Pistol caliber carbine test: CZ Scorpion EVO3 S2 Micro in 9mm Luger

In terms of control layout and intuitive handling, the tiny  CZ Scorpion  Micro, which weighs around 2.6 kg when empty, is identical to the larger centerfire and rimfire Scorpion models. This means a left-handed handle in the HK MP5 style, which can also be easily positioned on the opposite side for left-handers, a safety on both sides of the trigger housing, a paddle magazine release on the front of the trigger guard and a slide stop lever on the left side of the gun. Due to the extremely compact design with a length of 386/584 mm when the shoulder stock is folded in and out, which generates a gun length of 634 mm when fully extended, there is a hand stop on the underside of the duraluminium M-LOK handguard. This is absolutely essential, because otherwise you could easily get your support hand close to the muzzle when shooting the ultra-compact EVO 3 S2 Micro with the stock deployed. The hand stop also acts as an index point in dynamic situations and helps to establish a stable shooting position.

Inside the pistol, the same straight-blowback action as the carbines is used. For this reason, and in order to maintain one hundred per cent functional reliability, the direct trigger has a comparatively high pull weight, which averaged 4,300 grams in repeated measurements. This is due to the fact that the design uses not only the mass of the bolt and the force of the recoil spring, but also the force of the hammer spring to restrain the 9mm Luger when firing. As a result, the movement of the firearm is significantly smoother due to the lower bolt mass. Despite the low overall weight the pistol, which is mainly made of polymer, can be controlled very well when firing. The disadvantage is that the trigger pull weight is higher because the hammer has to fulfil an additional function in addition to its original work. However, the high trigger weight feels lower, not least thanks to the long travel and the wide trigger blade.

Booming tuning market for the CZ Scorpions

For about two years now, the US manufacturer Timney Triggers has also been offering a high-quality drop-in match trigger for the Czech 9mm rifles, with which the trigger pull weight can be easily adjusted to either 1,360 to 1,587 grams or 2,267 to 2,494 grams (we have already presented the triggers in detail). This after-marker trigger with a straight or curved trigger blade is certainly worth considering if you don't get on well with the original factory trigger unit despite the familiarisation phase in practice.

In general, the tuning components market for the latest CZ pistol carbines and the pistol presented here has grown surprisingly quickly, which speaks for the popularity of the gun family. There are handguard systems as well as AR-15 stock and pistol grip adapters from companies such as Strike Industries and Ascalon Arms. Magpul also offers a pistol grip and other components for the Scorpions. In addition, there is a drop-in match trigger and a recoil spring from Ascalon Arms, trigger spring sets from Eemann Tech, +5 magazine base pads and aluminium magwells in many colors from Toni Systems as well as silencer dummies, compensators, magazine couplers and improved controls from Striker Industries and Ascalon Arms.

The handguard of the EVO3 S2 micro pistol conceals a barrel just 5.5"/140 mm long with six grooves, 1-10" twist, 1/2"x28 UNF muzzle thread and a spiral-shaped, three-prong flash hider. Compared to the 16.2"/412 mm long barrel of the 9mm Scorpion EVO3 S1 carbine, this naturally also results in a reduced ammunition performance. The factory-fitted mechanical sights in the form of a flip-up rear sight with three different sized holes and a post front sight as well as protectors for the rear and front sights are certainly practical, although the sight radius is of course significantly shorter than that of the carbine. We used the MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver to mount a 34 gram Meopta MeoSight IV mini red dot sight with "top loader" battery compartment (no need to remove from the gun and no need to zero again to change the battery), 10 light intensity settings, motion sensor/automatic switch-off and 3-MOA dot. 

All-round M-LOK slots on the handguard allow for easy attachment of additional equipment such as a gun light or a light laser module where permitted.

Another common denominator between the carbine and the pistol models is the extensive use of glass-fiber reinforced polymer in production, as well as the modular design and simple disassembly. A single plug-in bolt connects all assemblies. Once this has been loosened, the trigger housing and magazine well can be removed first and then the bolt group can be removed from the upper receiver. Meticulous inspection of the disassembled pistol revealed a high quality of workmanship with tight tolerances, both inside and out, just like the carbines.

On the shooting range: CZ Scorpion EVO3 S2 Micro practical test

We tested the shooting performance of the CZ Scorpion EVO3 S2 Micro in the sitting position with the Meopta MeoSight IV sight mounted at a distance of 50 metres. The eight types of 9mm ammunition used included three handloads and the new GECO UTHP (Ultra Target Hollow Point) factory cartridge. We achieved the best result of 28 mm with the reduced-pollution GECO 124-grain FMJ SX. Using our handloads with 7.0 grains of Lovex D037.1 propellant and 115 and 125-grain Hornady HAP bullets, we punched a 30-mm and a 35-mm group into the cardboard  target.

CZ Scorpion EVO3 S2 Micro in 9mm Luger technical specifications

Conclusion: our verdict on the CZ Scorpion EVO3 S2 Micro

The CZ Scorpion EVO3 S2 Micro successfully rounds off the gun family and is a special pistol with a special appeal.

In terms of functional reliability, there is nothing at all to criticise, it even digested our soft handloads without any problems.

Further information on the CZ Scorpion EVO3 S2 Micro and other models can be found on the CZ website.