Škorpion

{{Short description|Czechoslovak machine pistol}} {{Distinguish|text=the CZ Scorpion Evo 3}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Škorpion vz. 61 | image = File:Sa vz. 61 Škorpion.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = | origin = Czechoslovak Socialist Republic | type = Machine pistol<br /> Submachine gun | is_ranged = yes | service = 1961–present | used_by = See ''Users'' | wars = {{Plain list| * Vietnam War * Lebanese Civil War * Rhodesian Bush War * The Troubles * Internal conflict in Peru * Yugoslav Wars * First Liberian Civil War * Russian invasion of Ukraine * Gaza war }} | designer = Miroslav Rybář | design_date = 1959 | manufacturer = Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod, Zastava Arms<ref>[http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jiw/jiw_0314.html Zastava M84 7.65 mm machine pistol (Serbia), SUB-MACHINE GUNS] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201105632/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jiw/jiw_0314.html |date=December 1, 2008 }}</ref> | production_date = 1961–1979 and 2009–present | number = Approx. 200,000<ref name="Malvenuti"/> | variants = See ''Variants'' | weight = {{convert|1.30|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|517|mm|in|abbr=on}} stock extended / {{convert|270|mm|abbr=on|1}} stock folded | part_length = {{convert|115|mm|abbr=on|1}} | width = {{convert|43|mm|abbr=on|1}} | crew =  | cartridge = .32 ACP, .380 ACP | action = Blowback, closed bolt | rate = 850 rounds/min | velocity = {{convert|320|m/s|0|abbr=on}} | range = {{convert|50|–|150 |m|abbr=on}} (.32 ACP) | max_range = | feed = 10 or 20-round curved magazine, aftermarket 30-round magazine, straight box magazine in 9 mm variants | sights = Adjustable front post, flip-up rear sight<br/> {{convert|148|mm|abbr=on|1}} sight radius }}

The '''Škorpion vz. 61''' (or '''Sa vz. 61 Skorpion''') is a Czechoslovak machine pistol developed in 1959 by Miroslav Rybář (1924–1970) and produced under the official designation '''Samopal vzor 61''' ("submachine gun model 1961") by the Česká zbrojovka arms factory in Uherský Brod from 1963 to 1979. The standard version uses .32 ACP ammunition.

==History== The Škorpion was developed in the late 1950s by Miroslav Rybář with the working name "model 59". The design was completed in 1961 and named "Samopal Vz. 61".<ref name=Malvenuti>{{cite web | last= Malvenuti | first= Edoardo | title= Škorpion, bursts of fire and mysteries | date= 9 March 2014 | work= Progetto Repubblica Ceca | url= http://www.progetto.cz/skorpion-raffiche-e-misteri/?lang=en | access-date= 12 November 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141113000232/http://www.progetto.cz/skorpion-raffiche-e-misteri/?lang=en | archive-date= 13 November 2014 | url-status= live }}</ref>

The vz. 61 resumed production in 2009, being produced by the company Czech Small Arms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SA vz. 61 Pistol {{!}} Czech Small Arms |url=https://www.csa.co.cz/sa-vz-61-pistol |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=www.csa.co.cz}}</ref> ==Design details== ===Operating mechanism=== The Škorpion is a select-fire, straight blowback-operated weapon that fires from the closed bolt position. The .32 ACP cartridge used produces a very low recoil impulse and this enables simple unlocked blowback operation to be employed; there is no delay mechanism and the cartridge is supported only by the inertia of the bolt and the strength of the return springs.

When fired, gas pressure drives the case back in the chamber against the resistance provided by the weight of the bolt and its two recoil springs. The bolt travels back, extracting the empty case which is then ejected straight upwards through a port in the receiver housing top cover.

The Škorpion's compact dimensions were achieved by using a telescopic bolt assembly that wraps around a considerable portion of the barrel.

The weapon features a spring-loaded casing extractor, installed inside the bolt head and a fixed, double ejector, which is a protrusion in the weapon's frame.

As the bolt is relatively light, an inertial rate reducer device housed inside the wooden pistol grip lowers the weapon's rate of fire from 1,000 rounds/min to a more manageable 850 rounds/min.

The rate reducer operates as follows: when the bolt reaches the end of its rearward stroke it strikes and is caught by a spring-powered hook mounted on the back plate. At the same time it drives a lightweight, spring-loaded plunger down into the pistol grip.

The plunger is easily accelerated and passes through a heavy weight which is left behind because of its inertia. The plunger, having compressed its spring, is driven up again and then meets the descending inertia buffer.

This slows down the rising plunger which, when it reaches the top of its travel, rotates the hook, releasing the bolt which is driven forward by the compressed recoil springs.

The weapon is hammer-fired and has a trigger mechanism with a fire mode selector, whose lever (installed on the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip) has three settings: "0", weapon is safe; "1", semi-automatic mode and "20", fully automatic fire. The "safe" setting disables the trigger and the bolt in the forward position (by sliding the bolt catch lever upwards).<ref>{{cite book |title= Assault Pistols, Rifles, and Submachine Guns|last=Long |first=Duncan |year= 1986|publisher= Paladin Press|location= Boulder, Colorado|isbn=0-87364-353-4|page= 18 }}</ref>

===Sights=== The Škorpion is equipped with open-type iron sights (mechanically adjustable forward post and flip rear sight with 75 and 150 m range notches) and a folding metal wire shoulder stock, which folds up and over the receiver and is locked on the front sight's protection capture.

=== Ammunition === The Škorpion uses the 7.65×17mmSR Browning Short (.32 ACP) pistol cartridge, which was the standard service cartridge of the Czechoslovak security forces.

It uses two types of double-column curved box magazines: a short 10-round magazine (loaded weight, 0.15 kg) or a 20-round capacity magazine (loaded weight, 0.25 kg).

The bolt remains locked open after the last cartridge from the magazine has been fired and can be snapped back forward by pulling the cocking handle knob slightly to the rear.

===Accessories=== The Škorpion, together with a short magazine, is carried like a traditional pistol: in a leather holster, and the two spare long magazines are carried in a separate pouch.

The weapon comes with a cleaning kit, front sight adjustment tool, oil bottle and lanyard. It can have a sound suppressor attached to the gun barrel.

In the 1960s, three other variants of the vz. 61 were developed in Czechoslovakia, though none were mass-produced.

=== vz. 64 === Chambered in .380 ACP (9×17mm Short).

=== vz. 65 === Chambered in 9×18mm Makarov.

=== vz. 68 === Chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum.

In the 1990s Česká zbrojovka offered the following submachine guns.

=== vz. 61 E === .32 ACP version with a plastic pistol grip. Uses straight box magazines.

=== vz. 82 === Chambered in 9×18mm Makarov and featuring a 113 mm barrel. Uses straight box magazines.

=== vz. 83 === Chambered in .380 ACP (9×17mm Short). Uses straight box magazines.

=== CZ-91S === Semi-automatic only civilian variant, available in the aforementioned calibers. Use straight box magazines.

=== Zastava M84 === The M84 "Škorpion" ({{Langx|sr|М84 "ШКОРПИОН"}}) was a licensed variant of the Škorpion.

It features a synthetic pistol grip in place of the wooden original. It was built under license in Yugoslavia.<ref>{{cite web|work=Наоружање Копнене војске: Пешадијско наоружање|title=Аутоматски пиштољ 7.65 mm М84 "ШКОРПИОН"|url=http://www.vs.rs/index.php?content=95bb8b97-04b7-102c-b61c-7e17f68cdaa3|access-date=2016-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304231231/http://www.vs.rs/index.php?content=95bb8b97-04b7-102c-b61c-7e17f68cdaa3|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== M84A ==== Civilian, semi-automatic version of the M84, available in .380 ACP (9×17mm Short).

== Adoption == The Škorpion was subsequently adopted by the Czechoslovak Army and security forces, and later exported to various countries.

Although it was developed for use by security forces, the weapon was also accepted into service with the Czechoslovak Army as a personal sidearm for lower-ranking army staff, vehicle drivers, armoured vehicle personnel and special forces.

Currently the weapon is in use with the armed forces of several countries as a sidearm.

=== Criminal use === The Škorpion was also used by armed groups,<ref name="James2">James, Frank (2004). ''Effective handgun defence''. Krause Publications.</ref> including the Irish Republican Army, Irish National Liberation Army and the Italian Red Brigades.

The Brigades used the Škorpion during the 1978 kidnapping of Aldo Moro, also using this weapon to kill Moro.<ref name="Malvenuti2">{{cite web |last=Malvenuti |first=Edoardo |date=9 March 2014 |title=Škorpion, bursts of fire and mysteries |url=http://www.progetto.cz/skorpion-raffiche-e-misteri/?lang=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113000232/http://www.progetto.cz/skorpion-raffiche-e-misteri/?lang=en |archive-date=13 November 2014 |access-date=12 November 2014 |work=Progetto Repubblica Ceca}}</ref><ref name="Warlow2">{{cite book |last=Warlow |first=Tom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hrpTAdnTERAC |title=Firearms, the Law, and Forensic Ballistics |publisher=CRC Press |year=2004 |isbn=9780203568224 |edition=2nd |pages=77f |access-date=2016-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428062636/https://books.google.com/books?id=hrpTAdnTERAC |archive-date=2016-04-28 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1990s the Gang de Roubaix used the Škorpion in a series of attacks in France.<ref name="Malvenuti2" />

In 2017, the Swedish Police Authority estimated that about 50 formerly deactivated weapons from Slovakia were in circulation among criminals in Sweden.<ref name="sydsv18feb20172">{{cite news |date=18 February 2017 |title=Malmöbo pekas ut i jättelik vapenhärva |url=http://www.sydsvenskan.se/2017-02-18/kriminell-vapenhandlare-efterlyst |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228082617/http://www.sydsvenskan.se/2017-02-18/kriminell-vapenhandlare-efterlyst |archive-date=28 February 2017 |access-date=27 February 2017 |publisher=Sydsvenskan}}</ref>

In 2022, the Škorpion was used in a hostage taking in an Apple store in Amsterdram<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 14, 2025 |title=iHostage True Story & Real-Life Hostage-Taker Explained: Is The Assailant Dead Or Alive? |url=https://dmtalkies.com/ihostage-true-story-real-life-hostage-taker-2025/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> and in the Wallasey pub shooting.

==In popular culture == The machine pistol Sa vz. 61 Skorpion appeared in many Czech and foreign movies. Czech movies include: ''Who's That Soldier?'' (1987), ''Byl jednou jeden polda III'' (1999) and ''The Velvet Murderers'' (2005). Others include: ''Executive Decision'' (1996), ''Con Air'' (1997), ''Face/Off'' (1997), ''The Matrix'' (1999), ''Blade II'' (2002), ''Equilibrium'' (2002), ''xXx'' (2002), ''The Matrix Revolutions'' (2003), ''The Dark Knight'' (2008), ''Resident Evil: Retribution'' (2012) and ''Captain America: The Winter Soldier'' (2014).<ref>{{cite web |title=Samopal vzor 61 Škorpion včetně dalších modifikací, jeho současné využití a zachycení ve světě kinematografie |url=https://is.muni.cz/th/ypqbb/Samopal_vzor_61_Skorpion_vcetne_dalsich_modifikaci__jeho_soucasne_vyuziti_a_zachyceni_ve_svete_kinematografie.pdf |publisher=Masaryk University Faculty of Sports Studies |date=2016}}</ref> The Klobb gun from the 1997 video game ''GoldenEye 007'' is based on the Škorpion.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|author=Edge Staff|date=2014-04-04|title=The story of GoldenEye 007's most notorious gun, The Klobb – and its design secret|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-story-of-goldeneye-007s-most-notorius-gun-the-klobb-and-its-design-secret/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404045319/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-story-of-goldeneye-007s-most-notorius-gun-the-klobb-and-its-design-secret/|archive-date=2014-04-04|access-date=2020-10-27|magazine=Edge}}</ref>

==Users== thumb|Map with Škorpion vz. 61 users in blue

=== Current users === * {{flag|Afghanistan}}<ref name="jones2009">{{cite book |editor1-first=Richard D. |editor1-last=Jones |editor2-first=Leland S. |editor2-last=Ness |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 |date=January 27, 2009 |edition=35th |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon |isbn=978-0-7106-2869-5}}</ref> * {{flag|Angola}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Czech Republic}}<ref name="jones2009"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=5081 |title=7,65mm samopal vzor 61 Škorpión | Armáda |publisher=Army.cz |access-date=2013-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207201124/http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=5081 |archive-date=2009-02-07 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.cz/assets/files/9334/zbrane_definit.pdf |title=Rucni Zbrane ACR |publisher=Army.cz |language=cs |access-date=2013-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229001255/http://www.army.cz/assets/files/9334/zbrane_definit.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-29 |url-status=live }}</ref> * {{flag|Egypt}}<ref name="diez2000">Diez, Octavio (2000). ''Handguns: Armament and Technology''. Lema Publications, S.L. {{ISBN|84-8463-013-7}}.</ref> * {{flag|Georgia}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Indonesia}}<ref name="idnvojnik">{{cite web |url=http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/1612007/ind.asp |title=Kopassus & Kopaska - Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije |language=hr |publisher=Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine |access-date=2010-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822145526/http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/1612007/ind.asp |archive-date=2010-08-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * {{flag|Iraq}}<ref name="SIPRI"/> * {{flag|Jordan}}<ref name="SIPRI"/> * {{flag|Lebanon}}<ref name="SIPRI">{{cite web |url=http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/transfers/transparency/national_reports/serbia/SER_08.pdf/view |title=Annual Report on the Transfers of Controlled Goods in 2008 |page=37 |author-link=Ministry of Economy (Serbia)|author=Republic of Serbia: Ministry of Economy and of Regional Development|via= Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=25 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221190408/http://www.sipri.org/research/armaments/transfers/transparency/national_reports/serbia/SER_08.pdf/view |archive-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> * {{flag|Liberia}}: received Serbian M84s in 2002<ref name ='SAS 2002'>{{cite book|title=Report of the Panel of Experts concerning Liberia (S/2002/1115)|author=United Nations Security Council|date=25 Oct 2002|url=https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/D5FA5B63184345C5C1256C7E00456BF3-unsc-lib-25oct.pdf|page=18|access-date=29 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829175327/https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/D5FA5B63184345C5C1256C7E00456BF3-unsc-lib-25oct.pdf|archive-date=29 August 2018|url-status=live|author-link=United Nations Security Council}}</ref> * {{flag|Libya}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Mozambique}}<ref name="diez2000"/> * {{flag|North Korea}}: Used by spies and special force units<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=1785&page=2|title=North Korean Small Arms|website=Small Arms Defense Journal|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828104508/http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=1785&page=2|archive-date=28 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> * {{flag|Pakistan}}<ref name="jones2009"/> Used by Dolphin police force * {{flag|Serbia}}<ref name="diez2000"/><ref name="Guns.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.guns.com/2013/03/01/the-czech-vz-61-skorpion-a-stinger-full-of-32-acp/ |title=The Czech vz. 61 Skorpion: A stinger full of 32 ACP (VIDEO) |publisher=Guns.com |access-date=2016-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221031837/http://www.guns.com/2013/03/01/the-czech-vz-61-skorpion-a-stinger-full-of-32-acp/ |archive-date=2016-02-21 |url-status=live }}</ref> * {{flag|Slovakia}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Uganda}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Ukraine}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vala |first1=Marek |title=Vláda schválila další dar v podobě vojenského materiálu Ukrajině |url=https://mocr.army.cz/informacni-servis/zpravodajstvi/vlada-schvalila-dalsi-dar-v-podobe-vojenskeho-materialu-ukrajine-233798/ |website=mocr.army.cz |publisher=Ministerstvo obrany České republiky |language=cs |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227113644/https://mocr.army.cz/informacni-servis/zpravodajstvi/vlada-schvalila-dalsi-dar-v-podobe-vojenskeho-materialu-ukrajine-233798/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 2,085 units supplied to Ukraine by the Czech Republic after the Russian invasion.<ref>{{cite web |title=První česká vojenská pomoc Ukrajině |url=https://armadnizpravodaj.cz/vyzbroj/cesko-ukrajine-dodalo-lehke-zbrane/ |website=armadnizpravodaj.cz |accessdate=1 March 2022 |language=cs}}</ref>

=== Former users === * {{flag|Czechoslovakia}} * {{flag|East Germany}}: Used by the East German ''Nationale Volksarmee''<ref>Handwaffen und Panzerabwehrwaffen der Bundeswehr, Jan-Phillipp Weisswange, p.72</ref> * {{flag|North Vietnam}}: Used by the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nam-valka.cz/zbrane/vz61.html|title=Samopal vz.61 Škorpion / NAM 64-75|website=www.nam-valka.cz|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322014247/http://www.nam-valka.cz/zbrane/vz61.html|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> * {{flag|Soviet Union}}: Used by ''Spetsnaz'' units<ref name="Guns.com" />{{unreliable source?|date=May 2020}} * {{flag|Yugoslavia}}<ref name="diez2000" />

'''Non-state users:''' *23px|border Brigate Rosse<ref name="Terrorists">{{cite book|page=[https://archive.org/details/terroriststheirw0000dobs/page/103 103]|title=The Terrorists: Their Weapons, Leaders, and Tactics|url=https://archive.org/details/terroriststheirw0000dobs|url-access=registration|author1=Christopher Dobson |author2=Ronald Payne |date=1982|publisher=Facts on File}}</ref> *border|25px Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) <ref>{{Cite book|last=McDonald, Holland |first=Henry, Jack|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hseNDAAAQBAJ&q=skorpion|title=I.N.L.A - Deadly Divisions|date=2024-02-26|publisher=Torc|isbn=9781842234389|language=en}}</ref> * border|25px FMLN Škorpion vz. 61<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Kokalis|first= Peter|date= September 2003 |title=Tiny Terrorists Terminator |magazine= Small Arms Review}}</ref>

==See also== * OTs-02 Kiparis * PP-91 Kedr * Intratec TEC-22 * MAC-10 and TEC-9, similar American machine pistols

== Citations == {{reflist}}

== General sources == * {{cite book|title=Škorpion: 7,65 mm samopal vz. 61 Škorpion a jeho varianty|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSD3ygAACAAJ|year=2004|publisher=NV |language=Czech |isbn=978-80-206-0704-1}}

==External links== {{commons category|Sa vz. 61 Škorpion}} * [http://www.czub.cz/index.php?p=32&idp=9&ids=36&idz=227&lang=en Česká zbrojovka—official page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502012816/http://www.czub.cz/index.php?p=32&idp=9&ids=36&idz=227&lang=en |date=2008-05-02 }} * [http://www.czub.cz/navody/cz360_en.pdf Instruction manual] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218052908/http://www.czub.cz/navody/cz360_en.pdf |date=2007-12-18 }} * [http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/history-of-the-sa-vz-61/ CzechPoint—Škorpion history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201175613/http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/history-of-the-sa-vz-61 |date=2010-02-01 }} * [https://modernfirearms.net/en/submachine-guns/czech-republic-submachine-guns/skorpion-vz-61-eng/ Modern Firearms] * {{YouTube|r-aHAh4eOSE|Video of operation}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Skorpion vz. 61}} Category:.32 ACP submachine guns Category:.380 ACP submachine guns Category:9×18mm Makarov submachine guns Category:9mm Parabellum submachine guns Category:Infantry weapons of the Cold War Category:Machine pistols Category:Simple blowback firearms  Category:Submachine guns of the Cold War Category:Submachine guns of Czechoslovakia Category:Telescoping bolt submachine guns Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1961