SA-VZ-61 Semi-Auto Pistol

[TMan]

Another interesting entry from the Czech Republic is the SA_VZ_61 also known as the Scorpion Pistol. It started life as a sub-machine gun and then a civilian version by making it a semi-automatic.

Oddly enough it is chambered for the 7.65mm Browning.



It is available from: www.czechpoint-usa.com/products/vz-61-scorpions/

What I would like isn't really shown: it would be the nickel fram with the wood grips.

Another interesting thing about ordering from Czechpoint is that the price shown covers all fees including the transfer fees and shipping. All you have to do is go into the dealer, fill out the paperwork and you are on your way.

[5ontarget]

you've probably also seen the vz58 they offer too. Wish they offered that before I bought the parts kits and recievers. (I still have some assembly to to on them.)
They are nice rifles, they are not AK or AK clones. No parts in common.

[TMan]

5OT, I hadn't considered the vz-58 because it looked like an AK clone. After reading your post, I did some investigation and see that it is a much better rifle. Much highter price too.

Hmmm, I'm thinking about ordering one, but no idea which offering to get. Which one would you pick and why?

[5ontarget]

I'm old school and like the military configuration. I would go with the fixed stock variety, it is a bit more ergonomic and you can actually get a cheek weld on it. If you want a folder, you can get a spare folding stock and swap it out. It doesn't take more than a large screwdriver to change them out.
That being said, you could go with any configuration and buy the spare parts and swap them out. I still would buy the military fixed stock, and a spare folder if wanted. I don't like the looks of the sporter. The stock material is a wood and resin combination, the stocks that came with the parts kits I bought were not pristine, but still very nice.
Now...is it worth $800 for vg-excellent reassembled milsurp... many people think so. (also consider that Century AK WASRs are now going for $500-700. Which is total insanity to me, but that is too much thread drift for this post.) I can go into more detail later if you want/have more questions. Got to get back to work now.

[TMan]

5OT, thanks for you help and insight. I took your advice and ordered the military one. Ellett Bros stocks the Sporter version and I could have gotten it from them for $80 less, but I agree with you on the stock.

Back to the thread topic: I took the Scorpion to the range today and didn't expect much in the way of accuracy. Was I ever wrong!!! I'm a little short on time today, but let me say that it was one of the most impressive pistols that I've shot in a long time. Using Gun Tests scales, I rate it an "A". The only reason it isn't an "A+" is the trigger, which isn't bad by any means in fact for the type of trigger it is quite outstanding. If only it were 9mm vs 32ACP.

When I started shooting it, I kept hearing this "ping", "ping", "ping" sound. When my friend was shooting it, the mystery was solved. The ejected cases were hitting the metal roof of the building. They come out so fast that you can't even see them.

Operation was flawless, but I still wonder why I can't see the empties being ejected. They come right out of the top of the pistol. It is basic blowback design i.e. no locking mechanism, and because of its weight, we couldn't notice any recoil. I have 22LR pistols that recoil more.

Ed took a picture of my last target, and if he remembers to e-mail it to me, I'll post it.

[5ontarget]

In general the Czechs put together some pretty good guns.
A year or so ago I saw SOG was carrying the Scorpion, and I had my hand on the phone to order one before I finished reading the description, then I got to the caliber. That was the deal breaker for me.

[TMan]

Here is my pistol in its case:



This was my last target, which was 15 rounds @ 7 yards with me getting a little tired:



As I mentioned before, we were very surprised at the accuracy of the pistol, but although it has a relatively short barrel, it does have a a fairly long sight radius, which is why we shot it as accurately as we did.

[TMan]

I received the VZ-58, and the stock doesn't look nearly as good as the pictures. I don't have time to clean/shoot it now, but when I do, I'll create a new thread under companions.

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; Again, You have very good shot groups out that pistol !