Specna Arms Core J-series - airsoft gun review
Specna Arms J73 Core airsoft gun
Anyone who has had the opportunity to use Specna Arms Core airsoft guns has certainly noticed that the polymer material used for their production is of a higher standard than the typical, flexible ABS often used by budget airsoft guns manufacturers. Specna Arms uses nylon-reinforced plastic. This may sound at first glance like nothing more than a marketing slogan, but in practice it translates into the solidity and durability of the replica. After several weeks of testing the replica described here, I saw no excessive wear or looseness. What's more, I have had other Core series airsoft guns made of the same material for a long time and they confirm my positive impressions.
A light polymer receiver is not everything. The outer barrel is made of metal and the dust cover is made of steel. If we choose a model with a frame stock that folds to the side, it is also made of steel. Several pins, screws and the magazine catch lever are also made of the same material. Therefore, calling the J-73 Core a plastic AK is only partially true. The most important thing is that the construction of the airsoft gun is solid and does not cause any problems. J-73 Core accompanied me to several intense games. It gave no reason to doubt its durability.
The replica is built based on the VFC standard. The hop-up chamber is made of metal. Gearbox V3 is a commonly known design used in many airsoft guns of this type. Here, the manufacturer decided on several reinforced parts, which is a nice addition compared to the competition. However, something that, in my opinion, puts J Core replicas a class above other airsoft guns from a similar segment is the quick spring change system. Finally, I will only add that the barrel is precise, with a diameter of 6.03 mm.
The set with the airsoft gun also includes several promotional materials, such as stickers and a catalogue. We also get a hi-cap magazine and a weaker M90 spring, but we have to buy the battery separately. The replica is equipped with a mounting rail on the side of the body, called a dovetail.
Performance and inner parts of SA-J73 Core
The replica easily achieves the power values declared by Specna Arms. We are talking about 380 FPS on 0.2 g BBs. In my tests the result is often slightly higher, usually between 382 and 384 FPS. It is important that the performance is stable, usually the spread does not exceed 5 FPS. And before someone criticizes the FPS measurement as invalid, I will add that with 0.28 g BBs I achieved approximately 1.3 J. It may not seem like much, but it is exactly the power for which the airsoft gun was designed. For people who need more, you can easily use the mentioned ESA system to quickly change the spring to get closer to the desired power value. The manufacturer declares that the gearbox will withstand even M140 springs, but e.g., M120 may be a good choice for games in the forest, if we need a longer range. Personally, I used the airsoft gun in its standard configuration in several games and had a lot of fun and even managed to score a few hits.
When it comes to shooting tests, hitting a target the size of a human body at a distance of 30 and 40 meters was not a problem. At 50 meters you start to see slightly uneven BB trajectories, but hits are still possible. Beyond 60 meters, hitting becomes more difficult, but it is fully acceptable for an airsoft gun in a standard configuration. This is enough for pleasant fun on regular Sunday shooting games.
Now that we know what we can expect from this airsoft gun in terms of performance, let's think about where they come from. As I have already mentioned, the heart of this airsoft gun is the standard V3 gearbox. It seems solid and well-balanced. The parts used certainly do not cause embarrassment compared to the competition. Inside the replica's drive system there are standard 8 mm plain bearings and steel gears. The piston made of plastic has a full steel jaw, which is a very good decision. It is finished with a plastic head with ventilation and one sealant. The type 0 cylinder has a plastic head with one O-ring and a plastic nozzle about 20 mm long is mounted on it. My copy had some problems with maintaining the air seal of the pneumatic system. If I had to point out the reason, it would probably be the nozzle that has no seal. This did not significantly affect the performance measurements. As we have seen, the airsoft gun generates the power values declared by the manufacturer. A standard hop-up chamber, a medium-hardness black rubber and a cylindrical spacer are responsible for precise shooting. If we are interested in improving the range of the airsoft gun, I would suggest starting here and looking for recommendations on the Internet for some tuning rubber.
Who should get SA-J73 Core?
The Specna Arms J-73 Core airsoft gun made a very good impression on me. So far, I associated AK replicas with lack of comfort, heavy weight and difficulties in mounting optics and additional accessories. The replica in question weighs about 2.5 kg, which is a very low value, even compared to airsoft submachine guns or short M4 pistols. It can be operated comfortably even during longer games or in buildings, where a foldable stock is useful. It's a solid airsoft gun. For a structure based on a polymer body, there is a lot of steel here. There is also a quick spring change system and the gearbox parts have been selected to achieve a good balance of strength and cost in its price class.
This is an excellent option for people who are looking for a compact airsoft gun and want to move away from traditional models such as the G36 or AR15 clones. The gearbox of this replica offers the possibility of tuning, if necessary, for example to adapt it to games in the forest over longer distances. The external structure is also suitable for this purpose, remaining light and handy. The only thing missing here is electronics. At least a basic MOSFET circuit would make the replica ready to play without any additional investment. However, this would certainly have an adverse effect on the valuation of the airsoft gun. Additionally, we have the freedom to use the MOSFET system we like if we decide to make such a modification. Moreover, when using an 11.1V battery, we still obtain a pleasant trigger response and acceptable operating culture.
Author: Boreq
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