Specna Arms SA-C25 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU™ PDW M4/AR-15 AEG

If you're looking for a fresh modernised CQB platform, the Specna Arms SA-C25 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU™ M4/AR-15 AEG should interest you. Constructed to Specna's CORE standard, the SA-C25 boasts a CNC aluminium handguard with an alloy outer barrel and bird cage muzzle attachment paired with a high-density polymer receiver, buffer tube, stock and pistol grip, giving you a great introduction to more realistic replicas, but still easy to use during a day of skirmishing. As with the original CORE series, the polymer quality is top-notch, more scratch-resistant than comparable metal receivers and ultra-light for high energy throughout the skirmish day. 

Inside this, the latest SA-C25 variant, we are treated to the HAL ETU/MOSFET, a lovely addition to a beginner rifle! The HAL¹ ETU offers binary trigger, AUG mode and sniper delay instead of semi-auto and semi-auto lock, 3-round burst or 5-round burst instead of full auto, along with several quality-of-life improvements and most importantly for CQB, adjustable pre-cocking! Pre-cocking positions the piston at the rear of its cycle after a shot, meaning when you pull the trigger the response is practically instantaneous, ideal for semi-auto duels in the close confines of a CQB site.

A considerable improvement over the original SA-C25, the HAL¹ ETU adds a lot of functionality to this compact and lightweight beginner-friendly platform. With no more trigger lock-ups when shooting semi-auto, plenty of fire mode options and the pre-installed 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel and rotary HOP-up combo which made the original SA-C25 CORE such a solid choice, the new version is hard to beat!

Starting at the front end, we can find a birdcage flash hider pre-installed on the 14mm CCW male outer barrel threading. The birdcage is the classic M4/AR-15 flash hider design and looks fantastic, but if you are a more discrete skirmisher or you plan to run a tracer, you can swap it out for a 14mm CCW compatible muzzle device of your choice.

Moving rearwards, you will find the M-LOK handguard which is made from aluminium using CNC machining, guaranteeing that the attachment slots and rails are in flawless form. The handguard is also equipped with attractive angular vent ports to give the replica a cutting-edge look. The M-LOK slots are present at the 3, 6 & 9 o'clock positions with a 20mm Picatinny rail up top equipped with the included flip-up aperture iron sights. The benefit of a modern M-LOK handguard is that in its slick configuration, the handguard is lightweight and surprisingly ergonomic, meaning you don't need to add rail covers to avoid the discomfort as you might with a 20mm quad rail. 

Next up we reach the receiver, which is instantly recognizable as the common M4/AR-15 configuration, with its controls laid out in a considerate and ergonomic manner, allowing the SA-C25 to be manipulated quickly and instinctively by veterans, or learned rapidly by new users. 

The fire selector lever can be found just above the pistol grip, on the left side of the AEG, providing 3 modes of fire, SAFE, SEMI, and AUTO, with a 90-degree throw between each. The fire modes are helpfully marked in recessed text on the receiver and the selector switch locks positively into each mode with the help of texture on its surface to guarantee you can stay in control of your fire modes. The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well and is accessible for a right-handed user with their trigger finger or by a lefty using their off-hand thumb.

Pulling back the extended charging handle, at the rear of the receiver, will pop open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt carrier which allows 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 and holds 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 your glove to adjust the unit!

The bolt catch on the left side of the receiver does not function but is nonetheless a separate moveable part to reduce the common tell-tale signs of a replica. The forward assist is a similar story, being present on the right side of the upper receiver and being another separate moving part which can be pressed in but has no effect on the function of the AEG. A new addition to this HAL-equipped SA-C25 is its flat trigger, enhancing the military aesthetic with a touch of modernity and providing an easily slappable trigger for snappy double taps in semi-auto. 

The pistol grip of the SA-C25 is an M16A2/M4A1 style pistol grip, also known as the "A2" finger ridged grip. The A2 has diamond checkering on either side and linear texture on the back strap to provide excellent gripping qualities whether you wear gloves or not. The finger ridge is designed to help you keep hold of the rifle and prevent the grip from slipping out of your hands when held in a single hand. As with most M4/AR-15 AEGs, this grip is compatible with aftermarket M4/AR-15 AEG grips, ideal for customisation addicts!

As we reach the rear of the AEG we can find one of the primary differences between this and other SA-C25 platforms. The compact PDW stock of the SA-C25 allows it to be stowed in much smaller spaces and used in a much more compressed shooting stance. The stock is primarily constructed from alloy with a polymer butt plate and alloy stock bars for additional strength. The adjustment lever can be found on the bottom of the stock and allows the user to extend the stock to multiple positions, depending on your body type and the scenario.

The battery compartment of this SA-C25 can be found within the buffer tube, which is secured via a threaded cap that twists onto the buffer tube and will keep your battery secure and waterproof. The AEG is equipped with a Deans connector and can house a 7.4V LiPo battery of up to 600 mAh capacity. The Specna Arms 7.4V 600mAh 20/40C Battery for PDW is recommended as it will fit, however, due to its small size it's best to bring two of these to your skirmishes so you will have enough battery power to play all day!

Inside the HAL¹ equipped SA-C25 PDW, we have an alloy V2 gearbox shell with 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 8mm bushings. The spring guide is an ESA quick change example, making power tuning a breeze for those who want to get as close to site limits as possible. The inner barrel is a 6.03mm tightbore paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, giving you superb accuracy potential and the most up-to-date HOP-up unit style for M4/AR-15 AEGs. All internal parts are Tokyo Marui AEG spec, meaning aftermarket upgrades are a go for the performance seekers!

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 SA-C25. Features like these are usually only present in high-end replicas; we simply cannot believe the wealth of functionality inside the HAL¹ equipped SA-C25 PDW, especially considering the price!

If you're looking for an advanced yet affordable CQB platform then the Specna Arms SA-C25 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU™ PDW M4/AR-15 AEG is a superb choice. The HAL¹ ETU™ puts it a league above any other CQB platform in the same price range. This SA-C25 PDW makes for a fantastic beginner platform or a great choice for experienced skirmishers looking for a reliable upgradeable backup platform!

Features

• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• High-density polymer with CNC Aluminium handguard 
• Perfect for CQB skirmishing, compact and lightweight, provides great manoeuvrability!
• Birdcage Flash Hider pre-installed
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel
• M-LOK handguard - Super slick and streamlined
• Flip-up aperture iron sights pre-installed - Adjustable for windage and elevation, 2 apertures to choose from
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for red dot sights, PEQ lasers or scopes to be mounted
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - The latest M4/AR-15 design, holds its setting well and allows for fine adjustment
• Finger ridged "A2" pistol grip - Comfortable for most hand sizes, textured for extra traction
• Flat mil-spec trigger guard - Matches real US Army-issued M4A1 rifles
• 3-Position fire selector switch - SAFE, SEMI AUTO & FULL AUTO, 90-degree throw between each mode
• Extended charging handle - Fast access to the HOP-up unit for quick mid-game adjustment
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock quickly and easily to suit your body type or loadout
• PDW stock - Very compact, perfect for CQB skirmishes and tight shooting stances
• Version 2 Gearbox:
  • 8mm bushings
  • ESA quick change spring system
  • Steel 18:1 ratio gearset
  • Alloy shel
• HAL¹ Programmable MOSFET/ETU functions:
  • Low voltage alarmActive braking 
  • Adjustable pre-cocking (6 levels)
  • Two-stage trigger (AUG mode)
  • Sniper delay
  • Semi-auto only
  • Binary Trigger
  • 3 or 5-round burst
• HAL¹ Programming instructions available here
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - S-Mag High-cap | S-Mag Mid-cap | S-Mag Mid-cap 5 Pack
• Rear wired: Deans battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 600mAh 20/40C Battery for PDW Stocks

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-C25 CORE™ HAL¹ ETU™ PDW M4/AR-15 AEG
• 300rnd S-Mag M4/AR-15 High-cap magazine
• Cleaning rod