PTS Syndicate ZEV Core Elite AR-15 Carbine AEG; 14.5 Inch

If you're up to date on your real steel ARs, you'll recognise a ZEV Tech when you see it! The PTS Syndicate ZEV Core Elite AR-15 Carbine AEG; 14.5 Inch is patterned after the real steel ZEV Core Elite AR-15 line, high-end real steel AR-15 rifles designed for civilian tactical applications and competitive shooting.

The PTS replica carries through the iconic ZEV aesthetic to a tee, showcasing detailed trademarks across the design and authentically replicating ZEV's unique receiver, handguard, trigger and gloss brass finished barrel. The Core Elite AR-15 AEG is also rocking PTS' fantastic ergonomic furniture, including the EPG pistol grip, EP Trigger Guard and EPS-C low-profile retractable stock.

Inside, things are equally impressive, with a build based around the prolific version 2 gearbox and equipped with an integrated MOSFET/ETU to prevent trigger lock-ups and enhance trigger response. Inside the gearbox, you'll find 18:1 ratio steel gears running on steel 8mm ball-bearing bushings, a CNC aluminium double O-ring cylinder head, stainless steel cylinder, reinforced polymer piston with an MIM steel tooth rack and a reinforced tappet plate to ensure feeding is reliable each time the trigger is pulled.

Also inside is a 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel paired with an alloy rotary HOP-up unit, ensuring the ZEV AR-15 does its job at the pinnacle of Airsoft effective range. If sleek, modern ARs suit your tastes more than the military-style builds, the PTS Syndicate ZEV Core Elite AR-15 Carbine AEG; 14.5 Inch will put a big smile on your face!

Starting at the front, we can find a birdcage flash hider made from alloy mounted to the 14mm CCW male threads at the tip of the bronze-finished alloy outer barrel. If you're going for a stealthy look or fancy a tracer to light the enemy up, you'll be happy to learn the 14mm CCW threads accept the vast majority of Airsoft tracers and suppressors. The outer barrel's eye-catching gloss bronze finish is a big part of the iconic ZEV look, adding visual interest and tying the build together with ZEV's real steel product range.

Next up, we come to the handguard which is a flawless replica of the ZEV "Wedge Lock" handguard, featuring M-LOK negative space attachment slots at the 3, 6, & 9 o'clock positions and engraved ZEV Tech logos on the collar. As we might expect from PTS, the machining is flawless, with all the unique geometry of the original ZEV handguard replicated perfectly. With angled vent ports wherever they can be squeezed in, the Wedge Lock handguard is as light as a feather and points fantastically, an essential attribute of a real steel rifle intended for practical shooting and 3-gun competitions.

Running along the top, we have a 20mm Picatinny rail which runs all the way back to the receiver, mating seamlessly with the receiver rail. This gives you plenty of space to mount your choice of optical sight, whether it's a simple red dot sight or a full-sized LPVO or rifle scope. The outer barrel runs beneath, boasting the iconic ZEV gloss bronze finish to add some visual interest and even more authenticity. Mounted the barrel, we are also treated to a CNC aluminium gas block which matches the shape of the gas block installed on real steel ZEV Core Elite upper receiver sets, another small detail nailed by PTS!

Moving rearwards, we come to the receiver which is patterned after real steel ZEV forged receiver design with machined-in gripping texture on the front of the magazine well and licensed trademarks on left side. As we might expect from PTS, the engravings are deep and prominent, flawlessly replicating the real ZEV Core Elite AR-15 with the only deviation being the recessed PTS logo engraving to the rear of the bolt release catch.

The controls are conventionally laid out for an M4/AR-15 replica, with the fire selector positioned just above the pistol grip on the left side, well within reach of the shooter's thumb when the rifle is held in a firing grip. The selector offers 3 modes in a SAFE-SEMI-AUTO layout with a 90-degree throw between each selector position. The mag release is on the right side of the magazine well, easily reached for right-handers using the trigger finger and for left-handed shooters with the off-hand thumb. Just below, we can find the trigger guard which is the PTS EP Trigger Guard; an enlarged design to allow easier and faster trigger access for gloved shooters.

At the top rear of the receiver, we can find the charging handle which is constructed from alloy with a steel locking latch. Pulling the charging handle will open the dust cover and retract the mock bolt, revealing the rotary HOP-up inside. The unit is made from alloy and the adjuster dial is polymer, offering a stronger build than other rotary units. Turning the dial allows you to tune the ZEV AR-15 for different ammo weights, looking for the flattest possible trajectory. When you've finished adjusting, hit the "ping pong paddle" bolt catch on the left side of the receiver to release the mock bolt with a satisfying "clank".

At the bottom of the receiver, we can find the legendary PTS EPG pistol grip, a modern ergonomic design with a filled-out backstrap and dot texture on either side. The PTS grip is constructed from a higher-quality polymer than the usual Airsoft pistol grip, known as Dupont Zytel. The EPG feels fantastic in the hand, drawing inspiration from the best of the best when it comes to real steel ergonomic grips.

At the rear, we have the prolific M4/AR-15 buffer tube, constructed from alloy and offering 6 adjustment positions for the pre-installed EPS-C collapsible stock. The castle nut and receiver end plate are constructed from steel, adding a touch of heft and realism.

The battery compartment is inside the buffer tube, accessible with the stock removed. This is done by pulling the adjustment lever outwards and sliding the stock off the rear of the buffer tube, but be warned, the stock is a tighter fit than most M4s. With the stock removed, you can unscrew the threaded cap at the end of the buffer tube to reveal the Deans battery connector inside. We recommend a 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo battery in stick configuration for an easy fit and flawless performance.

The adjustment lever of the EPS-C stock is on the bottom; a low-profile design intended to reduce equipment snags, a considerable improvement over the ageing crane battery stock design. A QD sling socket is present on either side along with conventional "footman loops" for standard strap slings. The butt plate is rubberised and serrated for optimal wet-weather traction and hinges open for easy battery access via the button in the centre.

Inside, the ZEV AR-15 is equipped with the common version 2 gearbox, meaning upgrade opportunities are practically unlimited for this beast. As you'll receive it, the gearbox is rocking 18:1 steel gears running on 8mm ball bearing bushings, a CNC aluminium double O-ring cylinder head, a stainless steel cylinder, a reinforced Nylon piston with an MIM steel tooth rack, a reinforced custom tappet plate and an integrated MOSFET/ETU. The MOSFET is not programmable but does enhance trigger response significantly, along with preventing trigger lockups when shooting semi-auto at a rapid pace.

If you're seeking a high-end civvy tactical build as your next primary, the PTS Syndicate ZEV Core Elite AR-15 Carbine AEG; 14.5 Inch is one to watch. Flawlessly built on the outside with a lofty real steel pedigree, official licensing and solid internals, the ZEV AR-15 stands out in more than a few ways!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW male threaded outer barrel -Tracer/suppressor ready
• Gloss Bronze finished outer barrel - Matches the ZEV aesthetic perfectly
• CNC Aluminium gas block - Great for realism and a perfect match for the real thing
• ZEV "Wedge Lock" M-LOK handguard - Ready for M-LOK accessories, 20mm rail up top
• 20mm Picatinny railed receiver - Ready for a red dot sight or scope
• ZEV "Forged" lower receiver design - Gripping texture on the front of the magwell, ZEV trades
• PTS EP Trigger guard - Enlarged design, great for gloved shooters
• PTS EPG Pistol grip - Probably the best on the market, comfortable and super-strong
• ZEV "SSR" Single Stage Rifle Trigger - Skeletonised design, adjustable travel
• 3-position fire selector switch - SAFE - SEMI - AUTO configuration
• Ambidextrous ZEV "Slide lock" charging handle - Easy HOP-up access from the left or right
• Alloy rotary HOP-up unit - Behind the mock bolt, pull the charging handle to access the dial
• Steel receiver end plate & castle nut - Adds heft for a dose of realism
• 6-Position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock to suit your body type and loadout
• PTS EPS-C Sliding stock - Superb quality slimline stock, QD sling points on each side
• Rear wired: Deans connector - Recommended battery: 7.4V 1450mAh LiPo in Stick config.
• Version 2 gearbox:
  • Alloy shell
  • 18:1 Steel gears
  • 8mm Steel ball bearing bushings
  • Nylon + 33% FG reinforced piston w/14 MIM steel teeth
  • Reinforced custom tappet plate
  • Stainless steel cylinder
  • CNC Aluminium double O-ring cylinder head
  • Integrated MOSFET/ETU
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG magazines - PTS EPM Gen.2 Mid-caps recommended

Package Includes

• PTS Syndicate ZEV Core Elite AR-15 Carbine AEG; 14.5 Inch
• 150rnd PTS EPM Magazine

Special Instructions

Our test example of the ZEV Core Elite AR-15 Carbine AEG produced FPS results slightly above 350 FPS using 0.2g BB with no HOP-up applied. With the HOP-up set, FPS dropped to just under 350 using 0.20g BBs.