One of the most anticipated firearm releases of 2026 was the Zev Technologies FDP, a folding pistol-caliber design that the company produced in conjunction with Magpul Industries. Watch our “Gun of the Week” episode above to see exactly how it works.
“This is the Zev Technologies/Magpul FDP-C. That is the Folding Defensive Platform-Carbine,” American Rifleman Executive Editor Jay Grazio said. “Now it’s a carbine. That’s what they call it. It’s actually a short-barreled rifle, so it does fall under the NFA. You have to file the paperwork for one, but the tax is now zero, thanks in no small part for the actions of your NRA.”
Chambered for 9 mm Luger, the Zev Technologies FDP-C feeds from standard Glock-pattern magazines, and two Magpul PMag 21 GL9 magazines ship with each gun. The design measures just under 11 inches long when in its folded configuration, and when fully deployed, it measures just over 20 inches long. Unloaded, the carbine weighs about 3.5 pounds.
“This is kind of a long-running project that began life in the late 2000s as Magpul’s FMG-9, that was Folding Machine Gun 9[mm]. It was more of a proof of concept, kind of a, you know, cool ‘Look at this. Look what we can do,’ kind of thing,” Grazio said. “And the project…marinated for quite a few years. Then, eventually, they brought Zev Tech on board to work on the firearm aspect.”
The design is equipped with a 7-inch barrel and features a set of bilateral charging handles, along with a reversible push-button magazine release, enabling use for both right- and left-handed users.
“Magpul makes all of the polymer bits, this folding stock, the frame, the grip frame, of course, the magazine, that sort of thing,” Grazio said. “We’ve got an integral sight that also doubles as a carry handle. You can pop this off, and there’s a full-length Picatinny rail if you wanted to put an optic on.”
Folding the gun involves depressing a lever at the rear of the polymer grip, which contains the GL9 magazine, then folding the stock 180 degrees until the butt meets the muzzle end of the polymer frame, creating an easily carried package that, outwardly, resembles a toolkit or carrying case. The gun will fold with the included 21-round magazine locked into the grip frame.
“It’s surprisingly accurate and uses a common tilting barrel, like your Glock, when you’re shooting,” Grazio said. “Super easy to take apart, super easy to clean, and a lot of fun.”
For more information on the FDP-C, visit the Zev Technologies website here.
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