Mention the name Zev Technologies, and we immediately begin to have images of high-performance parts for guns and their excellent OZ 9 pistols. What may not be as quick to the mind is their solid line of Core Elite rifles. I have had the fortune of getting a great deal of trigger time on their rifles and have never been disappointed. I was pleased when I learned that Zev would once again be joining us for the annual Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous. When the event arrived, I made a beeline to their tent. During my time on the range with them, I tested several guns, but one specifically stood out to me. Their new ZEV Tech 10.5 Core Elite AR Pistol.

ZEV Tech 10.5 Core Elite AR Pistol

The Core Elite AR15 pistols are descended from the legendary Mega Arms. Sharing the same designers but with a ZEV spin on aesthetics. With the acquisition of Mega Arms, Zev is offering complete rifles that have the craftsmanship of Mega Arms mixed with the creativity and precision of Zev. They manufacture their AR15 pistols using the highest quality materials, state-of-the-art processes for machining and coating, and rigid standards for quality and finish work. Using best-in-class components, expert gunsmiths assemble and test each AR pistol in-house, resulting in a lightweight, versatile, and high-performance firearm.

The Core Elite AR pistol is a great-looking gun. While we pretend to be above aesthetics as serious gun owners, it does matter. The gun is also feature-rich. It has a Zev custom 416R 10.5” match barrel with bronze PVD coating. The bronze finish peeking out from under the handguard gives it a very nice look without overkill. With a 1:7-inch twist rate and mid-length gas system, the gun is capable of consistent sub-MOA accuracy with high-quality factory ammunition. As with all Zev guns, the fit and finish are excellent. There was no play between the forged upper and lower, and the entire build seemed to fit very well together. They are precision-machined from 7075-T6 aluminum for strength and lightweight, finished in true black type III class 2 hard coat anodizing.

The Perfect Mix of Form and Function

The gun is certainly more than the sum of its parts. Everything on the gun flows well together, making for a very comfortable shooter. This is especially evident with the handguard. The ZEV Wedge Lock hand guard provides a full-length continuous top rail with an M-Lok mounting system. The integrated anti-rotation pin ensures a consistently aligned and continuous top rail with the upper receiver. In this day and age of great trigger options, I believe companies need to step up their game. That is exactly what Zev has done. The trigger for this rifle is a flat face AR Gold trigger from ATC that features a 2.5lb pull with a short reset and clean break that is second to none. It is obviously made for serious shooting.

Continuing the speed and accuracy theme, the Zev muzzle device aids in recoil management and muzzle-flash reduction. Other features that make this a great rifle are a low-profile fixed gas block and the inclusion of an H3 carbine buffer. This increases dwell time and reduces port pressure to ensure reliable extraction and a smooth recoil impulse.

 Zev uses a mil-spec, chrome-lined BCG with a manganese-phosphate finish for improved lubricity and corrosion resistance. It also makes for easy cleaning. The safety selector is an ambidextrous model from Radian Weapons. The Zev Slide Lock charging handle permits ambidextrous manipulation with an extended, textured latch for superior grip and ergonomics.

ZEV Tech 10.5 Core Elite AR Pistol – Tolerances Matter

The build is completed with Magpul furniture. The gun only weighs 6.1 pounds and has an overall length of 27.25 inches, with the stock collapsed. One interesting point is the magazines included with the gun. Due to a recent change in Washington state law, Zev can no longer ship, transfer, or facilitate the sale of magazines with capacities of more than ten rounds. However, they included a Magpul gift card with the rifle in the box. I give Zev 25 gold stars for this. Many other companies send “compliant” mags, leaving the owner to get their own.

After the Rendezvous, Zev was kind enough to send me a gun for further testing. Ammo for the day would include Hornady Frontier 55gr FMJ, Federal American Eagle 62gr, and some Ammo Inc 77gr HPBT. The tolerances on the gun are .001 inches. That translates into absolutely no rattle or play. Yet, it is not so tight that it is finicky about what ammo you run. The Core Elite pistol ran everything I fed it during testing without any issues. Finish-wise, the gun is spectacular. Zev uses a True Black class 2 type 3 hard coat anodizing. What does that even mean? It means that the finish on the gun is smooth, continuous, and even. Throw into that the bronze PVD coating on the barrel and the gold trigger, and you have a gun that looks as good as it shoots.

Trigger Time

The trigger comes from ATC and fits the gun well. In what I find to be a rare case, the trigger broke at 2.5 pounds, as it is listed. As a 10.5-inch pistol, I did not feel it would be necessary to bench it and shoot groups. While capable of drilling small groups at 100 yards, this, in my mind, is a personal defense-style gun. I set up at 25 yards for accuracy and fired ten rounds of slow fire. The end result was a group you could put a dime over. The next set was a five-round string five-round string in three seconds. My groups opened up but were still covered by a 50-cent piece. I found these two groups to be very solid based on my shooting experience. Of course, your results may vary depending on your skill.

Compact Shooter

Running the gun was very enjoyable. Being a 10.5-inch pistol made it a nice compact package to shoot. The gun only weighed a breath of over six pounds, so wielding it was fast and easy. The ZEV Slide Lock charging handle and the Radian Weapons Talon ambidextrous safety selector made transitions to support side shooting easy. Regardless of the ridiculous nature of the ATF brace drama, they are nice to have on a pistol like this. Zev wisely chooses to use the SB Tactical SBA3 four-position brace. Finish the gun out with Magpul furniture; it is a complete package. For those who shoot rifles a lot, you can immediately tell if a rifle is an average blaster or if it is a top-tier gun. From the minute I picked up the Core AR 15 pistol, I knew it was serious business, and my range time confirmed it.

           The Zev Core Elite pistol is a winner for me in all categories. It is a beautiful gun that is more than a safe queen. This would be a solid truck or vehicle gun without question. Its short nature also screams for a suppressor, which would be the only permanent personal modification I would make to this gun. While it is true that retail on this gun is north of $1800.00, you get what you pay for and much more. I encourage you to find a retailer that stocks them and see for yourself.

For more information, visit: https://www.zevtechnologies.com/

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