• put your amazing slogan here!

    Like the Booligan Airsoft Facebook page for a chance to win gear, guns, and other cool stuff!

    ASG CZ EVO 3A1 Scorpion


    Home.gif

    ASG CZ EVO 3A1 Scorpion Review by Booligan



    Table of Contents:
    Introduction
    Ordering
    Basic Gun Information
    First impressions/Packaging
    Included
    Gun Specifications
    Externals
    Trademarks
    Magazines
    Performance
    Internals
    Modifications
    Pros/Cons
    Overall

    Introduction:
    ActionSportGames has been designing, tweaking, and manufacturing their AEG version of the CZ EVO 3A1 Scorpion for what seems like an eternity, but finally, here it is. As I publish this review, the production version of the gun is landing on the shelves of your favorite airsoft retailers. So, I suppose you could say that the timing is right for this review, so read on if you're interested in this technological powerhouse from ASG's Denmark mothership.

    Ordering:
    I was sent this gun directly from ASG's US division to review here on my website as well as in issue #6 of Airsoft Insider Magazine. It is currently available at most major airsoft retailers priced at $449. Check your favorite retailer such as Airsplat, Evike, Airsoft GI, or Airsoft Megastore for availability.

    Basic Gun Information:
    The ASG EVO is a polymer bodied AEG submachine gun fitted with a custom gearbox, electronic trigger system with advanced features such as empty magazine detection, burst firing, guaranteed shot completion, and more. It features largely ambidextrous controls, a side folding stock, plenty of rails for mounting accessories, and a quick change spring system. This thing basically checks every box as far as current AEG technology goes.

    First impressions/Packaging:
    I had some previous experience with the ASG EVO at SHOT Show, being able to handle the prototypes on display, but without being able to shoot it. I was impressed with what I saw then, and that was solidified when I pulled this one out of the box. The gun looks and feels great, given that it's made of the same reinforced polymer as the real gun. It may be entirely made of this polymer with barely any metal to be seen, but that doesn't mean that it's not an extremely solid gun.

    Included:
    This EVO included some ASG Devil BBs to test it with along with ASG's recommended 11.1v LiPo battery. The production version will not include the battery, but will include iron sights, which my model did not include. I'm not sure what else the production version will include, but plan on needing to pick up your own battery before you can use the gun. It does include a one year warranty through ASG against any manufacturing defects, so you should have confidence in this thing that it won't break on you.

    Gun Specifications:
    Weight: 5.4 lbs
    Length: 18 - 26.75
    Width: 1.75
    Height: 9.5
    Sight Radius: N/A
    Length of Pull: 12 - 14

    Externals:
    One of the high points of the EVO is the fiber reinforced polymer body, which actually uses the same materials used in the real CZ EVO submachine gun. It gives the ASG EVO an extremely realistic look and feel with a perfect matte finish. The metal components, albeit few and far between, have a shinier appearance which still meshes very well with the matte polymer.

    Click on the individual thumbnails to see the full size photos

    th_DSC_2158.jpg
    External overview, left side
    th_DSC_2159.jpg
    Overview, right side

    The stock is adjustable for length of pull to three separate positions using the large lever towards the front of the butt pad. It locks into the selected position very well thanks to the large locking catch. You can also fold the stock to the right by pushing the button located on the left and folding it over, locking it onto the little nub on the body. The nub holds it pretty well, but a firm shake will dislodge it and allow the stock to unfold. When you fold the stock, you'll find the quick detach spring guide for easy spring swaps.

    th_DSC_2160.jpg
    Stock in shortest position
    th_DSC_2163.jpg
    Stock fully extended
    th_DSC_2161.jpg
    Stock folded
    th_DSC_2162.jpg
    Quick spring change point

    The stock attaches to the upper receiver using large guide rails, and can be removed by pressing in the aforementioned QD spring guide. The upper receiver serves as the backbone of the EVO, but is relatively featureless. It has two sling loops, one on either side of the receiver just in front of the stock, so it's easy to set it up for a single or multi point sling. The right side of the upper receiver houses the ejection port which can be opened by pulling back on the charging handle in order to adjust the hop-up.

    th_DSC_2164.jpg
    Upper receiver, left side
    th_DSC_2165.jpg
    Receiver, right side
    th_DSC_2166.jpg
    Bolt locked back
    th_DSC_2178.jpg
    Rear sling mount
    th_DSC_2179.jpg
    Front sling mount

    The lower receiver houses the controls including the ambidextrous selector switches and magazine release as well as the bolt catch lever located on the left side. The selector switch has four positions, safe, semi, 3 round burst, and full auto, and it moves through the positions with clicks at each selection. I tend to overshoot semi sometimes and put it into safe mode instead, something you might need to practice at. The magazine release is easily manipulated with either your trigger finger or the thumb of your off shooting hand. The bolt catch is only located on the left side and must be pressed after reloading, as the EVO features a cutoff feature when the magazine runs empty.

    th_DSC_2167.jpg
    Pistol grip
    th_DSC_2168.jpg
    Adjustment screw
    th_DSC_2169.jpg
    Controls, left side
    th_DSC_2171.jpg
    Controls, right side

    The handguard features rails molded at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions for mounting any variety of optics, lights, lasers, foregrips, and even some grenade launchers. The handguard is removable to facilitate battery installation and to switch the charging handle from side to side. To remove the handguard, you simple unscrew the flashhider as well as the locking nut and slide the handguard off the front of the receiver. Watch for the charging handle and spring which might pop off. While the handguard is off, you can switch the front sling mount to either side.

    th_DSC_2172.jpg
    Handguard
    th_DSC_2173.jpg
    Flashhider
    th_DSC_2174.jpg
    Flashhider removed
    th_DSC_2175.jpg
    Handguard removed, showing outer barrel and battery compartment

    There are no iron sights on my tested EVO, however, there is a full length top rail which will allow for mounting pretty much any optic you could want. The top rail does have a slot that runs the length which can be used as a rudimentary iron sight, however, it's quite low and not easy to use. The production models will include polymer replicas of the real iron sights, adding to the value of this thing.

    th_DSC_2176.jpg
    Top rail
    th_DSC_2177.jpg
    Sight groove

    Trademarks:
    You will find several accurate and well made markings identifying the gun and its real-steel lineage flanking the sides of the receiver, base of the magazine, pistol grip, and a few other places. ASG is legally permitted to use these markings from CZ, and they certainly didn't waste these rights!

    th_DSC_2183.jpg
    Left side receiver markings
    th_DSC_2184.jpg
    Right side receiver markings

    Magazines:
    The included magazine is a 75 round capacity polymer spring fed unit with an internal follower system that triggers a switch on the gearbox when empty. This will shut off the gearbox until you reload the gun and press the bolt catch. The follower is also designed to feed every BB loaded, but occasionally, a single BB may remain when changing a spent magazine. Spare magazines are available, but only in this 75 round configuration. Hi-cap magazines are being researched at this time. The magazines are quite chunky, much larger than MP5 magazines, closer in size to UMP magazines, so pick your pouches accordingly.

    th_DSC_2180.jpg
    Included polymer magazine
    th_DSC_2186.jpg
    Feeding end
    th_DSC_2187.jpg
    Magazine base

    Performance:
    Performance after a 500 round break-in, using ASG Devil .20g ammo is as follows:
    High FPS: 397.6 FPS
    Low FPS: 391.7 FPS
    Average FPS: 395.4 FPS

    Rate of fire with the included ASG 11.1v LiPo battery came in at an even 20 RPS. Thanks to the Airsoft Systems manufactured microswitch trigger system, the trigger pull is light and response is damn near immediate. The different fire modes are easily accessed and the burst fire mode works fantastic.

    Range and accuracy is another strong suit of this platform, thanks to some kind of crazy Danish voodoo magic. Even with a tiny SMG length barrel, this AEG is easily capable of torso accurate fire out to 175' in my testing. With heavier weight ammo (.25g+) you will easily be able to run this gun in open field use, outranging guns with higher velocities and longer barrels.

    Internals:
    Accessing the gearbox is a simple, but slightly time consuming affair. First things first, remove the handguard as well as the stock, remove the three hex screws on the lower receiver, remove the pistol grip adjustment base, and unscrew the four hex screws inside. Pop the pin out of the lower receiver and you can now remove the pistol grip as well as the lower receiver. You can then undo the 7 hex screws on the upper receiver and split it in half, making sure that you don't lose the bolt spring and guide. You can now access the gearbox in all its glory.

    th_DSC_2188.jpg
    Gearbox, left side
    th_DSC_2189.jpg
    Gearbox, right side

    The gearbox is made of cast aluminum but with CNC machining to complete the manufacturing process. It's a custom design, with bits of V2 and V3 sprinkled throughout, but fitted with largely V2 components inside. One thing that you'll note is the QD spring guide which allows for easy velocity changes. You'll find 8mm steel bushings fitted into the shell for smooth firing and reliability.

    th_DSC_2192.jpg
    Spring guide
    th_DSC_2193.jpg
    8mm steel bushings

    Inside the gearbox, you'll find "Metal Injection Molded" gears, a polycarbonate piston and ventilated head, ribbed ported cylinder, and the somewhat complicated firing computer with components in both side of the gearbox shell. The gears were extremely well made, and due to the MIM process, are very strong. You'll notice that there's no anti-reversal latch to be found, thanks to the firing computer. The air-seal is pretty much perfect and the shimming and lube job are also on point. This thing is seriously top notch, well designed and well built by ASG's factory in Denmark.

    th_DSC_2194.jpg
    Internals
    th_DSC_2195.jpg
    Right side of the shell
    th_DSC_2196.jpg
    Firign computer
    th_DSC_2197.jpg
    MIM gears
    th_DSC_2198.jpg
    Piston with 3 steel teeth
    th_DSC_2199.jpg
    Ventilated piston head
    th_DSC_2200.jpg
    Cylinder head and air nozzle
    th_DSC_2201.jpg
    Detail on the electronic components

    The EVO is fitted with a custom hop-up design that has a ratcheting design and can be adjusted by hand or using a hex wrench. It is fitted to a 210mm inner barrel and the combination leads to pretty impressive accuracy considering the power level and barrel length.

    th_DSC_2202.jpg
    Hop-up and inner barrel
    th_DSC_2204.jpg
    Hop-up unit

    Modifications:
    With plenty of rail space, you can easily tweak this gun out to fit your desired play style or loadout. Externally, there are a few accessories available including a 14mm threaded barrel adapter, allowing you to install muzzle devices of your choosing. Internally, there are many options for upgrades to hit your desired performance goals, but honestly, the thing is extremely well equipped from the factory and ready to roll out of the box.

    Pros:
    Skirmishable performance out of the box
    Fiber reinforced polymer body is extremly durable
    CNC machined custom gearbox
    Empty magazine detection
    Ambidextrous controls
    Designed to run a LiPo out of the box
    Able to change the spring quickly to adjust FPS
    Airsoft Systems manufactured fire computer works extremely well

    Cons:
    $450 price isn't cheap
    No spare magazines aside from the 75 round ones currently available
    Battery must be removed immediately after use, otherwise, the computer will drain and ruin it
    Selector switch settings are a little vague until you get some practice with it

    Overall:
    I've always been a fan of the more obscure weapon platforms out there, especially when the replicas of them are as well executed as the ASG EVO. ASG really hit this one out of the park, and my only gripes with the gun are the high initial cost and the fact that it likes to eat LiPo batteries if you leave them in the gun for too long. The gun looks great, feels great, shoots great, and comes with a 1 year warranty to boot. It did take ASG a while to get this thing just right, but it was worth the wait, as this is probably one of the best AEGs that I've ever tested.

    Many thanks again to ActionSportGames, and of course, Airsoft Retreat!