I have a weird love for K model submachine guns, and since I can’t easily acquire one, the world of PCCs and big pistols has to satisfy me. As a CZ Scorpion fan, when the EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro (yes, that’s a mouth full) premiered, I knew I had to have it, and I aggressively pursued obtaining one. This particular model was the first model that came with the collapsible brace that was a team-up between Manticore Arms, CZ USA, and SB Tactical.
I was an early adopter of the S2 Pistol Micro and my version has since been discontinued. The current model has an HB Industries handguard and a folding SB Tactical brace. The rest is basically the same.
In the Box
The S2 Pistol Micro comes with two 20-round CZ magazines. That’s a genius piece of marketing because you are then, of course, going to go out and buy 30-round magazines. However, the 20-rounders are also a throwback to the original VZ 61 Skorpion, which came with 20-round magazines.
The gun also ships with an excellent set of iron sights and a bore snake. It’s a simple package, and as the owner of other Scorpion rifles and pistols, I already had a bucketful of various magazines.
The EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro has a 4.12-inch barrel compared to the standard Scorpion’s 7.72-inch barrel. However, the overall length is nearly unchanged. The S1 model of the Scorpion is 16 inches without a brace. The Micro Scorpion is 16.35 inches long, with the brace collapsed.
My discontinued model has a faux suppressor-like square muzzle device. The current model has a smaller “flash can” muzzle. Other than that they are basically the same gun. The handguard allows you to mount an actual suppressor, and it would be encompassed by the handguard. So you can save some room if you run a suppressor on your Scorpion.
Operation and Features
The Scorpion Pistol Micro is a basic, bare bones blowback operated weapon. It uses a large and hefty bolt, one of the downsides to blowback operation. This massive bolt adds weight and affects recoil in general. The blowback system is proven and reliable, and likely keeps the price of the EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro lower than other options. Subguns with alternative AR 15 lower like systems like the Banshee or MPX tend to be more expensive.
The gun comes with a set of metal sights that are absolutely fantastic. The front sight is an AR-type post; however, annoyingly enough, an AR front sight tool won’t adjust the front sight.
CZ makes their own front sight tool and it’s included with the Scorpion Micro. The rear sight has four different apertures of varying peep sizes for various degrees of speed and precision.
The latest iteration of the gun has Magpul MBUS irons.
The handguard ditches the Picatinny rail of the old Scorpion models and incorporates a short M-LOK handguard with tons of different positions for mounting accessories and rails. I replaced the standard handstop with a TLR RM 1, and because the gun is so short, I use a half magwell grip, so it fits just fine.
The top has a full-length Picatinny rail for mounting the optic of your choice. In the glorious year of 2020, ammo costs a lot of money, so I tossed on a red dot I was testing at the same time as the Scorpion to save time, but all accuracy testing was done with iron sights.
Micro Scorpion Ergonomics
Mixed bag is the best way to describe the Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro’s ergonomics. It’s mostly good, but it has that same terrible safety that’s on all Scorpion variants. It’s ambidextrous, which is nice, but it also tends to dig into your trigger finger with every shot. It was bad enough that I changed it for a Strike Industries single-sided safety. On my other Scorpion, I just Dremeled it off.
The pistol grip is okay, but Europeans seem to really like that swept back grip design, and it’s perfectly suitable here. I have no significant issues with it, but I replaced it with a more vertical option from Strike that also houses a compartment for tools or candy or whatever.
I have huge hands, so the stock magazine release worked perfectly for me for both speed and reloads with retention. However, people with less gigantic genetics had issues with a trigger finger speed reload. I changed mine just because I like to tinker. However, I had no need to with my massive hands.
Strike and Magpul both make extended magazine releases to solve the problem for people with average size paws.
The charging handle is reversible and is easily swapped for left or right-handed use. The charging handle is non-reciprocating, and while it’s short, I still find it very easy to grip and rip. The charging handle can be locked into a notch, and you can give it the ol’ HK slap if you so choose.
Unlike an HK, the bolt locks to the rear when the last round is fired. The bolt release is a big L-shaped design that works perfectly with my hand placement on the mag well. I can just throw my thumb back and hit it.
The PDW style brace my Scorpion Micro came with is only available as an aftermarket option now. The newer EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro models come with a folding SB Tactical brace. My brace is small and wiggly and offers no cheek weld, but man, it’s perfect for keeping a gun small and compact. It also has a QD attachment point, which is a nice touch since the rear sling point from the regular Socprion has been eliminated.
Range Time
I’ve owned the Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro for a couple of years now, and I really love it. It’s a ton of fun to shoot, and when ammo prices are normal — remember those days? — it got shot a lot. I’ve yet to have this thing malfunction or fail in any way. It eats every type of 9mm I can put through it. No failures, and I have no idea how many rounds I’ve placed through it, but it’s a lot.
Accuracy is another mixed bag, but overall, very good. The EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro’s sights are incredible, the cold hammer-forged barrel is lovely, but the trigger is a hefty nine pounds and some change. My cheap pull weight scale tops out at nine pounds. The good news is the trigger is relatively short and is smooth..
This is a 50-yard gun, and I shot it both benched, and standing at 50 yards with just the included iron sights using the smallest aperture.
The top group was shot from the bench. The lower group was standing. Benched, I shot a pretty impressive group into the forehead of a Birchwood Casey 3D target. Standing with the gun and firing offhand produced a perfectly acceptable group at 50 yards. In my experience, the Scorpion series works best with heavier ammo, and I used Armscor 147 grain for the accuracy test.
Out to 100 yards, I can still hit the target with the Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro. Aiming at the head, or what I guessed was the head, meant I’d score a chest shot. I was shooting from a rested kneeling position to make my hits at that distance.
The blowback design with a heavy bolt means there’s a lot of mass smashing back at you. That big heavy bolt causes some felt recoil that’s akin to a 5.56 carbine. Not a lot, but noticeable. Muzzle rise isn’t a significant factor and honestly, shooting this thing fast is a lot of fun. The Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro is often described as a fun gun, but it’s still a very competent home defense weapon.
If you feel an AR is too long or unwieldy, the Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro might be a great choice. Both the Pistol Micro or the standard Scorpion are undoubtedly capable fighting weapons. Pair them with a good defensive round, and you have yourself a light and very handy gun for home defense.
Specifications: CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro
Barrel Length: 4.12 inches
Overall Length: 16.35 / 23.35 inches
Weight: 5.5 pounds
Height: 9.4 inches
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10 to 35\
MSRP: $1,227
Reliability * * * * *
After a couple of years of use and abuse, I’ve yet to find a way to make this thing malfunction. That includes feeding it tons of cheap ammo from dubious former Soviet states. the EVO 3 S2 Micro just works and works and works.
Ergonomics * * *
Maybe I’m a little overzealous here, but anything that causes me pain and needs parts replaced has got to knock some points off. Besides the safety, though, nothing is inherently wrong ergonomically with the gun.
Accuracy * * * *
This little 9mm is quite accurate inside of 50 yards, personal defense distance. The awesome iron sights help a lot, and the only real detractor here is the meh trigger.
Customization * * *
If the AR-15 is a five-star in the degree of customization, then the Scorpion is a very comfortable three. There is lots of good stuff out there from companies like Magpul, Strike, and smaller companies like Yeti Wurks make some awesome stuff, too.
Overall * * * *
The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S2 Pistol Micro is a supremely reliable, accurate, and fun gun with decent customization options. It’s an awesome little K model subgun and one of my constant go-tos when I just want to shoot for fun (back when I could afford to do that).
is that one of those peice o junk Pinty Pro red dot sights?
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to have a PDW/PCC with a barrel that short, its completely f/n stupid, period. You’d be much better served with a Glock 34 at that point.
except it’s got an arm brace. stabilization iz your fwend. I would agree though, if you’re going to go through all that, it needs a few more inches.
Recover tactical makes an arm brace for Glocks that costs $90.
I have one, it’s awesome. Turns my 17C into an alpha machine at 50 yards (with a red dot slapped on).
The entire setup fits in a small (11 liter) bag.
If I’m going longer than 5″, I want a rifle round.
My thoughts exactly. Sig Sauer in their infinite wisdom actually dropped their 8″ mpx model and people are buying the shooter barrel version left and right. Screw that. 8″ is my go to in a pistol carbine.
they ran out of idea how to make money out of gunz
Customization 3 stars? That’s a joke that makes virtually all other firearms (short of a 1911 or glock) a one star for customization.
Ergonomics also 3 stars because you replaced the (admittedly awkward) safety?
You really should place more thought into your ratings.
Forgive me if I misinterpreted, but it sounds like you think that the uncomfortable safety is not enough to push Ergonomics that low. I think, given the trigger, three stars are far too high.
Some shooters might prefer a nine-pound trigger for a handgun that both lacks a manual safety, and is routinely holstered (i.e. muzzling one’s leg and/or junk). Many others (including practically all modern LE agencies) think ~5-7lb is adequate for a pistol meeting both those criteria.
In a braced pistol meeting neither of those criteria, 9lb is pointless and awful. Everything is a tradeoff until it isn’t.
The trigger was placed in the Accuracy part of the ratings.
True, but it’s still an ergonomic factor. I guess I’m not so much arguing with you as with the author, who inexplicably spelled horrific “m-e-h”.
This looks really cool, but with a barrel length shorter than my G17’s and mags that hold less ammo as my Magpul 21-rounders for it, I’m not so sure I’d want to replace my Glock.
But TEHO, and I wouldn’t knock anyone who gets one for a trunk gun.
Three comments in at the moment, and we already have a glock boi telling everyone why their tiny dick, er, glock, is the most superior and “bestest” gun ever.
And FYI glock boi, that’s a 35 rounder in the pictures above, 35 is greater than 21. not less. Try and follow along.
Did you read his last sentence? No tone of superiority there at all.
Facts are facts. The included mags ARE lower-cap than the Magpuls, and Glock also makes proven-reliable 33rd mags. Haz didn’t even get to the point about the “Micro” being about as long in the collapsed position as an MCK with the brace extended!
The facts don’t just apply to Glocks, though. Mag-in-grip categorically makes more sense for pistol calibers. Locked or delayed mechanisms also make a lot more sense for 9mm than heavier, yet harder kicking derp-tech blowback. But wait: Isn’t blowback simpler and therefore cheaper? Yeah, except when it’s twice as expensive! If there are fanbois at play, they’re the ones trying to turn short-barrel pistols into bulky ARs.
Never mind. It’s silly to waste time with all those logical arguments when you’ve got such witty dick jokes!
Facts are facts, and you have none.
Quote “The included mags ARE lower-cap than the Magpuls,” Do even know what you are arguing? That an after-market mag has more capacity than a standard, while ignoring the other after-market mag? What?
The Scorpion comes standard with 20 round magazines, the Glock 17 with 17 round magazines. So no, standard capacity to standard the scorpion has more.
As for the “high capacity” mags, the magpuls are 35 and as you mentioned the Glocks are 33 so again you are wrong.
However, It’s obvious you have no experience with the Scorpion platform, nor its benefits or its after-market support.
`But the mention of a tiny dick got you going…there really is no need to wonder why.
True – there isn’t a significant difference in magazine capacity. Of course, the fact that Glock mags are straight and take up far less room in pouches helps; curvature to accommodate the taper of 9mm is completely unnecessary (or maybe 484 of 486 Midway reviewers are lying fanbois too; Uzi, Suomi, etc.).
The rest of my facts (mag in grip, recoil vs. blowback, dimensions, etc.) are absolutely true. I’m not sure if you think you’re insulting me or putting me in my place by stating that I have no experience with the firearm that I’ve clearly demonstrated is the irrational choice; I don’t. I do have experience with blowback-9mm derpguns, and enough experience with the shorter, lighter, less-expensive, and lighter-recoiling MCK/Glock combo to know how much better it is than a $1227 tacticool-STEN. At least you can take comfort in the fact that Hi-Point is on your side!
@answer,
If you like the Scorpion better, go ahead and buy it. Nobody’s stopping you and nobody will say you made a poor purchase. I think we all agree that this is a pretty cool gun. My personal decision is to keep my Glocks and AR pistols, which for some unknown reason you want to argue over.
Not worth arguing mag capacity with you, though if one really wanted to, one could buy a ProMag DRM-A11 50-rd drum mag specifically for Glocks, which – if I can do the tuff maff in my head – is greater capacity than 35 rounds. But I prefer my Magpul 21- and 25-rd stick mags, and anyone can simply bring an extra mag in their pocket/pouch, so at the end of the day who cares?
Kthxbai
– Haz the Glock Boi
I myself was wondering…
a five and a half pound 9mm pistol with a four inch barrel and heavy recoil…
because…
why?
To each their own- absolutely.
its like everything else 2020:
>1200 dollars…1 mag no optic no light no sling
>bad safety
>terrible trigger
>wrong grip angle
>mediocre mag release
>shoots 50 cents a round 9mm plinking ammo a little farther and a little more accurately than a semi auto handgun with the same terminal ballistic performance in a defensive role while weighing almost as much as a rifle and costing two to three times as much as a pistol
right on man…right on…
I have a S1 but I think I’m going to get an Extar Ep9 at 4 pounds and $450 for the wife & daughter.
Didn’t you have a dot on this gun for your chest rig article over at BreachBang?
I took it off to test the pinty and then the pinty broke so its back to bare for now
Fair.
Thanks.
I love CZ, but this thing?…….
It’s flaws are over stated in my opinion. I have the larger format pistol version and think the barrel length is better. Only thing I would change is the cheese grater rails. It’s my favorite fun gun to shoot and is extremely robust. You can tell this was designed as a military weapon first. The bolt and ejector is just massive. It eats everything. Mags are very good and cheap. It’s crude, it’s rough, it’s reliable.
Be a nice gun if your employer bought it for you.
There are always a lot of ‘why would I want this’ in the comment sections since the barrel length is similar to most handguns. But unless your Glock has a stock, most people don’t fully appreciate how much easier these are to shoot compared to a handgun. Head shots at 50 yards and torso hits out to 100+ yards aren’t that difficult and it fits in a briefcase. It’s a bonus that they are so much fun to shoot.
MCK gives you a similar brace (but better, because of the soft round cheek area) at 60% length, 60% cost, 50% weight, and gentle locked-breech recoil.
It’s incredibly handy. 100 yards no problem. I know there is a lot of opinions regarding pcc’s. It does what it is supposed to in my opinion
I would rather have czP10 or glock with a micro roni or similar setup. A pistol so equipped would have similar performance at range with a similar barrel length and similar weight.
Carry the pistol and keep micro roni in the truck. It will have same trigger as you are used to when set up.
This could be done with optics for 60% of scorpion cost.
If you don’t like it then don’t buy one.
I am sure anyone that does buy this already has a full size pistol.
I looked at one, thought they were too thick and the brace sucked. Cool looking though.
My buddy has the scorpion pistol with the sliding “brace”
That brace is awful!
It is a thousand time better with the folding “brace”
Micro Scorp is where it’s at. Fuck all the haters!
How about bring back the search feature for gun reviews that used to be available. It was simply not a smart idea to get rid of it. It was one of the best features of “The Truth about Guns”. You really took something of real value and destroyed it.
FYI- Timney has a replacement trigger for Scorpions now.
https://timneytriggers.com/cz-scorpion/
Would appreciate a review before I order one. 🙂
HB makes replacement springs that get the trigger pull down to less than 6 pounds. There are guides out there for shimming the factory trigger to reduce the travel substantially, which makes the trigger even better. I’m not saying the Timney isn’t a great trigger, but if you have 1-2 hours you can “make” a match trigger for less than $30 that’s relatively comparable to a mid-tier AR trigger.
Something to be aware of if you like to tinker.
Repeal the NFA and Hughes Amendment!
This might be in the wrong place, but only way I found to email you. How am I suppose to email you when you don’t post the address? Just one question – wondering why you discontinued the feature allowing us to look under manufacture name for reviews? That made things much easier. If I might make a suggestion it would be to return to that format. I don’t aim to be a critic – just trying to help. Thanks
A lot of fun in select fire. Price of ammo makes it need 3RB. Mp5k beats it hands down
This semi-automatic version of the modern pistol caliber carbine legend.
found some speedloader mags at https://raeind.com/
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