Click pictures for a larger version.

SIG Carry Scorpion pistol.


Pistol comes with hard case, instructions, cable lock,
and two magazines.

Accessory rail.






Ambidextrous safety levers.



Extended magazine release (top), slide lock (bottom).




Excellent SigLite night sights.




Firing pin safety locks firing pin in place until trigger is pulled.




Accuracy testing was done at a distance of 25 yards, with the pistol secured into a Ransom Master Series machine rest.



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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.
Weight |
37.8 ounces |
Height |
6 inches |
Length |
7.875 inches |
Slide Width |
0.915 inch |
Maximum Grip Width |
1.28 inches |
Frame Width |
0.828 inch |
Maximum Width |
1.33 inches |
Trigger Pull |
4.75 pounds |
Trigger Reach |
2.7 inches |
Barrel Length |
4.29 inches |
Magazine Capacity |
8 |
Magazines Supplied |
2 |
I fired the new Sig Carry
Scorpion for function and accuracy using several different
brands and types of ammunition. I tested for velocity with my
chronograph set at ten feet from the muzzle, with an air
temperature of forty-three degrees Fahrenheit, fifty-eight
percent relative humidity, with a clear sky and a slight breeze.
Velocity readings were taken at an elevation of approximately
541 feet above sea level. Velocities are listed in the chart
below, and are listed in feet-per-second (fps). FMJ is a full
metal jacket bullet. JHP is a jacketed hollowpoint. DPX is an
homogenous copper hollowpoint bullet. Glaser is a specialty
pre-fragmented bullet inside a copper alloy jacket. PB is Pow’RBall.
EPR and AF are high performance specialty bullets as loaded by
Extreme Shock Ammunition (no longer available). LWSC is a cast
lead semi-wadcutter bullet. Velocities are listed in
feet-per-second (fps). Bullet weights are listed in grains.
Ammunition |
Bullet Weight |
Velocity |
Cor-Bon JHP |
200 |
1029 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
165 |
1128 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
230 |
941 |
Cor-Bon DPX |
185 |
989 |
Cor-Bon PB |
165 |
1120 |
Cor-Bon Glaser |
145 |
1201 |
Stryker FMJ |
230 |
733 |
Remington FMJ |
230 |
745 |
Buffalo Bore JHP |
230 |
930 |
Buffalo Bore FMJ |
230 |
916 |
Handload LWSC |
200 |
978 |
Extreme Shock EPR |
185 |
1090 |
Extreme Shock AF |
125 |
1408 |
WCC 1911 Ball FMJ |
230 |
761 |
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.
To order a Simply Rugged holster, go to www.simplyrugged.com.
To order quality ammunition, go to www.buffalobore.com,
www.luckygunner.com,
and www.theamericanmarksman.com.
Jeff Quinn
 
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Click pictures for a larger version.


Scorpion holds eight rounds in the magazine, for a loaded capacity of nine shots of 45 ACP.












G-10 grips offer a secure hold, and join with the mainspring housing to form a beveled mag well.











Simply Rugged ' Cuda holster can be worn strong-side or crossdraw.






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