ZEV Technologies Folding Defensive Pistol-9 (FDP-9) & Folding Defensive Carbine-9 (FDC-9)

Last year, we announced our partnership with ZEV Technologies to bring to life our folding concept gun that deploys from a simple, storage case form factor into a large-format pistol or short barrel pistol caliber carbine depending on configuration. Our FDP-9 chassis, paired with a proprietary variant of the ZEV OZ9 operating system, forms the Folding Defensive Pistol-9 (FDP-9), and is officially classified and intended to be fired and used as a handgun, which means you will be able to buy it just like any other handgun from an FFL dealer. The Folding Defensive Carbine-9 (FDC-9) will be available as an NFA-classified short barrel rifle including a different rear cover with a buttstock section. If you purchase an FDP-9 pistol, you can convert it to an FDC-9 short barrel rifle by purchasing and installing an accessory buttstock rear cover after filing and receiving an approved form 1. With the regulatory picture clarified, 9x19mm ZEV FDP-9 and FDC-9 are well into tooling and will soon be entering testing. We are targeting early 2023 for a release for sale.

Since 2019, Magpul and ZEV have been refining our FDP and FDC designs and seeking the required legal approvals. With recently confirmed classification of the FDP-9 as a handgun, the purchaser can enjoy the firearm as a self-enclosing, large-format pistol. The FDP-9 rear cover includes a fixed sling swivel to allow carrying the pistol slung when not being fired. They may also choose to file the appropriate ATF Form 1 and, after approval, purchase a conversion kit to legally assemble it into the FDC-9. It will then be classified as a short-barreled rifle (SBR) and subject to all NFA laws. Although not certain at this time, the FDC-9 might also be offered straight from ZEV and would transfer to the purchaser as an SBR on an ATF Form 4 through their local dealer. The FDP-9 and FDC-9 will not be available from Magpul; they will be available from ZEV Technologies and through distributors and dealers that carry ZEV Firearms.

The ZEV FDP-9 and FDC-9 firearms won’t be ready for at least 12 months, but we wanted to share our progress with them as we head into the SHOT Show season. Testing and producing a project of this scale is a huge part of the process that can’t be rushed.  Unlike the original folding concept firearm, which merely allowed the demonstration of an idea, the FDP-9 is a complete redesign of that concept meant to increase durability, reliability, practicality, and to incorporate important safety features and regulatory compliance features necessary to create a very real and usable firearm. We’ve already crossed the most significant hurdles to bringing this concept to life, and we’ll be sharing a lot more about it throughout the upcoming year as they get closer to releasing for sale.

The ZEV Technologies FDP-9 and FDC-9. Brought to you by ZEV and Magpul.

For more information about 9mm carbine options, visit Rainier Arms. 

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