Scorpion SA Vz 61 submachine gun, with 10-round magazine. Shoulder stock folded
Scorpion SA Vz 61 submachine gun with shoulder stock unfolded
Scorpion SA Vz 68 - a rare version of the basic submachine gun produced for infantry use, chambered for 9x19 ammunition
Scorpion SA Vz 82 submachine gun, chambered for 9x18 PM ammunition
The last in Scorpion line - SA 361 submachine gun, chambered for 9x19 Luger / Parabellum ammunition
Caliber: 7.65x17mm (.32ACP) in vz.61; also 9x18mm Makarov in vz.82 and 9x17mm (.380ACP) in vz.83
Weight: 1.28 kg without magazine
Length (stock closed/open): 270 / 517 mm
Barrel length: 115 mm
Rate of fire: ca. 850 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 10 or 20 rounds
Effective range: 25 meters
The Scorpion submachine gun is an interesting little weapon which is somewhat hard to classify - is it a machine pistol (a full-automatic weapon for single-hand fire) or a submachine gun (also an automatic weapon, but for shoulder fire). Either way, there are pros and cons. Nevertheless, this weapon deserved its place in history of firearms. Its development was initiated in late 1950s, with intent to provide various non-infantry units with lightweight personal defense weapon that is more effective than a pistol, but is no more obtrusive.
Another niche for Scorpion was use by various special forces, because the selected cartridge, known as 7,65x17 Browning / .32 ACP can be easily silenced. First prototypes of a new weapon were built in 1959, and official adoption followed in 1961, under designation of "Samopal Vzor 1961" (submachine gun model of 1961), or SA Vz.61 in short. This weapon was issued to various units in Czechoslovak army, and also widely exported. Licensed version of the Scorpion was produced in Yugoslavia, where it was widely issued as an military officer's sidearm. At least few Scorpions found its way to the hands of various terrorist groups, which favored it for its small size and ease of silencing. It also can be easily fired singe-handedly, like most pistols.
When Czechoslovak army adopted Soviet 9x18 PM pistol cartridge in 1982, the Scorpion was redesigned to accept this bigger and somewhat more powerful ammunition. Export versions of the new model, known in Czechoslovak service as SA Vz.82, were produced in 9x17 Browning / .380 ACP. The last versions of the Scorpion family were produced during early 1990s, and included "military-type" selective-fired SA 391 and "civilian" SA 91s, which was semi-automatic only. Either gun was chambered for 9x19 Luger / Parabellum ammunition. The SA 391 is still being offered to eligible buyers by famous CZ-UB factory.
Scorpion submachine gun is blowback operated weapon, with original rate-reducing mechanism. The rate reducer uses special sear which locks the bolt in the rearward position. A special plunger reciprocates down and up in the channel made within pistol grip. When bolt comes to its rearmost position, it strikes the plunger and then is locked by the sear. Plunger cycles inside its channel, and on its return trips the sear to release the bolt. This produces enough delay to slow down the cyclic rate of fire to reasonable 850 rounds per minute. The firing is controlled by the trigger unit with separate hammer and manual safety / fire selector which permits for single shots and full automatic fire. Cocking handle is made in the form of dual sliders, which are located on both sides of stamped steel upper receiver. The lower receiver, which hosts pistol grip, trigger unit and magazine, is made from machined steel.
Magazines are double stack, and capacity varies depending on the version and caliber (standard capacity is 10 or 20 rounds). Gun is fitted with folding shoulder stock, made from steel wire, and is usually issued with leather pistol-type holster and magazine pouches.
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