Delta Armory DA-A03 ALPHA™ SilentOps CQB M4/AR-15 AEG

If you need a reliable, full metal CQB platform, the DA-A03 ALPHA™ SilentOps CQB M4/AR-15 AEG from Delta Armory is a fine choice. The "Silent Ops CQB" setup boasts an ultra-compact front end with an aluminium micro suppressor and quad rail handguard pre-installed, giving you space for accessories while prioritising agility and close-quarters functionality. 

Being an AEG of the Delta Armory ALPHA™ line, the DA-A03 SilentOps CQB is considerably pre-upgraded straight out of the box, boasting a reinforced gearbox shell, SHS piston with a full steel tooth rack, a quick change ball bearing spring guide and a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up unit for impressive long-range effectiveness. ALPHA™ line AEGs also boast full metal construction and the unique Delta Armory battery stock, making the DA-A03 perfect for those who want an elite look and realistic heft in a honed CQB tool.

Starting at the front end we can find a pre-installed mini suppressor which covers the 210mm 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel, mounting to the 4-inch alloy outer barrel. This gives the DA-A03 Silent Ops the look of an integrally suppressed AR with an extremely compact front end which makes it easy to take corners in CQB. The suppressor mounts to 14mm CCW male threading but due to the inner barrel length, a barrel extension will be required to mount a tracer unit.

Surrounding the suppressor we have a 5-inch aluminium 20mm Picatinny quad-railed handguard with 20mm rails at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions, ready for any 20mm accessories you choose to add to complete your mission. The upper rail runs back and meets the receiver rail seamlessly to allow for longer optical sights to be mounted, including red dot sight and magnifier combinations. Unlike similar integrally suppressed platforms with KeyMod or M-LOK handguards, you will never have trouble mounting mission essentials to this quad rail as it doesn't require clearance between the handguard and suppressor. 

The upper rail runs back and meets the receiver rail seamlessly to allow for longer optical sights to be mounted, including red dot sight and magnifier combinations. The receiver itself follows the familiar M4/AR-15 format but with a unique Delta Armory aesthetic and is constructed from alloy for a realistically hefty and cold feel. The finish on the receiver is consistent and strong enough to resist scratches more effectively than most metal receivers, making the DA-A03 ideal for those who skirmish like a bull in a china shop!

The fire selector can be found on the left side, positioned just above the pistol grip for fast access from a firing grip. The selector provides 3 modes of fire; Safe, semi-auto and full auto, with a 90-degree throw between each mode. Each fire mode is indicated with recessed bullet pictograms, with a crossed-out projectile denoting the safe mode, a single projectile for semi-auto and multiple projectiles for full auto. The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well and is easily reached from a firing grip with the trigger finger, allowing for super swift emergency reloads and the enviable handling the M4/AR-15 platform is known for.

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 nonetheless a separate part 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, reprofiled to match modern "billet" style receivers with their dynamic angles. 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 DA-A03 to keep the rifle faithful to real M4/AR-15 rifles.

The charging handle is located at the top rear of the receiver and doesn't need to be pulled before the first shot. It instead serves to retract the mock bolt carrier and open the dust cover on the right side of the upper receiver, giving us access to the rotary HOP-up unit inside. The HOP-up allows you to tune the flight path of your BBs and set the DA-A03 up for different ammo weights, looking for the flattest trajectory possible. The use of the rotary adjuster style is a nice touch and futureproofs the DA-A03 with the most modern HOP-up design for the M4/AR-15 platform, boasting an improved ability to hold its setting under the vibrations of firing and being adjustable in finer increments than the older "gear" adjuster design.

The pistol grip of the DA-A03 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 guard is built into the unique Delta Armory receiver and is an enlarged design to allow easier access for gloved users. The trigger is known by Delta Armory as the CNC Type A Flat trigger, offering 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 of the sling plate practically guarantees no matter what you choose to mount to the plethora of 20mm rails and M-LOK slots on the DA-A03, the sling plate will be strong enough to support the weight.

Not that you would want to swap the stock, as we are treated to the superb Delta Armory battery stock at the rear, one of the best modern Airsoft stocks out there. Some may recognise it from Krytac's Trident range, but this stock was actually designed by Delta and supplied to Krytac, so what you are seeing here is the original! The stock is constructed from high-density polymer throughout, with a steel adjustment pin to eliminate wobble and steel QD sling sockets on either side. The stock is a "club foot" style design with a low profile adjustment lever to reduce the possibility of snagging the stock on your equipment.

Accessing the battery compartment is super simple compared to other stocks; simply press the two textured tabs at the toe of the stock and the butt plate will pop off, revealing the battery compartment and the mini-Tamiya battery connector inside. We recommend a 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck configuration for an easy fit but there is potentially room for more, though make sure you don't squash your LiPo cells!

Also present on the stock is a sling slot for more traditional rifle sling setups and a raised cheek pad comprised of slightly smoother polymer than the rest of the stock for improved comfort. The butt plate is rubberized and is textured for optimum grip; ensuring that the stock stays firmly in your shoulder when shooting. The Delta Armory logo can be found embossed on the left side in bold lettering, allowing you to show off your brand allegiance!

The internals of the ALPHA™ series boasts plenty of pre-upgraded parts, including a reinforced gearbox shell with quick change spring functionality and 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 so you can get your HOP-up set perfectly for your chosen ammo weight.

Inside the version 2 gearbox, we are treated to 18:1 ratio steel gears running on 7mm ball bearing bushings, an SHS piston with a full rack of steel teeth and an SHS tappet plate for reliable feeding, even at high speed. The internals are all Tokyo Marui spec, meaning aftermarket upgrades are prolific for those who want to maximise performance. 

If you move fast and like a compact yet hefty platform to accompany you to victory, the DA-A03 ALPHA™ SilentOps CQB M4/AR-15 AEG is one to watch. With pre-upgraded internals focussed on reliability and a high-quality full metal build with the unique Delta Armory receiver and stock design, this is one of the best-built micro-M4s for the price!

Features

• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy potential
• Delta Armory ALPHA™ AEG - Full metal construction
• Integrated suppressor - Stealthy styling, perfect for sneaky types
• 14mm CCW Male threaded barrel - Swap the suppressor for your choice of alternative
• 20mm Picatinny quad railed handguard - Ready for 20mm Picatinny accessories mounted at 3, 6, 9 or 12 o'clock
• Flip-up iron sights pre-installed - Mounted to the top rail, press textured buttons to flip up
• Extended charging handle latch - Easy access to the HOP-up unit for adjustment
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or rifle scope
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Easy to adjust in fine increments, holds its setting well long-term 
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock to suit your body type perfectly
• Crane battery stock - Plenty of space for nunchuck batteries, QD sling sockets on each side
• Ergonomic pistol grip with reduced grip angle - Great for modern shooting stances, very comfy
• Reinforced version 2 gearbox - 
  • SHS Piston with steel full tooth rack
  • SHS Tappet plate
  • Quick change spring guide
  • Steel 18:1 gearset
  • 7mm Ball bearing bushings
• Rear wired - Mini-Tamiya connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1300mAh LiPo in Crane/Nunchuck config.
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - Plenty of spares available

Package Includes

• Delta Armory DA-A03 ALPHA™ SilentOps CQB M4/AR-15 AEG
• 120rnd Mid-cap magazine