Zenith Unleashes New ZF-56 AR/HK Hybrid Rifle
Zenith Firearms, a company known for importing the first Turkish-made roller-delayed MP5s, G3s, and HK93 clones into the United States, is bringing something totally new to the market with its ZF-56.Â
True to their nature, the new ZF-56 is a roller-delayed carbine, but that’s where most of the similarities to the HK guns end. This gun is built from the ground up to be an amalgamation of all the best features of the HK guns and America’s favorite rifle – the AR-15.Â
The new Zenith carbine achieves this by heavily utilizing modern gun-building techniques and technologies over the antiquated stamped receiver designs of HK’s roller-delayed guns like the MP5.
So, where the HK93 was built from two stamped steel receives halves welded together, the new ZF-56 is built from an anodized aluminum extrusion.
The ZF-56’s aluminum construction doesn’t just make it lighter than a standard HK93; it also allows the gun to have an integral monolithic optics rail – like a high-end AR-15.
AR15 + HK93 = ZF-56
Despite using aluminum for its receiver, the new ZF is 100% HK under the hood. Though it does do away with some of the more cost-prohibitive design features to make the gun more attractive to new shooters.
For example, instead of using the expensive HK93 rock-and-lock mags, the new ZF-56 utilizes standard AR-15 or STANAG magazines. This drastically reduces the cost of spare magazines while increasing the variety of available options on the market.
One aspect that’s very interesting about the gun is how it utilizes an M4-style stock VIA an adaptor. Though, it looks like the adaptor is held in with two push-pins like traditional HK stocks.Â
Also, notice how the gun lacks a paddle release for the magazines. Instead, it uses a very AR-15-inspired lower with a push-button release. The gun even uses actual AR-15 triggers.Â
Why, and the Downside
Everything about the new ZF-56 carbine is a gunwriters wet dream. It’s quirky, odd and innovative. But because of this, it also carries a steep price tag: $2,700. That while not unreasonable for a custom or even an all-new proprietary design, is very expensive compared to an entry-level AR-15. And this is going to be the biggest hurdle for Zenith to overcome.Â
Additionally, the gun has many potential buyers scratching their heads wondering, “why?”
And that’s fair. Most HK-lovers don’t want a hybrid, they want the real deal. And initially, I too was very confused over why Zenith would make this gun, but then it dawned on me. With the wave of very affordable roller-delayed guns arriving from Turkey, there’s no way an American company can produce a roller-delayed HK93 clone at a competitive price. After all, the labor alone would double the gun’s cost when compared to Turkish firearms.
That said, if Zenith can find a niche for itself in the market by producing hybrid guns, it can definitely do well. And if this gun performs as well as previous guns from Zenith, shooters who invest in one are certainly in for a treat. Zenith just has to prove to these individuals that the juice is worth the squeeze. And hopefully, when some T&E guns arrive in the hands of various reviewers, we’ll find out for ourselves.
More info at Zenith Firearms’ website, including a pre-order link.
Jim is a freelance writer, editor, and videographer for dozens of publications who loves anything and everything guns. While partial to modern military firearms and their civilian counterparts, he holds a special place in his heart for the greatest battle implement ever devised and other WW2 rifles. When he’s not reviewing guns or shooting for fun and competition, Jim can be found hiking and hunting with his wife Kimberly, and their dog Peanut in the South Carolina low country.