IWI Zion-15

The IWI US Zion-15 is an AR-15–style rifle assembled in Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania by IWI US, originally released in 2020. Marketed at a competitively low price, it is considered to be a budget or entry level rifle designed for American consumers optimized for home defense or competition, chambered in 5.56 NATO.^[2]

Zion-15
Type	AR-15
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	IWI US
Produced	2020-present
Specifications
Mass	6.9 lbs without magazine[1]
Length	33 inches (stock collapsed) 36.25 inches (stock extended)
Barrel length	16 inches
Caliber	5.56×45mm NATO
Action	Direct impingement
Feed system	30-round detachable STANAG magazine

The rifle has received numerous accolades for its value.^[3]

Design

The Zion-15 is IWI's first M4-styled modern sporting rifle. It uses a direct impingement gas system, has a 16-inch barrel with a 1:8 inch twist, has a 15-inch free-floated handguard with M-LOK attachment points, and an adjustable stock, while the upper receiver has a Picatinny top rail.^[4]

According to IWI, the Zion-15 has an accuracy of 1 MOA or less; it was tested for over 10,000 rounds with no significant degradation to accuracy.^[5]

Zion-15 pistol

IWI US introduced the Zion-15 Pistol (designated the “Z15TAC12”) alongside the Zion-15 rifle in 2020. It comes with a 12.5-inch 4150 chrome moly vanadium HB barrel with a 6-groove, 1-in-8 RH twist, an 11.5-inch free float handguard, an adjustable SB Tactical SBA3 stabilizing brace, and a B5 Systems grip. The pistol weighs 6.5 lbs and has an overall length of 28.5 inches with the brace extended. It was made to be a direct competitor to other AR-15 pistols on the market, including the Smith & Wesson M&P15 pistol & the Ruger AR-556 pistol.^[6]