Item reviewed:
Zaffiri Precision Slide (RTS - G19 Gen 3 - ZPS.6 RMR, Flat Dark Earth)
Zaffiri Precision threaded barrel, black nitride.
I got these from Zaffiri Precision as part of a package that included a P80 frame, parts kits for the slide and frame, a ZP magwell and fiber optic sights for $550.
Pros: On initial inspection the parts looked fine. I prefer a simpler look, but the rear scallops and front cutouts are quite grippy. The machining appeared clean, and the design of the logos on the slide and barrel hood aren’t too gaudy so even though I hate Gucci I can live with this look. I'm still working on the build, so haven’t yet fired the piece and can’t comment on accuracy.
Cons: On further inspection, I’ve found these issues:
- Burrs left in the extractor depressor plunger bore from the optic screw threading operation. ZP’s response was “oops, sorry, we try to get those but we miss some. Use a drill or file to get them out.” It wasn’t a huge thing to fix, spinning a drill by hand in the bore popped them right off, but if they know it’s an issue they should take more effective steps to correct it before shipping parts. It sounds like they’re relying on manual inspections, which is a very unreliable way to error proof.
- Difficult channel liner installation due to rough Cerakote overspray on the channel liner bore. In order to get a liner to seat I had to polish the heck out of the bore with a bore mop and jeweler’s rouge, lightly wet sand the OD of the liner with 600 grit paper, and apply a very thin coat of grease to it. Ruined two liners getting to the solution. In my industry, it’s a given that when coating a part you mask off critical machined locations to avoid that kind of thing, or else machine after coating. ZP’s response was to tell me that they haven’t had any problems and that I should take it to a gun smith.
- The slide hanging full open because the front right corner of the machined logo area of the barrel hood catches on the oval lightening section cut out on the inside of the front of the slide; see the video at https://youtu.be/3IzR5zG6aL4. I’ve blended most of it out as Racer88 shows, but once again this is the kind of thing that a customer shouldn’t have to fix. ZP’s response is “This is an issue with all manufacturers products though when it comes to the slide/barrels. The issue is with the P80. Not all aftermarket parts are compatible with each other and may require adjustments”, to which I once again call BS.
I have no problem with fitting things that reasonably might need to be fitted, I knew when I got into this that I’d have to fiddle around with things; for example, I'm having a trigger reset issue that I suspect has to do with tolerance stacking from the trigger bar to the firing pin and that's fine. I like fiddling with hardware, it’s the reason I got my engineering degree. But burrs and rough overspray left in bores is just sloppy work, and if (as some people have told me) that's considered normal in this industry then I think the industry is overdue for a kick in the ass - I see no excuse for it. And the slide hangs open because they themselves added features to both the slide and the barrel that are perfectly designed to do so during the normal range of motion of the parts; for them to say "not all aftermarket parts are compatible with each other and may require adjustments" when both parts are theirs and they fit directly to each other does not sit well with me.
UPDATED BELOW.