The Evolution of the Škorpion: From the vz. 61 to the EVO 3

The original Škorpion vz. 61 became one of the most recognizable Czechoslovak firearms ever produced. Far less known, however, is the story behind the modern CZ Scorpion EVO 3. Where do the forgotten vz. 68, the ill-fated EVO 2, and the Slovak-designed Laugo prototype fit into the picture? And why is the current Scorpion called the “EVO 3” in the first place?

The Škorpion hardly needs an introduction, even outside the firearms community. It has appeared in movies, video games, novels, historical photographs, and in the memories of countless former conscripts. Officially designated the Sa vz. 61, the original Škorpion became an icon of compact automatic weapons. Many consider it one of the first true PDWs. Hollywood filmmakers love it, video game developers love it, and shooters are certainly no exception.

At the same time, the original Škorpion has very little in common with the modern CZ Scorpion EVO 3 produced by Česká zbrojovka. They are completely different firearms. Even the name itself raises questions. If the vz. 61 could be considered the “EVO 1,” what happened to the EVO 2? That is exactly what we are going to explore today.

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 remains one of the most recognizable modern Czech PCC and submachine gun platforms.

Škorpion vz. 61: Where the Story Began

The Sa vz. 61 entered service with the Czechoslovak People’s Army and national security forces in 1961. Its origins, however, go back even further. The weapon was developed by engineer Miroslav Rybář under the original designation Š-59 as part of his graduate thesis at the Military Academy in Brno.

What followed was not just a single firearm, but an entire family of compact submachine guns. Development continued with the vz. 64 chambered in .380 ACP and the vz. 65 in 9 mm Makarov. The most advanced variant eventually became the vz. 68. Chambered in 9×19 mm, it was considerably larger and more modern than the original vz. 61, to the point where it was essentially a completely new platform.

Rybář unfortunately died in 1970 at only 46 years old, shortly after completing the project.

From today’s perspective, the vz. 68 was remarkably ahead of its time. Had it been developed by a Western manufacturer operating in a competitive market environment, it would likely have achieved far greater international success. In many ways, its story mirrors that of another famous firearm from Uherský Brod – the CZ 75.

By the end of the 1960s, development of the Škorpion platform had largely faded away. A short-lived revival appeared in the early 1980s with the experimental vz. 82 submachine gun prototype. Chambered for the newly introduced 9 mm vz. 82 cartridge developed for the service pistol of the same name, the project never moved beyond a limited number of test samples. Those prototypes remain stored in the Česká zbrojovka archives to this day.

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The Forgotten EVO 2

Interest in reviving the Škorpion platform returned after the fall of communism. By the 1990s, the original vz. 61 was becoming increasingly outdated. Its .32 ACP chambering no longer matched the needs of modern military and law enforcement units, especially as organized crime, terrorism, and ballistic protection became more significant concerns. The transition to 9×19 mm Luger was inevitable.

For handguns, Česká zbrojovka already had a strong foundation in the CZ 75 platform. Adapting it for modern service use led to pistols such as the CZ 75 D Compact and the CZ 75 SP-01 Phantom. Developing a new submachine gun, however, proved more complicated.

Rather than starting from scratch, CZ returned to the unfinished vz. 68 project. The goal was to modernize the concept and adapt it to contemporary operational requirements. The result became known as the Škorpion 9×19 – essentially the missing link between the original vz. 61 and the future EVO 3.

Although the gun retained the basic foundation of the vz. 68, it introduced several important upgrades. The design offered improved ergonomics, greater modularity, and features aimed at modern tactical use. The barrel was threaded for suppressor compatibility, a Weaver rail was added for accessories such as weapon lights, and the enlarged charging handle made manipulation easier under stress.

The internal mechanism was updated as well. A spring-buffered bolt assembly helped control the recoil characteristics of the 9×19 mm cartridge and improved overall handling.

Despite the effort invested into the project, production numbers remained extremely limited. By 2004, only 85 examples had been built. Development later culminated in the experimental XCZ 868 concept, which had already moved far beyond the original Škorpion design.

At the same time, firearms development was rapidly shifting toward lightweight alloys and polymer construction. Compared to newer concepts emerging in the early 2000s, the Škorpion 9×19 increasingly felt like a transitional platform rather than the future of Czech submachine guns.

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 platform combines modern ergonomics, compact dimensions, and the modularity expected from today’s PCC and SMG designs.

How the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 Was Born

Despite the experimental projects that followed the original Škorpion, Česká zbrojovka still lacked a truly modern submachine gun in its lineup. The company wanted a platform that could complement its service pistols and continue the legacy of the legendary vz. 61 in military and law enforcement markets.

Several advanced concepts were considered during development. In the end, however, CZ selected a design created by a group of Slovak engineers from Trenčín. This happened in 2007.

The prototype carried the name “Laugo”, which may already sound familiar to firearms enthusiasts today. Leading the project was Ján Lučanský, later known as one of the key figures behind the Laugo Alien pistol and the recently introduced Stinger 9 PCC.

Even at first glance, the original Laugo prototype clearly resembles the future CZ Scorpion EVO 3. At the same time, the production gun underwent a number of important changes before entering service. Compared to the prototype, the final EVO 3 became larger and more refined. While it moved further away from the compact proportions of the original vz. 61, it still remained a lightweight and highly compact weapon by modern SMG standards.

The production model, designated the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1, was officially unveiled two years later at the IDET defense exhibition in Brno in 2009.

CZ Scorpion EVO 3 as a Modern PCC

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 uses a simple blowback operating system and fires from a closed bolt. In practical terms, this makes it straightforward, robust, and easy to maintain.

One interesting feature of the EVO 3 is its relatively short bolt travel. Combined with the compact dimensions of the platform, this gives the fully automatic A1 version a high cyclic rate, easily exceeding 1,000 rounds per minute. Despite that, the weapon remains surprisingly controllable, largely thanks to its well-designed ergonomics.

Another distinctive feature is the extensive use of polymer. The receiver, trigger housing, and handguard are all made from durable polymer, helping keep weight down without compromising strength. The A1 version offers semi-automatic fire, three-round burst, and full-auto capability. Civilian S1 and S2 variants, of course, are limited to semi-automatic fire.

What the civilian EVO 3 variants do share with the select-fire model is durability, reliability, and solid shooting comfort. During factory testing, the platform reportedly fired 35,000 rounds without major issues. The same durability is reflected in heavily used rental guns on shooting ranges around the world, many of which continue to run reliably after extensive use.

The EVO 3’s long market life is another sign of a successful design. It has been part of the Česká zbrojovka portfolio for 17 years and is available in a wide range of civilian configurations, from the compact MICRO version and the standard 8-inch model to 16-inch carbines. A .22 LR variant was also introduced in recent years.

The aftermarket support is just as strong. Owners can choose from a wide range of accessories and upgrade parts, and CZ itself offers the option to build a custom Scorpion through its CZ Configurator.

In the United States, there are even bullpup conversion kits for the EVO 3. If that term is unfamiliar, keep following us – we will be taking a closer look at bullpup designs in a future article.

From the vz. 61 to the EVO 3: The Czech SMG Legacy

From the original vz. 61 to the overlooked vz. 68 and the modern EVO 3, every generation of the Škorpion platform has shared the same core philosophy: simplicity, practicality, and functional design.

Whether intended for security forces during the Cold War or for today’s military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters, Czech and Czechoslovak engineers consistently created firearms that earned respect both at home and abroad.

That is exactly why the Škorpion name remains one of the defining symbols of the Czech firearms industry to this day.