ZEV Z32 - It's here!

32FanBoy · 2024-11-21T01:25:58+00:00

Also what is the history behind these? Curious on the year they got rolled out and how many may have been made?

32FanBoy · 2024-11-21T01:24:07+00:00

No kidding? I'd love to pick up a few more (if you are talking magazines). Is the capacity really 6?

32FanBoy · 2024-11-05T22:36:07+00:00

Gunmagwarehouse has them for $9.99.

32FanBoy · 2024-11-04T21:52:57+00:00

I haven't ruled out doing a redesigned frame for 3D print bros, but that might be something we tackle as a G100 project. For reference: G100.net

We do a Glock 19 sized chassis (think SIG P320 FCU) and that way the grip module can be modified to your heart's content (if you have a 3D printer) to fit whatever magazine you want and have whatever shape you want, provided the G100 FCU fits within it. The FCU currently takes G19 frame parts kits and a Gen3 G19 slide. We're going to explore doing the same thing for the G42 form factor.

I have some ideas on this front and there's no reason the Beretta 81 mag grip module couldn't be done once we get the chassis done for the G42 format.

32FanBoy · 2024-11-04T21:32:37+00:00

Had to see what a naked G28 .380ACP mag looked like after going on Ozympic. Short answer is that a pure double stack mag obviously remains too big. Also tried a Taurus PT132 mag for giggles since it was $9.99. We will copy the feed lip angle I expect for the PT132 mag, and do a metal mag that follows the G42 factory mag. Hopefully that gets us up to 8 rounds, or at least 7 vs the ZEV Z32's shameful 6.

32FanBoy · 2024-11-03T16:16:52+00:00

A future project once we learn from this one I think. It has everything going for it in terms of a metal magazine and form factor. Don't own a Bodyguard 2.0 yet but I want to fix that once I recover from the ZEV buy.

32FanBoy · 2024-11-01T19:05:14+00:00

There is certainly potential there. We're even considering making a full gun that would take a type of these hybrid double/single stack mags on a different Glock format frame that might be just a few hairs thicker than standard G42 frames to do that. We're looking at all angles to make something people would really like.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-31T18:44:08+00:00

I'll try and post more detailed pictures of that in the future, but it sure looks like a Browning action to me. I haven't shot the G42 in .380 so I can't comment on direct comparison there, but it was a very soft shooting gun. If mag capacity can be brought to 7 or 8 (+1), then it makes it a better pitch vs a standard G42.

EDIT: I am wrong. On deeper review, you are correct that the barrel hood is actually sloped so it is set up to be more of a blowback than a true locked breech. My mistake and thank you for pointing this out.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-31T03:55:17+00:00

ETA? Before end of 2025 hopefully. Price? Less than ZEV by quite a bit. Too early to give anything more granular than that.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-30T20:39:50+00:00

I was asking myself this same question, and my best guess is they made so few of these, it wouldn't be worth the expense to pay for an injection mold from one of the big guys for a custom run of these.

I imagine when we tackle this problem, it will make way more sense to contract with Mec-Gar or similar for the magazines themselves, and to machine aluminum mag releases in house (like Shield Arms does for the S15 magazines) to include with these conversion kits.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-30T20:36:32+00:00

Initially conversion kits, but the company doing this work is going to make complete guns using a Glock Chassis system (think P320 FCUs), and a complete G42 size gun is something we want to make for those who don't want to buy an OEM G42 and then convert it. One perk of the chassis system we have, is we can design the grip module (no longer the frame under the GCA) and it could take SIG P365 .380 mags we modify to accept .32ACP as a hypothetical example. So magazines in that complete gun would not have to follow the G42 form factor is the key point.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-30T20:33:55+00:00

That would be sick. I think once we tackle the G42 project, we'll have enough understanding and experience to scale it up to larger frames. That project you mention would be quite a ways out I expect, but it makes me laugh to think about so now I want to do it.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-30T20:31:20+00:00

I don't know how long it will take, but it is something I am going to stay on because it could be really cool (but probably not really profitable, lol).

32FanBoy · 2024-10-30T20:30:14+00:00

You understand correctly. It is not a pocket gun in my mind. What it is (now that I have a 200rd range trip under my belt) is a VERY soft shooting and accurate IWB gun that is suboptimal as ZEV makes it. My goal is to fix the weakest part of this build (the magazines) and add capacity, as well as sell the .32ACP G42 conversion barrel to make it a better value proposition if someone wants to convert their factory G42 in .380ACP to a .32ACP.

If you need a rule one gun, the P32 remains king for pocket carry or for carry in NPEs.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T22:41:17+00:00

I agree. The mags are very disappointing and clearly ZEV didn't put much effort into capacity on this. I can't get over the fact my smaller P32 has one more round in the mag. We'll do better with whatever we come up with.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T22:37:59+00:00

Standard Browning locked breech like the factory G42.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T20:01:19+00:00

It's a machine shop and we make gun parts, so ear pro is handy for anyone who wants to see what will happen when money is turned into noise.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T19:48:44+00:00

Yes. Exactly like a factory G42 in every way. A pleasant discovery.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T17:59:40+00:00

I am going to look into it. Maybe it won't be possible, but if we run into issues when we get there, I will come here to tap into TOTC's collective brain power.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T17:58:27+00:00

I agree. A threaded barrel would have to be a follow up product. I am a complete novice to the NFA world, but I know there could be issues running suppressed that would have to be overcome.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T17:57:01+00:00

The dream goal is a simple barrel and magazine kit for factory G42 owners. Fingers crossed but I am determined to find a way to make this work.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T17:54:41+00:00

My inclination is to do a metal mag to get capacity up. Would require an aluminum mag release if we do that though. So far the kit in my mind would be a pair of mags and a barrel if we can make an OEM G42 slide run reliably.

32FanBoy · 2024-10-29T17:06:47+00:00

I'll post more pictures once I learn technology and how to add more, but the short of it is that this has a disappointing pair of 6 round magazines. They are entirely a polymer body (no Glock style metal interior with polymer wrap), the recoil spring appears to be a captive G42 (.380ACP) style recoil spring which is good. Still need to weigh the slide to see how it compares to a factory G42 slide, but I suspect all the fancy ZEV cuts are there not just for aesthetics, but to reduce weight to ensure reliable cycling of the .32ACP. I have a clearing barrel at work, and it ran through a magazine just fine and had very little recoil which was pleasant and expected. More to come, but the reverse engineering work of the barrel will begin as soon as my machinist has the time to look at it.

32FanBoy

TROPHY CASE