The Zen Armaments Assault Rifle vz. 1, also known as the AR-1, is a general-purpose, intermediate-caliber, gas-operated, selective-fire carbine developed in part with fabrication technology from the defunct Paragon Initiative.

The acquisition of the small arms division of the Paragon Initiative gave Zen Armaments not only new technology, but increased production capacity, to maintain the line of weapons the defunct company produced. Personnel also came, including a Nepleslian designer, Elena Romanova ("Nene" for short).

Romanova had a concept for a weapon before Paragon dissolved. It was a traditional-format assault rifle, using a moderate caliber and engineered with looser tolerances than Paragon's Infantry Assault Weapon. The heavier weapon also would be less expensive.

The weapon was born out of Romanova's experiences on Kennewes, where swampy conditions caused some difficulty with some versions of the venerable GP-1 Assault Rifle, as well as many other more modern weapons. Romanova wanted a firearm that could operate in any kind of condition or terrain with as few stoppages as possible, even if accuracy was sacrificed. That sacrifice, to Romanova, was acceptable because of the average combat ranges on Kennewes — sometimes as little as 75 meters, with typical maximums of just 300 meters.

Romanova's design for the AR-1 was favored by the suits at Zen Arms who wanted a solid, reliable weapon they could sell that could crack into a rifle market dominated by third-party manufacturers keeping the GP-1 alive.

Gas-operated, short-stroke piston.

In gas-operation, a portion of high-pressure gas from the cartridge being fired is used to power a mechanism to extract the spent case and chamber a new cartridge. Energy from the gas is harnessed through either a port in the barrel or trap at the muzzle. This high-pressure gas impinges on a surface such as a piston head to provide motion for unlocking of the action, extraction of the spent case, ejection, cocking of the hammer or striker, chambering of a fresh cartridge, and locking of the action. Several automatic weapons utilize this method of operation.

Safety: A sliding lever on the right side of the weapon, above and slightly forward of the trigger. Bolt Release: A small latch on the side of the bolt to assist with bolt operation. Pull it back to lock the bolt in the rear position; pull again on a loaded magazine to release it into battery. Fire Mode Selector: Safe, Single, 3-round burst. Weapon Sight: Steel rear dovetail sight, adjustable for windage; steel front post sight, adjustable for elevation. Attachment Hard Points: Two rails are provided; one on top of the foregrip for optics, the other on the bottom of the foregrip for accessories, commonly a vertical foregrip. Magazine Release: A lever dipping below the trigger guard; press forward while gripping an empty magazine to release said mag. Stock: Rear stock folds forward to save length.

The AR-1 is built with a mix of stamped steel parts and polymers. The use of steel and polymer keeps the cost low while maintaining a hefty weight to absorb recoil.

Field Maintenance Procedure: Routine cleaning and oiling is preferred, but is not recommended until after 2,000 rounds in mild conditions. Barrel lined with chrome.

Pricing: 450 DA.

• Extra Barrel (115 DA)
• Additional Magazine (20 DA a piece)

• Box of 50 Rounds (20 DA)
• Box of 100 Rounds (40 DA)
• Box of 270 Rounds (65 DA, Buy one get one half off.)

• Black Nylon Sling (10 DA)
• Reflex Sight (100 DA)
• Vertical Foregrip (40 DA)