While Zenith Firearms got its start importing roller-delayed blowback guns, beginning in late 2022, the company started manufacturing all its firearms in-house at its Virginia factory. Zenith’s first product on the market is the ZF-5, an MP5-style semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger.

The ZF-5 follows the lines of the classic sub gun with its 8.9” barrel, diopter aperture sights, stamped-steel receiver and polymer lower that houses the fire-control unit and has a bilateral safety lever. The cold-hammer-forged barrel has both a three-lug suppressor mount, and its muzzle threaded 1/2 x 28 TPI. The polymer end cap has a swivel for mounting a single point sling. The ZF-5 is offered in seven finish options, including “battlefield brown” and classic all-black, and is supplied with a 30-round metal detachable box magazine.

The ZF-5 “essentials package” includes the pistol and one magazine in a soft carrying case with a MSRP of $1,783. A “premium package” which includes the pistol, three magazines, a sling, flash hider, cleaning kit and a clamp-on optics mount, all packaged in a hard case for $2,376.

The ZF-5 is offered in a premium package that includes extra magazines and other accessories in a hard case. The pictured pistol has a “battlefield brown” finish. Image courtesy of Zenith Firearms.

Zenith is also bringing to the market the ZF-5P (barrel with three-lug mount and threaded muzzle), ZF-5T (threaded muzzle) and ZF-5K (non-threaded muzzle), a series of handguns based on the more compact MP5K. These models have a MSRP for an “essential package” of between $1,797 to $1,849 with premium packages also available.

Zenith is also manufacturing a compact version of the ZF-5. The ZF-5K pictured. Image courtesy of Zenith Firearms.

Zenith also has roller-delayed rifles in 7.62 NATO, 5.56 NATO and 9 mm Luger, along with AR-15-style piston-driven 7.62 and 5.56 mm rifles, in the works for 2024. For more information, visit zenithfirearms.com.

Article by JEREMIAH KNUPP