Afton, VA: Pause your search for an ARP upper for building a PDW, especially if you are looking at handgun calibers like 9mm. There may be something better just a few clicks away.

Don’t pull the trigger on any build (pun intended) until you’ve had a chance to get close and personal with the ZF9-G from Zenith Firearms, even if all you do is look at it online or watch a few videos first.

The ZF9-G platform redefines what compact performance means in PDW platforms, period.

Whereas most ARPs use either some sort of gas system (like their rifle-sized counterparts) or else direct blowback, the ZF9-G is built on a roller-delayed blowback operation.

This means, among other things, that the action is more simplistic, that it is smoother-shooting, that there is no gas system to tune, that it will run more reliably when suppressed, and that the build eliminates the buffer tube outright.

The roller-delayed action at the foundation of the ZF9-G is, first and foremost, less complex than the gas systems of AR-style rifles. This makes it easier to maintain, and it also means the components are longer lasting.

Also, roller-delayed blowback actions are inherently low on recoil and port pop. whereas direct blowback and gas impingement can both be fairly rough-shooting, roller-delayed blowback doesn’t suffer from these drawbacks, with no tuning required at all.

Another great thing about the ZF9-G’s reliance on a roller-delayed blowback action is that there is no buffer tube at all. You can run this platform without a stock, making it incredibly compact, or you can attach a stock via the rail on the rear of the frame/receiver. This feature offers you a great deal of flexibility.

The overall design keeps the PDW platform incredibly compact, which improves handling in tight quarters, keeps the platform light, and makes it easier to conceal as well, even with limited space. Accurate and suppressor-ready, this is one of the best PDW builds out there.

On top of all that, if you are considering a pistol-caliber build, the ZF9-G is just a great option all around. It has numerous attachment points (including a full-length Pic rail and an M-LOK handguard), last round bolt-hold-open functionality, and comes with a case, a comp, and a cleaning kit.

Interested in learning more? You can get the full download online at Zenith Firearms or contact them directly at [email protected] or at 434-202-7790 for more information.