{"id":152875,"date":"2021-11-01T07:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T13:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=152875"},"modified":"2025-10-08T13:07:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T18:07:43","slug":"the-top-five-subguns-why-the-little-guys-rule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/the-top-five-subguns-why-the-little-guys-rule\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top Five Subguns \u2014 Why The Little Guys Rule"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pistol caliber carbines have existed forever, but as we\u2019ve seen, they\u2019ve become quite popular. The last ten years have been good to the PCC, and the popularity of PCCs combined with the popularity of braces has mixed to make the subgun. Today we will be specifically looking at what I feel are the best five subguns currently on the market.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a Subgun?<\/h2>\n

Subgun is a title that parts of the industry have thrown on submachine gun wannabes. They took the machine part out, so we are left with the sub and the gun parts. A subgun is a pistol-caliber weapon that\u2019s also legally a really big pistol. These guns are massive for handguns but short when compared to rifles. They are often the semi-auto variants of SMGs and often wear braces. (Not the braces your 13-year-old has, but pistol braces.)<\/p>\n

These guns have likely become more popular than PCCs these days. Who wouldn\u2019t like their pistol-caliber weapon to be shorter and lighter? I call these weapons subguns, but others call them large-format pistols. However, I think a large-format pistol encompasses AK and AR pistols in rifle calibers as well. Subguns could be a derivative of large-format pistols, but you\u2019re already likely tired of this debate.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s get to the guns.<\/p>\n

5. CZ Scorpion<\/h2>\n

The CZ Scorpion takes the number 5 spot on our subgun list. It\u2019s one of the OG subguns compatible with braces. It\u2019s extremely popular, and CZ has released what seems like a dozen different models. The reason it makes the list is not only its relative affordability but its degree of modularity. Lots of parts and pieces exist to make your Scorpion truly yours. This includes Magpul, Manticore Arms, Strike Industries, and small shops like Yeti Works.<\/p>\n

\"CZ
The Scorpion can be both large and small and even a bullpup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The CZ Scorpion\u2019s magazines are proprietary but also affordable<\/a> and common. Again, multiple people produce Scorpion magazines, including PSA, Magpul, Manticore Arms, and ProMag. Heck, we even have a D-50 drum from Magpul<\/a> for it. The weapon comes with a ton of awesome features, excellent ergonomics, and a unique appearance. It\u2019s reliable, easy to use, and fun to shoot.<\/p>\n

\"CZ
Who can’t love this guy?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It takes the number five spot because it is very simple and uses a straight blowback system. This requires a massive bolt which increases weight, and blowback subguns have excessive recoil. It\u2019s still just a 9mm subgun, so it\u2019s not like a 12 gauge but akin to a 5.56 rifle.
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