Specna Arms Rock River Arms SA-E03 EDGE™ Carbine AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU

Specna Arms
Code: SPE-01-044341-00
217.49
  • Full metal construction
  • Rock River Arms trademarks
  • Kestrel Basic ETU Pre-installed

Real steel nerds, check this out! The Specna Arms Rock River Arms SA-E03 EDGE™ Carbine AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is a great beginner rifle, easy to pick up and use, superb long-term potential. There is a reason why this rifle style has so many variations and is seen everywhere in Airsoft, it looks good, has plenty of rail space and is just a great overall platform for skirmishers.

The Specna Arms Rock River Arms SA-E03 EDGE™ Carbine AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is an excellent choice for any Airsoft player, it shoots great out of the box, but there is also plenty of room for upgrades to take this rifle to the next level. The Kestrel Basic ETU offers programmable fire modes including 3-round burst and binary trigger, adjustable pre-cocking, active braking, cycle completion, low battery warning and low/high voltage protection.

Put simply, this allows the SA-E03 EDGE™ to be set up realistically as SAFE-SEMI-3RND BURST, keeps your gearbox cycling at maximum efficiency and with pre-cocking set, provides an incredibly snappy trigger response ideally suited to rapid double taps. Paired with Specna's standard 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel and rotary HOP-up unit, this is one of the best-equipped M4A1 AEGs on the market!

Full description

Description

The M4A1 is the industry standard when it comes to recognisable platforms. The SA-E03 EDGE™ boasts full metal construction, a 6,03mm tightbore inner barrel for impressive accuracy potential and the latest rotary HOP-up design. Combined, these features make for a premium-feeling rifle in your hands and shooting downrange!

The Kestrel Basic offers programmable fire modes including 3 round burst and binary trigger, adjustable pre-cocking with 6 levels to choose from and several quality-of-life functions such as low battery warning and cycle completion. The result is a remarkably snappy trigger when pre-cocking is set, the perfect feature for someone who often finds themselves getting outgunned whilst skirmishing. Alternatively, there is nothing quite as satisfying as shooting in 3-round bursts and dominating the battlefield!

The externals of this Specna Arms M4A1 are constructed from a high-quality alloy just like the original EDGE™ series, it is sure to withstand the trials and tribulations of any skirmish, indoors or outdoors. The silhouette perfectly echoes the real steel M4A1, if you're a stickler for realism, surely this one meets your high standards. If you're looking for a militaristic M4 that can do it all, the Specna Arms Rock River Arms SA-E03 EDGE™ Carbine AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is the rifle for you!

Starting at the front of this rifle we find an alloy birdcage-style flash hider, this is the most common muzzle device found preinstalled on M4 platforms and is perfect for skirmishing as it protects your outer barrel from damage and vegetation whilst skirmishing in the wild. However, you can remove this muzzle device to reveal 14mm CCW threading. This threading type accepts the most readily available muzzle devices, exchange the bird cage for something sneakier like a suppressor or maybe a tracer unit so you can see exactly where you aim your BBs.

Moving down the long outer barrel we come to the front iron sight, it is based on the standard M4 fixed front post which doubles as the gas block in the real deal. The sight is constructed from alloy and the sight blade is adjustable for elevation using an AR-15 front sight adjustment tool. On the bottom of the front sight, we also have a sling point and bayonet lug which is compatible with most Airsoft M9 bayonet replicas.

The handguard is found just to the rear of the gas block and features 20mm Picatinny rail sections at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions, this is an excellent way to maximise attachment space on an AEG and allows for the most customisation when making your rifle unique to you. As it comes, there are two rail panels attached at 3 and 9 o'clock, to provide a better grip on the platform. The alloy handguard is retained by an alloy handguard cap at the front and what is known as the "M4/M16 Delta Ring" at the rear. The mock gas tube is visible through the upper vent ports, a lovely hint of realism often missed from Airsoft AR replicas. Congratulations Specna Arms, you passed the realism test!

The receiver should be a familiar sight to anyone who has handled an M4/AR-15 platform before, constructed from alloy and matching the real M4A1 receiver style perfectly. This includes the reinforced front pinhole, mil-spec flat trigger guard, magazine release fence and low profile charging handle latch. The magazine release is ambidextrous and found on both the right and left sides of the magazine well, the right side has a push-through design just like a standard M4/AR-15 AEG with a textured surface for optimal traction. It also features some Rock River Arms trademarks, visible on the magwell.

The fire selector is found just above the pistol grip, offering 3 modes of fire with a 90-degree throw between each. The default fire modes are safe, semi-auto and full auto but with the pre-installed Kestrel Basic ETU, you have the option of using binary trigger instead of semi and 3-round burst instead of full auto. This makes the SA-E03 EDGE™ very versatile and ready for any situation you may find yourself in.

The charging handle can be found at the top rear of the receiver and as mentioned, features the milspec low-profile charging handle latch to reduce snagging potential. Pulling the charging handle back will pop the dust cover open and retract the black-finished mock bolt, revealing the rotary HOP-up unit on the right side. The HOP-up allows you to adjust the amount of backspin applied to your projectiles and tune the SA-K02 for different ammo weights, looking for the flattest possible trajectory.

Up top, we have a 20mm Picatinny receiver rail with a preinstalled rear iron sight. The rear sight is adjustable for windage without requiring a tool to do so, the dial on the right side adjusts windage (left to right). If you prefer to run an optical sight you can loosen the thumb screws on the left side of the iron sight and remove it to access the full length of your receiver rail. As much as a carry handle would complete the iconic look of the M4A1 build, an ACOG-style optic is much more ideal if you're going for an "in the field" look.

The pistol grip provided on the SA-E03 EDGE™ is an "A2" finger-ridged type, with diamond checkering on either side and linear grooves on the rear to provide a comfortable grip. The A2 grip is exactly what an M4A1 replica needs, matching the real steel US Army and SOCOM-issued variant perfectly.

At the very back of the receiver, we can find an ambidextrous "CQD" type sling plate, which allows a single-point bungee sling to be used with the rifle and installed on either the left or right side. This sling plate is constructed from steel, ensuring the substantial strength required to support the weight of the rifle and all the attachments that you mount.

Moving to the rear, we can find a 6-position M4/AR15 buffer tube, constructed from the same alloy as the receiver, keeping the platform strong and durable. The crane battery stock runs on this buffer tube and can be adjusted to any of the 6 positions by holding down the textured adjustment lever on the bottom of the stock and adjusting it to the desired length. On either side of the stock, we can find QD sling sockets, which when coupled with a QD sling stud, can provide a flexible sling set-up with quick-release functionality.

The battery compartment of this SA-E03 is within its stock and we recommend a 7.4v 1450mAh 30C Stock Tube Battery. The battery compartment is accessed by removing the stock. This is achieved by pulling down on the adjustment tab until you can slide the stock off the buffer tube. Then you can insert your battery into the buffer tube, connecting it to the Deans connector.

Inside the SA-E03 EDGE™, we are treated to the same solid internals as the original, including 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 8mm ball bearing bushings and a steel spring guide with Enter & Convert™ quick change spring functionality. Enter & Convert™ requires the gearbox to be removed from the receiver but doesn't require the gearbox itself to be opened, saving you hassle when it comes to power tuning and minimising the expertise needed.

The highlight of this Rock River Arms SA-E03 EDGE™ Carbine AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU, offering 6 levels of adjustable pre-cocking, options for 3 round burst and binary trigger along with low battery warning, cycle completion, active braking and low/high voltage cutoff. This means you can crank up the trigger response for super-fast double taps. Also inside is a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel and rotary HOP-up unit, giving you superb accuracy potential and the latest HOP-up design for M4/AR-15 platforms.

If you want an iconic rifle silhouette with real steel trademarks and like the idea of alternating between different fire modes with a high-end MOSFET, then the Specna Arms Rock River Arms SA-E03 EDGE™ Carbine AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is exactly what you are looking for. With its full metal construction, preinstalled programmable MOSFET and plenty of handguard rail space, this rifle is definitely worth its price tag!

Features

  • Full metal construction
  • Rock River Arms trademarks
  • 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
  • EShooter Kestrel Basic ETU Pre-installed - Loads of programmable functions
  • 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready, Birdcage flash hider pre-installed
  • 14" Outer barrel 
  • M4/M16 Triangular front sight - Adjustable using an AR sight adjustment tool, completes the iconic silhouette
  • Bayonet lug - Compatible with replica M9 bayonets  Big Dragon M16 Training Bayonet | Ghost Dummy Bayonet
  • Railed handguard - All flanks have 20mm Picatinny rail space
  • Delta Ring handguard attachment method - Compatible with aftermarket M5 RAS style handguards
  • 3-Position fire selector - SAFE-SEMI-AUTO by default, programmable via the Kestrel Basic ETU
  • M4/M16 Flat trigger guard - Milspec configuration, push the detent in the front right to fold for gloved use
  • 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope, carry handle pre-installed
  • Adjustable rear iron sight 
  • Ergonomic pistol grip - Comfortable for most hand sizes
  • Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Accessible when the charging handle is pulled and the mock bolt is locked back
  • 6 Position sliding stock - Comfortable in various modern shooting stances
  • Version 2 gearbox:
    • Enter & Convert™ quick change spring system
    • Steel spring guide
    • 8mm Ball bearing bushings
    • 18:1 Ratio steel gear set
  • Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU functions:
    • Binary Trigger
    • 3-Round burst
    • Adjustable pre-cocking
    • Active braking
    • Low/high voltage cutoff
    • Low battery warning
  • Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU programming instructions are available here
  • Rear wired: Deans/T-Plug battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4v 1450mAh 30C Stock Tube Battery
  • Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Spares are plentiful!

Package Includes

  • Specna Arms Rock River Arms SA-E03 EDGE™ Carbine AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU
  • 2x 125rnd Mid Cap Magazines

Specification

General

Weapon Construction External
Weapon Type
Assault Rifle
Over 18 Only Icon
Over 18
Yes
Icon UKARA - United Kingdom Airsoft Retailer Association
Defence / UKARA Required
Yes, No,
FPS Icon
FPS (Feet Per Second), using 0.20g BB
Approx. 310fps ± 10%, using 0.20g BB
Site Legal Icon
Site Legal, using 0.20g BB
Yes
Screwdriver Icon
Pre-Built
Yes
Package
Included Items
  • Magazine x 2
  • Stubby Vertical foregrip
Skill Level Icon
User Skill Level
Starter, Regular Player,
Patrol Base - Warning Icon
Warnings
Li-Po - Never Leave Charging Unattended
Li-Po - Only Use Approved Chargers
Li-Po - Charge in a Fire Safe Area

Weight and Dimension

Weight KG Icon
Weight (KG)
Approx. 2.64kg
Weapon Length Collapsed
Length (Collapsed)
80cm
Weapon Length Extended
Length (Extended)
88cm

Construction

Colour Wheel Greyscale
Primary Colour
Half-Tan
Half-Tan
Construction Icon
Construction
Alloy flash hider, outer barrel, buffer tube, handguard, front sight, gas tube, delta ring and receiver. High density polymer stock, pistol grip and rail panels. Steel pins, screws and sling plate.
Weapon Construction External
External Construction
Polymer
Alloy
Steel
Gearbox Icon
Internal Construction
Polymer
Alloy
Aluminium
Steel

Weapon Specific

Power Source Icon
Powered By
Electric
Blowback Icon
Blowback
None
Weapon Platform
Assault Rifle, M4 / AR-15 / M16, M4/AR-15 AEG, AR,
Magazine Style Icon
Magazine Style
Long Gun Magazine, Assault Rifle, M4 / AR Platform,
Fire Select Icon
Fire Selector
PatrolBase | Fire Select Safe
Safe
Patrol Base | Fire Select - Semi Automatic
Semi Automatic
Patrol Base | Full Automatic
Full Automatic
Programmable
Weapon Safety Features Icon
Safety Features
Trigger Disconnect
Shooter Configuration Icon
Shooter Configuration
Right Handed
Weapon Configuration Icon
Weapon Configuration
Standard
Weapon Scale Icon
Weapon Scale
1:1
Suggested BB Weight
0.25g

Hop-Up

Hop-Up Unit Icon
Hop-Up Unit
Yes
Hop-Up Unit Adjuster Icon
Hop-Up Adjuster
Rotary
Hop-Up Unit Location Icon
Hop-Up Location
Behind the mock bolt carrier, accessible when the charging handle is pulled and held back.

Furniture

Weapon Furniture Icon
Furniture
  • Railed Handguard
  • Railed Receiver
  • Ergonomic Pistol Grip
  • AR Buffer Tube
  • Sliding Stock
  • Flip-Up Ironsights
  • Ghost Ring Ironsight
  • Bird Cage Flash Hider
  • Threaded Outer Barrel
  • QD Sling Point
  • Ambidextrous Sling Plate
  • Electronic Trigger Unit
  • Enlarged Trigger Guard
  • Bayonet lug
Rail System Icon
Rail System
20mm RIS / RAS , 20mm Railed Receiver,
Icon Stock Positions
Stock Setting
Sliding , Multi-Position ,
Weapon Length Extended
Stock Positions
6 Position
Sight Type Icon
Sight Type
Iron Sights , Ghost Ring Ironsight,
Sling Plate Icon
Sling Options
Buffer Plate , Stock , Handguard , QD , Loop ,

Barrel

Outer Barrel Length (in)
14''
Icon Thread Type
Outer Barrel Thread Type
Male
Icon Thread Direction
Outer Barrel Thread Direction
CCW (Counter Clockwise)
Outer Barrel Thread Size
14mm
Inner Barrel Diameter
6.03mm
Inner Barrel Length
350mm

Magazine Specific

Magazine Type
AEG, Medium Capacity ,
Magazine BB Capacity
Approx. 125 Rounds
Magazine BB Fill Method
Speed Loader
Magazine BB Fill Location
Top

Electric Gun Specific Information

Gearbox
Gearbox Icon
Gearbox Version
V2 Gearbox
Wiring Icon
Gearbox Wiring
Rear Wired
Spring Change Icon
Gearbox Quick Change Spring
Yes
Digital Trigger Icon
Gearbox Electronic Trigger
Yes
Motor
Airsoft Motor Icon
Motor Type
Standard
Battery Specific
Battery Connector
Patrol Base | Icon | Deans
Deans
Compatible Battery
Compatible Battery Type
Li-Po
Compatible Battery Configuration
Stick
Compatible Battery Voltage
7.4v

Product Testing Data

Notepad Icon
Test Description
310 FPS +/- 10%
Notepad Icon
Tested Using
0.2g ASG Blaster BBs
Notepad Icon
Test Date
04/10/2024

Size guide

Joule Charts

Special Instructions

These table can be used as a reference to see if the BB weight you are using will be over acceptable Joulage limits at some Airsoft Sites in the UK. To check if the weight can be used chrono your weapon using the BB you intend to use, and then compare it to the chart.

FPS, Power and Joule Limits can vary from site to site, so please get in touch with where you're going to play with in advance to avoid disappointment.

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, with a 350fps limit for Automatic Replicas, 400fps for Semi-Automatic Replicas, and 500fps for Bolt Action Replicas.

Tap the tabs below to open the relevant chart for your replica.

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 350fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 1.14j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
325 0.98 1.23 1.37 1.47 1.57 1.77 1.96 2.11 2.21 2.45
328 1.00 1.25 1.40 1.50 1.60 1.80 2.00 2.15 2.25 2.50
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
335 1.04 1.30 1.46 1.56 1.67 1.88 2.09 2.24 2.35 2.61
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
345 1.11 1.38 1.55 1.66 1.77 1.99 2.21 2.38 2.49 2.76
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
355 1.17 1.46 1.64 1.76 1.87 2.11 2.34 2.52 2.63 2.93
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used at Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 400fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 1.49j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01
370 1.27 1.59 1.78 1.91 2.03 2.29 2.54 2.73 2.86 3.18
380 1.34 1.68 1.88 2.01 2.15 2.41 2.68 2.88 3.02 3.35
390 1.41 1.77 1.98 2.12 2.26 2.54 2.83 3.04 3.18 3.53
400 1.49 1.86 2.08 2.23 2.38 2.68 2.97 3.20 3.34 3.72
410 1.56 1.95 2.19 2.34 2.50 2.81 3.12 3.36 3.51 3.90

Suggested limits are based on Joulage Limit rules used at Halo Mill: Proving Grounds, and is the equivalent of 500fps, using 0.20g BB resulting in an upper limit of 2.32j.

Velocity BB Weight (Grams)
FPS 0.20 0.25 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.45 0.50
250 0.58 0.73 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.05 1.16 1.25 1.31 1.45
260 0.63 0.79 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.13 1.26 1.35 1.41 1.57
270 0.68 0.85 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.22 1.35 1.46 1.52 1.69
280 0.73 0.91 1.02 1.09 1.17 1.31 1.46 1.57 1.64 1.82
290 0.78 0.98 1.09 1.17 1.25 1.41 1.56 1.68 1.76 1.95
300 0.84 1.05 1.17 1.25 1.34 1.51 1.67 1.80 1.88 2.09
310 0.89 1.12 1.25 1.34 1.43 1.61 1.79 1.92 2.01 2.23
320 0.95 1.19 1.33 1.43 1.52 1.71 1.90 2.05 2.14 2.38
330 1.01 1.26 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.82 2.02 2.18 2.28 2.53
340 1.07 1.34 1.50 1.61 1.72 1.93 2.15 2.31 2.42 2.68
350 1.14 1.42 1.59 1.71 1.82 2.05 2.28 2.45 2.56 2.85
360 1.20 1.51 1.69 1.81 1.93 2.17 2.41 2.59 2.71 3.01
370 1.27 1.59 1.78 1.91 2.03 2.29 2.54 2.73 2.86 3.18
380 1.34 1.68 1.88 2.01 2.15 2.41 2.68 2.88 3.02 3.35
390 1.41 1.77 1.98 2.12 2.26 2.54 2.83 3.04 3.18 3.53
400 1.49 1.86 2.08 2.23 2.38 2.68 2.97 3.20 3.34 3.72
410 1.56 1.95 2.19 2.34 2.50 2.81 3.12 3.36 3.51 3.90
420 1.64 2.05 2.29 2.46 2.62 2.95 3.28 3.52 3.69 4.10
430 1.72 2.15 2.40 2.58 2.75 3.09 3.44 3.69 3.86 4.29
440 1.80 2.25 2.52 2.70 2.88 3.24 3.60 3.87 4.05 4.50
450 1.88 2.35 2.63 2.82 3.01 3.39 3.76 4.04 4.23 4.70
460 1.97 2.46 2.75 2.95 3.15 3.54 3.93 4.23 4.42 4.91
470 2.05 2.57 2.87 3.08 3.28 3.69 4.10 4.41 4.62 5.13
480 2.14 2.68 3.00 3.21 3.42 3.85 4.28 4.60 4.82 5.35
490 2.23 2.79 3.12 3.35 3.57 4.02 4.46 4.80 5.02 5.58
500 2.32 2.90 3.25 3.48 3.72 4.18 4.65 4.99 5.23 5.81
510 2.42 3.02 3.38 3.62 3.87 4.35 4.83 5.20 5.44 6.04