Since the announcement of the MEGA ARMS acquisition by ZEV Technologies in March 2017, questions and rumors have been swirling around about how the newly blended company would operate. Both companies have strong backgrounds with passionate founders and loyal customers.
Mike Miller founded MEGA over 15 years ago and he grew it quickly because of MEGA’s reputation for extremely tight tolerances, meticulous quality inspection and great finish work. MEGA began building components for several high-end rifle brands and ultimately launched its own brand of products known for precision and accuracy.
Alec Wolf founded ZEV to improve the performance of Glocks for professional shooters. ZEV products began to win world championships (including several while building guns for Team Glock). ZEV’s business grew rapidly as all types of Glock owners came to appreciate how much ZEV’s products improved the design, feel and performance of their guns.
MEGA built its business via an intense focus on precision and quality while ZEV built its business delivering game changing innovation resulting in better design and performance. With this acquisition, the shared DNA of both companies is amplified.
If you are familiar with the precision fit and finish of a MEGA, rest assured, the quality you know, love and trust will not change. The same great people are building these parts with the same passion for precision. What you can expect to see is more collaboration between Mike, Alec and the rest of ZEV’s design team. Together we expect to lead with both innovative design and best in class precision and quality.
Today we are excited to announce our new line of ZEV rifle products, the first of many new offerings we will bring to market as one company.
Available in AR-15 and Large Frame (.308)
The most technologically advanced hand guard on the market today. The ZEV Technologies Wedge Lock Hand Guard attaches to the receiver via an innovative system built around a lightweight Titanium barrel nut (included) and the two-piece Wedge Lock system that tightens down securely with only one screw. Machined from aircraft grade aluminum to keep the wall thickness thin, but still strong enough for any environment. The narrow cross-section of the hand guard provides for an excellent ergonomic grip while the M-LOK negative space mounting system provides a smooth, hand-friendly surface in place of Picatinny rails.
ZEV Wedge Lock hand guard features:
-Black type III hard anodized aluminum hand guard
-Black Nitride coated wedge system
-One piece free float design with continuous top rail
-AR-15 model is compatible with all mil-spec upper receivers
-Large Frame model is compatible with KAC/DPMS high profile upper receivers
-Compatible with low profile gas bocks
-Integral anti-rotation pin compatible with ZEV billet upper ensures consistent alignment of the top rail
-Titanium barrel nut reduces weight and aids in heat dissipation
-M-LOK compatible accessory mounting points for user customization
-AR-15 model internal diameter of 1.225”
-Large Frame model internal diameter of 1.325″
NOTE: The ZEV Wedge Lock is not designed for a suppressor to be mounted under the hand guard.
US PATENT 9,335,117
The ZEV Technologies Forged AR-15 Lower Receiver comes stripped and ready for your next custom AR build. ZEV starts with high-quality 7075 T6 aluminum forgings and final machines them to better than mil-spec dimensions held to ±.001″ tolerances, giving you maximum compatibility with mil-spec and aftermarket parts and accessories. The ZEV Technologies Forged AR-15 Lower Receiver offers superb strength and versatility for building an AR-15 configured exactly the way you want it.
ZEV Forged Lower Receiver features:
-Machined from Forged American Made 7075-T651 aluminum
-Machined with BETTER that Mil-Spec requirements, with critical tooling dimensions held within +/- .001”
-True Black Class 2 Type 3 Hard coat anodize
-Features the original “GATOR GRIP” texture on the front of the mag strap for added grip
-Generous flare cut to the magazine well for quick magazine changes
-Nylon tipped tension screw for adjusting fitment to various uppers
-Weight: 7.2 oz.
The ZEV Technologies Forged AR-15 Upper Receiver comes stripped and ready for your next custom AR build. ZEV starts with high-quality 7075 T6 aluminum forgings and final machines them to better than mil-spec dimensions held to ±.001″ tolerances, giving you maximum compatibility with mil-spec and aftermarket parts and accessories. The ZEV Technologies Forged AR-15 Upper Receiver offers superb strength and versatility for building an AR-15 configured exactly the way you want it.
ZEV Forged Lower Receiver features:
-Machined from Forged American Made 7075-T651 aluminum
-Machined with BETTER that Mil-Spec requirements, with critical tooling dimensions held within +/- .001”
-True Black Class 2 Type 3 Hard coat anodize
-Compatible with all Mil-Spec parts kits
-Laser T marked picatinny rail
-M4 feed ramps cut standard
-Weight: 7.2 oz.
To purchase: www.zevtechnologies.com/rifles
Tags: Zev Technologies
“better than mil-spec dimensions held to ±.001? tolerances”
Who determines that their “dimensions” are better than mil-spec? If they change one dimension from the mil-spec, they are no longer mil-spec.
Now maybe +- .001″ is a tighter tolerance standard on some dimensions than what the mil-spec calls for but that does not mean the dimensions are better than mil-spec. Dimensions are dimensions, how far you deviate from those dimensions is what could determine if you are better than mil-spec.
Well, “how far you deviate from those dimensions” is more or less the definition of tolerance.
But yes, it is purely marketing on ZEV’s part. Tight tolerances on parts that don’t need them are simply a waste of time and resources.
Big fan of Mega’s Wedge Lock HG (I use a Hodge one). Never liked Mega’s rollmark though, so this is interesting.
Wonder why they went with Forged upper instead of Billet like the old Megas?
Stand by…its coming soon!
The receiver is a commodity product. Typical customer sees the price difference and chooses forged. In my limited social circle, it’s the connoisseur with a safe full of forged rifles by reputable manufacturers who buys a couple billet sets for the looks.
Here’s where I jump off into an empty pool–or maybe pool of sharks: A billet upper cut by someone who’s not careful about the source material, process or finishing “could” be less safe than an upper forged by someone who didn’t kill himself or his employees in the process.
Kinda funny, I started eying billet receivers right about the time those bozos on “Sons of Guns” got their hands on a CNC rig…
Here is me hoping that they get rid of the useless GATOR GRIP feature and instead devote that machine time to making an ambi bolt release like on their billet lowers. Fingers crossed guys!
Not a fan of the GATOR GRIP due to the aesthetics and seeing as most grab the rifle at the hand-guard.
However to get an ambi-bolt release I think they would need to invest in new forging dies which is $$$
Still waiting for Windows in the side of my new upper, so disappointed.
That would be some game changing innovation.
Are the wedgelock handguards still made of 7075? The ones they’re making for FN are 6061.
It seems like the change it that Mega is now gone, and ZEV is now stamped on the lineup of what was once Mega products. Is there another change that I missed?