CZ Yearbook 2019 /eng

76 | | 77 just for this model abroad. The basic variant uses the 9×19 cal., later a 9×21 was added for markets where the 9mm Luger (as the ammuni- tion for of- ficial forc- es) is not p e r m i t - ted for use by ci v i l ian shooters. In 2015, the CZ SCORPI - ON EVO 3 S1 Pistol arrived, taking into account US legislation. It is basically an S1 model with a new rear plate on the back of the receiver without the option to attach a shoulder stock, the user may use an arm brace instead. Frankly, for shooting it isn’t the best option but luckily, the Scorpion prop- erties are so great that de- spite this inconvenience, the pistol model sold very well. On the other hand, the use of low-prof ile iron sights which have subsequently been used on all semi-automatic Scor- pions was definitely a step in the right direction. The CARBINE In 2016, the CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S1 CARBINE made an entrance. The crucial change here was the use of a 16.2” cold hammer forged barrel which allowed this gun to break free from the closely observed SBR category in the USA (where the limit is 16”/41 cm). But it certainly wasn’t the case of “let’s just extend the barrel and leave it be”. In addition to the long barrel, the CARBINE model was also given an ex- tended polymer handguard designed so as to allow com- fortable grip with the other hand (there is a distinct notch in the rear part). On the top of the handguard there is a long Picatinny rail, smoothly linked to the receiver rail. Since the front sight is mounted at the very front, this solution has also sig- nif icantly extended the sight radius. A major innovation is the de- sign of openings on the sides and bottom of the handguard which conform to the popu- lar M-LOK mounting system. Compared to the Picatinny, this system provides a much more streamlined profile. The front of the handguard is octagonal and provides am- ple room for a silencer, which means there is a ½×28” muzzle thread (an identi- cal one is also used on the Pistol version). As standard, this model is of- fered with an interesting dual chamber muzzle brake or with a faux silencer from SilencerCo. The semi-automatic SCORPI- ON CARBINE is equipped with a folding telescopic stock com- plying with requirements of some foreign armed forces – it has an axis and a locking but- ton made of aluminium alloy. Naturally, these innovations have improved the shooting comfort as well as accuracy. Thanks to the extended hand- guard, the CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S1 CARBINE is very comfort- able to use, 5-round groups at 50 yards keep to just un- der 5 cm. We can basically say that by making the barrel longer, the great po- tential of this great gun has been fully exploited. To begin with, the CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S1 CARBINE was only sold in the USA where it is also assembled using a number of parts Made in the USA. However, since 2018, it has become available on other markets within the distribution network of Česká zbrojovka a.s. as well. SCORPION MICRO In 2018, a newmodel appeared on the scene –the CZ SCORPI- ON EVO 3 S2 MICRO, the result of an effort to develop a small gun with a silencer for plain clothes special forces operatives. In this min- iature version, the modular design goes the opposite di- rection of the carbine – this model features a 4.2” long cold hammer forged barrel with a ½×28 muzzle thread (essentially the same length commonly used on many cur- rent compact pistols). The MICRO therefore has a short handguard with clas- sic rail on the top, while the sides and the bottom have openings for the M-LOK sys- tem. Attached to the bottom is also a polymer hand stop, effectively preventing the supporting hand slipping in front of the muzzle. For the civilian market, the CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S2 MICRO is equipped with a faux suppres- sor, taking all this into account, the overall length without brace is 415 mm. To compare: the basic CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S1 is 610 mm long, the CAR- BINE is 826 mm. Following the trend of other semi-automatic Scorpions, the MICRO also sports low profile iron sights, including an ad- justable dioptre rear sight. In the US, the CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S2 MICRO is classified as a pistol, meaning that CZ- USA supplies this model with an SB Tactical telescoping arm brace to support the fore- a rm o f the shooting hand. Should anyone over the ocean wish to have a shoulder support for their SCORPION MICRO, they would need to apply to the government for the proper permit, shell out a substantial amount to pay the tax associated with it and wait 9-12months for approval. Hap- pily, here in Czech we were able to test a model equipped with a regular folding tele- scopic SCORPION stock and to tell the truth, without it we probably wouldn’t have had so much fun. And what fun it was! Many claim that such dimin- utive semi-automatic “long” guns in 9×19 cal. are pure non- sense. If you need something for defence at a usual distance, a pistol will do nicely, as it is considerably smaller, lighter and cheaper. But if you need to shoot effectively at longer distances, go for a truly long gun in a more powerful cali- bre. It’s true that in e v e r y d a y l i f e , compact pistol carbines don’t offer the greatest variety of use, we are talking armed es- corts for cash-in-transit and the like. But then there is hob- by shooting for which the CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S2 MICRO is perfect. We tested it on metal poppers in various sizes at 15 m, on the same f iring point as the CZ P-10 pistols. The P-10s are su- perb pistols but at such dis- tance, some smaller targets posed a challenge for less ex- perienced shooters. With the MICRO, everyone managed to plink pretty continuously and soon it was about who was faster. Despite the pint- sized dimensions, shooting was surprisingly comfortable. The dioptre rear sight was es- pecially popular, loved even by those who otherwise don’t favour this type. Due to the short sight line, the iron sights made us feel as if we were looking through a tiny colli- mator sight, though for longer distances, a proper collimator sight would be preferable. Going by current information, the CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S2 MICRO is primarily intended for the US market but we hope that, like the CARBINE, this model will become available in other regions as well. The SCORPION MICRO is a bril- liant plaything and it would be a shame if shooters outside the US could not enjoy it too. CZ SCORPION EVO 3 S2 MICRO