I bought a Scorpion specifically to use it as a SBR suppressor host. When i got it, I cleaned it, test fired, cleaned again, installed the 922r parts, took some pictures for this thread, and put it back in the box while I waited for the Form 1 to clear. Purchased a carbine handguard from CZ in December when they were having a 10% off sale. Form 1 was approved earlier this month almost exactly 7 months to the day so I finally put the stock on and swapped the handguards.
The original barrel nut had an obscene amount of thread locker on it. I tried using an adjustable crescent wrench and channel locks but I ended up having to order the dedicated HBI tool. Even with the tool, I needed to stand on the pistol while using an 18" breaker bar to loosen the nut. There was a plastic washer between the nut and the pistol handguard. I read elsewhere on the internet that I wouldn't need this washer with the carbine handguard but that wasn't the case. Without the plastic washer, the carbine barrel nut tightened too far down the barrel and had very little thread engagement. I reused the plastic washer and it fits perfectly into a recess in the barrel channel of the carbine handguard.
The carbine handguard came with a new style hex nut so I didn't need a special tool for that. I used a 21mm deep well socket with a ratchet extension. If you have muzzle accessories that made use of the leaf spring thing on the pistol barrel nut, it won't work with this new nut.
The HBI extended charging handle is a huge improvement. The HBI spring kit reduced the trigger pull weight considerably and is a no brainer upgrade considering the cost. I got their trigger pack hardware refresh kit too, while I was at it. The Apex safety kit gets the safety out of the way of my trigger finger but the lever is now positioned too high for me to flip it into the fire position without breaking my grip. It might work better for people with longer thumbs but I would try something else if I could do it again. I'll probably order the Apex pistol grip the next time I make an order from Midway or Brownells. I have no problem with the factory stock, trigger shoe, and magazine release so I'm leaving those alone.
My Octane 9 is mounted with a 1/2x28 piston and fixed barrel spacer. This suppressor is basically going to live on this gun. I might look into a three lug mount later. I have a MRO and ADM low mount on the way for an optic.
I haven't fired any defensive ammo through it yet but if it proves reliable with JHP rounds, this thing may become my primary home defense gun. I'm impressed so far.
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