When Sig Sauer entered the 1911 pistol market a few years ago, they jumped in with both feet, really going after that huge market, and now have thirty-five different models of their 1911 pistol from which to choose. Sig has various 1911 pistols built for dedicated target shooting, as well as compact 1911pistols for easy concealment. For a fighting pistol, whether for defensive or offensive purposes, I have always preferred the four-and one-quarter inch pistols, commonly referred to as “Commander-sized” pistols. They are still easy to conceal in a proper holster, yet easy to shoot well under stress. Featured here is one of Sig Sauer’s best fighting 1911 pistols; the Carry Scorpion.

Upon opening the box containing this new pistol, I was immediately impressed. Everything looks right on this gun, from the choice of sights, to the inclusion of an ambidextrous thumb safety. The Scorpion wears a durable Cerakote frame and slide finish, that is finished in a dark earth color, which looks great with the Hogue G-10 laminated grip panels. Those grip panels are textured to offer a positive hold, under any conditions. The grip panels extend below the bottom of the grip frame to form a generous beveled magazine well, to facilitate a faster magazine change. The eight-round magazines wear an extended base pad, to assure positively seating of the magazines into the mag well. The magazine release button is slightly extended to also assist with a quicker mag change under stress. The flat mainspring housing is textured to match the grip panels, and the front of the grip is checkered for a more secure grasp. Perfect.

The ambidextrous safety levers are sized just right for easy use, but are not excessively large, as with some designs. The safety levers, beavertail grip safety, slide lock, sights, mag release, external extractor, barrel bushing, and other small parts are finished in a matte black, which looks good with the dark earth finish of the slide and frame. The barrel and hammer are left in a natural stainless finish. The aluminum trigger has almost no curve at all to its face, and has an adjustable overtravel stop. This Sig Scorpion is very tightly-fitted, with no discernible play between the slide and frame or the slide and barrel. The trigger pull releases crisply at an average of four and three-quarters pounds., and the trigger releases the firing pin lock, which prevents the Sig from firing if dropped. The sights are ideal for a fighting pistol, having a smooth Novak-style profile, and wearing tritium inserts for use in low-light conditions.

Critical specifications for the Sig Carry Scorpion are listed in the chart below. The weights are listed in ounces, and linear measurements in inches. The grip and frame widths were measured at their widest points. The maximum width is measured across the ambidextrous thumb safety levers. The height includes the sights and the magazine base pad. The trigger pull is listed as pounds of resistance. The weight includes the empty magazine. Length is measured from the muzzle to the tip of the beavertail grip safety.

For accuracy testing, I secured the Sig into my Ransom Master Series machine rest. The Ransom enables me to shoot as many groups as I like, without the group sizes being influenced by shooter fatigue, changing light conditions, or anything else. The Sig 1911 exhibited very good accuracy, particularly with a couple of the loads tested. After getting the pistol settled into the rest by firing a couple of magazines of ammo, I tested for accuracy with each type of ammo shown in the chart above, with five-shot groups measuring from under one inch to a bit over three inches, depending upon the ammo. This pistol seemed to prefer the heavier-bullet loads, with the Cor-Bon 230 grain JHP Plus P turning in stellar groups, repeatedly.

In function testing, the Scorpion proved to be absolutely reliable. Every round fed, fired, and ejected perfectly, with no malfunctions of any kind.

The Carry Scorpion is an all-steel pistol, and has plenty of heft for easy shooting, so for carrying concealed, a good holster is needed that keeps the pistol in place. Shown here is one of my favorite styles; the Simply Rugged ‘Cuda (Barracuda). This is a pancake style holster that offers the option of carrying strong side or cross draw, depending upon the need. For concealed carry, I like the pistol on my left hip, being a left-handed shooter. The ‘Cuda carries the Scorpion high and tight for good concealment in that position, and places the grip in the perfect spot for a fast draw, if needed. While riding an ATV, motorcycle, tractor, or in the pickup truck, I place the ‘Cuda in a cross draw position, making access quick and easy from a seated position. This is also a handy position for carry if also wearing a backpack. The ‘Cuda is very well-crafted, and has a flap behind the pistol to protect the wearer’s skin and clothing from abrasion by the slide and rear sight. Rob Leahy and his crew make these holsters by hand to fit each weapon, but the wait for one is short, as they get them built and shipped quickly. The one shown here is dressed up a bit with a panel of alligator skin stitched into place atop the cowhide, but the ‘Cuda is available as plain or as fancy as the customer desires.

The Sig Carry Scorpion proved to be a very well-fitted 1911, expertly crafted and finished in a durable dark earth color which sets it apart from the masses of other 1911 pistols on the market. Today, shooters have a wealth of choices when choosing a new 1911 pistol for home defense and concealed carry, and this Sig Carry Scorpion is among the best.

Check out the extensive line of Sig firearms and accessories online at www.sigsauer.com.