IWI Zion Full Size and Pistol overview

The IWI is one of my favorite ARs in production! Please let me know what you prefer, let me know if you like or dislike the video in the comments as Im always looking for areas to refine in my videos!
PS: yes, my daughter can be heard screaming in the back ground so the slight glitch wasnt an edit, I had paused the video to put a new movie on for her!
Thank you all. Please like/subscribe! Also send some ideas for other videos! Always looking for ways of engagement!

[@mdselmer4249]

Bought the 16” earlier this year. Got about a thousand rounds through with zero malfunctions. I think this is a “budget” gun with the quality of a mid priced rifle. All it needed for me was a red dot, light, sling, and probably an ambi charging handle soon.

[@1911customz]

Honestly, the only thing ive planned to swap was the charging handle, possibly one of the radian raptor line. Also, a 22 conv kit it awsome as well! Here soon Ill probably do a quick overview on the .22 kits for the AR platform.

[@dajuicemann17]

By far better than most known brands

[@1911customz]

For sure!

[@VB6000.]

Just put the Z15Tac12 on layaway. I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for the review.

[@1911customz]

Thank you! Im sure youll enjoy it

[@kevo875k]

I bought a 16" couple months back.. wish more people knew how amazing an iwi really is..

[@1911customz]

For sure! I never really saw a burst of videos like with most gun releases, but this one was an exciting time for me. Comming off their Jericho line, I was ready to see what else they would be able to bring to the table.

[@1911customz]

But in saying that, the only time I wish people DIDNT know how good a brand was, was when they became hard to find Haha

[@kevo875k]

@@1911customz very true.. I actually haven't seen one locally since they sold out..not even a mention of one🤣🤣so I feel honored

[@1911customz]

@@kevo875k yea, I think they are mainly able to be ordered online, most retailers seem to stick with some of the more "well known" brands

[@Being_Joe]

This is one of my top contenders for first AR. I should pick one up before they go up in price.

[@sparta0204]

I'm waiting for a 12.5 which should arrive soon at the gunsmiths. It would be , at the end, looks like yours with an Eotech and a magnifier :-) Great video full of explains, thank you for that ! Greetings from France.

[@markruohonen9542]

Looking to pick up a IWI Zion 12.5 inch pistol. Good review & good pertinent information. Subscribed!!!

[@1911customz]

You will not regret the buy! It is amazing for the price and shoots as smooth as alot of the Higher brands. The main comparison I did when I worked at the department was along side a Daniel Defence about 700 price gap. The way I look at it, thats 700 I could put in optics, irons, and additions. Also, I hope my content will maintain your suscription over time! Thank you again!

[@KingSavvyOfficial]

@@1911customzdo you prefer the 12.5 or 16 for a if shit hits the fan scenario

[@1911customz]

@@KingSavvyOfficial 12.5 if I had to grab and go, accuracy is about par with a 16". As stated in another video "barrel lengths" of mine, the 12.5 is the shortest barrel that doesnt loose alot of fps, as compared to the shorter choices of barrel

[@jojoupton]

The stock is a B5 Systems Enhanced Sopmod. Great stock. I also had both of these set ups. Love IWI. Barker proven brand. Most underrated ar platform in my opinion. Unfortunately I had to sell one and I decided to keep the 12.5”. But I miss my 16” terribly. I will get another whenever I’m able. I’m shocked more people still aren’t talking about these. They come with specs that $12-1500 rifles come with. 1-8 twist. Heavy barrel. Chrome moly 🤌 full top pic rail and ask around m lok. I dropped a Geiselle trigger in and an Eotech dot + magnifier set. Goonbeam light. Love it

[@1911customz]

Yes! For some reason both just seem right for their own purposes. But the 16 feels like a solid rifle for sure, i love plinking with it

[@imafunkyman]

Great review. I'm a big fan of IWI already. I'll be picking up a 16" soon. Subbed.

[@1911customz]

Thank you sir! Look at the .22 ar conversion video as well, its a decent conversion and for the money, its nice to be able to have a multi-caliber firearm any day

[@jojoupton]

And the brace is an SB tactical. One of the best you can get.

[@1911customz]

Careful with that Bword lol! People may go nuts. But yes I agree great quality

[@MrMurknem]

Have both Zions 16 and 12.5. I also prefer the 12.5.

[@KingSavvyOfficial]

The 12.5 doesn’t come with a brace anymore ?

[@heembuck2157]

I love mine, I added a rise armament 535 trigger, ambi charging handle & a epsilon mussle break

[@1911customz]

Yea for the money they are solid rifles

[@samspade5850]

Well stated sir. Thank you for the quality content. Appreciate your perspective on barrel lengths.

[@1911customz]

Hopefully it aided you in some way, reguardless of the new brace regulations

[@duran2085]

Great video brother! I love the Z15

[@mikekillin1860]

I want one so bad good video

[@1911customz]

Definatly worth it! And thank you!

[@keyantwilliams]

Great video my brother. I subbed to support what you're doing. #loveiwi

[@1911customz]

Thank you very much! If theres ever anything you may be interested in, comment some of the ideas or interests, and I can do my best to add that to the channel!

[@GreatWhiteStud]

Iwi are great

[@1911customz]

Highly agree!

[@whisper8742]

This was actually pretty unbiased. So it's all milspec and the parts compatibility are such?

[@1911customz]

@@whisper8742 yep, everything across the board, really the main difference that sets them apart is the amount of testing that they put into their firearms compared to other similar brands

[@mattdaniel2395]

I like the 25 cent trigger job comment lol. Great content keep it up.

[@alainoliva4880]

Hi, I’m from miami, where can I buy 12.5” zion? Thank’s for the video.

[@1911customz]

Check your nearest sporting goods store or firearms dealer and if they are unable to locate one, check online for availability, once you find one you would send it to a ffl holder (ie: one of those stores/dealers)

[@Dukenukem777]

PJAmmo up in Pompano has a steady stream of them

[@ogwalkonwater1562]

I just got the 12.5 version Haven’t had a chance to run it yet Considering a lpvo with a 45 degree red dot

[@1911customz]

Yea wouldnt be a bad setup. If youve never tried a holo sight with a power optic, theyre not bad, though I have used variable optics like a 1-6x and just make sure you have an option of having a reticle light, if you do then you wont have any need for a red dot. Turn light on, and at 1x you have your dot, and zoom in for your holds. Granted I prefer first focal plane BECAUSE if you have to use it, and your at 1x 2x 3x 4x 5x or 6x your ranges wont change, if you have a second focal plane then you cant really use any of the in-between powers because those hold marks are going to represent different ranges, so long story short, on a 2nd focal plane, you would only be able to use 1x for red dot and 6x for all the hold over ranges....it is basically the same as my set holo with a power optic

[@ogwalkonwater1562]

We are thinking the same.. I was looking into the Swampfox arrowhead. It’s a 1x10 lpvo with a lighted reticle.. Our on difference in thought pattern was I was going to keep it on 10 power because it is second focal plane and use the red dot for closure engagements. I feel the red dot would be a faster acquisition than turn the lever from 1 to 10 What’s your thoughts on that??

[@1911customz]

@@ogwalkonwater1562 the one thing I forgot to add, was between the zoom ranges the center dot never changes the range, so if you sight it in at 50yds, that center will always be 50, but the dope for all the hold overs change. BUT over all thats not a bad idea, but I would err caution to lpvos that are 10 power. Very few have crisp glass on x10. If you have no experience with those optics Id recomend going x4 or x6. Even the sniper brand make decent lpvo when dealing with low magnification. Id rather take low mag, good quality and great field of view than high mag with low quality and smaller field of view. Like a x14 to x18 is a good 500 yd magnification for most cases, so cut that avg in half, a x6 or x8 is a good 250 to 300 max with a steady hand. Honestly its all prefrence

[@ogwalkonwater1562]

Good info to know..going to look into the sniper brand you mentioned Sounds like i might headed back to the drawing board

[@1911customz]

@@ogwalkonwater1562 the sniper brand is the.....idk....walmart, costco, dollar general brand of scopes....BUT they have a decent warranty, its essentially a US Company that buys chineese scopes, put their brand on them, and sells them. When it brakes and you warranty send it in, they basicly send a new one more or less. Almost what vortex does with some of their lower end scopes. But sooner or later I may throw that scope in a video, not 100% sure just yet

[@bloodsweatsteel914]

I am having a real hard time picking one of these. I have been researching as much as I can. I am trying to get an AR before they can be banned (even though many say HR 1808 won't pass the Senate). I have never shot one, and I don't have the money to spend on ammo, rental, and range fees to try them. I just barely have enough to get one of these before they are possibly banned. So I have come across all the typical pros and cons of each, many of which you talked about. I'd like to ask if the noise and flash is largely different between the two? The answer is always different depending where I read, and the ammo used of course. I would just have to use the best value ammo personally, same reason I am going to get one of these 2 IWI Zion choices as they are the best value. Is the shooting comfort largely different when shouldering the brace vs the stock?

[@1911customz]

Idk if it helps BUT, MY perfect combo would be the pistol with the full size butt stock. If you only had one and keep shots under 200 yds the pistol would be perfect. I got 2 basicly because it allowed for extra parts. Best value is full size, but a little more gives you the pistol. I did a video on barrel length, if you dont mind you could look on why I think the 12.5 is best of both worlds.BUT If you plan on distance shots more than cqb Id go full length

[@1911customz]

Also if you didnt get the gyst of the stock swap, I firmly believe the full size is more comfortable to shoulder, and ease of shooting is the same across the board. In terms of concussion, it all boils down to the comp choice.

[@bloodsweatsteel914]

@@1911customz Thank you for the reply. Yes it certainly does help. I'm very much a beginner so I don't have enough knowledge to make a decision so your help is much needed and appreciated. Yeah it seems putting a stock on the 12.5 is preferred, but that makes it an SBR which is an NFA item and requires $200 application fee and a year waiting period for approval. But considering I will keep it a long time and you of course can just use it as a pistol in the meantime its a good option. I found your other video, "Best AR Pistol Barrel Length?", watching it now. I'm guessing my shots would be under 200 yards as the only place I can shoot is the range until I know someone with land, I remember watching classic firearms on the ar rifle vs pistol subject and they said you can have your "pistol" loaded while traveling but not the rifle, and he mentioned some issues with crossing state lines with and SBR vs ar pistol vs rifle. I think he said you need to ask permission to cross state lines with an SBR. Anyway, just mentioning it, not a big issue. Thank you for the help and review

[@1911customz]

@@bloodsweatsteel914 you could always start with the pistol, and when you get enough money, just buy the upper and then later the stock. Then later on buy a second lower and then you have both. If they ever do away with the NFA, the the 12.5 with stock would be my one and only go to AR I feel like. But yes, thank you for your comment as well!

[@jasonlupo4117]

Another reviewer mentioned that the barrel heats up quickly, and that sounded like the biggest drawback. Have you had that problem, and if so, to what extent? How does it compare in this regard to some other rifles that you have experience with?

[@1911customz]

I have not noticed any over heating issues, nor accuracy changes after extended fire. Possibly the reviewer was using dirty ammo or over pressured ammo? Unsure honestly, but I would still sell a Daniel Defence to buy some more iwi's. Using them strictly as a Leo I put at least 1500 to 2500 rounds with 50 shot courses and never had issues

[@jasonlupo4117]

@@1911customz Thanks for the reply! The reviewer I am referring to said that he reached his preliminary conclusion after 100 rounds fired in a single session at a few different distances, but it's hard to say how much time he spent from first shot to last because the video was cut to show only the more interesting parts. He does mention his ammo at one point. If you don't mind me linking the video, you can see what I saw. It's only about ten minutes long.

[@1911customz]

Sure! By all means, Ill take a look!

[@jasonlupo4117]

@@1911customz Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYnPlWesl6-Bick The points where he mentions the heat issue are at 7:15 and 8:45, though I'm sure the rest of the video would be good for context. It seemed like he had a very favorable opinion of it overall, which is a large part of the reason I am interested in whether this issue might be minor or avoidable.

[@1911customz]

@@jasonlupo4117 from what is sounded like he was meaning the first time was heat mirrage he was visually seeing inside the optic, which may be a nod to the quality of the optic? Unsure, but there are ways to tune a rifle to a particular ammo and also depending on your rate of fire will play in effect on how much your barrel will heat up, though with that said, all barrels will create a heat mirage, just depends on rate of fire and how pressured the rounds are. With all that being said you can swap the forend out or add different attachments to more or less "guide" the direction of the heat disspursion. If you take note as well, I usually hold mine via the magwell grip which is probably why I never experience heat issues

[@jonah8133]

for the Zion rifle 16", what are your thoughts running it suppressed despite the fixed gas block?

[@1911customz]

Ive had no issues the few times I tried a can, but ive seen alot of people change the buffer spring to adjust if there is a cycle issue with a non adjustable gas block. It would just need a bath depending on how big of a can you use and how much back pressure it creates

[@jonah8133]

@@1911customz Great to know you didn't have any issues. Thanks man!

[@1911customz]

@@jonah8133 anytime! Thank younfor taking the time to comment and ask something! If you end up getting one and running it, let me know how it goes!

[@jonah8133]

@@1911customz Absolutely I will! It'll be a while till I get the suppressor but I will 100% let you know

[@1911customz]

@@jonah8133 thank you! Looking forward to it!

[@Allenmar73]

Are these 100% mil-spec parts interchangeable?

[@1911customz]

I may of misunderstand your question, but, Yes, milspec, to the point, is essentially a generic measurement, so when a part is refrenced as milspec, it will fit all milspec firearms (ARs for example). If an item is refrenced as proprietary then you need brand specific parts. Iwi does follow milspec measurements

[@Allenmar73]

@@1911customz ... Thanks. Some manufacturer's lowers I know use different trigger pin sizes and some use commercial spec stuff. I was wondering because they like to hide the details.

[@1911customz]

@@Allenmar73 well thankfully iwi seems 100% open on their layout and manufacturing procedures

[@jacksoncarswell2888]

I can not for the life of me determine if I want the 12.5 or 16 inch z15!!! I’m not a huge fan of a pistol brace which is the biggest drawback for me when it comes to the 12.5 in.

[@1911customz]

Honestly, it depends on what your plans are for the AR. If your planning on alot of long range and more "safe queen" time when its at home, go 16". If you plan on utulizing it at home, hunting and everywhere else the 12.5 is amazing. They do still make a piece to go in the brace for "storage" to make sure the rubber remains sturdy, but honestly whenever it is shouldered it isnt that noticable, 99.9% of the time you shoulder it right behind the buffer tube which is stury as it is. Worst come to worst, buy the 12.5, then buy a 16" upper and an actual stock, right now that should run maybe 3 to 400, and just rotate the lower out. Or buy both, and if the wife asks why, just say it was cheaper buying a whole gun to keep as backup parts. When I was priceing them out, parts were equal to the total of the 16". 12.5=850×/- and the 16=700-750+/-. But a side note, if you like long range shooting, you will fall in love with the 16", hands down, they did it right when they went with the stock they put on there. As Ive said before. I would gladly buy another 16" just for the stock.

[@1911customz]

Also, if you havnt, look at the video for barrel lengths, its not a bad explination, I tried to lay everything out evenly and defend the different lengths. So if barrel performamce is kind of there in the back of your mind. You can give that video a quick look and they may give a little more reenforcement to help your decision process

[@jacksoncarswell2888]

@@1911customz ​ Gotch, this is actually extremely helpful, and I appreciate the detailed response. I really like the idea of getting the 12.5 and then maybe shortly after buying a 16.

[@1911customz]

@@jacksoncarswell2888 thank you sir. Many people are going to be budget oriented and with me being in that boat im sure you will end up with both, just will take a little time occasionally! But if you have any more questions keep throwing them in the comments! I enjoy taking the time to respond

[@Rob-qr2kn]

Get 'em both dude ! thats my plan. I have the 12.5 and soon will be getting the 16"

[@buddy9577]

Time to take the brace off.