Before you get your hopes up that the Magpul FPG (Folding Pocket Gun) will be released again for airsoft, this is more about the FDP-9/FDC-9 that Magpul is working on in collaboration with ZEV Technologies which will make this unique weapon design a reality for the real steel market.

Before that, a little bit of history. Magpul initially put out their Folding Machine Gun (FMG-9) design in 2008 as a 9mm folding SMG, though it never got to production since it was a proof concept. But luckily for the airsoft market, Magpul PTS, now known as PTS Syndicate, was able to produce the Magpul FPG in cooperation with KWA and can use the KWA/KSC ATP series and M17 magazines.  It houses an M18 style upper slide capable of firing in both semi and full automatic fire and the body is made of polymer.

The Magpul PTS FPG is no longer in production but you may find one in the second hand market. Only a morale patch of the FPG is available at the PTS store remains as proof that it existed. It is also the first design for a real steel use that was actually produced for airsoft use.

Prior to the SHOT Show 2022, Magpul made a slew of announcements of upcoming products and one of the significant ones is the FDP-9/FDC-9. According to the company, they have been going over the design with ZEV Technologies since 2019.  There model names indicate that two variants are in the pipeline: The FDP-9 or the Folding Defensive Pistol-9 which uses the FDP-9 chassis and paired with a proprietary variant of the ZEV OZ9 operating system designed to be operated as a handgun; and the FDC-9 or the Folding Defensive Carbine-9 is an NFA-classified short barrel rifle. One can convert the FDP-9 to be converted into an FDC-9 short barrel rifle by purchasing and installing an accessory buttstock rear cover.

Magpul and ZEV Technologies are working on a 2023 release, more information from Magpul below:

Since 2019, Magpul and ZEV have been refining our FDP and FDC designs and seeking the required legal approvals. With recently confirmed classification of the FDP-9 as a handgun, the purchaser can enjoy the firearm as a self-enclosing, large-format pistol. The FDP-9 rear cover includes a fixed sling swivel to allow carrying the pistol slung when not being fired. They may also choose to file the appropriate ATF Form 1 and, after approval, purchase a conversion kit to legally assemble it into the FDC-9. It will then be classified as a short-barreled rifle (SBR) and subject to all NFA laws. Although not certain at this time, the FDC-9 might also be offered straight from ZEV and would transfer to the purchaser as an SBR on an ATF Form 4 through their local dealer. The FDP-9 and FDC-9 will not be available from Magpul; they will be available from ZEV Technologies and through distributors and dealers that carry ZEV Firearms.

The ZEV FDP-9 and FDC-9 firearms won’t be ready for at least 12 months, but we wanted to share our progress with them as we head into the SHOT Show season. Testing and producing a project of this scale is a huge part of the process that can’t be rushed.  Unlike the original folding concept firearm, which merely allowed the demonstration of an idea, the FDP-9 is a complete redesign of that concept meant to increase durability, reliability, practicality, and to incorporate important safety features and regulatory compliance features necessary to create a very real and usable firearm. We’ve already crossed the most significant hurdles to bringing this concept to life, and we’ll be sharing a lot more about it throughout the upcoming year as they get closer to releasing for sale.

The ZEV Technologies FDP-9 and FDC-9. Brought to you by ZEV and Magpul.