ZEV Tech OZ9V2 Fight: Constructing a Higher Pistol

The ZEV Tech OZ9V2 Fight is a superb start line for a defensive pistol construct, however there’s at all times room for enchancment. That’s why I added a Trijicon SRO, SureFire X300U-A, Safariland ALS holster, and a few True North Ideas goodies to my setup.

When issues get ugly, consciousness, avoidance, de-escalation, and getting away from a scenario ought to at all times be your first line of response. However when none of these choices are on the desk, you continue to need your defensive setup to be available, with out drawing consideration to it or compromising your mobility.

As a substitute of reaching for the plate service or chest rig, contemplate a quick-reaction belt. Inside a car, round numerous individuals, or transferring by conditions the place you don’t need to seem like you’re prepared to begin a warfare, a belt will nonetheless get you the package you want with out turning you right into a strolling gear locker. And simply as necessary because the gear itself, is ensuring that belt additionally elements in what occurs after the speedy risk is handled.

That’s why I added a tourniquet subsequent to my Safariland ALS holster. It solely takes up somewhat little bit of area, doesn’t get in the way in which, and nonetheless retains that vital piece of medical gear prepared and accessible, assuming you’ve practiced with it, for myself or another person.

However don’t get me fallacious. This isn’t about packing on as a lot gear as doable. If a chunk of package isn’t fixing an issue for me, it doesn’t deserve a spot on my belt.

ZEV Tech OZ9V2 Fight

Customized polymer-framed 9mms are hardly novel, however what units the profitable firms other than people who aren’t round anymore? In our totally explored world of handguns, true improvements are uncommon. Progress is commonly within the little issues, determining the minutia of what makes a handgun a greater platform to shoot, customise, and carry.

ZEV Tech hasn’t tried to persuade you it has some revolutionary innovation. As a substitute, the corporate has taken some of the well-known handgun platforms there’s and improved it. Working example, the OZ9V2 Fight. It features a windowless OZ9V2 Fight slide, PRO match barrel, PRO Curved Face Set off, and makes use of a Glock-compatible journal. The slide makes use of a Gen5 Glock barrel and inside elements, however with a Gen3-style recoil system. The OZ9V2 Fight is on the market with a FDE slide and grip, and might be ordered as a Full-Dimension, Compact, or Compact X.

Every mannequin has the identical primary idea, simply with totally different slide/grip size combos. As an example, the Compact X has the usual compact-size receiver, however makes use of ZEV’s longer X grip for extra gun in your hand with out the slide size and added weight. The Full-Dimension has an extended V2 slide and barrel. You possibly can most likely record out all of the doable combos, however right here’s the rub.

The OZ9V2 makes use of a compact metal receiver as its serialized element slightly than the polymer body. The receiver accommodates the set off and locking block, with the polymer body attaching round it. It makes use of a single pin to safe the body, so it may be swapped with no different disassembly required. There are totally different colours and sizes, however once more, it’s not the variety of doable combos I’m most considering, however the truth that you’re now not caught along with your configuration.

The metal receiver isn’t only for modularity, both. It offers ZEV a stable basis on which to mount the slide, which the corporate claims leads to much less vibration and channels recoil by the receiver and body. And I’ll attest, capturing the OZ9V2, you’ll be able to actually really feel the distinction. The grip positions your hand larger and farther ahead on the gun, and its up to date angle makes it simple to realize a agency two-handed grip. The sights observe straight and easily. The pistol returns to battery with out combating you, with little wasted movement. Recoil impulse is markedly milder than its polymer-framed friends. It’s nonetheless a 9mm, don’t assume ZEV discovered a method across the legal guidelines of physics, however should you’ve fired these weapons earlier than, you’ll discover.

I’ve shot plenty of polymer-framed 9mms through the years, and I’ve loved loads of them, so take this with the correct quantity of salt, however the OZ9V2 may be my favourite polymer-framed 9mm I’ve shot. And that’s a hell of a basis on which to begin constructing a QRP.

Trijicon SRO

A bigger window isn’t going to treatment inconsistent shows or unhealthy fundamentals, and should you’re having to seek for your dot each time you current, an even bigger piece of glass isn’t essentially the reply. But when you have already got these fundamentals in place, a bigger window may also help you retain your concentrate on goal extra simply. That’s the place the Trijicon SRO actually stands out over one thing just like the RMR, together with its top-loading battery compartment that doesn’t require elimination of the optic to alter the battery.

The Trijicon SRO isn’t something notably new or revolutionary, however that’s seemingly why it has a cult following. That bigger window makes it simple to maintain your concentrate on goal, and mixed with the graceful monitoring of the OZ9V2, makes it simple to trace the dot and are available again on the right track by recoil.

Surefire X300U-A

For my EDC flashlight, I’m not going to stray from a tried and true favourite: the SureFire X300U-A. At 1,000 lumens with a pleasant attain, however nonetheless loads of peripheral gentle, this aluminum unhealthy boy is waterproof and constructed to final. The ambidextrous switches are simple to make use of and its confirmed observe report of sturdiness makes it my go-to for EDC lighting.

Whereas there are many new, and cheaper flashlights to select from nowadays, with regards to my EDC lighting I’m not taking probabilities. I would like my gear to carry out after I want it to, even within the worst of circumstances, and the X300U-A delivers.

Safariland RDS ALS

If there’s one holster I’ve seen in nearly each handgun class, it’s Safariland’s outside-the-waistband choice, lovingly known as “buckets” by yours actually. There’s good purpose for it’s ubiquity: the Computerized Locking System (ALS) holster has been the usual for regulation enforcement and the holster business for good purpose. I’ve seen some extraordinarily expert shooters use them, and I can see why after dealing with one myself. In case you want retention from an OWB holster, buckets ship.

The Safariland 6395RDS is designed for use with a purple dot pistol. As soon as the gun is within the holster, the pistol is retained by Safariland’s Computerized Locking System with out the necessity for a snap or retention strap excessive of the pistol. The lock is launched with a thumb movement that’s integrated into the draw stroke. As soon as defeated, the pistol merely exits the holster with no further motions or retention launch mechanisms to recollect in an already tense scenario.

That is the extent of simplicity and effectiveness I’m after on a quick-reaction rig. I would like my gun retained whereas I’m driving, transferring round, getting out and in of the automotive, sitting down, or coping with any variety of points. However after I attain for my gun, I would like it to return out. The bucket does simply that.

True North Ideas RHPP

In case your belt rig rides too loosely and shifts or strikes all through the day, a superb holster mounted on it nonetheless leads to a awful setup.

This will turn out to be much more obvious when driving in a car for extended durations. The excellent news is that there are inflexible choices accessible that may clear up this downside, just like the Inflexible Holster Platform Patrol, or RHPP, from True North Ideas.

The RHPP is True North’s Patrol-style holster platform constituted of 6061-T6 aluminum. It’s a smaller model of the corporate’s RHP, coming in at 6.25-inches, in comparison with the latter’s 7.5.

True North’s Inflexible Holster Platform Patrol is a smaller model of the corporate’s RHP.

The RHPP mounts to belts as much as 2.25-inches large and is appropriate with QLS and Safariland’s 3-Gap Sample mounting system, amongst others. The RHPP’s curved again supplies a full contact floor towards the belt. {Hardware} can be recessed to restrict snag factors.

The RHPP, nevertheless, can nonetheless be adjusted to search out your most well-liked cant and trip top. As soon as adjusted, although, the RHPP will keep that setting whereas mounted. No extra holster creeping, sliding, or shifting throughout motion or whereas drawing.

True North Ideas TQ Mount

As soon as capturing begins in a violent encounter, the very last thing you need is for it to cease. However when individuals get severely damage, it may. In that case, the main focus wants to instantly shift from neutralizing threats to calling for assist, stabilizing the casualties, and getting them to superior medical therapy.

It doesn’t do you any good to have a tourniquet tucked away in a pack or stashed in your car once you want one, proper then, proper now. That’s why the True North Ideas TQ Mount attaches a tourniquet on to the aspect of your holster, eliminating the necessity for an additional pouch or accent to devour extra of your restricted belt area.

Conserving a TQ comfortable to your holster versus dangling from one other pouch or part of your belt additionally helps keep away from snagging on different gear and retains it accessible with out turning your quick-draw belt right into a medic belt. The TQ Mount is appropriate with fashionable tourniquets just like the CAT Gen 7 and SOF Tourniquet when used with the suitable elastic or inflexible TQ carriers.

But it surely’s simply as necessary to know correctly use a tourniquet as it’s to hold one, so you must pair the fitting instruments with the fitting coaching.

Remaining Ideas on the System

I like a fast response rig as a result of it permits me to maintain issues low-profile and doesn’t require me to deliver alongside each piece of substances I personal to go outdoors of my entrance door.

My fast response rig consists of an OZ9V2, SRO, X300U-A, Safariland holster, True North platform with TQ Mount. The OZ9V2 is a superb performing pistol, SRO supplies a big window to be used with out added complexity, Safariland holster supplies dependable retention with a launch I perceive and belief, the True North platform is inflexible and retains the holster the place I would like it, and the X300U-A supplies dependable illumination when wanted. The TQ Mount permits for fast entry to medical gear with out having to dedicate one other pouch to the platform.

The thought of a fast response rig is to not go overboard and produce alongside extra gear than you want. Every bit of kit in your rig ought to serve a objective. The short response rig I laid out above helps me accomplish my objectives, whereas not getting in the way in which of my main duties. These being, acknowledge a scenario earlier than it will get out of hand, keep away from the scenario if doable, de-escalate the scenario if wanted, and get myself and people I’m answerable for to a safer location. Ought to these choices not be accessible and I’m pressured to take care of a violent risk, my fast response rig permits me to perform my aim with out the added complication of my gear getting in the way in which.

ZEV Tech Fast-Response Construct