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When the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Pistol first hit the US market, I thought it was a cool gun but I wasn't interested in purchasing one. When SB Tactical released the SBTEVO brace specifically designed for this pistol, I suddenly found myself interested in this pistol. As I watched prices for the SBTEVO brace slowly decrease, I also observed an increase in price for this pistol despite the so called "Trump slump." I watched and read just about every useful review I possibly could about this pistol. To see what people had to say about this pistol and the aftermarket support. I saw a post on Gun.deals for NGOA and took advantage of their trial membership since they advertised the lowest price I had seen for this pistol in a very long time. Before I even took possession of this pistol from my FFL, I had already ordered a SB Tactical SBTEVO brace, Apex Optimizer grip, Apex ambidextrous safety set and two CZ 30-round magazines. I also had a Vortex Venom red dot sight laying around for previously planned purchase that never happened.
As you've probably seen in the picture above, the Apex grip is no longer on the pistol. I initially installed the grip but decided to take remove it because I prefered the factory grip. In just about every review I watched and read people complained for various reasons about factory grip and how much they prefered aftermarket grips. For myself I felt that the Apex grip was a little too short and thin for my preference. The Apex grip itself is very well built, if the grip were a little longer then I might have considered keeping it.
The safety levers that come installed from the factory on this pistol were poorly designed. From an ergonomic perspective it doesn't matter if you're right or left-handed, they will dig into your hand. I don't understand how this gun went into production with these levers but luckily this is an easy fix. There are many aftermarket options and CZ now offers a control delete option for $13.00 (USD). For myself I chose the Apex ambidextrous safety set, they serve their purpose very well and will work just fine for myself and anyone I allow to shoot my pistol.
A few years ago I purchased Vortex Venom red dot specifically for a FNH PS90 I planning on purchasing. When I finally had the money to make the purchase, PS90 prices had increased everywhere and I chose to wait. I waited and waited in hopes that prices would eventually return to their sub $1,200 (USD) glory days but that never happened. Suddenly the only place I could find a PS90 for sale was on Gunbroker and every single one of them were price gouged. As much as I would love own a PS90, I have since moved onto other firearms chambered in calibers that are easy to find inexpensive ammo for. Online I could not find many review of people using this red dot sight on a CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1. Since I already had it laying around I figured I'd give it a try and see what happens. This sight sits low enough for me to 1/3 co-witness with factory iron sights. The field of view is nice but not as tall or as wide as that of an Eotech. I specifically chose the Venom because of its size, price and free lifetime warranty from the factory. The more expensive brands i.e. Eotech, Aimpoint, Leupold, etc. all have proven track records but I am not a professional door kicker.
The SB Tactical SBTEVO brace is a must have if you do not plan on turning this pistol into a SBR (short barrel rifle) or purchasing it with a 16 inch barrel. The fact that this is a foldable brace makes it easier to fit inside a backpack or messenger bag if you choose to utilize it as a PDW (personal defense weapon). The brace folds and unfolds fairly easily but only locks when unfolded. On a positive note, when folded the brace remains in position until you unfold it. If you haven't handled a firearm with a brace I strongly recommend that you try it. Prior to purchasing my pistol and brace, I got a chance to shoot an AK47 pistol and Sig Sauer MPX (both equipped with SB Tactical braces) and loved it. After shooting those two pistols with braces I had to have something similar. Additionally, another contributing factor was the ATF "Re: Reversal of ATF Open Letter on the Redesign of Stabilizing Braces" letter released last year 21 March 2017 (links to letter below).
At the range it took me a little bit of time to sight-in the red dot sight. I usually sight-in all my guns with a gun rest, but today I didn't have the time to do so. I was able to get rough 25-yard sight-in with all my shots take from a standing unsupported position. For ammo I used Silver Bear 115 gr FMJ and PPU 115 gr FMJ. Below is a picture of a shot group I was able to produce towards the end of my range session at 25 yards. This group consisted of 30 semi-rapidly fired head shots on a B-27 paper target. Also, something else to consider is that this was all done with the factory 8 lbs trigger.
Overall I am very pleased with this pistol. At the moment I'm contemplating on purchasing a HB Industries reduced weight trigger spring kit and extended charging handle, but we'll see what happens once I get more rounds through this pistol. I'm also contemplating on sighting-in this pistol at 50 yards later on this year once it gets cooler outside. However, this is something else I need to do a bit more research on. For the time being I am ok with a 25 yard sight-in. Something else I want to address is another complaint some reviewers had about this gun. There were a few complaints about magazines sticking in the gun while the magazine release lever was depressed and I did not experience this with mine. But then again judging by the markings on my pistol and magazines (correct me if I am wrong) I think mine were all built in 2018.
Lastly, I apologize for the long post. This probably the longest post I have made on this forum. But I hope that the information I shared with you guys was useful.
Letter From ATF To SB Tactical
https://cdn0.thetruthaboutguns.com/...es-Stabilizing-Brace-Letter-Final-3.21.17.pdf
Letter Posted On ATF Official Website
https://www.atf.gov/file/11816/download
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sorry, I got distracted lol
Did I miss some kind of loophope on that?
