CZ Scorpion Evo 3 Review: 1,500 Round Test of the 9mm PCC King (2026)

Last updated and checked October 29, 2026 · By Nick Hall, PCC shooter who put 1,500 rounds through the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 for this review

Affiliate disclosure: This CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 review contains affiliate links. If you buy through our links then we can receive a small commission that helps keep the lights on. You don’t pay anything more and we find the cheapest prices and display them transparently. So you’ll pay less.

Quick Answer: The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 is the best all-round 9mm PCC pistol you can buy in 2026: 1,500 rounds through ours with zero malfunctions, a 7.72-inch threaded barrel, fully ambidextrous controls and the deepest aftermarket in the class. The OD green S1 was $1,199.99 at Palmetto State Armory on October 29, 2026.

The Scorpion has the deepest aftermarket of any modern PCC: stocks, triggers, handguards, magazines, and accessories from CZ-USA, HB Industries, Manticore Arms, and dozens of other manufacturers. The factory trigger is acceptable but heavy; an HB Industries flat trigger transforms the gun.

The biggest mistake new Scorpion owners make is buying brand-new magazines and complaining about how stiff they are. CZ Scorpion mags require a 50-100 insertion break-in as the polymer wears in; speed up the process by loading and unloading the magazines repeatedly while watching TV. Not a defect, just a characteristic of tight-tolerance polymer mags.

Table of Contents

Review: CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 – The 9mm PCC That Started It All

Our Rating: 8.5/10

• Price: $1,199.99 at Palmetto State Armory (S1 pistol, OD green, October 29, 2026)
• Rivals the same day: PSA AR-V from $799.99, Grand Power Stribog SP9A3 $1,159.99 (both Palmetto State Armory)
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Action: Blowback-operated, semi-automatic
• Barrel Length: 7.72″
• Overall Length: 16.35″ (brace collapsed)
• Weight: 5.0 lbs (unloaded)
• Capacity: 20+1 (ships with 2x 20-round magazines)
• Receiver Material: Fiber-reinforced polymer
• Controls: Fully ambidextrous (mag release, safety, charging handle)
• Forend: M-LOK compatible
• Barrel Threading: 1/2×28
• Sights: Adjustable post front, aperture rear (co-witness height)
• Made in: Czech Republic

Quick Take

The CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 is the pistol caliber carbine that every other PCC gets measured against. That’s not marketing hype. It’s just what happened when CZ gave the American market a reliable, affordable, customizable 9mm platform and then let the aftermarket go absolutely wild with it. The Scorpion earned its reputation the old-fashioned way: by working.

I put 1,500 rounds through this thing over the course of three range sessions, and the results were exactly what the internet told me they’d be. Zero malfunctions. Eats everything from steel-case Tula to 147-grain Federal HSTs. The gun just runs.

Is it perfect out of the box? No. The trigger is bad, and the pistol grip feels like it was designed for someone with hands the size of a small child. But here’s the thing: an HBI trigger spring kit and a Yeti Wurks grip fix both problems in about 20 minutes. After those two upgrades, you’ve got a PCC that hangs with guns costing far more.

Best For: Home defense, suppressor hosts, PCC competition, range fun, and anyone who wants a customizable 9mm platform with the deepest aftermarket in the PCC world. If you’re on a budget and want the most proven PCC available, this is it.

Why CZ Built the Scorpion Evo 3 This Way

The Scorpion Evo 3 didn’t come out of nowhere. CZ (Ceska zbrojovka, for the purists) developed the full-auto Evo 3 A1 for the Czech military and police forces. The A1 is a select-fire submachine gun that’s been in service since 2009, deployed by military and law enforcement across Europe. The S1 is the semi-auto civilian version, and CZ was smart about the translation.

They kept the things that mattered: the bombproof blowback operating system, the ambidextrous controls, the lightweight polymer construction, and the overall ergonomic layout. Then they adapted it for the American market by offering it in pistol, carbine, and SBR configurations. The pistol version, which is what I’m reviewing here, is the most popular by a wide margin.

CZ also made a smart business decision by designing its own magazine that’s actually good. So good, in fact, that other manufacturers built PCCs around Scorpion mags: the PSA AR-V, one of the Scorpion’s main competitors, uses them. That tells you how dominant this platform has become.

The blowback operating system is dead simple. There’s no rotating bolt, no gas system, no piston. A heavy bolt rides backward under recoil pressure, a spring pushes it forward, and it strips a new round from the magazine. Fewer moving parts means fewer things to break. It also means the Scorpion is easy to clean and maintain.

The tradeoff with blowback is more felt recoil compared to the roller-delayed Stribog SP9A3 or the gas-piston Sig MPX. But in 9mm, that difference is marginal. You’re not going to notice it during casual shooting. In competition, maybe. But for 95% of Scorpion owners, the simplicity and reliability of straight blowback is the right call.

Competitor Comparison

On October 29, 2026 at Palmetto State Armory, the OD green Scorpion EVO 3 S1 was $1,199.99, the 8-inch PSA AR-V $799.99, the Grand Power Stribog SP9A3 $1,159.99, the CMMG Banshee Mk4 (5-inch) $1,481.99 and the Sig MPX Copperhead $1,948.

PSA AR-V (from $799.99)

The PSA AR-V is the budget king that uses CZ Scorpion magazines, which tells you a lot about how well CZ designed its mag system. At $799.99 for the 8-inch pistol (Palmetto State Armory, October 29, 2026), $400 less than the Scorpion, the AR-V gives you an AR-pattern lower with a last-round bolt hold open (something the Scorpion lacks without modification). If you’re already comfortable with AR controls, the AR-V feels like home immediately.

But you give up a few things. The AR-V’s fit and finish doesn’t quite match CZ’s quality. The aftermarket, while growing, is a fraction of what’s available for the Scorpion. The AR-V is a fantastic PCC for the money, but if you can stretch to the Scorpion, the build quality and aftermarket support make it worth the extra $400. Check out our full PSA AR-V review for more details.

Sig Sauer MPX (from $1,948)

The Sig MPX is what happens when you throw money at the PCC problem. It uses a short-stroke gas piston system instead of blowback, which gives it noticeably softer recoil. The trigger is better out of the box. The fit and finish is top-shelf. If the Scorpion is the Honda Civic of PCCs (reliable, affordable, endlessly customizable), the MPX is the BMW M3.

The catch is price. The MPX Copperhead was $1,948 at Palmetto State Armory on October 29, 2026, $748 more than the Scorpion. It’s better, sure: the recoil impulse is smoother, the trigger is cleaner, and it looks incredible. But it’s not 60% better. If you’re a serious PCC competitor, the MPX makes sense. For everyone else, the Scorpion with a couple hundred dollars in upgrades gets you most of the way there.

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Grand Power Stribog SP9A3 (from $1,159.99)

The Stribog SP9A3 is the Scorpion’s most direct competitor, and it was $40 cheaper at Palmetto State Armory on October 29, 2026 ($1,159.99). The A3 uses a delayed roller blowback system, which gives it softer recoil than the Scorpion’s straight blowback, and it ships with a flat-face trigger that’s better than the Scorpion’s stock unit.

The problem is track record. Early Stribog models had feeding issues and QC complaints. Grand Power has improved things significantly with the A3, but the Scorpion has years of proven reliability behind it. The aftermarket support for the Stribog is also much thinner. If you’re the type who likes to buy a gun and run it stock, the Stribog’s better trigger and softer recoil are compelling. If you want to customize and have a massive community behind you, the Scorpion wins.

CMMG Banshee Mk4 (from $1,481.99)

The CMMG Banshee Mk4 uses CMMG’s radial delayed blowback system, one of the softest-shooting PCC actions on the market. It’s built on an AR platform, so you get full AR ergonomics, an excellent trigger, and compatibility with standard AR furniture. The Banshee is a fantastic PCC.

At $1,481.99 for the 5-inch pistol (Palmetto State Armory, October 29, 2026), it sits between the Scorpion and the MPX. It’s softer shooting than the Scorpion and cheaper than the MPX, but it lacks the Scorpion’s dedicated aftermarket ecosystem. If you’re already invested in the AR platform and want a PCC that feels like your rifle, the Banshee is excellent. If you’re starting fresh, the Scorpion’s lower price and deeper aftermarket still make it the better entry point.

Features and Technical Deep Dive

Construction and Build Quality

The Scorpion’s receiver is fiber-reinforced polymer, and it feels solid in hand. Not hollow or cheap like some polymer guns. CZ has been doing polymer right for decades (the CZ P-10 series proves that), and the Scorpion benefits from that experience. The machining on the metal components is clean. Barrel fit is tight. The overall impression when you pick it up is “this is a well-made tool.”

At 5.0 pounds unloaded, the Scorpion is light enough to run all day without fatigue. Add a loaded 20-round magazine and you’re at about 5.5 pounds. With a 35-round extended mag, you’re still under 6 pounds. For a home defense gun that might need to be maneuvered through hallways, that weight is a major advantage over rifle-caliber platforms.

Controls and Ergonomics

CZ nailed the ambidextrous controls. The magazine release is reversible, the safety selector is mirrored on both sides, and the non-reciprocating charging handle can be swapped to either side. For left-handed shooters, this is a huge deal. Most PCCs in this price range don’t offer true ambi controls.

Now, the safety. It works perfectly. But it’s loud. The click when you engage or disengage the safety is aggressive enough that you can hear it across the range. Some people find it reassuring. Others find it annoying. HBI makes a delete kit that removes the right-side safety lever, and Yeti Wurks makes a reduced-reach safety that’s quieter. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing about.

The pistol grip is the Scorpion’s most controversial feature. It’s small, thin, and has an aggressive angle that doesn’t work for a lot of shooters. I have medium-sized hands and found it tolerable but not comfortable. People with larger hands universally hate it. The good news is that the grip is held on by a single bolt and swaps in about 30 seconds. Yeti Wurks, Magpul, and HBI all make replacement grips that transform the feel of the gun. Budget $25-35 for a new grip and consider it part of the purchase price.

Trigger

Let me be real with you: the stock CZ Scorpion trigger is not good. It’s heavy (somewhere around 8-9 pounds), gritty through the travel, and the reset is mushy. For a gun that gets so many things right, the trigger is disappointing out of the box.

But here’s why it doesn’t hurt the Scorpion’s score much: the HBI trigger spring kit is cheap and takes 10 minutes to install. It drops the pull weight to around 5 pounds, cleans up the grit, and gives you a much more defined reset. It’s one of the best dollar-per-improvement upgrades in all of firearms. Everyone who owns a Scorpion should install this kit. It turns a bad trigger into a good one.

If you want to go further, the HBI Theta trigger pack ($60-80) or the Franklin Armory binary trigger ($300+) take things to another level. But for most shooters, the $15 spring kit is all you need.

Forend and Accessory Mounting

The current-generation Scorpion ships with an M-LOK-compatible forend that gives you plenty of rail space for lights, lasers, forward grips, or whatever else you want to bolt on. Earlier models came with a proprietary rail system, so make sure you’re buying the current version if M-LOK compatibility matters to you.

The top rail is a full-length Picatinny that runs from the receiver to the front of the forend. It co-witnesses with the factory iron sights, which are actually pretty good: adjustable front post with an aperture rear. For most people, a red dot is the way to go on this platform. A Holosun 510C, Sig Romeo 5, or Aimpoint PRO all sit great on the Scorpion’s top rail.

Suppressor Readiness

The Scorpion comes threaded 1/2×28 from the factory, which is the standard thread pitch for 9mm suppressors. This is a huge selling point. The 9mm Scorpion is one of the most popular suppressor hosts in America, and for good reason. The blowback action runs suppressed without any modifications. No adjustable gas block needed, no buffer weight changes. Just thread your can on and go.

Running suppressed, the Scorpion is pleasant to shoot. Subsonic 147-grain ammo through a quality 9mm can makes it much quieter and puts a smile on everyone’s face at the range. If you’re buying a Scorpion with suppressor plans, budget for that HBI trigger spring kit and a good 9mm can, and you’ll have one of the most enjoyable guns in your collection.

At the Range: 1,500 Round Test

Testing Protocol

I ran 1,500 rounds through the Scorpion over three range sessions, spaced about a week apart. No cleaning between sessions (I wanted to see how dirty it would get). No lubrication added after the initial factory lube. I used a mix of brass, steel, and aluminum-case ammunition in bullet weights ranging from 115 grain to 147 grain. Here’s the full ammo breakdown.

Ammo Log

• Federal American Eagle 115gr FMJ: 400 rounds
• Blazer Brass 124gr FMJ: 300 rounds
• Tula 115gr FMJ (steel case): 200 rounds
• Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ: 200 rounds
• Federal HST 124gr JHP: 100 rounds
• Speer Gold Dot 124gr JHP: 100 rounds
• Federal Syntech 147gr: 100 rounds
• Hornady Critical Defense 115gr FTX: 100 rounds

Session 1: Break-In (500 Rounds)

First 500 rounds were a mix of Federal American Eagle 115gr and Blazer Brass 124gr. The gun ran flawlessly from the first round. No failures to feed, no failures to eject, no stovepipes. Magazine insertion was stiff with the brand-new factory mags for the first couple of reloads, but it loosened up noticeably by the end of the session.

The stock trigger was rough during this session. That heavy, gritty pull was fatiguing over 500 rounds of rapid fire. I installed the HBI trigger spring kit that evening. It took about 12 minutes following HBI’s YouTube tutorial. Night and day difference.

Accuracy at 25 yards was solid. I was keeping 3-4 inch groups off a rest with the factory iron sights, which is about what you’d expect from a blowback PCC with a 7.72-inch barrel. Not precision rifle territory, but more than adequate for the Scorpion’s intended purpose.

Session 2: Mixed Ammo Torture Test (500 Rounds)

Session two was the real test. I ran through 200 rounds of steel-case Tula, 200 rounds of Winchester White Box, and 100 rounds of Federal Syntech 147gr. I also alternated between factory 20-round mags and some aftermarket 35-round Magpul Scorpion mags.

Zero malfunctions. The steel-case Tula ran as smoothly as the brass. The 147-grain Syntech was noticeably softer shooting, with less muzzle rise and a more gentle recoil impulse. The heavier bullet weight is ideal if you’re planning to run the Scorpion suppressed.

The 35-round Magpul mags fed perfectly. No issues with the longer magazine body, and the extra capacity is fantastic for range days. They’re heavier when loaded, obviously, but the gun balances fine with the extended mag inserted.

Session 3: Defensive Ammo and Accuracy (500 Rounds)

The final session focused on defensive ammunition and precision work. I ran 100 rounds each of Federal HST 124gr, Speer Gold Dot 124gr, and Hornady Critical Defense 115gr. All three fed and ejected without a single issue. This matters because hollow-point ammunition can be finicky in some blowback PCCs. The Scorpion didn’t care.

For accuracy testing, I mounted a Holosun 510C red dot and shot 5-round groups from a rest at 25 yards. With the Federal HST 124gr, I was consistently getting 2-inch groups. The Speer Gold Dot was slightly tighter, around 1.75 inches. The Hornady Critical Defense opened up a bit to about 2.5 inches. For a 7.72-inch barreled, blowback-operated PCC, those numbers are excellent.

At 50 yards, groups opened to 3-4 inches with the HSTs, which is still very respectable. Beyond 50 yards, you’re pushing the practical accuracy limits of a 9mm PCC, but the Scorpion held its own. I was able to consistently ring a 6-inch steel plate at 75 yards with the red dot.

Post-Test Inspection

After 1,500 rounds with no cleaning, I broke the Scorpion down for inspection. The bolt face was carbon-caked, as expected with any blowback gun. The feed ramp had some fouling but nothing concerning. The chamber was dirty but showed no signs of excessive wear. The barrel’s rifling looked clean and sharp. The recoil spring showed no signs of fatigue.

The gun was filthy, but it ran through every single round without protest. That kind of reliability is exactly what you want from a gun you might depend on for home defense.

Performance Testing Results

Reliability: 9/10

1,500 rounds. Zero malfunctions. Steel, brass, aluminum. 115 grain through 147 grain. Factory mags and aftermarket mags. Hollow points and FMJ. The Scorpion ate everything. I can’t give it a 10 because I’ve only tested one example and there could be lemons out there, but I’ve been shooting PCCs for years and this is among the most reliable I’ve tested.

The blowback operating system deserves credit here. Fewer parts means fewer failure points. The extractor claw is beefy and the ejection port is generously sized. CZ designed this system for military abuse, and it shows.

Accuracy: 8/10

For a blowback PCC with a 7.72-inch barrel, the Scorpion’s accuracy is excellent. Sub-2-inch groups at 25 yards with quality ammo is better than many full-size handguns. At practical defensive distances (7-25 yards), you’ll have no trouble keeping all your rounds on target, even shooting fast.

The accuracy ceiling is limited by the blowback action (bolt movement during the firing cycle can introduce slight inconsistency) and the barrel length. A roller-delayed Stribog A3 or a gas-piston MPX will group a bit tighter. But for the Scorpion’s intended use cases, the accuracy is more than sufficient.

Ergonomics and Recoil: 7/10

Recoil is minimal. It’s 9mm through a 5-pound gun. You can shoot this all day without fatigue. Muzzle rise is predictable and easy to manage, making rapid follow-up shots simple. New shooters will find this gun very approachable.

The ergonomics score takes a hit because of the grip. I know I keep hammering on this, but it’s the single biggest complaint from Scorpion owners across the board. The charging handle is also a bit small for my taste, though HBI makes an extended version. The magazine release and safety placement are both intuitive and easy to reach.

Fit, Finish, and QC: 8/10

CZ’s quality control is consistently good. My test gun showed no machining marks, no loose components, no misaligned parts. The polymer surfaces are evenly textured. The Picatinny rail dimensions are to spec (I checked with a rail gauge). The barrel threads are clean and concentric.

It doesn’t have the premium feel of a Sig MPX or a B&T APC9, but it’s not trying to. For its price point, the CZ Scorpion’s fit and finish is among the best you’ll find. CZ’s reputation for quality at accessible prices is well-earned, and the Scorpion is a perfect example of that philosophy. If you want to see more of what CZ brings to the table, check out our roundup of the best CZ pistols.

Known Issues and Common Problems

Stock Trigger (Easy Fix)

The most common complaint by far. The factory trigger is heavy, gritty, and has a vague reset. The HBI trigger spring kit is the single most recommended Scorpion upgrade. It drops pull weight from 8-9 pounds to about 5 pounds and cleans up the entire trigger feel. Budget for this at purchase. You will want it.

Pistol Grip Too Small

The factory grip’s narrow profile and steep angle don’t work for many shooters, especially those with larger hands. The Yeti Wurks Switchback grip ($35) and the Magpul MOE EVO grip ($25) are the two most popular replacements. Both give you a more comfortable angle and a larger circumference. Swapping takes less than a minute with a single bolt.

Loud Safety Selector

The safety clicks aggressively. Some shooters find the audible and tactile feedback reassuring. Others find it excessive, especially for a home defense gun where discretion matters. HBI’s safety delete kit removes the right-side lever (keeps the left), and Yeti Wurks makes a reduced-throw safety that’s quieter. Not a functionality issue, but something to know about.

Stiff Magazine Insertion (When New)

Brand-new CZ Scorpion mags can be stiff to insert and even stiffer to remove. This resolves itself after 50-100 insertions as the polymer wears in. You can speed up the break-in process by loading and unloading the magazines repeatedly while watching TV. Not a defect, just a characteristic of tight-tolerance polymer mags.

No Last-Round Bolt Hold Open (Factory)

The factory Scorpion doesn’t lock the bolt open on the last round. You have to manually lock the bolt back after the mag runs dry. This is a deliberate design choice from CZ (the military A1 version works the same way), but it annoys shooters coming from the AR platform. HBI makes an extended magazine release that gives you slightly faster reloads, and there are aftermarket bolt catch modifications, but it’s not a simple fix.

Parts, Accessories, and Upgrades

This is where the Scorpion truly separates itself from the competition. No other PCC has this depth of aftermarket support. Not even close. Here are the upgrades I recommend, roughly in order of priority.

Upgrade Category	Recommended Component	Why It Matters	Cost Estimate
Trigger Spring	HBI Trigger Spring Kit	Transforms the mushy stock trigger into something crisp and shootable	$15
Pistol Grip	Yeti Wurks Switchback or Magpul MOE EVO	Fixes the biggest ergonomic flaw, more comfortable angle and size	$25-$35
Optic	Holosun 510C or Sig Romeo 5	Red dot makes this gun infinitely faster than iron sights	$120-$280
Extended Mags	Magpul Scorpion 35-round PMAG	50% more capacity, feeds perfectly, affordable	$20-$25 each
Charging Handle	HBI Extended Charging Handle	Larger, easier to grip, faster manipulations	$35
Safety Selector	HBI Safety Delete or Yeti Wurks Reduced Safety	Quieter operation, less snag, cleaner feel	$15-$30
Brace/Stock	SB Tactical SBT EVO or Magpul Zhukov	Better cheek weld and stability vs. factory option	$100-$150
Muzzle Device	HBI Micro Comp or your favorite 9mm suppressor	Reduces the little muzzle rise that exists, or go full quiet	$40+ (comp) / $400+ (suppressor)
Handguard	HBI MLOK Handguard or Manticore Arms Transformer	More rail space, better grip angle, sleeker profile	$80-$150

Most of these upgrades come straight from HB Industries, Magpul and Yeti Wurks. The trigger spring kit and grip should be purchased alongside the gun itself. They’re that essential.

The beauty of the Scorpion platform is that you can build it exactly how you want. Want a lightweight competition gun? Strip it down, add a comp, red dot, and HBI trigger pack. Want a suppressor host for nightstand duty? Thread on a can, add a weapon light, and install a brace with a good cheek weld. Want a range toy that makes everyone ask “what is that?” Go full space gun with a Manticore Arms handguard and an aggressive paint job. The Scorpion doesn’t judge.

CZ Scorpion Configurations

CZ offers the Scorpion in several configurations, which can be confusing for first-time buyers. Here’s the quick rundown.

The Scorpion Evo 3 S1 Pistol is what I tested and reviewed here. 7.72-inch barrel, ships as a pistol (no stock, but a brace can be added). This is the most popular version and gives you the most flexibility for configuration. The Scorpion Evo 3 S1 Carbine has a 16.2-inch barrel and a factory stock, making it a rifle under NFA rules. No tax stamp needed, but you lose the compact form factor. The Scorpion Evo 3 S2 Micro has a 4.12-inch barrel for maximum compactness. It’s the smallest and lightest option, ideal for SBR builds and suppressor use.

For most buyers, I recommend the S1 Pistol. It’s the most versatile. You can add a brace for shouldering, keep it as a pistol, or file a Form 1 to SBR it with a stock. The 7.72-inch barrel gives you enough velocity for 9mm to perform at its best while keeping the overall package compact and maneuverable.

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 by the Numbers

• 1,500 rounds of 8 loads, 0 malfunctions, no cleaning
• 1.75 in (Speer Gold Dot) and 2 in (Federal HST) 5-shot groups at 25 yards with a red dot
• 7.72 in barrel threaded 1/2×28, 5.0 lb unloaded, 20+1
• factory trigger about 8-9 lb; about 5 lb with the HBI spring kit
• $1,199.99 at Palmetto State Armory (October 29, 2026): $400 over a PSA AR-V, $748 under an MPX Copperhead

Who Should NOT Buy the CZ Scorpion EVO 3

• Budget-first buyers: the PSA AR-V takes the same magazines for $400 less.
• Shooters who want the softest recoil: the roller-delayed Stribog SP9A3 was $40 cheaper on October 29, 2026.
• AR-trained shooters who want last-round hold-open: the factory Scorpion does not lock open on empty.
• Big-handed shooters who won’t swap the grip: the factory grip is small and steep.
• Anyone who wants a great trigger out of the box: the stock trigger is 8-9 pounds and gritty.

The Verdict

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 earned its reputation as the benchmark PCC for a reason. Actually, several reasons: bulletproof reliability, an unmatched aftermarket, a price that undercuts the MPX and the Banshee, and a design proven in military service. It’s not the softest-shooting PCC (the MPX and Banshee have it beat there), and it’s not the prettiest out of the box (that stock grip, CZ, come on). But for the total package of reliability, value, customization potential, and community support, it’s still the one to beat.

I went into this review expecting to like the Scorpion. After 1,500 rounds, I love it. With the HBI trigger spring kit and a grip swap, this becomes one of the most enjoyable guns I own. It’s the gun I grab when I want to have a good time at the range. It’s the gun I’d recommend to someone buying their first PCC. And with a suppressor on the front end, it might be the most fun gun in my safe, period.

If you’re in the market for a 9mm PCC at around $1,200, the Scorpion should be at the top of your list. It’s been the king of this category for years, and in 2026, it’s still wearing the crown. If $1,200 is a stretch, the $799.99 PSA AR-V runs the same magazines.

Final Score: 8.5/10

Best For: Home defense, suppressor hosts, PCC competition, range days, new PCC owners, and anyone who wants a reliable 9mm platform with the deepest aftermarket and most active community in the PCC world. Also an outstanding choice for introducing new shooters to firearms (low recoil, light weight, intuitive controls).

Where to Buy the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1

The Scorpion is widely available. These were the best-priced new S1 listings in our retailer feed on October 29, 2026; the live price cards above update daily.

• Palmetto State Armory: the OD green Scorpion EVO 3 S1 was $1,199.99 on October 29, 2026
• Guns.com: the OD green S1 was $1,334.99 the same day

Looking for more 9mm PCC options? Check out our guides on the best 9mm AR pistols and the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 for sale page with live pricing from dozens of retailers. You can also browse our best CZ pistols roundup if you’re interested in other CZ firearms.

If you want a softer-shooting alternative, the Springfield Kuna swaps straight blowback for a roller-delayed action and a much flatter recoil impulse.

Frequently Asked Questions