting at the front, we can find a pre-installed birdcage flash hider concealing 14mm CCW male barrel threads beneath. This means you can add a tracer or suppressor immediately, or an alternative muzzle device to customise the looks of the DA-A02. The barrel profile matches the real M4A1 rifle perfectly, including its M203 cutout which not only completes the iconic M4A1 look but allows M203 grenade launchers to be mounted to the barrel for a more menacing aesthetic.

The front iron sight post is adjustable for elevation using an M4/AR-15 front sight adjustment tool, and for less precise work up close it can be used as an index point for rapid aiming when there is no time for pinpoint precision. Mounted to the bottom of the front sight assembly we have our first sling point, which is a standard alloy footman loop compatible with a wide variety of sling types. This can be paired with any of the available rear sling mounting options to fit a two-point rifle sling to take the burden off your arms or allow for easy transitions to a sidearm. The perk of a relatively old-school design is that all the sling points are built in, meaning no extra adapters are needed!

Following the front sight, we come to the handguard assembly which is constructed from alloy. The KAC RAS style handguards themselves are polymer and are equipped with 20mm Picatinny rails at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock, ready for your mission essential kit to be mounted. The handguards are held in place using a steel handguard cap at the front, and an alloy delta ring at the rear. The handguards are made in two parts, allowing you to remove the lower handguard and mount an M203 launcher to the barrel for some extra firepower.

The receiver of Delta Armory's DA-A02 is a modernised design, complete with machined in gripping texture on the front of the magazine well, ideal for shooting from unconventional positions and angular surfaces across the receiver, giving the iconic '60s AR design a 21st-century refresh. The trigger guard is also enlarged and built into the receiver, improving strength considerably and following trends in the latest high-end real steel AR-15 rifles. Being an AEG of the ALPHA™ line, this receiver is constructed from alloy, matching the metal to polymer proportions of the real AR-15.

The fire selector is positioned just above the pistol grip and offers 3 modes of fire; SAFE, SEMI and AUTO, with a 90-degree throw between each mode. This makes the selector easy to switch between the settings, but not so easy that it can be knocked out of position without realising it. The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well and is accessible for right-handed shooters with the tip of their trigger finger.

Pulling back the charging handle, located at the top rear of the receiver will open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt carrier to allow access to the rotary HOP-up adjuster. This is the latest HOP-up unit design for the M4/AR-15 and provides finer increments of adjustment, it also retains its setting more effectively when compared to the older gear-style HOP-up unit. The charging handle has an extended latch for easier access, allowing even those with thick gloves to access the HOP-up unit, though you may need to remove a glove to turn the adjuster!

The mock bolt catch is located in the centre of the left side of the receiver, and while this is a dummy control which doesn't provide a function it is included regardless to maintain the realistic appearance and avoid the tell-tale signs of being a replica. The dummy forward assist is present on the right side of the upper receiver, right where it should be. This control does nothing on an AEG, and some real AR shooters would argue that it does nothing on the real thing either, but it is included on the DA-A02 to keep the rifle faithful to real M4/AR-15 rifles.

The pistol grip of the DA-A02 boasts a refined grip angle for greater comfort when shooting with the stock fully collapsed and in more modern shooting stances. Based on the real steel "Gunfighter mod.3" grip, a modern ergonomic design, each flank of the pistol grip includes fine texturing for perfect wet weather handling. The trigger is known by Delta Armory as the CNC Type A Flat trigger and offers a flat serrated front surface with a short finger ledge, ideal for rapid double taps.

At the rear of the receiver, we come to the steel CQD style sling plate, which offers ambidextrous functionality with single-point slings; perfect for left or right-handed shooters. The steel construction practically guarantees even if you mount a huge rifle scope, PEQ box and RunCam, the sling plate will be strong enough to support the weight.

To the rear of the sling plate, we come to the M4/AR-15 buffer tube, which is constructed from alloy. The buffer tube offers 6 positions of stock adjustment for the pre-installed Delta Armory ALPHA™ battery stock. To access the battery compartment, squeeze the two tabs at the toe of the stock together, after which you can lift the butt plate off, remove the battery plug, and make use of the stock's built-in battery compartment to house a nunchuck/crane-style battery. For the DA-A02, we recommend a 7.4V 1200mAh LiPo crane/nunchuck battery but you can also make use of a 9.6V 1600mAh NiMH for extra capacity.

As it comes, the DA-A02 is fitted with plenty of pre-upgraded internal parts focusing on longevity and user-friendly maintenance. The version 2 gearbox shell is reinforced, allowing it to be upgraded for higher power springs if you want to take your build in a DMR direction. The spring guide is a quick change example, allowing for quick and easy power tuning without opening the gearbox shell and has ball bearings in its base to reduce the rotational force applied to the gearbox shell for a longer lifespan. 

Inside the gearbox, we have a set of 18:1 ratio steel gears mounted on 8mm ball bearing bushings, an SHS piston with a full steel tooth rack and an SHS delayer chip and tappet plate to add reinforcement in the key places that need it. The ball-bearing bushings allow the gears to spin more freely with a reduced gearbox report and a much smoother sound. To provide the accuracy needed to get the job done at long range, the DA-A02 ALPHA™ is rocking a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, offering higher FPS with the same spring and finer HOP-up adjustment increments. 

If you love a new meets old combination with a robust full metal build and thoroughly pre-upgraded internals, the Delta Armory DA-A02 ALPHA™ M4A1 RAS AEG should be right up your street. With no compromise on quality and a realistic hefty external build, the DA-A02 is ready for any skirmish challenge it faces!

Features

• Full metal construction - Realistically hefty
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• Flip-up iron sights pre-installed - Mounted to the top rail, press textured buttons to flip up
• RAS 20mm Picatinny quad-railed handguard - 20mm Picatinny rails at 3, 6, 9 & 12 o'clock
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or rifle scope
• Unique receiver design - Angular surfaces, gripping texture on the front of the magazine well
• Enlarged trigger guard - Easy access for gloved or ungloved shooters
• Ergonomic pistol grip with reduced grip angle - Great for modern shooting stances, very comfy
• Ambidextrous sling plate - Mount a single-point sling on the left or right side
• Unique Delta Armouries sliding stock - Plenty of battery space, low-profile adjustment lever
  
• Extended charging handle latch - Easy access to the HOP-up unit for adjustment
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Easy to adjust in fine increments, holds its setting well
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock to suit your body type perfectly
• Rear wired - Mini-Tamiya connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in Crane/Nunchuck config.
• Reinforced version 2 gearbox - 
• SHS Piston with steel full tooth rack
• SHS Delayer chip
• SHS Tappet plate
• Quick change ball bearing spring guide
• Steel 18:1 gearset
• 8mm Ball bearing bushings
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Plenty of spares available

Package Includes

• Delta Armory DA-A02 ALPHA™ M4A1 RAS AEG
• 120rnd Mid-capacity magazine