Description
I was chasing a gopher that had been terrorizing my back forty, and my usual .22 LR just wasn’t cutting it. The wind was a factor, the range was stretching out, and I needed a rimfire with more authority. That’s when I reached for the Volquartsen Scorpion in .22 WMR. This isn’t your plinker’s pistol; it’s a precision-built, semi-auto handgun chambered in the potent .22 Magnum rimfire cartridge. With its 6-inch match-grade barrel, aggressive VZ Grip panels, and distinctive black stainless finish, it’s built for shooters who demand serious small-bore performance from a handgun platform. The 9-round magazine capacity gives you plenty of shots before a reload, and the entire package is engineered for one-handed accuracy that borders on ridiculous.
Look, I’ve put a few hundred rounds of everything from CCI Maxi-Mag to Hornady V-Max through this Scorpion, and here’s the thing—it just works. The action is slick, the trigger is a dream right out of the box, and it points like an extension of your hand. The .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) cartridge is the star here, offering nearly double the muzzle energy of a standard .22 Long Rifle. That translates to flatter trajectories, more reliable expansion on varmints, and better performance in windy conditions. The 6-inch barrel is the sweet spot for this caliber, giving the powder plenty of time to burn for optimal velocity without turning the pistol into a cumbersome carbine. It weighs in at a balanced 48 ounces, giving it a solid, steady feel in the hand that helps manage the snappier recoil impulse of the magnum round.
The features are where Volquartsen’s reputation for quality shines. The black stainless steel finish isn’t just for looks; it’s a durable, corrosion-resistant coating over a solid stainless frame and slide. Those VZ Grips aren’t generic checkering—they’re textured G10 panels that provide a supremely positive grip, even with wet or gloved hands. The heart of the system is Volquartsen’s own accurized action, which includes a tuned extractor, a match-grade barrel with a tight chamber, and that legendary trigger. I’m talking a clean, crisp break right around 2.5 pounds with virtually no creep or overtravel. It’s a target trigger on a field pistol, and it makes precise shot placement at 50 yards not just possible, but expected. This level of fit and finish means it’s truly drop-in ready for serious use; you won’t need to do a thing to it except load magazines. It’s available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, starting at $1522.80.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) |
| Barrel Length | 6 Inches |
| Finish | Black Stainless |
| Grips | VZ Grip G10 Panels |
| Magazine Capacity | 9 Rounds |
| Overall Length | Approx. 10.5 Inches |
Pros & Cons
Let’s be direct. The pros are immense: phenomenal out-of-the-box accuracy, a superb trigger, robust .22 WMR power in a handgun, and top-tier materials and construction. It’s incredibly reliable with quality ammo and a joy to shoot. The cons? Well, .22 WMR ammo is more expensive than .22 LR, so practice gets pricier. The pistol itself is an investment at over fifteen hundred dollars. And while the snappy recoil is manageable, it’s noticeably more than a .22 LR—this isn’t a gun for introducing brand-new shooters.
Who This Is For
This Scorpion is for the discerning shooter who needs a rimfire handgun that performs like a centerfire. It’s perfect for the serious varminter who wants a pistol for dispatching pests at moderate ranges. It’s for the competitor who dabbles in rimfire silhouette or steel challenge (where allowed). It’s also an ideal companion for a hunter who already carries a .22 WMR rifle and wants ammo commonality in a devastatingly accurate sidearm. If you appreciate tools that are overbuilt for their purpose and deliver flawless performance, you’re looking at your next gun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this just a fancy Ruger Mark IV?
A: While it shares a similar silhouette and some design lineage, the Volquartsen Scorpion is a wholly custom-built firearm on Volquartsen’s own receivers. The tolerances, trigger, barrel, and finish are all to a higher, match-grade specification. Think of it as the race-ready, fully blueprinted version of the concept.
Q: Can I use .22 Long Rifle ammunition in it?
A: Absolutely not. The .22 WMR chamber is longer and the case is larger in diameter than a .22 LR. Firing a .22 LR in a .22 WMR chamber is dangerous and can cause catastrophic failure. Only use .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire ammunition.
Q: What optics mount does it use?
A: The top of the receiver is drilled and tapped to accept a standard Picatinny rail (often included) or is directly compatible with mounts designed for the Ruger Mark series, allowing you to easily mount a red dot or pistol scope.
If you’re ready to step up your rimfire game with a handgun that has no equal in its class, the Volquartsen Scorpion .22 WMR is waiting. Check its availability on our site.
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