The CZ Scorpion Evo Carbine is the full size version of the CZ Scorpion pistol that CZ-USA released a few years ago. The carbine version officially known as the CZ Evo 3 S1 shares almost every feature with its shorter brother. This carbine was new for the 2016 calendar year and didn’t receive the attention that myself or many others in the gun industry thought it should. It’s arrival comes at a very interesting time when there seems to be a renewed interest in pistol caliber carbines. While some disagree if pistol caliber carbines are an appropriate military weapon, no one will disagree that being able to shoot 50 rounds of rifle ammo for $12.00 isn’t still a hell of a lot of fun for everyone involved. This article isn’t to debate the merits of a pistol caliber carbine but to highlight the CZ-USA Evo 3 S1.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: CZ-USA
Model: Scoripion Evo 3 S1
Barrel Length: 16.2″
Overall Length: 24.5″- 34.7″ depending on stock position
Weight: 7 lbs (faux suppressor) , 6.8 lbs with pencil barrel
Height: 9.4″
Magazine Capacity: 20 rounds
Caliber: 9 Luger
Misc Notes:
- Available with pencil barrel featuring 1/2″-28 threads
- Available with faux suppressor
- built in rail with M-Lok system
There has been room in the firearms market for a easy to use pistol caliber carbine for quite a while now, the problem has been not many manufacturers were making them. It use to be that you were either stuck with some form of ugly long barreled hacked together MP5 clone or a Marlin camp gun. Well that’s all changed with the CZ Scorpion Evo S3. With this rifle any potential buyer will have the choice between two barrel styles, the traditional rifle pattern pencil barrel with a 1/2-28 thread muzzle brake or the same 16.2″ length barrel with faux suppressor. Other than barrel style both rifles operate the same and feature hi capacity 20 round polymer magazines.
There are a ton of design features that CZ-Usa put into this rifle that make it very desirable for people who want to put more rounds down range while putting less hurt on the pocket. The rifle is largely made of polymer which saves weight while still offering a durable finish. The trigger group as pictured above is easily removed from the receiver for quick cleaning and maintenance. While the body is polymer the components that are going to take the full effect of recoil and operation are still made of steel, which we expected.
When the Scorpion Evo S3 first was delivered into the hands of gun owners there were some complaints about the magazine release and the ergonomics of the rifle. Since that time CZ-USA has made some changes to the line, also the availability of aftermarket accessories for this rifle has exploded and several companies offer different patterned safeties, magazine releases and triggers.One feature on the rifle that is instantly noticeable is the adjustable side folding polymer stock. This allows the overall length of the rifle to be reduced to 24.5″ with the stock folded, small enough to go in most packs or large range bags.
If you are familiar with the Heckler & Koch MP5 sub machine gun then the CZ Scorpion Evo 3’s side mounted non reciprocating charging handle won’t come as a surprise to you while operating the rifle. In fact with an aftermarket extended magazine release it will essentially function almost the same way as the MP5. What the Scorpion has that the Heckler & Koch MP5 variants don’t have is a built in M-Lok rail system. At the three O’clock, six O’clock and nine O’clock positions CZ-USA has made sure there is enough space for the end user to install any M-Lok capable accessory or rail section. The top of the rifle features a full length picatinny rail for mounting whatever optic or sight configuration you desire. Small details like this is what is making the firearms community stand up and take notice of this pistol caliber carbine.
I’ve had a chance to handle a few of the Scorpion Evo Carbines and I have been impressed with the fit, finish and controls so far. Being an MP5 owner and having some experience with other competing pistol caliber carbines like the Sig Sauer MPX I can honestly say the CZ-USA Evo Scorpion carbine is going to give Sig Sauer as well as Heckler & Koch a run for their money if the current resurgent trend in pistol caliber carbines continues into 2017 or 2018. When you consider all the pros and cons of the available designs on the market as well as the cost of magazines, the Scorpion comes out ahead in our book.
I spoke of the after market support for this rifle and how it continues to expand. As of the writing of this article companies such as GearHeadWorks, and HB Industries make extended magazine releases and Yeti Wurks manufacturers three different styles of pistol grips, all featuring different grip angles. Yeti Wurks also has a wide assortment of other accessories for the CZ Scorpion Evo. In what might seem like the biggest benefit to consumers when it comes to this rifles attributes is the hi capacity magazines. The rifle ships with twenty round magazines in non ban states but available aftermarket thirty round models can be purchased for under $20.00. That is about 1/3 the cost of a Sig Sauer MPX or H&K MP5 magazine. That is a huge advantage to many of us potential buyers.
We are working hard at getting our hands on a CZ-USA Scorpion Evo 3 to perform a test and evaluation on in the spring of 2017. The upcoming SHOT Show 2017 should give us a chance to talk to the representatives from CZ-USA and the dozen or so companies that are making aftermarket products to support this rifle. I would go out on a limb here and say that even if we can’t get a T&E model Scorpion, we might break open the piggy back and buy one outright to shoot and keep. We hope you enjoyed this quick look at a pistol caliber carbine that I think is going to turn some heads. The MSRP on the rifle is nearly $1000 but I expect that will continue to fall to the $800 range making it a much better buy.
If you have any comments or questions feel free to drop us a line in the comments section below. We are hoping that some of you current CZ-USA Scorpion owners will chime in and give us your experiences with the rifle. Until then from all of us here at The Arms Guide, we wish you a Happy Hanukah and Merry Christmas. Be safe and enjoy this holiday season with your families. If you get any new guns show us your pictures on our Facebook page.
Rick
(Feature Image Courtesy:Czusa.com)
