The Magpul FMG-9 was a 2008 showstopper that never came to be, until Zev teamed up with Magpul to finally release it as the FDP (Folding Defensive Platform). Available as an SBR or a stockless pistol, this folding platform collapses into a discreet, box-like shape that looks nothing like a gun.
Hit either of the non-reciprocating charging handles, and the FDP snaps from a box to a functional firearm in half a second. It is the fastest-deploying folding gun on the market.
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Under the hood sits a Glock-based Zev pistol slide with a 7-inch barrel. It utilizes full-sized Glock magazines, though it is limited to Magpul 21-rounders if you want the gun to actually fold. Collapsing the unit requires dropping the grip, releasing the rear cheek rest, and latching the top shroud.
Ergonomics are surprisingly intuitive for a folding gun. We get a massive slide lock and a massive manual safety. The magazine release is straight off any Glock and easy to use.
I started with the integrated iron sights on the carry handle, but even with the windage maxed out, it shot several inches right at 15 yards. I swapped the carry handle for a pistol red dot on a high riser.
The red dot made a huge distance. At 15 yards, it punched single-hole groups; at 100 yards, it rang steel with ease. Muzzle rise is virtually nonexistent, making sub-2-second Bill Drills from the low eady easy.
Unfortunately, the platform was plagued by constant failures to eject across 115-, 124-, and 147-grain loads, averaging one malfunction per magazine. The chassis ejection window is simply too small, trapping brass against the polymer. Compounding this, the rear folding hinge repeatedly bit the webbing of my thumb, eventually breaking the skin.
The Zev FDP is high innovative , but its reliability issues means it cannot be recommended for defensive bag-gun use. It remains an absolute blast on the square range, but until the ejection issues are ironed out, it is strictly a range toy.
