Specna Arms SA-F249 PARA FLEX™ Machine Gun w/GATE X-ASR

Taking a support weapon into an Airsoft skirmish usually comes with its challenges. Their extreme weight. Just like the real thing, many full-metal M249s are double if not triple the weight of the average M4, making them a pain to cart around all day. Enter the Specna Arms SA-F249 PARA FLEX™ Machine Gun w/GATE X-ASR, the silhouette of a beefy LMG but taking the FLEX™ line full polymer externals to cut down on weight.

Starting up front, we can find the iconic M249 PARA style muzzle device constructed from polymer, mounted to the 14mm CCW male threading at the tip of the alloy outer barrel. This device is exactly what appears on the real M249 PARA and is a big part of its unique looks. If you want to change it out for something a bit different, or you want to add a tracer unit this is possible thanks to the common 14mm CCW threading.

The front sight and gas block assembly mount to the barrel, providing a fine front sight post protected inside a ring and a mock gas adjuster below, appropriately simulating the adjustable gas system of the real M249 PARA. The bipod is mounted to the gas block and has a fixed leg length to allow you to set the SA-F249 up at a consistent position. The legs can be folded and unfolded quickly by squeezing them together and indexing them with the mount on the underside of the handguard. The bipod also allows for tilting the LMG by a few degrees left and right which reduces the chances of the bipod restricting your ability to engage a moving target.

Next up, we reach the handguard and heatshield of the SA-F249, both of which are constructed from high-density polymer. The heatshield/upper handguard is covered in cooling vents which serve to help prevent heat buildup in the barrel of the real M249 and also give it the aggressive machinegun look. The handguard has 20mm Picatinny rail sections on either side to allow you to attach your mission essentials.

Between the handguard/heatshield and receiver, we have a folding carry handle which sits flat against the top when not in use. To deploy the handle simply push it rearwards and turn it 90 degrees upwards where it will lock into place. The carry handle is intended to allow users of the real M249 to remove a spicy hot barrel after a long firing session without burning their hands but can also be used to support and steer the front end of the SAW for some Rambo-like hip firing action. We don't recommend carrying the M249 by this handle alone, as although it is constructed from alloy it may put undue stress on the LMG as it wasn't designed for this purpose.

The receiver of this version of the SA-F249 is constructed from polymer, reducing weight and improving scratch resistance when compared to other metal LMGs. The weight savings mean you're more agile in game and can keep pace with those assault rifle-toting teammates while bringing some insane firepower. That said, this platform is still pretty hefty weighing the same as some full-metal Airsoft assault rifles.

To load the included electric auto-winding box magazine you will need to unzip the fabric cover and install 2 x AA batteries (not included), then, pour your BBs into the upper section and close the magazine up again. To mount the box mag to the SA-F249 you will need to lock the box magazine onto its attachment lug on the bottom of the receiver and then insert the BB feed chute into the magazine well.

The activation switch is on the bottom of the mag, and each mode is helpfully indicated on the mag with embossed lettering. The central position is the "off" position, pushing the switch to the left activates auto winding and pushing it to the right activates sound control mode. Sound control means the box magazine will wind as it detects the SA-F249 shooting, and auto-winding will constantly wind the magazine as long as the switch is in position.

The controls of the M249 PARA are super simple, with a push-through fire selector located just above the pistol grip offering SAFE and FULL AUTO. Just like the real thing, there is no semi-automatic function on the SA-F249, making it a purebred support weapon designed for large volumes of fire. When the push-through fire selector protrudes on the right side the trigger will be locked and in safe mode, and with the selector protruding on the left the SA-F249 is set to fully automatic.

The grip is a comfortable design which was derived from that of the FN FAL and has been added to several tactical AK variants to improve their ergonomics. Boasting linear texture on all sides to keep the hefty SA-F249 in your hands during wet weather or when wearing gloves, the grip also has a palm ledge at the bottom to improve stability.

The adjustable HOP-up of the SA-F249 is located inside the receiver at the front and can be accessed by lifting the receiver top cover and mock feed tray. Pressing the two buttons on either side of the rear of the receiver will release the top cover and it will spring open to reveal the internals. The HOP-up unit is a rotary design, meaning it should hold its setting well under the vibrations of full auto fire and can be adjusted in finer increments than the older gear adjuster design.

Inside the receiver is also the location of the battery compartment, there is a Deans style connector ready for a battery. The Deans connector produces less resistance which is ideal for a support gun as you can shoot for longer periods of time without any heat build-up in the internal parts. For the Specna Arms SA-F249 PARA FLEX™ Machine Gun w/GATE X-ASR, we recommend a 7.4v 1450mAh 30c Crane Stock LiPo Battery using the included connector adapter or a 7.4V 1200mAh LiPo for a direct Deans connection. 

Mounted to the upper surface of the top cover you will find the rear aperture iron sight which is adjustable for both windage and elevations using the thumb screws. Just ahead of the rear sight, we are treated to a 20mm Picatinny receiver rail, meaning red dot sights or scopes can be added without further mods. This matches well with the later L110A2 Minimi design and can be used to mount an ELCAN Spectre-style optic if you are running a Milsim British Army kit.

At the rear of the receiver, we come across the sliding stock added to the PARA LMG to reduce its overall length and make it easier to store, jump out of Aircraft and move in and out of vehicles with.  This stock assembly is constructed with a polymer base with a built-in sling point, polymer stock bars and a polymer rotating/sliding mechanism. The butt plate also features a folding steel shoulder support/stabiliser which provides an additional point of stability when steering the SA-F249 while shooting from a standing position and also allows better control of the stock when shooting prone with the bipod deployed.

To deploy the stock all you need to do is pull the stock straight out and rotate it by 90 degrees where it will lock into position. Collapsing the stock again only requires pulling the polymer rotating piece away from the receiver, rotating it back into the original position and sliding the bars forward again. Deploying the stabiliser doesn't require any buttons, simply lift it up to deploy and push it back down again to stow it. This makes operating the stock and shoulder stabiliser quick and easy to use in the field when working under pressure and under fire!

Inside the gearbox, we are equipped with reinforced 18:1 steel gears running on 8mm ball bearing bushings, a polymer piston with steel teeth, a polymer nozzle, a polymer piston head, a steel cut-off lever and a GATE X-ASR MOSFET. This MOSFET serves to protect your circuits and batteries and allows basic troubleshooting on the board thanks to status indicator LEDs.

For either a British Army loadout or a generic support gunner kit with a leaning towards mobility, the Specna Arms SA-F249 PARA FLEX™ Machine Gun w/GATE X-ASR would be an asset to your kit list. Rocking a bipod and 1500rnd auto-winding box magazine with sound control is already something. With the same superb internals as other Specna Arms LMGs but significantly less mass, why not save some weight and some money on your gear so you can carry more ammo?

Features

• Full polymer construction
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel - Tracer/suppressor ready
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• Polymer bipod included - Easily folded
• Auto winding box magazine with sound control included - 1500 BB capacity!
• SAFE/FULL AUTO only - A true light machinegun
• PARA Length M249 SAW - Great for a British Army L110A1 setup
• Aperture iron sights 
• Folding carry handle - Great for hip fire but we don't recommend carrying it with the handle!
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Accessible with the top cover raised
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver and handguard - Ready for attachments
• Sliding "PARA" stock with folding steel shoulder stabiliser
• Push-through safety design - Ambidextrous and easy to use
• Textured pistol grip - Comfortable design, great for heavy platforms
• Top wired - Deans battery connector inside receiver - 7.4v 1450mAh 30c Crane Stock LiPo Battery with included adapter OR 7.4V 1200mAh LiPo for direct Deans connection
• Gearbox:
  • Alloy shell 
  • Steel 18:1 ratio gearset
  • 8mm bushings
  • ESA quick change spring system
• GATE X-ASR MOSFET - Protects your platform's internals and batteries

Package Includes

• Specna Arms SA-F249 PARA FLEX™ Machine Gun w/GATE X-ASR
• 1500rnd  Auto-winding box magazine