NOTE: This article is about Sa-61 Scorpion SMGs featured in the main ArmA games. For Czechoslovakian Sa-61s in ArmA 3's CSLA Iron Curtain Creator DLC, see Sa-61 (CSLA). |
The Sa-61 Scorpion is a 7.65 mm submachine gun featured in both ArmA: Cold War Assault and ArmA 2.
ArmA: Cold War Assault
« | The Scorpion submachine gun is blowback operated weapon, with original rate-reducing mechanism. Its development was initiated in late 1950s, with the intent to provide various non-line infantry units with a lightweight personal defense weapon that is more effective than a pistol. Weapon Description
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Sa-61 Scorpion 7.65 mm | |
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Faction | ![]() ![]() |
Type | Submachine Gun |
Calibre | 7.65×17 mm |
Magazine capacity |
20 |
Dispersion | 0.003 rad (semi) 0.004 rad (full) |
Variants | None |
Games |
The Sa-61 Scoprion is used by both Nogovan law enforcement officers and Soviet Spetsnaz operatives in ArmA: Cold War Assault.
Overview
The Sa-61 Scorpion is a selective-fire submachine gun that is chambered to fire the 7.65×17 mm round.
It loads from 20-round curved magazines, and is able to attain a fire rate of up to 600 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 320 m/s. It has a maximum effective range of just 100 metres.
Compared to the American-made Ingram wielded by the Nogovan Partisans, both weapons are remarkably similar in that they're both compact personal defence weapons that can be carried as sidearms.
Although slightly weaker damage-wise due to firing a rather underpowered cartridge, the Sa-61 serves as an excellent backup weapon that can be used in lieu of other handguns or the Ingram. With the combination of a large magazine size as well as the ability to fire in full auto, it's highly effective in close quarters.
However, just like the Ingram it isn't useful for engaging targets that are further than 100 metres away. This is simply because the Sa-61 has rather poor ironsights and low accuracy, meaning that the user will simply end up wasting ammunition trying to shoot at distant targets.
Ammunition

Base damage value | Initial velocity (m/s) |
---|---|
6 | 320 |
The Sa-61 can only load one type of magazine. It requires one inventory slot to carry:
Scorpion Mag.
Standard 20-round curved magazine.
Trivia
- Along with all other sidearms, the Sa-61 was not actually included as part of the default set of weapons that could be used in Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis (the initial release name of Cold War Assault) and was only added with the Resistance expansion pack.
- However unlike the Ingram, the Sa-61 was added following the release of Resistance and can therefore be found/used in the campaign.
Gallery
ArmA 2
« | The Sa-61 Scorpion is a Czechoslovak 7.65mm submachine gun, developed in 1959. The weapon is designed to be used by the security forces, vehicle crews and the special forces. Due to its small size and rate of fire, it became a weapon of choice for terrorists across the world. Armoury Description
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Sa-61 Scorpion 7.65 mm | |
![]() | |
Faction | ![]() |
Type | Submachine Gun |
Calibre | 7.65×17 mm |
Magazine capacity |
20 / 10 |
Dispersion | 0.018 rad (semi) 0.018 rad (full) |
Variants | None |
Games |
The Sa-61 Scorpion remains unused by any faction in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Operation Arrowhead expansion pack.
Overview
Returning from Cold War Assault, the Sa-61 mostly remains identical and continues to occupy the user's sidearm slot rather than primary.
It still loads from 20-round curved magazines but can now load 10-round magazines as well. Its fire rate has been increased to 800 RPM, and now retains a muzzle velocity of 318 m/s. The Sa-61 does not support being fitted with any optical sights or accessories and cannot be suppressed.

Takistani bandit wielding an Sa-61.
Like the PDW, the Sa-61 is unique for being one of the only two fully-automatic sidearms that can be used in ArmA 2.
Although this is what would make it seem ideal to carry as a backup weapon, the Sa-61's combination of poor accuracy and the lacklustre damage of its 7.65 mm round make it a terrible choice for use in any situation. Its ability to fire full auto is also made redundant by the fact that it has such a small magazine capacity. Unless there's no alternative, it should be avoided as the PDW is far superior recoil-wise and can also be suppressed.
Ammunition
Base damage value | Aerodynamic friction | Initial velocity (m/s) |
---|---|---|
3 | -0.00195 | 318 |
Scorpions can load two types of magazines. Both only take up one secondary weapon inventory slot apiece:
20Rnd. Sa-61 Mag.

20-round curved magazine. Does not contain any visible tracers.
10Rnd. Sa-61 Mag.

Alternate 10-round magazine.
Remains statistically identical to regular 20-rounders (aside from capacity).
Trivia
- Like in Cold War Assault, ArmA 2's Sa-61 is technically classified as an SMG but is treated as if it were a sidearm in-game (it cannot be equipped as a primary weapon).
Gallery
External links
See also
Weapons of comparable role and configuration
Weapons of ArmA: Cold War Assault | |
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Handguns | 92F 9 mm • CZ-75 9 mm • Glock 17 9 mm • S&W .357 • Tokarev TT-33 7.62 mm |
Submachine guns | Ingram .45 • MP5SD3 9 mm • PP-19 Bizon 9 mm • Sa-61 Scorpion 7.65 mm • UZI 9 mm |
Shotguns | Kozlice |
Carbines | AK-74 SU 5.45 mm • XM-177E2 5.56 mm (XM-177S) |
Assault rifles | AK-47 7.62 mm (AK-47 GL, AK-47 CZ) • AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 GL) • AUG A1 5.56 mm • FN-FAL 7.62 mm • G3A4 7.62 mm • G36 5.56 mm • M16A2 5.56 mm (M16A2 GL) |
Sniper rifles | Hunting Rifle 7.62 mm • M21 7.62 mm • SVD 7.62 mm |
Machine guns | M60 7.62 mm • PK 7.62 mm |
Grenade launchers | 6G30 • MM-1 |
Launchers | 9K32 Strela-2 • AT-4 Spigot • Carl Gustav M2 • FIM-92 Stinger • M72 LAW • RPG-75NH |
Static | M2 |
(Parenthesis) denote variants. |
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---|---|
Handguns | Tokarev TT-33 7.62 mm |
Submachine guns | PP-19 Bizon 9 mm • Sa-61 Scorpion 7.65 mm |
Carbines | AK-74 SU 5.45 mm |
Assault rifles | AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 GL) |
Sniper rifles | SVD 7.62 mm |
Machineguns | PK 7.62 mm |
Grenade launchers | 6G30 |
Launchers | 9K32 Strela-2 • AT-4 Spigot • RPG-75NH |
Static | M2 |
(Parenthesis) denote variants. |