Zion Arms R15 MOD.1 M4/AR-15 AEG; Long Handguard

If the usual AR aesthetic bores you, the R15 from Zion Arms should get you drooling! This M4/AR-15 AEG is based on the real world R&D Precision PW9 but in 5.56 flavour so you can take advantage of the ever-available M4/AR-15 AEG magazine type. Constructed primarily from CNC machined 7075 T6 aluminium with high density polymer furniture, the R15 is built like a tank but weighs a mere 2.1kg, making it perfect for an aggressive, fast moving playstyle.

On the inside, the R15 is similarly awesome, rocking the Zion Arms Nebula ETU/MOSFET which allows you to program the fire controls for burst mode, binary trigger and semi automatic only, opening up potential for a DMR build down the line. To back the Nebula up, we are treated to a 19K high speed motor and 6.03mm tightbore inner barrel, leaving you little left to upgrade!

Starting at the front, we can find the seriously aggressive looking multi-port muzzle brake which is square in profile for that ultra modern aesthetic. The brake sits slightly recessed into the handguard for a clean, integral look and matches well with the handguard's weight-reducing vent ports which are cut at the same angle as the ports on the brake. If you plan to kit your R15 out with a tracer unit for CQB instinct aiming or a suppressor for the sneaky look we are happy to report that this is easily done thanks to the 14mm CCW male threads at the tip of the 10-inch outer barrel.

The handguard is 10.5 inches in overall length and is a hybrid handguard with a 20mm Picatinny rail on its upper surface and M-LOK negative space attachment slots at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions. This means plenty of room for mounting accessories with reduced overall weight, leaning into the high speed nature of the R15 design. The handguard has M-LOK slots on either side and the bottom, ready for M-LOK accessories or 20mm Picatinny rail adapters and also features a QD sling socket on either side, allowing for a quick detach sling setup to be used by adding QD sling swivels.

Next up, we reach the receiver which is constructed from CNC machined 7075 T6 aluminium, offering more strength than practically any other Airsoft receiver. If you are looking for a primary you can be rough with, this one should be able to take more than its fair share of bumps and scrapes! The receiver design is based on real steel "billet" AR receivers and has weight-reducing grooves across the design to remove excess material as well as stylish angled cutouts to match the handguard ports and muzzle brake vents. The layout of the controls is the same as an M4/AR-15 platform, making for an easy transition for those who are already accustomed to AR ergonomics.

The lower receiver also has gripping texture machined into the bottom rear of the magwell on either side. This texture makes for a perfect index point for your trigger finger between shots, allowing you to safely and professionally handle the R15 with the added assurance that your trigger finger is very unlikely to slip onto the trigger and cause an ND.

On the left side of the magazine well, we are treated to flawlessly engraved Zion Arms trademarks which are discrete and professional looking, just like those found on real AR-15 and AR9 rifles. The right side of the handguard also boasts licenced trademarks from R&D Precision, manufacturers of the real steel R15. The whole vibe of the R15 is tidy and professional, giving it a "means business" look which would fit in well with any PSD, PMC or civilian tactical loadout.

The magazine release is enlarged and is also weight-reduced, located on the right side of the magazine well, easily within reach of the trigger finger when the rifle is held in a firing grip. The surface of the magazine release is serrated via the weight-reducing cuts, guaranteeing you won't miss the mag release during an urgent reload in wet conditions. The mock bolt release catch is over on the left side, in the centre of the receiver, and has similar weight-reducing cuts, matching the angle of the cuts and ports across the R15 for a completed look. The charging handle is at the top rear of the receiver and has an extended latch, meaning quicker and easier HOP-up unit adjustments mid-game.

The bolt release catch of the R15 is functional, in that it allows you to release the mock bolt carrier following HOP-up adjustment. To adjust the HOP-up, simply pull the charging handle rearwards to lock the mock bolt back, exposing the rotary HOP-up adjuster inside the ejection port. The rotary HOP-up design is the latest for the M4/AR-15 platform and builds on the older gear adjuster system by providing finer adjustment increments and holding its setting more effectively over the long term. With your HOP-up adjusted for the flattest trajectory possible with your chosen BB weight, slap the bolt catch on the left side to send the mock bolt home with a satisfying "clack".

The fire selector switch is a modernised design which is slightly higher profile, complete with grip-enhancing grooves for improved wet weather performance and more positive fire selector manipulation. The selector offers 3 modes of fire; Safe, semi-automatic and fully automatic, with a 90-degree throw between each mode of fire. The fire selector can also be programmed for burst modes of various durations thanks to the pre-installed Zion Arms Nebula ETU/MOSFET. If you need information on how to program burst modes into the Nebula, click here.

The pistol grip is a modernised design with a reduced grip angle and filled out backstrap, patterned after the best of the best in real steel AR grips. With linear texture on the front and back straps and crackle texture on each side, this grip gives you the best chance to avoid throwing your primary when your hands are muddy or wet. The modern pistol grip pairs well with the enlarged KAC style trigger guard, allowing plenty of room for full-finger gloves and fast access to the flat "speed" trigger.

At the rear of the receiver, we come to the steel CQD style ambidextrous sling plate which fits between the rear of the receiver and the buffer tube. This allows single-point slings to be mounted easily on either the left or right side if you prefer that to the QD sling sockets on the handguard and stock. The R15 is certainly light enough to be used effectively on a single-point bungee sling, even the long barrel/handguard version, tipping the scales at a minuscule 2.1 kg despite its full metal construction.

Following the sling plate we come to the 6-position M4/AR-15 buffer tube; a familiar sight to most! The buffer tube offers 6 positions of adjustment for the A-frame stock, allowing the R15 to be set up to suit any body type, loadout or shooting stance in mere seconds. The adjustment lever is well concealed inside the A-frame of the stock, meaning no chance of it getting snagged on your sling and inhibiting your gameplay. On either side of the stock, we have a QD sling socket, ready for QD sling swivels whenever you are, and an additional sling slot for conventional slings or homemade paracord sling mounting solutions.

The buffer tube is constructed from aluminium and also serves as the battery compartment of the R15. To access the compartment, simply pull the adjustment pin of the stock all the way out (it's quite hard, we found the easiest way is to grab the two metal protrusions on each side and pull upwards with the gun inverted). With this done, the stock can be slid all the way off the rear of the buffer tube. Inside you will see the wiring and a Deans battery connector to which you mount your chosen battery. We recommend an 11.1V 1300mAh LiPo battery in stick configuration to take pure advantage of the Nebula ETU and its high performance with 11.1V LiPos.

The R15 is considerably pre-upgraded on the inside, rivalling established platforms like the Specna Arms EDGE 2.0 line with its high end feature set. As mentioned, the Zion Arms Nebula ETU/MOSFET takes pride of place inside, offering the ability to program the trigger for burst modes of various lengths, binary trigger and semi only mode for DMR use. The spring guide allows for quick spring changes without opening the gearbox shell and is mounted on ball bearings to prolong its life and reduce rotational force transferred to the gearbox shell.

The Nebula is paired with 8mm ball bearing bushings for smooth, friction-free performance and to minimise strain on the gearbox shell. The steel gears have an 18:1 ratio and the motor is a 19k RPM high speed motor which uses neodymium magnets, promising a high rate of fire and near-instant trigger response, especially when used with an 11.1V LiPo. With this level of pre-upgraded parts, the Zion Arms R15 can contend with the best out-of-the-box M4/AR-15 AEGs on the market.

With pre-upgraded internals rivalled only by the best and unique yet familiar external styling, the R15 is the perfect platform for those who are sick and tried of the usual M4 receiver shape or those who want to start off their skirmishing life with a real head-turner of a custom AR. If you have an eye for ultra-modern M4/AR-15 platforms, the Zion Arms R15 is cutting-edge, both on the outside and within!

Features

• Full metal construction
• 6.03mm Tightbore inner barrel - Superb accuracy potential
• 14mm CCW Male threaded outer barrel - Ready for tracer units or suppressors
• Super aggressive muzzle brake pre-installed - Looks positively terrifying!
• Zion Arms Nebula MOSFET/ETU pre-installed - Burst mode programming instructions here
• 11.1V LiPo ready - Insane ROF & trigger response!
• Rotary adjustable HOP-up unit - Holds its setting well during full auto fire
• CNC 7075 T6 Aluminium handguard & receiver - Rock solid and super lightweight
• 20mm Picatinny/M-LOK hybrid handguard - 20mm Picatinny rail at 12 o'clock, M-LOK at 3 & 9
• Built-in angled foregrip & hand stop - Comfortable to hold straight out of the box
• QD Sling sockets on either side of the handguard & stock - Set up a two-point QD sling with QD sling swivels
• Uniquely designed receiver - Weight reduction throughout, extended controls and slick sides for reduced snags
• Extended charging handle - Easy access to the HOP-up unit with or without gloves
• Flat trigger with an enlarged trigger guard - Easy to double tap, fast access when the adrenaline is pumping
• Ambidextrous CQD style sling plate - Steel construction, use a single-point sling from the left or right side
• Ergonomic pistol grip with reduced grip angle - Perfect for modern shooting stances and CQB
• Enlarged magazine release - Easy to find and very grippy thanks to its serrated surface
• Functional mock bolt hold open/release - Drop the mock bolt with the bolt catch following HOP-up adjustment
• 6-position M4/AR-15 buffer tube - Adjust the stock to suit any body type, compatible with M4/AR-15 stocks
• A-Frame stock design - Reduced snag potential thanks to the design protecting the adjustment lever
• Rear wired: Deans T-Plug battery connector - Lower resistance, stronger connector & smaller than mini-Tamiya
• Compatible with M4/AR-15 AEG Magazines - Easy to find, loads of options & cheap!
• Recommended battery: 11.1V 1300mAh LiPo Stick Battery with Deans connector

Package Includes

• Zion Arms R15 MOD.1 M4/AR-15 AEG; Long Handguard
• 120rnd Mid-cap magazine
• Speed Loader
• Cleaning Rod
• PVC Patch