Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1497523
the rest? Well, the rest is a little wor- se, because the shape of the grip is flimsy. To be honest, it reminds me of a better machined peg from a stool leg. And then there's the texture - the- re's an aggressive, non-slip pattern on the front and sides, but the back is completely smooth. Because of this, the grip tends to slip in the hand, especially wet or in gloves. I would definitely replace it with a pistol grip from MSBS/GROT, which is what I have done to most of my carbines. Another downside is the one-sided safety switch and charging handle, as if taken alive from a military M16, as is the reloading handle. Well, for- give me, but in a rifle with an MSRP of almost $900? It should come fully ambidextrous with this price tag. WORTH IT? The overall impression about the IWI Zion is that it is a decent rifle, nice to shoot and straight out of the box ac- curate. Unfortunately, I will not share the opinion of some who claim that it is the best bang for the buck. Defini- tely, it has some very interesting fe- atures that are hard to find in compe- titors at a similar price level, such as clearance adjustment, a thick barrel, mid-length gas system and a very nic (for a "factory") trigger. Cons? Rather poor "starter kit" (one magazine + QD slot on M-LOK), right-hand only setup and a trigger guard that most sho- oters simply don't like. The pistol grip is controversial and some people will probably change it anyway. I will say this: if we were discussing this gun a year and a half ago, I wo- uld have said: "If it fits - take it", but it is 2023 now. It's still a good rifle, which has become more expensive recently, like other black rifles from the same shelf.. But everything has become more expensive, and now at the 2022 price of the IWI Zion you can buy a "budget AR". The problem is that the availability of weapons with price tags similar to IWI Zion is broad, and here everyone must decide for himself. www.fragoutmag.com