Specna Arms EMG SAI BLU GBB Pistol

Salient Arms are well known in the real steel world for producing some of the most well-regarded enhanced Glock pistols on the market, ranging from their Tier 1 upgraded slide to fully built pistols, of which the BLU is their flagship. The BLU is built from scratch using Salient Arms' upgrade parts and is not only one of the most effective but one of the most expensive sidearms out there! If you have a taste for the finer things in life, you'll love this one!

The BLU boasts a threaded outer barrel, a 20mm frame rail, a refined frame with trigger guard undercuts and an optics-ready slide, making it ready to handle any challenge. The Specna Arms BLU is no different, and also comes with a set of suppressor height iron sights with light-enhancing inserts and 4 different optics mounting plates included in the box, meaning you have the option to run the BLU all dressed up or as a simple and slick sidearm, depending on the mission at hand.

Starting at the tip of the outer barrel we can find the iconic Salient Arms thread protector with knurling and flat cuts on its surface to make it easy to remove. The thread protector is constructed from steel and conceals an 11mm CW to 14mm CCW male thread adapter beneath, making the BLU ready for a tracer or suppressor straight out of the box. The thread adapter can also be removed if you prefer a simple service-style sidearm with a standard barrel.

Next up we come to the slide, which follows the EU series format but is considerably enhanced in all aspects. The front edges of the slide are bevelled to make the BLU easier to re-holster, and the sides, top and edges are all covered with aggressive diamond texturing. The texture guarantees a positive grip no matter how you choose to manipulate the slide and makes the BLU easy to use in wet weather, with or without gloves.

The top of the slide includes a weight-reducing port similar to that of an EU18 which keeps the slide light and the cyclic rate up while giving the prerequisite SAI-style looks. Through the port, we can see the flat upper surface of the outer barrel and the delicately engraved "S A I" on its surface. The outer barrel is cut with flats on all sides which functions similarly to barrel fluting in the real pistol, allowing lower weight and enhanced cooling thanks to its greater surface area.

At the top rear of the slide we are treated to a cut-out which allows the included red dot sight mounting plates to be added, allowing you to rock the latest and greatest addition to tactical handgun doctrine; a slide-mounted red dot sight. The benefits of a red dot on a pistol include faster target acquisition and better visibility in low-light conditions, making a slide-mounted red dot a great tool for CQB. Most modern handguns used by the US civilian tactical community are moving towards red dot sights over iron sights and it is great that the Specna Arms BLU comes with all the kit needed to mount your choice of sight in the box!

The pre-installed sight setup is a simple white dot and U open sight, similar to existing EU series pistols. This means you cannot possibly mix up the sight dots when working under pressure and is widely known to be a very effective sight solution. Also included in the box are a set of suppressor height iron sights with light-enhancing inserts which are ideal for pairing with a slide-mounted red dot, and are raised enough that even with a suppressor or tracer mounted you will still get a good sight picture.

On the outer barrel, around the chamber area, we can take note of the Salient Arms trademarks, reading "SAI" on the side, and "9mm" on the top, along with the S in a box logo SAI logo. Anyone who knows Salient Arms will recognise this pistol from a mile away thanks to the unique combination of a rose gold barrel and gold trim parts and the trades just add a bit more authenticity and keep the looks 1:1 with the real thing.

The slide is relatively marking free despite being a licenced Salient Arms replica, matching the real SAI Utility slide used on this variant of the BLU perfectly. The only markings on this utilitarian slide can be found at the rear, just behind the rear slide serrations, reading "Salient" in Salient Arms' signature font. If you weren't a fan of the garish competition styling of the original Salient Tier 1 slides this slide is probably more to your tastes, marrying the advantages of combat-optimised features and high speed competition style upgrades.

Moving down to the frame we can take note of the reprofiled trigger guard with undercuts which allows a higher grip to be taken for better recoil control and a more consistent hand position. The undercuts work perfectly with the crackle textured frame for a comfortable feel and ample grip without being so grippy it grates your hands like a cheese grater. On the dust cover at the front, we have a 20mm Picatinny frame rail, making the BLU ready for a pistol flashlight or aiming laser. In the centre of the rail you will see the serial number plate which also serves as a trigger lock safety and can be pushed rearwards to lock the trigger for storage or transportation.

On either side of the frame, we also have textured panels providing an index point for your trigger finger, allowing for safe operation without the risk of your finger slipping onto the trigger accidentally. Enhancements like this are what elevates the BLU above other EU series pistols, refining the handling of what is now a relatively dated design without requiring you to get out the soldering iron and Dremel and potentially ruining your frame seeking improved handling. The rear of the frame also includes an extended "beavertail" which is another EU series handling upgrade usually handled by the aftermarket. The extended beavertail helps you grip the pistol properly after a fast draw, and also reduces the chances of "slide bite", making the pistol all the better for those who prefer not to use gloves in game.

The trigger is another enhanced Salient Arms style part and has a flat front face and "SAI" moulded into each side. This trigger is remarkably quick and a marked improvement over most EU series triggers, boasting a short reset which is audible and easy to feel. The red extension in the centre functions as a safety device and restricts the trigger from being pulled without the central section being pulled first. This guarantees that a snag will not cause a negligent discharge, and means the BLU does not require a manual safety which is just another thing to remember when the adrenaline is pumping.

The magazine release is located in the same spot as it is on a normal EU series pistol; on the left side of the frame. The mag release is finished in gold, providing a nice bit of contrast with the jet black pistol as a whole, and signalling its SAI pedigree to those who know what to look for. The surface of the mag release also has the "S in a cube" Salient Arms logo which functions as gripping texture. The mag release matches perfectly with the backstrap of the pistol, which, just like the real BLU, is finished in gold.

At the base of the grip, you will find an aluminium extension which serves to help guide your magazines in and minimise the chances of missing the magwell when reloading at speed. This is known as a magazine well flare or flared magwell, and is a feature which originated with competition pistols and made its way onto more modern combat pistols such as the BLU in recent years. The flare on the BLU is more low profile than competition-style flares to allow for easier concealment and holstering with standard combat-style holsters.

Those who have plans to upgrade an EU series pistol with some SAI goodness, you now no longer have to! The Specna Arms BLU comes as a pre-upgraded set up with all the bells and whistles, saving you the time sourcing and fitting parts while giving you an eye-catching piece with the performance to back it up!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 11mm CW Threaded outer barrel w/14mm CCW male adapter
• Steel thread protector in the iconic Salient Arms style
• Rose gold alloy outer barrel - Salient Arms trademarks, flawlessly engraved
• White dot and U open iron sights pre-installed - Suppressor height light enhancing sights included
• Optics ready slide - 4 Mounting plates included for various red dot sights
• Aggressively textured slide - Easy to rack in any weather conditions, gloves or no gloves
• 20mm Picatinny frame rail - Ready for a pistol flashlight or laser
• Trigger guard undercuts - Enhanced for better recoil control and a more comfortable grip
• Gold accents - Backstrap and magazine release, just like the real BLU
• Textured finger index points on either side of the frame
• Flat SAI style trigger - Custom looks, super fast double taps
• Trigger lock safety on the dust cover rail - Great for locking the trigger during storage/transport
• Magazine well flare - Quick and easy reloads
• Compatible with WE and Armourer Works EU series magazines

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SAI BLU Gas Blowback Pistol
• 24rnd EU series magazine
• Raised iron sights
• Optics mounting plate x4
• Certificate of Authenticity card