ZEV Technologies OZ9

[Badman]

Just got back from Thunder Ranch and had the opportunity to shoot a ZEV OZ9. I normally use and carry a Glock 19. While it takes some features from the Glock it is a completely new pistol. What impressed me is it has less muzzle flip and points better due to the 1911 style grip. Second follow-up shots are faster and smoother. I rarely tout a pistol but this one is an exception. Love my 19 but the ZEV is now my new carry gun.IMAO

[Tamara]

I was impressed (https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/7/22/review-zev-technologies-oz-9/), and I honestly had not expected to be.

The thing I like least about the gun is that it does not use a standard slide cover plate and therefore can't be retrofitted with a Gadget. That's enough to make it a range-use-only gun for me versus a standard Glock.

[GJM]

Does it fit into a Glock holster?

[Tamara]

Does it fit into a Glock holster?

Some. Most of the better kydex, it won't because of the chunky and differently-contoured trigger guard.

That's another downcheck for most normal people, but I'm carrying an SP2022 these days so I forgot to look into off-the-rack holster compatibility. :o

[GJM]

I just read the eight page thread over on Enos on this pistol. On the plus side, people like the way they shoot, although I didn’t see anything on group size. The negatives are broken parts, like barrels and triggers, malfunctions, and slow customer service from Zev.

[Badman]

I was impressed (https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/7/22/review-zev-technologies-oz-9/), and I honestly had not expected to be.

The thing I like least about the gun is that it does not use a standard slide cover plate and therefore can't be retrofitted with a Gadget. That's enough to make it a range-use-only gun for me versus a standard Glock.

Gadget?

[Badman]

Does it fit into a Glock holster?

No. Ordered one from QVO Tactical.

[BehindBlueI's]

Gadget?

https://taudevgroup.myshopify.com/products/striker-control-device

[Tamara]

I just read the eight page thread over on Enos on this pistol. On the plus side, people like the way they shoot, although I didn’t see anything on group size. The negatives are broken parts, like barrels and triggers, malfunctions, and slow customer service from Zev.

I can only report on the gun I have fired myself. It hasn't broken anything yet (and given past experience with Zev parts, I'm surprised) but I've only got a little over 1,300 rounds through it.

One thing I do like is that the owner's manual has recommended maintenance intervals/parts replacement schedules in it. I wish that were more common in the industry.

[Tamara]

...makes it clear they essentially removed all pre-travel from the trigger...

I mean, it says "Zev (https://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2017/09/triggered.html)" right on the gun. ;)

[Bergeron]

Being advertised as "Glock Gen3 Compatible", I wonder if the Gadget and malf/breakage issues of the OZ9 could be addressed by OEM Glock slides and fire control.

I want to like the gun, but I'm not there yet.

[rca90gsx]

I looked at one at my LGS, super high expectations on grip feel etc...maybe that was the problem.. gripped it and instantly thought it was horrible for me. I may have having an off day, as a g34.5 felt super in the hand an an X5 legion felt off as well. Typically i have never been able to be happy with any glock grip, but that g34.5 was great...still in disbelief.

[GJM]

Grip and feel are pretty subjective — what I care about is what the timer and target say.

Given how developed the Gen 5 pistols are in accuracy, reliability, ejection, and ease of reloading, the Zev has to move the bar in shooting performance to get my interest.

[rca90gsx]

I agree 100%, however i was not willing to spend that much $ to find out. I think i will be trying the G34 out though vs my CZ's.

[Tamara]

Grip and feel are pretty subjective — what I care about is what the timer and target say.

Won't know what it does in your hands without putting it in your hands.

[Rex G]

Being advertised as "Glock Gen3 Compatible", I wonder if the Gadget and malf/breakage issues of the OZ9 could be addressed by OEM Glock slides and fire control.

I want to like the gun, but I'm not there yet.

This. I would like to try one, and if it fits well, swap everything with a Gen3 G19, resulting in a Zev frame, with everything else Glock.

[Tokarev]

How does the OZ9 compare, modularity-wise, to the ZRODELTA Modulus?

The Modulus is based on a Gen 3 Glock and uses a G19 locking block. Different slides and barrels but be added to change from a 19 to a 17 to a 34. But the longer barrel/slide combos aren't really 17 or 34 format. I think what they really are is longer 19 and even longer 19 format. This is probably what Glock should have done in the 1st place and is doing now with Gen 5 format I believe.

I haven't seen a ZEV field stripped but I assume it is also built on a 19 locking block? Then the other slides/barrels are just longer versions of this format?


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[Tamara]

I haven't seen a ZEV field stripped but I assume it is also built on a 19 locking block? Then the other slides/barrels are just longer versions of this format?

See the pictures here (https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/7/22/review-zev-technologies-oz-9/).

[mongooseman]

The owner of the local gun shop produced one and I was intrigued. I checked the internet and discovered the one he had was on a recall list (vendor supposedly manufactured a faulty part). I contacted ZEV online and was informed that the gun was probably fixed before shipping and there was a suggested 300 round break in process. After another conversation with the owner, I purchased it, a RMR2, and 200 rounds of Winchester white box to go with the 9mm I already have. And a fake price label so I can stay married.

To cut to the chase, the gun shot flawlessly with a variety of FMJ and JHP. I shot some very tight groups (for me) and the extra weight made the recoil noticeably soft. Some muscle fatigue was setting in and I decided to run the Georgia State LEO qualification. One flyer kept me from a perfect score and it was close enough to the line that you had to look close to see it was (barely) out. I'd druther have a magwell that isn't the equivalent of a giant spoiler on a Honda Civic. But on the other hand, chunk the mag in the direction of the grip and it's in there. Not impressed with the included Magpul Glock mags. Next to the OEM mags they feel cheap and insubstantial and I have a 19X mag in the pistol now.

So far it's been a great Father's Day gift to myself and I'm looking forward to getting adjusted to it's quirks.

[g45c]

I was impressed (https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/7/22/review-zev-technologies-oz-9/), and I honestly had not expected to be.

The thing I like least about the gun is that it does not use a standard slide cover plate and therefore can't be retrofitted with a Gadget. That's enough to make it a range-use-only gun for me versus a standard Glock.

Do you really think the "glock Gadget" is that necessary? I've never given a second thought to buying one.

[WobblyPossum]

Do you really think the "glock Gadget" is that necessary? I've never given a second thought to buying one.

The Gadget is the primary reason that Glocks have remained my go-to striker guns even after multiple generations of arguably better striker guns from various manufacturers have been released. Every Glock I use for training/practice is equipped with one. If I could install them on my work Glocks, I would do so without a second thought. They provide a huge safety benefit without any negatives other than cost. I wish all guns came with some kind of hammer/Gadget capability.

One thing that has been discussed numerous times on this forum is whether or not the ability to quickly reholster a pistol, potentially without the chance to look the gun into the holster, is a necessary skill for gun carriers. Many experienced forum members believe it is an important skill for LEOs and private citizens. I happen to agree and can imagine numerous scenarios where the threat has changed from a potential shooting problem to a hands on problem quickly. The Gadget makes doing so safer because it allows you to feel any pressure that’s being exerted on the trigger while reholstering. If possible, I always look the gun into the holster when reholstering. The Gadget is an additional layer of safety on top of that. If I don’t have the opportunity to look the gun into the holster, at least the Gadget would allow me to know that something is going wrong in the holstering process so I don’t shoot myself. I’d rather have to wrestle someone with a gun in my hand because I couldn’t holster safely than wrestle someone with both hands free but with a gunshot wound to my lower body from holstering with an obstruction that caught the trigger.

[NGP]

Do you really think the "glock Gadget" is that necessary? I've never given a second thought to buying one.

That's about akin to being in texas and saying you don't think brisket is all that great. It provides a great peace of mind if you're carrying a glock AIWB.

[g45c]

I'm not a LEO and can't imagine a situation I might find myself in that would dictate I re-holster in a rush. Re-holster CAREFULLY is what I have been taught to do, how I've trained, and conditioned myself to do. I've carried a Glock every day for several years, shot USPSA and local carry gun matches and I've never been concerned about an ND in the process of re-holstering. It seems that's not a popular opinion here and maybe I'm naive but I feel completely safe without a Gadget:rolleyes: I don't think any form of active safety mechanism should be relied on to prevent a negligent discharge. Just my .02
"Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." Jeff Cooper

[WobblyPossum]

I'm not a LEO and can't imagine a situation I might find myself in that would dictate I re-holster in a rush.

You’re at the mall when someone goes active shooter. You shoot the bad guy and they’re down. Police and other ccw citizens, who only know they’re looking for a man with a gun and plan to shoot that man the second they see him, are moments away. You don’t want to be standing there with a gun in your hand when they arrive.

That’s just one possibility that’s been discussed here recently. There’s also the potential that something that started as a gun problem suddenly becomes a hands-on problem. Less likely for a private citizen than for an LEO but not so unlikely that it shouldn’t be taken seriously.

[g45c]

You’re at the mall when someone goes active shooter. You shoot the bad guy and they’re down. Police and other ccw citizens, who only know they’re looking for a man with a gun and plan to shoot that man the second they see him, are moments away. You don’t want to be standing there with a gun in your hand when they arrive.

That’s just one possibility that’s been discussed here recently. There’s also the potential that something that started as a gun problem suddenly becomes a hands-on problem. Less likely for a private citizen than for an LEO but not so unlikely that it shouldn’t be taken seriously.

If you have "moments" you have time to re-holster safely and training is how you re-holster safely if you only have moments. If you are not cognizant to re-holster safely what makes you think you'll remember to put your thumb on your gadget to prevent an ND? Where a gun problem becoming a "hands on" problem is concerned if a private citizen is justified in shooting someone I can't imagine how that could devolve to a hands on problem. I don't know about your State but when I've pointed a loaded gun at someone if it's not justified I've committed a felony.
If you want to relegate your safety to any sort of gadget it's your decision. It's never a good idea to depend on any mechanical device to rescue you from having your head somewhere other than on the task at hand in a life and death situation.

[WobblyPossum]

If you have "moments" you have time to re-holster safely and training is how you re-holster safely if you only have moments. If you are not cognizant to re-holster safely what makes you think you'll remember to put your thumb on your gadget to prevent an ND? Where a gun problem becoming a "hands on" problem is concerned if a private citizen is justified in shooting someone I can't imagine how that could devolve to a hands on problem. I don't know about your State but when I've pointed a loaded gun at someone if it's not justified I've committed a felony.
If you want to relegate your safety to any sort of gadget it's your decision. It's never a good idea to depend on any mechanical device to rescue you from having your head somewhere other than on the task at hand in a life and death situation.

I never said anything about depending entirely on the additional mechanical device for my safety needs. In fact, I stated in my first post that it supplemented other safety practices such as looking the gun into the holster. Anyway, the Gadget has been discussed, in depth, on this forum since before its release. I highly recommend you take a look through the giant thread about it. The discussion is off topic for this thread and we’ve drifted away from that topic enough.

[g45c]

You're right, off topic.. and on topic, I had a OZ9 for about a week.. I was impressed with the trigger group but not with the pistol. ZEV is good equipment but a little overpriced IMHO.

[TC215]

I'm not a LEO and can't imagine a situation I might find myself in that would dictate I re-holster in a rush. Re-holster CAREFULLY is what I have been taught to do, how I've trained, and conditioned myself to do. I've carried a Glock every day for several years, shot USPSA and local carry gun matches and I've never been concerned about an ND in the process of re-holstering. It seems that's not a popular opinion here and maybe I'm naive but I feel completely safe without a Gadget:rolleyes: I don't think any form of active safety mechanism should be relied on to prevent a negligent discharge. Just my .02
"Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." Jeff Cooper

In my experience, the people that think they’ll never have to re-holster “in a rush” are people that have never had to pull a gun on someone before.

[Tamara]

Do you really think the "glock Gadget" is that necessary? I've never given a second thought to buying one.

I have no idea what's necessary for you.

Now that the option exists, I'd really prefer not to carry a Glock without one. Been using them for over half a decade now. Kinda gotten attached.

[Tamara]

I've never been concerned about an ND in the process of re-holstering.

It's exactly that attitude that should concern you, to be honest. :)

[g45c]

It's exactly that attitude that should concern you, to be honest. :)

Anything is possible but my confidence to avoid a ND is in training, not some gadget that you may or may not remember to use. I see you're in Indy, there's a carry gun match on the west side once a month where you can practice your skills. You might consider that, it's the only realistic practice/training I've found.
As stated earlier, this is off topic.. I'm not new to gun forums but I'm new to this one and it annoys me to see how threads wander so I"ll try not to be one of those people that derail threads. Back to OZ9 talk.

[Tamara]

Thanks for the heads up! I'll try and get some realistic practice in. :)

[g45c]

I'm unqualified to determine what constitutes realistic practice. We have a LEO that joins us when his schedule allows and I have high regard for his opinion because he has real world training and experience. His experience includes LEO for over 10 years as well as defending himself successfully, twice, in self defense encounters. He has commented that he considers the match good "practice", that's enough of a recommendation for me. :D:D

[GJM]

I'm unqualified to determine what constitutes realistic practice. We have a LEO that joins us when his schedule allows and I have high regard for his opinion because he has real world training and experience. His experience includes LEO for over 10 years as well as defending himself successfully, twice, in self defense encounters. He has commented that he considers the match good "practice", that's enough of a recommendation for me. :D:D

Of course an advantage of a place like Pistol-Forum, is we have hundreds of military and law enforcement shooters with collectively thousands of years of experience, industry reps, and many hundreds of dedicated tactical and competition shooters.

Placing your thumb on the hammer of a DA pistol while holstering has been considered best practice for decades. Two of the main founders of PF, invented the Gadget, integrating it with the partially tensioned design of the Glock, to try to mimic the DA best practice of thumbing a hammer when holstering. Since appendix carry has become the preferred method of carry of many here, allowing a larger pistol to be concealed under less clothing, an additional layer of safety is welcomed by many.

For the way you use a pistol, you may feel like a Gadget is unnecessary, and that is your personal choice. It is not just holstering in a hurry that makes the Gadget attractive to me, it is also holstering in the dark, holstering with multiple layers of clothing on, and holstering in a seated position with one hand.

[g45c]

Fair enough.. As I said earlier it's not my intent to derail the thread.. Thanks for the info.

[Whirlwind06]

This. I would like to try one, and if it fits well, swap everything with a Gen3 G19, resulting in a Zev frame, with everything else Glock.If you want to go that route why not get lone wolff frame or one of the other aftermarket frames. It would probably be a lot cheaper.

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[Rex G]

If you want to go that route why not get lone wolff frame or one of the other aftermarket frames. It would probably be a lot cheaper.

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I have yet to be impressed with any of the third-party frames I have seen or handled. This Zev looks different, so may fit differently. (I live near a huge gun store, that eventually manages to have just about everything available, in their pre-owned selection, sooner or later.)

I know that the “feel” of a gun can lie, but, at least, it is a start.

[Shadow]

I'm unqualified to determine what constitutes realistic practice. We have a LEO that joins us when his schedule allows and I have high regard for his opinion because he has real world training and experience. His experience includes LEO for over 10 years as well as defending himself successfully, twice, in self defense encounters. He has commented that he considers the match good "practice", that's enough of a recommendation for me. :D:D

I've been following the Zev threads because I have a personal interest in them. I, like you g45c, do not want to derail a thread. With that said any new shooters who may happen upon this thread may get confused or take on some questionable info.

I am not a user of the striker gizmo that was referenced above. I believe it is a valid option for safely re-holstering and I may explore it's usefulness in the future.

I'm at 30+ years in law enforcement as a Police Officer, with time in patrol, narcotics our special ops team and now firearms instructor at our Police Training Center. During my time I've competed in USPSA, IDPA and 3 gun matches frequently. I can tell you after being immersed in the real world side and competitive side of firearms that matches are good "practice" but they are still a "game" that lack real world situational involvement. Don't confuse attending a match with being prepared for a real world armed encounter. The ability to perform under the stress of a timer, shoot accurately, work your gun proficiently and think on your feet help you prepare but when you add in a real body/bodies in unknown locations during different lighting conditions with innocents scattered about things change in a hurry. Things are not "sterile" like they are at a match.

The idea that all will be calm and orderly when it's time to re-holster is completely unrealistic. You need to be prepared for things to go sideways in the blink of an eye. There are numerous ways to accomplish the re-holstering of your firearm. I'm not saying what I practice and present in my classes is "the" way but it is "a" way that I have complete confidence in.

First we must consider the fact that the only consistent thing about small arms ammunition is that bullet performance is inconsistent and unpredictable. To anticipate that a threat will simply stop because you dropped 2 rounds in their "A" zone is a recipe for disaster. I've had conversation, immediately following the incident, with the victim of an attempted murder who had been shot in the head by a .357 magnum. Completely disfigured but conscious, alert and able to communicate with me while first aid arrived. A little research will provide an abundance of cases where individuals have been shot, some multiple times, and continued to return fire or became physically combative.

Holstering a weapon is a motor skill that we practice over and over during range work. Our holsters, for the most part, are in the same position they were from the day we began shooting. I know where my holster is at all times. I prefer not to "need" to look at my holster when re-holstering. Taking my eyes off the threat or threat area, even for a second, may open a door that a committed aggressor will likely run through. If I own an area visually, physically or both I don't want to give it up by dipping my head to look at my holster. Holsters without a reinforced mouth that collapse when the handgun is drawn making re-holstering difficult should be discarded.The striker control device is a viable option, that does not require an abundance of training, for situations where you may need to go hands on quickly.

Sorry for the long read. Many here carry for self defense that may not have given the topics addressed above much thought. This may help and inspire to get additional training.

[krav51]

I'm not a LEO and can't imagine a situation I might find myself in that would dictate I re-holster in a rush. Re-holster CAREFULLY is what I have been taught to do, how I've trained, and conditioned myself to do. I've carried a Glock every day for several years, shot USPSA and local carry gun matches and I've never been concerned about an ND in the process of re-holstering. It seems that's not a popular opinion here and maybe I'm naive but I feel completely safe without a Gadget:rolleyes: I don't think any form of active safety mechanism should be relied on to prevent a negligent discharge. Just my .02
"Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." Jeff Cooper

it's all easy until you have to do it after fighting for your life with a heart rate of 200.And USPCA or any other competition doesn't come close to recreating that kind of stress

[krav51]

It's exactly that attitude that should concern you, to be honest. :)

EXACTLY