Spotted in the Wild: ZiPFactory ZiP Gun

January 21, 2014

You may recall TTAG’s two-star review of the ZiP gun. “The owner of USFA has promised me another ZiP to test very soon,” Jeremy S emailed. “They’ve made some production line upgrades and the new ones are supposed to run like tops. Apparently I’m supposed to receive ‘the first one off the line.’ I still have my doubts, plus they obviously aren’t addressing the fact that you have to stick your damn fingers in front of the muzzle to operate the bolt, but I intend to give it a fair shake.” Meanwhile, bravo to our man Michael for not saying anything about solutions looking for problems. To be fair, usfirearms.com offers a carry solution for their not-so-bad boy: the $20 Zip belt clip. Which is nearly a tenth of the total cost of the pistol. An enigmatic choice for sure, but not one without a certain . . . charm.

13 COMMENTS

Jeff January 21, 2014 At 19:21

It seemed obvious to me that you didn’t have to put your hand in front of the muzzle. You could just put your finger on the charging bolt while avoiding the muzzle
- Bova January 21, 2014 At 19:40
  
  Or use a bench.
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qRorGDBPYc
  (jump to 1:30)
Jay In Florida January 21, 2014 At 19:22

Im sorry any gun you have to put your hand near or on top of the muzzle to load.
I don’t want any part of.
- Ing January 21, 2014 At 20:12
  
  .22 rifles with tubular magazines? All Henry rifles ever made?
  - Nagurski January 21, 2014 At 23:26
    
    Muskets and Kentucky rifles?
    - Drew January 22, 2014 At 13:40
      
      Plenty of lost limbs and life’s from muzzle loaders.
AznMike January 21, 2014 At 20:06

Saw one of those in my local gun stores, the thing it much bigger than I thought. Guess it doesn’t help that I also have really small hands. I can’t get a proper grip on a P226 or any Beretta.
Jeff the Griz January 21, 2014 At 20:21

Call this a moped, fun to give it a ride just don’t let your friends see you with it. I have seen a few of these at gun stores, definitely not for me.
Jus Bill January 21, 2014 At 20:29

I just have to ask: WHY????
- Gunr, from Oregon January 21, 2014 At 20:35
  
  +1 There are other guns, why this?
RockThisTown January 21, 2014 At 21:24

This is a gun I envision someone bringing in to a pawn shop on a future TV show like ‘Pawn Stars’ where the person describes it as “unique, more than just a novelty & very collectible, thus making it sought-after & worth big bucks.” At which point, the guy behind the counter says something like, “Yeah, it’s unique, but they made a zillion of these things – they’re just not that rare, and from what I know about them, they also weren’t very reliable to go ‘bang’ with every pull of the trigger. I’ll give you $50 for it.”
Soccerchainsaw January 22, 2014 At 07:15

I think I saw one of these at my local gun shop Monday. Odd little thing.
ShaunL. January 22, 2014 At 07:43

I’ll buy one for $100 if I see it just to have in the collection. Until it gets that cheap I’ll pass.