CZ-USA is beginning to send Scorpion Evo Carbine handguards out into the market as a stand-alone product. The likely purchaser will be the Scorp Evo Pistol / SBR owner who wants the longer carbine forend to extend out over a suppressor. Hey, that’s me!
I’m usually so excited to install a new part that I rarely remember to take a “before” photo. So, seen above is a lovely one from last spring showing how the quad-railed pistol handguard stops right at the muzzle of the 7.72″ barrel.
The carbine one doesn’t suffer from that issue, though, of course. The barrel threads end up behind the first M-LOK® slot. Thankfully the carbine handguard mounts in the exact same manner in the exact same place, meaning it works with both the 7.72″ pistol barrel and the 16″ carbine barrel (or a cut-down carbine barrel, should you later turn your carbine into an SBR and would rather cut down and thread than buy a new barrel).
While the pistol handguard nut can be reused, the carbine handguard ships with a new one that accepts a 21mm deep socket. Phew. No proprietary tool needed.
Knowing that many users will be running a suppressor underneath the forend, CZ appropriately enlarged its inside diameter before the muzzle threads. Near as I can measure, there’s about 1.7″ of space inside of it to clear most any 9mm can available.
On the top side of the forend is a near-full-length M1913 Picatinny rail, which flawlessly extends the rail on the receiver.
Thankfully, the sides and bottom are no longer railed. Instead, they’re adorned with M-LOK slots so you can add your own rails, grips, sling sockets, or whatever other accessory suits your fancy. Even the angled surfaces have small M-LOK slots. This rail-less format makes for a significantly more comfortable gripping surface. In the ol’ KeyMod vs. M-LOK battle, by the way, I think the fact that M-LOK also works in polymer is a huge advantage.
Speaking of plastic, the feel of this handguard is really impressive. The fiber-reinforced polymer used here is some of the strongest, densest, and stiffest I’ve come across. The machining (or molding, if they’re molded in) of the slots is sharp and completely clean. Fit is exact, and overall look and feel are top notch.
Ergonomically, it really works for me. The octagonal shape provides secure grip, repeatability, and excellent comfort. I like pointing my support hand thumb at the target, running it along the forend against the top rail (if there is a top rail), and the design of this handguard is perfect for that.
Aesthetically, it definitely has a futuristic look to it. Reminds me a bit of the HK G36, or maybe like something out of a sci-fi movie like Equilibrium.
Of course, if you want your Scorpion Evo to really look like a space blaster, just remove the handguard entirely.
On The Range
Those great ergonomics translate to better shooting. The ability to move my support hand forwards is not only more comfortable, but provides more stability and control over the gun. Don’t be afraid of gripping right around that suppressor, as the polymer rejects heat transfer and its diameter and cooling slots allow for sufficient airflow. After rapidly dumping magazine after magazine of CapArms’ 147 grain subsonic ammo (which shines like jewelry, by the way, but sure isn’t priced like it) through this new setup, I could barely feel the warmth making it to my hand.
I have since installed a QD sling socket in the middle, left-side M-LOK slot and do prefer this more forwards location. It’s more stable when carrying the Scorp on a sling, and I can now better use the sling for stability while shooting. Most likely it’ll be receiving a flashlight soon, too.
Overall, I strongly prefer shooting with the carbine handguard’s ergonomics and increased hand placement options. M-LOK slots in a smooth body is also significantly nicer to grip than a mess of Pic rail. The whole thing just works and feels better in every way.
Conclusions
It’s great.
Specifications: CZ Scorpion Evo Carbine Handguard
Length: 11 and 9/16 inches
Material: fiber-reinforced polymer
Inner Diameter: 1.7″ (however, CZ-USA states it will fit a suppressor of 1.55″ in diameter or less)
Country of Origin: Made in the U.S.A.
MSRP: $99.99
Ratings (out of five stars):
Ergonomics * * * * *
It’s spot-on for me — wouldn’t change a thing. For those who like angled foreward grips or vertical grips or cheese grater Pic rail, the M-LOK sections make all of that possible, too.
Quality * * * * *
The polymer quality is fantastic. Fit is dead-on. Appearance (hue, sheen, texture) is a match to the Czech parts.
Utility * * * * *
Allows for way more grip options and every bolt-on accessory option imaginable. Helps protect the shooter from a hot suppressor. I’m excited to move my front sling socket forwards onto the handguard now.
Overall * * * *
It’s my understanding that CZ-USA has been swamped with demand for these and will have a hard time keeping up. The $99.99 MSRP isn’t outrageous, but it’s 12% of the price of a complete Scorpion Evo pistol and feels like a big ask for what it is. I’m extremely happy with this forend in every way, but am still dinging it a star due to what I perceive as a somewhat high price tag.
The 147 grain subsonic 9mm ammunition for this review was provided by CapArms. Their sponsorship of most of TTAG’s review-related ammo needs is a huge help, allowing us to review more guns and more gear more thoroughly.
I sort of assume from looking at this thing that it will not accept an Osprey muffler?
Sure it can. You’d just have to cut an appropriately-sized slot out of the bottom of the handguard 😛
Since it has to be screwed on and off for intallation and removal for cleaning purposes wouldn’t you have to take the whole handguard off?
Oh. Forgot about that part. I do believe you’re screwed.
Or use a tri-lug adapter that only requires a 90 degree (or less) rotation to lock it on? Cut the entire top half of the handguard off and run the Osprey upside down. Now THAT would be cool B-)
I haven’t handled this thing so I was basically asking if you could modify the hand guard so that it would accept the can, install the can and then slide the fore end over the suppressor and the barrel?
It looks to me like the hand-guard detaches from the rest of the gun and can be slid forward for removal or am I just looking at it wrong?
Unfortunately, looking at it wrong. The nut mentioned in the review goes on the barrel threads and is what clamps the handguard in place. The suppressor (or suppressor mount) goes on the same barrel threads and locks down against the nut. Can’t get the handguard off without removing the suppressor first.
There is a company making an aftermarket, aluminum handguard for the Scorp that’s free-floated, bolting to the sides on the receiver instead of using the barrel nut. That would be an option here, but I’m thinking it would still have to be modified to clear the can.
Thanks for the info!
When is CZ or someone going to make a carbine in 10mm ?????
(Some of us want considerably more “stopping power” out of a carbine than 9mm or even .40 S&W can deliver out of a 16 inch barrel.)
The KRISS Vector just became available in 10mm, in both pistol and carbine (and SBR and machine gun) form. I’m wrapping up testing of my loaner unit now and intending to publish the review later this month. There are a few pics of it on the TTAG Instagram page, but here’s the most recent: https://www.instagram.com/p/BLbOTLIgwSf/
BTW it seems to me like the Scorpion magazines can be made to accommodate longer cartridges within the same exterior dimension. CZ may have designed the gun with the capability of other calibers in mind. If that were to happen one day, I think it’s a very safe bet that .45 ACP would be next. But, if the gun can dimensionally fit .45 it can also fit 10mm. May never happen, but I believe it’s possible.
Its probably not going to happen since if you want more stopping power out of a 16″ carbine there is….wait for it….hundreds of variations of the AR-15 in more powerful calibers….many of them which are cheaper and much more powerful than 10mm.
There’s demand for it. Alternatives, substitutes, and even “better” options don’t matter…if there’s demand, which there is, someone will fill it. At any rate, an AR in whatever caliber will never be a CZ Scorpion in 10mm. No utility-based argument is going to change that. [Jeremy sniffs loudly, then drop kicks the microphone as he exits stage left to seize the rest of the day by the vagina. End scene.]
You’re “deplorable.”
Ariendel,
Is there an AR-15 that folds in half like the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 for ultra portability and concealability?
Is there an AR-15 chambering that will stop a huge black bear as fast as a .40 caliber, 180 grain hardcast lead bullet exiting the muzzle at 1,700 fps?
Is there an AR-15 chambering with caliber and magazines that match a handgun — like a Glock 20 in 10mm — that lets me use magazines in either the handgun or the carbine?
And is there an AR-15 round that is as quiet as 10mm coming out of a 16 inch barrel without a suppressor?
Finally, is there an AR-15 carbine with 16 inch barrel that weighs about 4.5 pounds and costs under $500?
>> Is there an AR-15 that folds in half like the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 for ultra portability and concealability?
Not quite to that extent, but there are certainly ways to have the stock fold, and of course you can always separate upper and lower for storage. If I remember correctly, some company did some kind of quick reconnect system where you would just slap them together without the need to fiddle with the pins – of course that requires a custom upper & lower.
>> Is there an AR-15 chambering that will stop a huge black bear as fast as a .40 caliber, 180 grain hardcast lead bullet exiting the muzzle at 1,700 fps?
Sure. How about a .458 caliber, 325 gr bullet exiting at 1,860 fps? That would be .458 SOCOM.
>> Finally, is there an AR-15 carbine with 16 inch barrel that weighs about 4.5 pounds and costs under $500?
This should be doable, if tricky. Extar EXP-556 weighs 3 pounds with a 7.5″ barrel.
What is the length of the attached suppressor in the “before” picture?
Same as in the “after” pictures 😉
It’s a Liberty Suppressors MysticX or Cosmic seen in all the photos. It’s on the longer end of the spectrum for a pistol can, especially with a fixed mount (although Liberty just released a slim, fixed mount that takes an inch off), but in return you get multi-caliber compatibility like crazy and some of the best sound reduction available.
Now that I own both a MysticX and a Cosmic, and I’m SHOCKED how quiet the Cosmic is on 9mm despite its .45 bore, I’m going to see if Liberty will cut my Mystic down and turn it into their Centurion. That would be the absolutely perfect length on this CZ.
Apologies I hadn’t watched the video yet so I wasn’t aware you mentioned the suppressor in the video.
I found a review of the Liberty Cosmic, ~9.25″ with attachment mount.
That setup just screams for an Omega 9k at a minimalist length of 4.7″ 🙂
Keep us posted on any future modifications, thanks!
Tim from Military Arms Channel posted a photo of his Scorp with this forend and an Omega 9k installed, and I actually think the 5.3″ length of the Centurion would work better. The 9k is a super cool can, but on this setup it didn’t stick out at all…like hard to tighten down it was so flush haha. I feel like the extra half inch would be nice to have.
Oh, here’s his pic: https://www.instagram.com/p/BLUQoWvhJCj/
How much did you shoot it suppressed? How was the heat transfer? I wonder how it’ll handle the heat.
It gets shot exclusively suppressed. You’d have to really dump a lot of ammo quickly to have issues or even sight discomfort here. 9mm doesn’t do to a suppressor what rifle rounds do…or anywhere close…and there’s good airflow through this thing plus sufficient space around the can, and polymer like this does not transfer heat much at all. It occurs to me that I should have taken a photo muzzle-on to show that air space around the suppressor! I’ll definitely do that and add it to the review here, but it’ll be a full week as I’m on the road…
You might have a serious hobby if you use a Kriss vector in the same capacity as a bench to photo a different suppressed SBR.
LOL. They were both out for a quick photo opp: https://www.instagram.com/p/BLbOTLIgwSf/
Shot my SBR Scorpion back-to-back with a carbine variant some guy had at the range. The added handguard length was NOT worth adding the extra permanent (field) length to the gun.
The only potential benefit I could see was the added sight radius which DID make a noticeable difference at 50 yards. Beyond that, it’s just added bulk when you don’t have a can attached. Don’t forget you’re shooting a 9×19 with an precision ‘PASS’ spec on the assembly line of something like 2″ at ~15 meters (direct from CZ-USA when I called about accuracy concerns on mine…).
My can’s always attached, so kind of a different perspective then as, for me, the handguard length has no bearing on the overall length. When I lower the gun onto its sling now, though, the handguard touches me instead of the suppressor. It fits easily inside a Blackhawk Diversion Racquet bag with the stock folded.
Sooooo……you get an SBR which would be handy for defense purposes.
Then you put a can a can on (quieter – I understand) that takes it back to carbine length.
Guess I’m pretty non-tactical. If spend the blood to get an SBR, I would want to enjoy short and handy.
Fords and Chevys. Not for me… but it’s great folks can get what they want, how they want.
Let freedom ring! Now lets repeal the 34 NFA so I can have stubby shotgun without big brother on my shoulder.
In most cases the alternative is 16″ barrel PLUS suppressor. SBR allows approximately that same 16″ effective length but including the suppressor. It’s a big difference.
Never seen one with no handgaurd. That looks hilarious.
Thank you Jeremy S for the heads up on the carbine handguard. I had the Octane and SBR FM1 in hand before CZ even dropped the Carbine variant. I also happen to hate quad rails. They’re great until you actually don’t need 3 accessories, which is always the case for me. I put a forward grip on the bottom just to poke a sharp stick in the eyes of the libtards.
My goal is to wear the Octane smack out and replace it with approved FM1 cans I will make. Maybe the HPA will pass and we can just toss them and replace them with off the shelf parts like any free citizen should already be allowed. Every burned out can and barrel is an homage to my reloading presses. They demand obeisance.
To reload or not to reload is not the question: ‘Tis nobler to revel over the carcasses of many barrels and suppressors thy presses have decimated than to wonder how much joy was forsaken trying to preserve their virginity!
The finished products looks to be the same length as the carbine with the faux can. Couldn’t you have purchased the carbine and added a shorter can for the same effect? Buying the pistol, adjustable brace and new forend, puts you over the cost of the carbine version, plus you still have to pay to SBR it. If you are going to end up with a rifle that same length or longer than the carbine (if you swapped for a 4 or 5 inch supressor), I’m not sure that this build makes sense….am I missing something?
The faux can on the carbine doesn’t add length. It runs back over the barrel so the effective total length there is still approximately 16 inches. A carbine with a real suppressor on the end would be longer than the carbine w/ faux can by whatever the length of the suppressor is. By putting a suppressor on an SBR, the overall length is about the same as the carbine (as you mentioned). But that’s way shorter than carbine + suppressor (7.7″ barrel + suppressor instead of 16″ barrel + suppressor). The can I’m using is a foot long. If I had a shorter one like what you’re suggesting (e.g. an Omega 9k) it would end basically flush with the end of the handguard. I’ll be knocking an inch off soon by switching to Liberty’s flat mount, and eventually may run a shorter suppressor (Liberty may chop my Mystic down to their Cosmic length, for instance).
I wish there was an install video for the factory handguard. I’ve only seen videos by HBI
The only thing that holds it on is the barrel nut…
Is there a video out on how to and what is needed to remove the hand guard on the carbine with the fake can. When I try to remove the fake suppressor, the the body of the can unscrews from the part of the suppressor that attaches it to the barrel.
All I really want to do right now is put on some quick detach sling mounts!!!
Help!
Does the suppressor unscrew counter-clockwise? And then, do I need a proprietary tool to get the hand guard off?
Thanks!
I believe the faux suppressor simply unscrews from the muzzle threads in the normal lefty-loosey fashion. Then removing the nut that holds the handguard to the barrel is a normal 21 mm hex nut (the one photographed in this article), but getting to it is hard since it’s down the barrel and under the handguard. I don’t think a typical pass-through socket has a large enough ID to get over the barrel, but maybe. Otherwise I think both CZ-USA and CZ Custom sell a super deep socket for this very purpose.
I cannot get the fake suppressor off without damage, even tried heating it. The suppressor body (tube) unscrews from the threaded head that attaches to the barrel.
I wanted to replace the sling loop with a yetiworks qd, or whoever makes the one one that drops in replacing the loop, but have given up on that and am just going to go with a magpul qd for the front.
Hi, do You know how much it would be to change a carbine barrel out for a pistol length barrel? Basically that would be the only change correct (besides getting an SBR stamp)? Thanks
Mechanically it isn’t very difficult to swap. It’s possible that it could be less expensive to have a gunsmith cut down and thread the carbine barrel, though, than purchase a new pistol barrel.
Thanks Jeremy. When You do an SBR like that do You still have to get the gun engraved? Thanks, Sean
It’s my belief that you do. Since you are the maker of the new firearm (the short barreled rifle) it needs the new maker info on it. The gun will already have serial number, model designation, caliber, etc, but won’t have your name (or your trust’s name. Whatever the Form 1 paperwork was filed under) and location (city, 2-letter state abbreviation) and that’s what needs to be engraved.
I cannot believe some of the reviews of this firearm. I was loaned one by a friend. Here’s my take: it’s big, heavy, complex, expensive and when all is said and done, it’s a 9mm.
There is a surprising amount of recoil, like all blow-back operated weapons. I could only make it function reliably with NATO spec 124 grain FMJ. Accuracy at 50 yards is good, but it had damned well better be in a firearms of this price range. The model tested had a folding shoulder stock.
This is a close range gun. There is also a pistol version offered that will be purchased by morons. The pistol will be even more of a close range gun because it is so heavy the user will only get a two second sight picture.
Whether you buy this gun is up to you. It seems that anything that shoots will sell. The gun rags will all rave about it, but I am glad I didn’t buy one.
time to hit the gym and get your girlie arms swoll. Eddie sez :”ooooo, its so heavy. it makes my cooch all sweaty.’
Question. Will the HBI 5.3″ barrel and a sig suppressor work with that handguard?