Specna Arms SA-V26 ONE™ Red Edition M4/AR-15 LVOA AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU

If you prefer an AR with pizazz, the SA-V26 ONE™ Red Edition M4/AR-15 LVOA AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU certainly has it! This full metal M4/AR-15 platform is rocking a unique LVOA-style KeyMod handguard and metallic red accents, giving it a style all of its own. 

While we've seen the SA-V26 ONE™ before, this version is the latest, boasting a pre-installed Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU system. The Kestrel offers programmable fire modes and a host of quality-of-life features, bringing the old ONE™ series into line with more recent releases. These include 3-round burst and binary trigger fire mode options, adjustable pre-cocking, active braking, cycle completion, low battery warning and low/high voltage protection. Also present in this version is a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up unit, improving accuracy potential and providing the latest HOP-up design for M4/AR-15 AEGs.

The LVOA configuration of the SA-V26 is based on real-world Low Visibility Operation/Applications AR-15 rifles, designed with an integrated muzzle brake. This is one funky-looking assault rifle, and while you may not get the recoil reduction benefits of the real deal in the SA-V26 it will definitely turn heads on the skirmish field!

Starting at the front, we can find the birdcage-style flash hider, sitting slightly recessed into the LVOA KeyMod handguard. This gives the SA-V26 a seriously menacing-looking front end and a unique look which you simply cannot get with aftermarket parts. The birdcage flash hider is removable and mounted to 14mm CCW male threads, if you want to add an aftermarket tracer unit or suppressor you will need to ensure your alternative muzzle device fits in the LVOA handguard. If in doubt, use a short barrel extension for a bit of extra clearance so you can mount whichever suppressor or tracer you desire.

The handguard itself is constructed from CNC machined aluminium and is 14.5 inches in overall length, matching the outer barrel length in this LVOA configuration. The upper surface is equipped with a full-length 20mm Picatinny rail which meets the receiver rail seamlessly, allowing for any combination of optical sights and magnifiers to be mounted with space to spare. On the bottom, we have another short section of 20mm Picatinny rail built-in, ideal for a bipod, tactical flashlight or vertical foregrip if you have long arms!

At the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, we are treated to KeyMod negative space attachment slots, allowing KeyMod accessories to be placed wherever you need them. The benefit of KeyMod is that in its slick configuration, the rail is surprisingly slim and comfortable to hold, avoiding the "cheesegrater" effect of 20mm quad rails. A pair of 20mm Picatinny rail adapters for KeyMod are pre-installed at the front but can be repositioned to wherever you need them, allowing 20mm Picatinny accessories to be mounted while keeping excess weight to an absolute minimum. A QD sling socket is also present on each side, ready for QD sling swivels to be mounted. 

The upper receiver of the SA-V26 is a modernised design based on real-world "MUR" upper receivers, featuring angled surfaces and a redesigned forward assist housing/brass deflector. Subtle changes like this make this LVOA build stand out next to others, pairing well with the ultra-modern styling of the handguard. Running along the top, we have a 20mm Picatinny rail with flip-up iron sights pre-installed, styled after real steel Troy iron sights and offering windage and elevation adjustment with a choice of two apertures for aiming. The sights can be flipped up by hand without pressing any fiddly buttons but can be removed and replaced with an optic of your choice, or nothing at all if you like a bit of "spray and pray"! 

The lower receiver follows the standard "milspec" M4/AR-15 layout, featuring a low-profile charging handle latch and flat trigger guard, both finished in metallic red. The fire selector is positioned just above the pistol grip and offers 3 different modes of fire; SAFE, SEMI and AUTO, with a 90-degree throw between each mode. This makes the selector easy to switch in its time of need, but not so easy that it can be accidentally knocked into the wrong mode of fire. 

The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well and is accessible for right-handed shooters using their trigger finger. While ambi magazine catches are available on the aftermarket, left-handed shooters can still drop the mag with their offhand thumb. The selector switch and mag release are also finished in metallic red, a unique yet discrete touch which makes this build really stand out. 

Pulling back the charging handle, 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, providing finer increments of adjustment and holding its setting more effectively when compared to the older gear-style HOP-up unit. When your HOP-up adjustment is complete, hit the "ping pong paddle" style bolt release catch on the centre left of the receiver to send the mock bolt home with a satisfying clank. 

The dummy forward assist is present on the right side of the upper receiver, protruding from the MUR-style modernised forward assist housing, right where it should be. This control does nothing on an AEG, and some real AR shooters argue it does nothing on the real thing, but it is included on the SA-V26 to keep the rifle faithful to real M4/AR-15 rifles.

The pistol grip of the SA-V26 boasts a TD-style ergonomic pistol grip based on one of the most popular aftermarket grips for AR platforms in the real world and was chosen by H&K for its early model HK416 rifles. The TD grip has bevelled edges to reduce hand irritation and crackle textured sides for optimal traction. The trigger is a curved milspec style trigger but finished in eyecatching metallic red, matching the other red parts on this "Red Edition" build for a completed aesthetic. 

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 both left and right-handed shooters. The steel construction of the sling plate practically guarantees even if you mount a massive rifle scope, PEQ box and RunCam, the sling plate will be strong enough to support the weight. T

The highlight of this refined version of the original SA-V26 ONE™ is its Kestrel Basic ETU/MOSFET, 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 or run the SR-16 with SAFE-SEMI-3RND BURST fire controls. 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.

The Enter & Convert™ spring change system 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. The ONE™ series was designed to run M130 springs, so there is little chance of failure from regular use with the M90 spring initially installed to meet UK legal requirements. This also means there is not much extra effort required if you decide to go full DMR build with the SA-V26; simply lock it to semi-auto only and drop in your choice of spring and you're ready for skirmishing! 

If you're looking for an eye-catching AR-15 AEG with advanced functions built in, the SA-V26 ONE™ Red Edition M4/AR-15 LVOA AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU is a fantastic choice. The combination of an LVOA front end and metallic red accents makes this one of the only M4/AR-15 AEGs out there with a unique look straight out of the box!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• 14.5-inch outer barrel - Ideal for outdoor skirmishes
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Ready for a tracer or suppressor (maximum diameter: 30mm)
• LVOA Style KeyMod handguard - Integrated front flip sight, lower can be removed to mount M203
• Troy-style flip-up iron sights - Adjustable for windage & elevation, rail-mounted
• 20mm Picatinny railed upper receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope
• Numbered top rail slots - Keep track of where you place your accessories when switching platforms
• QD Sling sockets on either side of the handguard - QD sling swivel ready
• Steel CQD style sling plate - Ready for single-point slings or pair it with the QD sockets at the front
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - The most recent design for the M4/AR-15 platform
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Allows stock adjustment to suit your body type and loadout
• M4/AR-15 Crane stock - Sloped cheek rest for comfort, sling slots built-in
• Rear wired: Deans battery connector - Recommended battery: 7.4v 1200mAh LiPo Stick Battery
• TD style ergonomic pistol grip - Very comfortable grip, great for all hand sizes
• VLTR Style sliding stock - QD sling socket built-in, grippy rubber butt plate
• Version 2 gearbox:
  • SAEC™ quick change spring system
  • Steel spring guide
  • 8mm Ball bearing bushings
  • 18:1 Ratio steel gear set
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU functions:
  • Low/high voltage cutoff
  • Low battery warning
  • Binary Trigger
  • 3-Round burst
• Kestrel Basic MOSFET/ETU programming instructions are available here
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Plenty of spares and styles available!

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-V26 ONE™ Red Edition M4/AR-15 LVOA AEG; Kestrel Basic ETU
• 300rnd High-cap magazine