Specna Arms J PRIME Review – a new level for AK Airsoft Guns

Steel receiver, steel pins – solidity you can feel in your hands

This is one of the major advantages of the PRIME series: a receiver made of steel rather than an alloy. In practice, this means extra weight, but it also brings real benefits - above all, a noticeably stronger and more durable build. From the very first touch, you can feel that this is a faithful reproduction of a real firearm, and that you’re holding an airsoft gun truly worth its price. Another big advantage is the easy compatibility with 5KU external parts, should you want to change the rifle’s appearance, as well as the dovetail mount, which allows you to attach 22 mm RIS rails for red dot sights and scopes.

The external coating of the airsoft gun performs very well, even after long-term use. In terms of rust resistance, it’s comparable to LCT; still, it’s far from E&L, where corrosion can appear almost just from looking at the rifle. Even so, after every skirmish in wet conditions, it’s worth wiping the airsoft gun down with a dry cloth - and ideally applying a thin layer of gun oil for proper protection.

My pro tip: put a few moisture-absorbing packets (the ones you get in product packaging) inside the case you use to transport your airsoft gun.

But alright - nothing can be truly perfect (that’s just how airsoft is!). The only thing that didn’t sit well with me was the lack of realistic markings. It’s a small detail, but for a seasoned player (a proper old-school purist!) it might be noticeable. If I were a beginner again, though, I probably wouldn’t even mention it - I’d be too busy drooling over how good the airsoft gun looks on the outside.

Inside the airsoft gun – BLDC motor and GATE Aster System

Here’s where the real magic begins. Out of all the airsoft guns I’ve handled, only the PRIME series from Specna Arms comes factory-equipped with a BLDC brushless motor (Brushless DC Motor). The result?

• high RPM (meaning excellent rate of fire),
• lightning-fast trigger response,
• durability and no overheating during long bursts.

The motor works in tandem with the Polish ETU (Electronic Trigger Unit) GATE Aster, which optimizes current flow, extends battery life, and ensures smooth, reliable operation of the internal mechanism.

That’s not the end of the technological upgrades and improvements. When we talk about the internals of the PRIME series guns, we can safely assume that every component has been enhanced to the maximum - so the user gets an airsoft gun that’s not only nearly indestructible, but also ensures top-tier performance of all internal systems.

We get an improved pneumatic setup - the parts responsible for firing the BB. Metal components and precise fitting translate into stable muzzle velocity and excellent shot-to-shot consistency. Accuracy and range are further improved thanks to the 6.02 mm stainless steel precision inner barrel (BBs measure 6 mm) and the TDC Magnus rotary hop-up chamber (TDC meaning Top Dead Center). Its construction allows for extremely precise adjustment and perfectly tuned BB spin.

You can find more about how a hop-up chamber works in the article linked below my review.

What’s in the box? Specna Arms SA-PJ02 Airsoft gun set contents

We’ve covered the airsoft gun inside and out, but that’s not everything you get in the package. Besides the electric airsoft rifle (AEG) itself, packed in a sleek black box, you’ll also find:

• 2 S-MAG magazines holding 175 BBs each – usually enough for a full CQB round, unless you’re extremely trigger-happy;
  
• a speedloader – making it quick and convenient to load your magazines;
  
• 2 springs: M90 and M135 – allowing you to decrease or increase muzzle velocity to match field or event requirements. Thanks to the ESA quick spring change system, swapping springs takes-after a few tries-no more than 2–3 minutes, even for a beginner.
  

  M90 – recommended for indoor (CQB) play, with limits around 1.2 J;
  

  M135 – for outdoor games, when range becomes a priority.
  

  Note: when using the M90 spring, choose a lower-voltage battery (e.g., 7.4 V Li-Po or 8.4 V NiMH). In practice, however, I recommend Li-Po batteries due to their efficiency and compatibility with modern setups

• a DEANS (T-connector) adapter – the set also includes an adapter for a Mini Tamiya connector.

Battery, accessories, and upgrades – what’s worth adding to the Specna Arms J PRIME

The set doesn’t include a battery, so it’s best to choose one that fits under the top cover above the receiver. The battery compartment opens after pressing the button, and that’s where you insert the cell. If you plan to use the M90 spring, choose a lower-voltage battery (e.g., 7.4 V Li-Po or 8.4 V NiMH); for other springs, sticking with an 11.1 V Li-Po is the better option. Don’t forget a good-quality charger as well. From my experience, a dovetail mount is extremely useful, as it allows you to install a red dot sight - definitely something to consider if you want to modernize your setup.

A nice extra accessory is a suppressor. The airsoft gun features a 24 mm CW thread and, underneath it, a 14 mm CCW thread, which means you can mount practically any muzzle device on your AK.

Let’s focus only on AEGs here - GBBRs (gas blow-back rifles) belong to a completely different category and price range. In short: the J PRIME performs exceptionally well. I’m not sure you’ll find anything better in terms of internal parts. LCT, E&L, VFC, Double Bell, and pretty much every AK manufacturer I know simply can’t match the technological advancement and component quality found in the J PRIME series from Specna Arms.

When it comes to external build quality, I personally prefer LCT and VFC, but both of these brands are significantly - and in my opinion unnecessarily - more expensive compared to Specna Arms rifles. They surpass them only in minor cosmetic details: markings, or small elements like the type of hinge pins used in folding-stock models. Is it really worth overpaying for such tiny differences? For me, the answer is no. Specna Arms PRIME absolutely dominates when it comes to price-to-performance ratio.

Is the steel AK J PRIME worth buying? Summary

I’d prefer to let you form your own opinion after reading this review. But since you’re still here, you probably want to know what I think. If you can forgive the lack of markings - which doesn’t actually affect performance - then in my opinion, there simply isn’t a better AK airsoft gun on the market right now in terms of technical quality and overall performance. This rifle just doesn’t break. For its price, it’s an excellent choice for any event or occasion. Thanks to its simple operation and extremely low failure rate, you can rely on it even in the toughest conditions. It won’t fail you at the worst possible moment, unlike your ex-girlfriend. Instead of buying her presents, you could’ve just picked up a J PRIME.

Want to try the Specna Arms J PRIME for yourself?
👉 You’ll find them at the Gunfire store - in the airsoft guns category and under Specna Arms PRIME

Recommended articles: What Is Hop-Up?

Author: Krzysztof Jarosz