IWI US ZION-15 semi-automatic modern sporting rifle, IWI's first AR-15
SHOT Show 2020 – IWI US, the north American subsidiary of the Israel Weapon Industries company, introduces the ZION-15: the company's first AR-15 based semi-automatic rifle, manufactured entirely in Pennsylvania
IWI US, Inc. – the north American branch of IWI - Israel Weapon Industries, Ltd. – announced its debut on the high-tier AR-15 market with the launch of the ZION-15 semi-automatic rifle at the 2020 SHOT Show. A direct gas impingment semi-automatic rifle, the IWI ZION-15 is manufactured and assembled entirely by IWI US in their Middletown (PA) facility, making it entirely compliant with the stringent import requirements imposed by Federal law in the United States.
IWI made considerable investments to establish manufacturing capabilities for the ZION-15 rifle in the United States. The IWI ZION-15 comes standard with a button-rifled 16" barrel and a mid-length gas system, and uses a full-auto compatible bolt carrier: the bolt is thoroughly inspected for resistance to high pressures and also undergoes magnetic particle inspection to ensure that the ZION-15 would offer a longer service life and top-tier performance.
Chambered in 5.56x45mm, the IWI ZION-15 rifle feeds through standard STANAG magazines and comes factory-issued with MagPul P-MAG magazines; the lower receiver is built to be multicaliber, so other chamberings may be offered in the future.
Other features include a standard (not factory-ambidextrous) controls configuration, a free-float M-LOK aluminum handguard, a full-length top Picatinny rail for optics or flip-up sights, and a collapsing Bravo SOPMOD Stock and Type 23 P-Grip manufactured by B5 Systems. Interestingly enough, the suggested retail price should keep it accessible to a vast majority of shooters, at least in the US.
