PTS Syndicate ZEV OZ9 Elite GBB Pistol; Ultra Version

If you need a sidearm with the elite look and incredible build quality, the PTS Syndicate ZEV OZ9 Elite GBB Pistol; Ultra Version should be in your sights. A full metal build with a CNC 6000 series aluminium slide and modular subframe paired with a CNC steel outer barrel, the incredible external quality of this pistol cannot be understated, and inside, things are equally impressive!

The hammer housing and various hammer group components have been upgraded with CNC aluminium parts, ensuring they last a lifetime of regular, hard use. The inner barrel is a 6.03mm tightbore example, improving FPS and gas efficiency while enhancing accuracy potential with high-quality BBs. The HOP-up bucking is also upgraded, boasting a 70-degree purple HOP-up bucking to allow for heavier-weight BBs to be used effectively, and the slide lock/release catch is made from robust steel, ensuring this high-wear component can go the distance. If you need a pistol from the premium side of Airsoft, the PTS ZEV OZ9 Elite GBB Pistol; Ultra Version will meet the standard!

Starting at the front, we can find detailed mock rifling at the tip of the CNC-machined steel outer barrel, giving enemy players a realistic view before their trip back to respawn. The presence of mock rifling puts realism at a peak, but it does mean you will need to replace the outer barrel with a threaded alternative to mount a tracer or suppressor.

The barrel itself is machined to a phenomenal standard, complete with realistic weight-reducing dimples which serve to assist barrel cooling in the real OZ9, functioning similarly to fluted barrels found on precision rifle builds. The chamber area includes iconic ZEV-style weight reduction, with dynamic angled cuts which shave off excess mass and add to the OZ9 Elite Ultra Version's premium look.

The slide is made from 6000 series aluminium using CNC technology, resulting in a flawless form with precisely engraved trademarks and razor-sharp detail across the design, a big step up from cast alloy slides found on cheaper GBB pistols. The front of the slide is bevelled in a similar style to Gen.5 Glock pistols, making reholstering easier when pumped with adrenaline, an essential feature for a combat pistol.

On top of the slide, we can find our iron sights, made from robust steel with a red fibre optic front sight insert paired with an open rear sight with anti-glare serrations on its surface. This sight setup is incredibly effective and is rapidly gaining traction as the standard for combat pistols in the real steel world. They're easy to acquire in both bright light and low light, great for both precise shooting and instinctive aiming up close, and immune to sight dot mix-ups, a common weakness of standard white dot iron sights.

At the front and rear, the slide features dynamic angled serrations for optimal slide manipulation and traction in wet weather conditions, not to mention the iconic ZEV Technologies aesthetic. The front features angled ports on either side to reduce weight, and a longer Glock 18C-style port on the top to assist barrel cooling in the real deal. The upper port also lets us get a glimpse of that gorgeous steel outer barrel while the slide is in battery; another hint to onlookers that the OZ9 Ultra is a notch above most GBB pistols.

The sides of the slide are adorned with realistic ZEV OZ9 trademarks, including the OZ9 logo engraved prominently on the left side and the ZEV and OZ9 logos on the right side, on either side of the chamber. The flawless nature of these engravings simply cannot be overstated; it is very rare to see this level of detail on anything but an extremely expensive aftermarket slide kit. To the rear of the chamber, we are also treated to a detailed mock extractor which perfectly matches the real thing, made as a separate part to avoid the telltale signs of a replica.

Just in front of the rear sight, we can take note of the removable plate which conceals an RMR optic compatible cut, allowing RMR footprint red dot sights to be mounted directly, with no need for an aftermarket plate. This not only saves you money, time and hassle sourcing the correct red dot plate, but also keeps your red dot sight mounted closer to the bore for a sleeker look, more intuitive aiming up close and less hassle when it comes to zeroing.

Moving down to the frame, we can see that while it follows a similar layout to Glock/EU series pistols, things have changed quite significantly in the OZ9. Making use of a modular subframe system, similar to the Sig P320, the internal parts of the OZ9 are all installed inside the CNC aluminium subframe, with the polymer grip module installed over the top. This improves strength considerably and makes swapping grip modules a piece of cake, with no need to mess around with the trigger or hammer group parts.

At the front of the frame, we can find a true 20mm Picatinny rail, machined as part of the modular subframe to ensure zero is true with a laser aiming device. Being true Picatinny spec, this rail can accept a wide variety of tactical flashlights, laser aiming modules and more, without the need for adapters to provide a tight fit like a standard Glock/EU style rail would require. On the left side of the frame rail, we can find "OZ9" precisely engraved, with your unique serial number on the right side. The "Ultra" version of PTS's OZ9 is a limited run and extremely rare in the UK, with each pistol marked individually to make the owners' experience that much more special.

Moving rearwards, we come to the polymer grip module, featuring crackle texture index points on each side, giving your finger somewhere safe and grippy to take a rest between shots. The trigger guard itself is considerably reprofiled, featuring a smooth front face for maximum flashlight compatibility and undercuts to encourage a high grip for better recoil control under rapid fire. The trigger itself is a unique ZEV design which pairs perfectly with the ultra-modern, dynamic look of the pistol overall, featuring a flat face for rapid double taps.

Above the trigger, we can see a small catch on the exposed section of the subframe on either side of the OZ9. This is the disassembly catch and can be used to field strip the pistol for maintenance. To remove the slide, simply remove the magazine, cock the slide, pull down the disassembly catches on either side and push the slide forward to remove it from the frame.

With the slide removed, you can now access the OZ9 Ultra's adjustable HOP-up unit, which can be used to apply backspin to your BBs, extending their range. The dial can be turned to apply additional HOP effect and can be tuned to your chosen BB weight to extend the effective range. The pre-installed HOP-up bucking is an upgraded 70-degree purple bucking, ensuring you can lift heavier BBs than the average pistol with enhanced accuracy potential thanks to the pre-installed 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel.

The pistol grip of the OZ9 absolutely lives up to its real steel reputation, being far more comfortable than a standard Glock/EU series with a more vertical grip angle similar to a Hi-Capa or 1911 pistol. The sides feature a thumb groove to encourage consistent indexing and hand positioning, which translates directly to accuracy downrange. Crackle-textured panels are present on all sides, with a subtle middle finger ridge just below the trigger guard to further encourage a consistent hand position each time the OZ9 is drawn.

By default, the magazine release is on the left side of the pistol, a unique ZEV design with a ball-textured surface, pairing well with the dimpled outer barrel and slide rear plate for a consistent aesthetic across this beautifully designed pistol. The mag release is also slightly raised, but not too much, providing quick access in the thick of it without risking inadvertent magazine drops. The party trick of the OZ9 mag release is its ability to be swapped from the left to the right, ideal for left-handed shooters wanting an easier time running their sidearm.

The base of the grip features a port on either side, designed to allow a pistol retention lanyard or flared magazine well to be added. We haven't yet tested the compatibility of magwell extensions, but adding a lanyard is a sure way to ensure that if you go for a crawl in the woods, your posh PTS pistol doesn't disappear into the leaf litter, never to be seen again. The grip also features an extended beavertail at the rear to prevent "slide bite" and encourage a consistent grip, along with a built-in magazine well flare to help guide your magazine in during an "eyes-up" reload on the move.

Inside the OZ9 Ultra, we are treated to a CNC-machined aluminium hammer housing with certain hammer group components also made using CNC technology, resulting in precise engagement surfaces for a more premium feel. The reinforced hammer housing also provides extra strength, ensuring this essential part will never fail under normal use. 

The slide lock/release catch is made from steel to guarantee that this high-wear component stays reliable in the long term, and the frame rails on which the slide travels are lengthened to enhance slide efficiency and cyclic speed. The pre-installed 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel enhances accuracy potential considerably, especially paired with the upgraded purple 70-degree HOP-up bucking. 

If you're looking for a pistol with maxed-out realism and build quality, the PTS Syndicate ZEV OZ9 Elite GBB Pistol; Ultra Version ticks both boxes. Made to a phenomenal standard with exquisite engraved trademarks, rock-solid reinforced internals and impressive downrange effect, the OZ9 Elite Ultra Version ain't your everyday GBB pistol!

Features

• Licensed by ZEV Technologies via PTS - Licensed trademarks across the design
• CNC 6000 Aluminium slide & sub frame - Incredible machining quality
• Dimpled steel outer barrel - Detailed mock rifling at the tip
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• High-density polymer grip module - Refined grip angle for improved comfort
• RMR Footprint Slide cut - Ready for an RMR footprint red dot sight
• Light-enhancing front sight with anti-glare rear sight - Modern sights, great for fast aiming
• Front & rear slide serrations - Dynamic angled serrations for easy racking from the front or rear
• Ported slide - Ports on the sides and top reduce weight and look fantastic
• 20mm Picatinny frame rail - True Picatinny spec, add a tactical flashlight or laser aiming module
• Trigger guard undercuts - Encourages a high grip for better recoil control
• Extended magazine release - Easy "eyes up" reloads under pressure
• Left/right swappable magazine release - Ideal for left or right-handed shooters
• Rear lanyard loop - Add a Pistol Retention Lanyard so your pistol never goes missing
• Compatible red dot sights:
  • Olight Osight X Micro Red Dot Sight
  • AIM-O SRS Airsoft Red Dot Sight
  • T-Eagle Miniature Red Dot Sight
  • Holosun HS407C X2 Micro Red Dot Sight; Solar Panel
• Compatible with Tokyo Marui pattern EU17 Gen.3/4 GBB magazines

Package Includes

• PTS Syndicate ZEV OZ9 Elite GBB Pistol; Ultra Version
  • 25rnd EU Series Green Gas Magazine with PTS Shock Plate
  • Screw set