I recently took my new AP5 to the range to sight it in, check function and do a break in. I also took my CZ Scorpion and did a comparison between the two.
Handling:
In stock form, both have somewhat awkward safeties, but the Scorpion is marginally easier to manipulate. The AP5's safety was very stiff and hard to reach when you have your hand on the grip. I had to take it down from my shoulder and shift it around in my hands in order to apply or disengage it. Perhaps when I have shot it more it will loosen up and be easier to use, but I will probably replace it with a aftermarket unit that is longer and easier to reach.
Mag changes on both are easy, but perhaps because I have more trigger time on the CZ, I find it faster to change magazines. Speaking of magazine changes, the CZ has a last round bolt hold open which overall makes it faster to get back into operation after running the mag dry
Shooting:
The AP5 is a very smooth shooter due the the way the roller lock system works. Felt recoil on the AP5 is less which makes target acquisition faster when shooting rapid fire, although in reality, both guns are heavy enough that the recoil from the ammo I was using minimal. Speaking of ammo, I was using a mixture of 115 grain loads of different brands including some ancient China Sports 9mm that I picked up many years ago. Both were 100% reliable with whatever I ran through them even when mixing different brands in the magazines. I didn't have a ton of ammo but I did put about 250 rounds through each of them. All ammo was standard velocity 115 grain FMJ.
I would say that overall accuracy was compatible between the two of them. The AP5 required a slight windage adjustment, but was very close out of the box. Both have different size apertures for different ranges and performed about the same for me.
Magazines:
The AP5 shipped with one magazine and I had ordered six more from Atlantic. They were out of the 30 round MKE magazines and I opted to get the POF mags that were still available. The POF magazines look good and function perfectly. At $109 + shipping for two, they came out to about $57 apiece. The CZ shipped with two 20 round mags and I bought several Magpul 35 rounders at $20 each. The Magpul's were recommended over on the CZ forum and I am quite happy with them.
Conclusion:
First let me make it perfectly clear that I am a recreational shooter and not trying to be some kind of operator. I am not going to be running shoot and scoot drills as both of my knees have had multiple operations and I have just slightly more mobility than a rock.
Both are quite fun to shoot and I feel that if you were doing some kind of class that uses a PCC, you would be well served by either one of them.
The AP5 as I received it was $1180 + $30 shipping. Add the SB Tactical brace and two extra magazines + shipping and the total comes to $1520 plus sales tax and any FFL fees.
Current Sold auctions on Gunbroker for New CZ Scorpion EVO 3's seem to average about $855 + shipping, so around $895 delivered to your FFL. Add the brace @$225 and a couple of magazines @$20 each equals roughly $1120 depending on the shipping charge for the stock and mags. Tax and dealer fees added on top of this of course.
Is the AP5 worth the extra $400 over the CZ? That is a decision only you can make. As I see it from a purely dollar standpoint, the CZ is a better choice, but emotion is certainly a factor and I can say that the AP5 is a sexy beast and I like it a lot. The HK fanboys think that anything but a real HK is beneath their notice, but the fit on finish on my AP5 is first rate, it functioned perfectly, looks cool and overall I am quite satisfied with my purchase.
