Specna Arms SA-F08 FLEX™ HAL¹ ETU M4/AR-15 AEG

If you're seeking a cost-effective starter Airsoft gun or something which won't make your arms burn as you keep the enemy at bay, the Specna Arms SA-F08 FLEX™ HAL¹ ETU M4/AR-15 AEG is a fine choice. Built to Specna's FLEX™ build standard, this AEG is constructed almost entirely from textured high density polymer, keeping the build lightweight, agile and beginner-friendly. Inside, this affordable platform is packing more than its fair share of pre-upgraded parts, including a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel paired with a rotary HOP-up unit and Specna's latest electronic trigger unit/MOSFET, known as the HAL¹.

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. Gone are the days of beginner Airsoft guns being basic!

Starting at the tip of the 9.5-inch outer barrel we can find an M4/AR-15 birdcage flash hider mounted to 14mm CCW male threading. The outer barrel is constructed from alloy to provide a strong backbone and keep the tightbore inner barrel nice and straight for perfect accuracy. If you want to mount a tracer unit, suppressor or alternative muzzle device all you need to do is unscrew the flash hider and mount your preferred device thanks to the common 14mm CCW threading at the tip of the barrel!

The handguard is equipped with M-LOK negative space attachment slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions punctuated with dynamic angular vent ports. M-LOK is one of the latest accessory interfaces to hit the market, both for real steel and Airsoft, allowing you to fit M-LOK vertical or angled grips directly, or mount 20mm Picatinny rail adapters for M-LOK to make use of 20mm Picatinny grips, flashlights and laser units. The SA-F08 also comes with 3 20mm Picatinny rail adapters pre-installed, allowing you to mount more affordable 20mm Picatinny accessories or remove the adapters and run the rail slick to reduce weight. 

With a 20mm Picatinny rail at the 12 o'clock position, the handguard also provides a mounting point for the included flip-up aperture iron sights which can either be left flipped down or removed entirely if you prefer to use a red dot sight or scope. The irons can be raised and lowered by hand, with no need to press buttons or fiddle with catches, and are fully adjustable for both windage and elevation.

The handguard's upper Picatinny rail meets the 20mm rail on the receiver seamlessly, allowing large optical sights and red dot sight + magnifier combos the extra space they need to be mounted easily. The receiver itself is constructed from fibre-reinforced high density polymer with a beautiful matt finish and a high quality textured feel, keeping the weight low and the strength high, with added scratch resistance so the odd mid-skirmish bump or scrape doesn't mean your pride and joy looks scruffy.

The fire selector switch can be found on the left side of the receiver, just above the pistol grip, offering 3 modes of fire by default; SAFE, SEMI-AUTOMATIC and FULL AUTO, with a 90-degree throw between each mode. Being equipped with the HAL¹ ETU, this version of the F08 also boasts programmable fire modes including binary trigger, 3 or 5-round burst, AUG mode and semi-auto only, packing a whole lot of variety into this cost-effective platform. The magazine release is on the right side of the magazine well and is accessible for a right-handed user with the tip of the trigger finger or by a lefty using the off-hand thumb; a push-through design which allows for "drop-free" reloads with most M4/AR-15 AEG magazines. 

Pulling back the charging handle, located 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 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 take off a glove to turn the adjuster!

The bolt catch, over on the left side of the receiver does not function but is nonetheless a separate part, avoiding a moulded-in bolt catch, a tell-tale sign of a replica. The forward assist is a similar story, being present on the right side of the upper receiver and being a separate moving part which can be pressed in but does not affect the function of the AEG. A new addition to this HAL-equipped SA-F08 is its flat trigger, enhancing the 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-F08 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!

At the rear of the receiver, we come to the venerable M4/AR-15 buffer tube, constructed from strong high density polymer and offering 6 length-of-pull adjustment positions for the crane stock. To adjust the stock, simply press the adjustment lever on the bottom and slide it into your position of choice. This allows body armour users to adjust for a comfortable stance and suits shooters of all body types. If you ever feel like changing up the looks of your SA-F08, you'll be happy to learn the buffer tube accepts almost all M4/AR-15 AEG sliding stocks!

The battery compartment is inside the crane stock, accessible by squeezing the two tabs at the toe of the stock together, after which you can lift the butt plate off, remove the battery plug and make use of the stock's built-in battery compartment to house a nunchuck/crane-style battery. Being equipped with the HAL ETU, we are also treated to a Deans/t-plug battery connector, a lower resistance alternative to the mini-Tamiya found on previous Specna Arms CORE AEGs. For the SA-F08, we recommend a 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo crane/nunchuck battery for an easy fit and great performance.

The Crane stock also includes a pair of QD sling sockets, one on each side, allowing for QD sling swivels to be added for a quick removable sling setup. Conventional sling slots (aka "footman loops") are also present for those who want a two-point sling but prefer the old-fashioned way. The butt plate is also made from grippy rubber, ensuring your SA-F08 doesn't slip off your shoulder at a critical moment. 

Inside the HAL¹ equipped SA-F08, 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-F08. Features like these are usually only present in high-end replicas; we simply cannot believe the wealth of functionality inside the HAL¹ equipped SA-F08, especially considering the price!

If you're after a primary with a lightweight minimalist build and some tasty pre-upgraded parts for an unbeatable price, the Specna Arms SA-F08 FLEX™ HAL¹ ETU M4/AR-15 AEG will definitely suit you! Ready for all the latest accessories on the inside with near unlimited upgrade potential and great out-of-the-box performance, this AEG makes a fine first AEG or a surprisingly effective lightweight backup!

Features

• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Great accuracy and range potential
• High-density polymer construction - Alloy outer barrel and flash hider, alloy and steel trim parts
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Ready for a tracer unit or suppressor
• M-LOK handguard - M-LOK slots at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, 20mm up top, ready for M-LOK or 20mm accessories
• 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
• Ergonomic pistol grip - Textured with a filled-out back strap, a more vertical design for modern shooting stances
• Enlarged trigger guard - Built into the receiver, very strong and plenty of room for gloved use
• 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
• Functional mock bolt catch - Send the mock bolt home after HOP-up adjustment by hitting the bolt catch
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock quickly and easily to suit your body type or loadout
• Crane Battery Stock pre-installed - Comfortable cheek rest, QD sling sockets and sling slots built-in
• Version 2 Gearbox:
  • Alloy Shell
  • 8mm bushings
  • ESA quick change spring system
  • Steel 18:1 ratio gearset
• HAL¹ Programmable MOSFET/ETU functions:
  • 3 or 5-round burst
  • Binary trigger
  • Semi-auto only
  • Sniper delay
  • Two-stage trigger (AUG mode)
  • Adjustable pre-cocking (6 levels)
  • Active braking 
  • Low voltage alarm
• HAL Programming instructions available here
• Rear wired - Deans battery connector inside the buffer tube, accessible with the stock removed
• 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 1450mAh LiPo in crane/nunchuck config

Package Includes

• Spenca Arms SA-F08 FLEX™ HAL¹ ETU M4/AR-15 AEG
• 380rnd High-capacity magazine
• User manual (QR code for online manual)
• Cleaning rod
• Specna Arms stickers