Yes, I’m recommending this pistol-caliber carbine. At this point, we all know I love CZ, but they don’t love me back, mostly when it comes to my wallet. However, the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 series has been on my wishlist for a long time now. I was finally able to purchase one for myself and take a good look at it. What I found was a firearm that doesn’t serve much of a purpose in everyday life (for me), but I really do love it all the same. 

If you’re a gamer, you might have some memories of this gun in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. That’s where my love affair with this gun started. It’s gorgeous in real life. Like basically everything CZ has, the Scorpion looks fantastic. It’s slim and streamlined without extra unnecessary weight tacked on. The folding stock feels pretty solid and is adjustable but isn’t anything that’s going to be a selling point. It also includes iron sights which is a welcome change for me. The last few firearms I bought didn’t come with any. Lefties can rejoice too since everything on this gun is ambidextrous; it even includes a non-reciprocating and swappable charging handle.

Now that all the aesthetics and features are out of the way, we can talk about what we’re all really here for: how the gun actually performs. I’m happy to report that it’s just as fantastic as I imagined it. Shooting feels smooth, especially in a rifle configuration. 9mm recoil feels like little more than a slight breeze blowing into your shoulder. All the extra weight from the 16.2” barrel and stock entirely mitigate the already soft recoil of a 9mm cartridge.

Not to mention that the longer barrel provides for some rock-solid accuracy, with certain ammo anyway. I had the most success with Hornady Defense 135 grain Critical Duty, but that could potentially be different from gun to gun. Sub two-inch groups were commonplace at 100 yards from a prone position while using a red dot and magnifier. I’d consider that pretty great being that it’s a pistol caliber.

There’s one problem though. I don’t think the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 Carbine has much use for me. It’s the same length as a rifle yet lacks the velocity of a rifle round. In fact, I think I’m likely to sell this carbine and get the pistol version that could serve as a true truck gun. Still, I really love the platform and am excited to SBR (Short-barrel rifle) the pistol version and slap a suppressor on it.

If you’re in a state where you can’t carry a loaded rifle in your vehicle, this carbine might not be the move. However, it’s pistol+brace brother will definitely get the job done. Outside of that, you’re really just looking at a “just for fun” carbine. I might not have much practical use for the CZ Scorpion Evo Carbine, but it’s still a ton of fun and holds a place in my heart.

Richard Douglas writes on firearms, defense, and security issues. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at the National Interest, 1945, Daily Caller, and other publications.

Image: Wikimedia Commons