CZ Scorpion vs. CX4 Beretta?

[CZfirsttimer]

    Simple question but I’m sure a difficult answer......CZ Scorpion vs. CX-4 Beretta?  For range fun shooting and competition matches? For home defense?  Quality of workmanship?  Any mechanical problems?  Any other points of discussion would be most appreciated!

[Earl Keese]

It's been quite a while since I bought my Scorpion(2-3yrs). I considered the Beretta at the time, and went with the CZ because the aftermarket was better. Fast forward to today, and the CX-4 doesn't even come up in comparisons anymore. That said, for competition I wouldn't buy either. For the money I have in my Scorpion Carbine, I could build a nice AR9 that would be 2lbs lighter with a lighter recoil impulse and a superior trigger.

[Tanners Owner]

I agree with Earl. I have a Beretta- fun gun but outclassed by the AR based carbines for competition.

[QuickDrawMcgraw]

I have 3 AR Pistol Caliber Carbines-ish
Spikes Tactical 9mm SBR with mag block to take Colt/Uzi mags 9mm
Joe Bob Outfitters with tons of Kaw Valley parts uses glock mags 9mm
CMMG 45 Mk Guard - 45ACP glock mags

I also have a Scorpion.   I have no experience with the Beretta.

I LOVE my Scorpion to death - it looks cool as hell (after spending TONS of $$) - it shoots amazingly great and it is a CZ.   

But I agree on buying a PCC AR (especially if you only want to buy 1)- if you already have an AR in any other caliber you will be familiar with controls - so in a HD situation you might not fumble around.  There are tons of aftermarket parts for Scorpions - but since the majority of the AR9,40,45, 10mm share a common platform with the AR15 - there are just a couple more parts out there for you to make it your own.   Down the road it will be easier to fix, sell, etc IMO.   It's not like the AR platform is going anywhere soon - but CZ could come out with a new pistol caliber carbine that takes P-10F mags one day..and boom we will all be wanting one of those and companies will move away from Scorpion parts to make parts for this new gun.  Might be easier to find an PCC AR and a better price than a Scorpion right now also.  Plus you can do like I did with my Joe Bob Outfitter one - I bought parts as they were on sale and slapped together myself over time. If you go the AR PCC - go glock mags - I made my SBR back in the day before anything but Glocks took glock mags...I love it to death but Colt/Uzi mags are a lot harder to find/use/etc than Glock mags (esp if you in state with mag capacity laws)

[Ron M.]

For defensive use, the CX4 is, for me, a better choice, compact, faster to get on target, softer shooting and (in my experience) more accurate. Another significant advantage from my perspective is it uses the same magazines as my PX4 and/or 92 series pistols. One other major consideration; my wife is left handed and setting up a CX4 for a lefty is quick and easy. The 92 Series magwell CX4 is lefty, Susan prefers a VerTec frame M9A3 over a PX4. I'm equally comfortable with a 92 or PX4.

I have had 2 Scorpions, one pistol and one carbine. Both were well made and reliable, but didn't work as well for me. Ended up putting way too much money into the guns to get them to fit and function well for me. If they used the same mags as a 75 series or P07 pistol, I'd likely still have one.

I've had two 9mm AR platform guns, if I were into competition shooting, I'd probably still have one. I built one to use Glock mags and one for Beretta 92 mags.

I've also had a Ruger PCC9, it's probably the most accurate and softest shooting of all the 9mm carbines I've tried. Mine was setup for Glock mags. I gave the carbine and a Glock 19X, I had, to my son in law. My daughter likes shooting the PCC9 and having mag compatibility with her Glock 19. I don't like how Glock pistols fit me and wasn't going to keep the carbine and pistol pair.

All of that said, if I could only have one handgun and carbine pair it would be my 4 inch S&W 586 (perhaps my Kimber K6s Combat or 4 inch S&W model 66)  and Henry X Model 357. A bit more accurate, way more power, vastly more flexible, more fun to shoot, and can be used for hunting and feral hog control.

[huskyfever03]

I enjoy shooting my cx4 more than my pdw but the cz is just a fun gun with the aftermarket support. You'll be happy either way

[wanderson]

I have a first gen CX4 and a CZ Evo pistol with a brace.

Both have pretty heavy triggers out of the box. CX4 can be lightened just by filing the plastic sear which can be done for free and without disassembling the trigger, just separate the upper & lower.

But still not a great trigger, and there’s only one source for upgrade parts and it’s pricey.

I had to drill my CZ trigger pack but with the HBI drill bit & spring kit it was an hour project tops, and with a lighter spring the factory trigger is IMHO more than acceptable.

As mentioned, the CZ is easy to customize and has a ton of aftermarket options. Mine is very accurate with 147 gr. loads. The CX-4, not so much. It’s a great design but no options to swap a grip or stock, only the option to add a few spacers for LOP, and mounting a scope isn’t easy. I did find a Very Small 1-4x28 compact scope with a mount & riser that will clear the rear sight but I tried quite a few scopes that wouldn’t fit, and it’s still a high mount.

CX4 will group 124 gr beyond 50 yards a bit better than the 8” pistol but accuracy for both are pretty close. If you’re not doing a pistol, the 16” CX4 with it’s magwell in the grip isn’t much longer than the braced pistol.

If you’re a lefty, the CX4 can be set up to charge & eject either side, independently. Mine was purchased used and set up for a left hand eject & charge. Easy swap to right hand eject by just flipping a few parts and left the charge handle on the right AK/VZ style.

Still, I think the more modular CZ wins.
If you do go CX-4, be aware that some gen IIs have been known to crack their trigger housings. There was a fix, but you can’t tell from a quick glance. It’s not a fatal fail, the housing is sandwiched by the lower and will still operate but there’s been reports of some opening theirs up for trigger upgrades to find a cracked housing. Never been reported on the gen Is.