One of my favorite firearms I have in my safe has always been my CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 Pistol. I just love the look, feel, and performance of that gun and have since I first put my hands on it years ago. I have seen the new CZ 3+ Micro already, but I had not touched the pistol version. That is until I saw one on the table at the 2022 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous event in Idaho.
The CZ Scorpion 3+ Pistol
I picked it up and fired some rounds down range, immediately falling in love with the platform all over again. That beautiful “ting” of 9mm smacking steel plates was music to my ears. So, is the 3+ pistol better than my old version? Well, that is a tough question to answer. Let’s start with the 3+’s specs.
The new CZ Scorpion 3+ Pistol is actually a limited run, according to the CZ website. I really don’t know why it is a limited run, but it seems they are pushing for the Micro version to take over as the 3+ variant of choice.
I get it because the micro is shorter and more compact than the pistol version. But the 7.8-inch barrel on the pistol, along with the added surface area on the handguard, really offers zero muzzle flip and incredible control.
The Scorpion 3+ pistol balances the compact size with better ballistic performance thanks to that longer barrel as well. Other than the barrel and handguard length, the pistol is the same as the micro. CZ reworked the entire gun when they came out with the 3+ line.
The new Scorpion 3+ is a modern improvement over the first and second-generation Scorpion models. They started with a bunch of cosmetic and control changes that are all designed to improve the overall shooting experience as well as aid to the performance of the gun.
The Scorpion 3+ Pistol Frame
The most noticeable change for me is the frame design itself. It closely matches its big brother, the Bren 2. It looks a lot cleaner even though there are actually more controls added to it now. A new pistol grip adjusts the shooter’s grip angle, fixing the safety selector digging into your hand while shooting issue, that everyone hated on the original Scorpions.
That grip and safety selector were the first to go for some aftermarket upgrades on my personal Scorpion S1 after the first time I shot it. I was not going to deal with that selector digging into my hand. That problem is pretty much fixed on the 3+—for most hands, anyway.
In addition to improved ergonomics and function of the grip, it also looks so much better from the factory now. The other large change from the previous generation is the addition of an AR-15-style magazine release. Not to mention, new black 20-round magazines instead of the clear ones of the past.
The new magazines will fit into your old-generation guns, but the old magazines do not work with the new 3+. Personally, I think this was a huge mistake for CZ. The best part of the original Scorpion was the grip and rip design of the magazine release.
I understand there is more familiarity among shooters with an AR-15 Magazine release. However, I just think they should have left that alone. Plus, it stinks if you already have magazines, as I do; I can not use them in the new platform without some heavy modification.
That old magazine release was turned into the blot release on the 3+. However, it’s kind of awkward to use, so I still stick with the old-school charging handle upfront.
The Scorpion 3+ Handguard
The other major change is to the handguard itself. CZ got rid of the metal handguard for an attractive MLOK plastic version. This helps reduce the heat, allowing the shooter to keep the front hand on the handguard longer when running it hard.
They also include nice, robust aluminum iron sights on every model, along with a Magpul hand stop. The pistol version weighs 5.3 pounds with an overall length of 15.2 inches. Although, for some reason, it is $300 cheaper than the Micro.
I still don’t really understand that, but for under $1000, you really can’t go wrong with the new CZ Scorpion 3+ Pistol. That is if you can get your hands on one of these limited production run models.
For more information, please visit www.CZ-USA.com.
CZ Scorpion 3+ Pistol Specs
Chambering: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 20 Rounds
Magazine Type: Double stack polymer
Frame: Fiber-reinforced polymer
Sights: Adjustable, Aluminum
Grips: Polymer, adjustable for reach to trigger
Barrel: 7.8 IN Cold Hammer-Forged; Threaded 1/2×28
Weight: 5.3 lbs
Overall Length: 15.2 IN
Height: 8.9 IN
Width: 2.4 IN
Safety: Ambidextrous thumb safety
MSRP: $999.00
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