Honestly, the better solution is just buy a Shadow 2 and have a competent company mill the slide for a common footprint. Plate systems mean more parts, less precise optic pockets and recoil boss dimensions, and more opportunities for issues.
I purchased the regular Shadow 2 when I handled it at my local gun store. And I bought it because I was so impressed with the fit and finished. I sent it back to CZ because I saw pin pricks on the inside of the slide. Turns out it is part of the Rockwell harness test that is performed at the factory. I also found out that the barrel looked like the slide had been racked a lot for a new gun. Turns out that they put it on a machine to slide it several thousand times to smooth out the action. Anytime I let a friend shot this pistol they walk away with a big smile. This is a pistol that you can hand down to your children’s children, and they will think fondly of you.
"This will be your magic bullet hose with which you dispense justice to your cardboard foes and all will be right in the world" Quote of the year material right there
In Thailand where I live, a standard stock Shadow 2 costs around $2,900 (excluding $150 paperwork processing fee). Our minimum wage is $10 per “day”. I’m so envious of you guys Americans!
I bought a cz shadow 2 orange in Brazil . It cost about 6400 USD I'm envious of you my Thai friend ... the minimum wage here is 266 USD per month. And it's getting worst with president lula. He is burglar! Literally!
I carry my CZ Shadow 2 Compact because from the moment I held it and took it immediately to the range, I fell in love, Hard. I also use it as my conceal carry with hammer down and I'm not worried about firing pin blocks because I'm not a drunk who drops their gun all the time, nor am I constantly stumbling backwards and falling on my holster side hip. If these things are you, maybe keep your gun in a safe and don't endanger the rest of the world. Have a great day and stay strapped.
You know Dave, i thought, oh no he ain't gonna dog on my Shadow 2! But I'm not gonna lie, everything you said was spot on. I bought it last Aug/Sept and didn'treally know what i had until i went to my first match and had a couple guys offer to buy it. Very happy with it and plan to get another for back up. Glad to have you back in the fam brother lol.🤙🤙
Fanboy, fanboy and fanboy ( you happy now?), seriously I just purchased this gun after some serious due diligence more focused on the build quality, QC testing by CZ ETC. To your credit the impetus for finalizing my decision was your very comprehensive and balanced review (in my humble opinion this was the most helpful of the 1/2 dozen reviews I watched). Plan to head to my range in the morning to try it out. Thanks
Hi David, I love your review of this pistol as you highlight some features that mattered a lot to me when I had to decide "which gun" (most reviews watched never mentioned this) ie. The 1/4 cock position of the hammer with the ability to activate the safety, making it safe in case of falling on the hammer and cooking off the round in the pipe. Also enabeling "one in the pipe" while still having the double action force required for the first shot. It's important to me as I will be using the "DUCE" for home defence. If I could click the "Like" button for each time I watched your videos, it would amount to some hundred or more. Thank you for making these videos. Warm regards from South Africa.
I have a video idea for you. Do a comparison of a stock Shadow 2 vs upgraded X5 Legion for Carry Optics. Comparisons have been done of the two in stock configuration, but the X5 Legion could be sent to the Sig Armorer for an Action Job and Fit Barsto barrel for the same cost of a stock Shadow 2. Could also compare addition of brass grips to the Shadow and tungsten plug to the X5 Legion. I think for competition shooters people care less about what the gun does stock, and more about where you can take the platform after being modified. Would be interesting to equalize the cost difference between the two with upgrades.
Love my Shadow 2 !! For me optional optic fitting is no issues since i like the iron sights. Amazing to shoot aswell, eats whatever ammo i put in it :D
I own both the CZ Shadow 2 Orange and Blue. Hard to describe how fantastic these guns are. I will have both in my collection as long as I am above ground!
I'm going to be a happy camper if I'm able to shoot the amount of ammo required to break the slide pin! Trying to decide between the Shadow 2 Optics Ready and the Shadow 2 Orange. I don't think I can go wrong with either choice.
nobody talks about this, but weakest point of failure on my S2s has been the front sight roll pin, which also retains the barrel bushing. lose that pin, lose your sight, lose bushing, out of commission. All cause of a 5 cent roll pin. Most people don't advertise or suggest ever changing the sight roll pin on any maintenance schedule which i find odd, as its sort of a wear part if you shoot enough. perhaps i just have bad luck with it. If i were designing the CZs id do what CZC does and do a fitted bull barrel and dovtail front sight, or like what tangfoglio does have have the cone fit barrel - which is absolutely genius (despite the fact i hate almost everything else about their build quality from the factory without mods). I'm a huge CZ fanboy but the abundance of roll pins raises my blood pressure.
Good call about the NOT low bore axis. I have probably made 20 videos talking about how much i love the CZ low bore axis....until i compared it to a Glock.... Love this video.... thanks for sharing
I prefer the plate option because I have more flexibility in potentially changing optics. I was unable to find a plate for the 509T to shadow 2 and was looking at the unenviable possibility of having to have 2 stacked plates in order to adapt to an RMR footprint first, but then found out that the CZ P10 plate from C&H Precision for the 509T also fits the shadow 2, although the plate does not cleanly follow the profile of the slide near the ejector on the Shadow2... a good plate which works fine though.
Wanted one before your video. Still want one afterwards. I just learned that with no decocker it’s a pain to use it for IPSC which requires hammer down in your holster. Still want one! Lol 🇨🇦
Odd but the first part that failed in my Shadow2 was the Trigger pin and I replaced it with the Cajun Gun Works floating pin with their trigger return spring. I also clean & minimally lubricate my shadow2 after ever use because it's my baby & deservers the best. LMFIAO
This is an awesome video! You covered all aspects of the gun. i do look forward to your new videos when they come out & I try to catch up on the ones I haven't seen yet! Keep up the good work David!
Wow...I watched this until the end. We cannot be offended by opposing views, when we are we are less open to learning. I am new to this community. My first gun, will be a CZ Shadow 2. I already ordered it. just for fun, not competitive shooting. Mine will be Optics Ready, and I am looking for an economical Optic. Good bang for the buck as it were. Appreciate the video thank u.
@Chris T I appreciate that. I am looking at Optics now. I am having trouble seeing my bullets hit the paper Target so I'm going to need some kind of magnification. Which model in particular did you have in mind? I also bought a Ruger Mark IV Target and I love that as well and I'm thinking of an optic for that for the same reason. Thanks for reaching out to me!!
@Chris T thanks I appreciate your input I'm new to all of this. I just ordered some splatterburst Targets so I can see where the bullets are hitting; Since you posted last I've been looking at the reviews online and they are outstanding. I will definitely get one thanks once again. The CZs optic ready the Ruger Mark 4 isn't; I'm thinking for the 22 I might just get a cheaper mount.
The catalog mentions an extended safety that comes with the gun, mine did not. I love mine but for the price it should have come with an optics plate and the extended safety.
I wish all handguns came optic ready. Everyone shoots better with a reticle imho. I sent my CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical to Cajun Gun Works for an optical cut, and they did a superb job of that and providing long front and rear tritium back-up sights.
Yes, all of them are not safe with a round in a chamber. That is why every gun maker replicates this half cock solution. However with shadow 2 it is even worse, since this gun does not have firing pin safety block.
I guess that the superstar for IDPA, SSP and partially ESP, is the brand new Tanfoglio Stock 1 Extreme... A very nice, competitive and affordable pistol for IDPA.
I bought the Shadow 2 optic ready about 6 months ago. I’m a quadriplegic and shoot with a splint. This gun handles anything I put through it including all of my reloads with no ftf’s jams or stove pipes. I can’t say that for my other pistols.
It is truly a workhorse, after 10s of thousands the only failures I've had were related to my own reloads, and once I had a piece of rock get in my dropped magazine and wedge in the trigger spring, preventing reset randomly. I knew something was up, asked to be done the course of fire, and was able to pop out the rock and continue competing.
New shooter here. I absolutely love the look and specs of this gun and I really want it. What’s holding me back is that I read and hear everywhere that this is made for and performs best at IPSC type of shooting. I am going in to that later on but to start off I’m going to be doing mostly PPC, Precision Pistol Competition. Is this a BAD gun for that application? Or maybe it’s OK but not much more, making it way to costly of a first gun? What do you guys think?
2 years later and i still cant find one for sale..... OR that is, i have the SA version and love it. would like to buy just the slide, but they are still unobtanium.
These guns only "cook off" rounds when hit on the hammer if you use the extended firing pin, which is very common. I have removed mine. I used some primed brass and a soft hammer, it was consistent and nonexistent with the stock firing pin. Regarding the OR version, I weighed my options and decided direct mount was more cost effective and set the optic lower. I don't plan to shoot production, so the sight option wasn't really a benefit to me.
I have a non OR Shadow 2 and I’d love to have it milled for an optic. Unfortunately in IPSC if the gun is not OR from the factory can’t compete in production optics/carry optics
geee 10k rds in and your saying i only need to replace a trigger return spring id say that's a hell of a deal. shit Id prolly replace all springs at 5k mark.
It should be noticed that stock, this firearm IS drop safe. It does not have the block off but it was tested and stock it will NOT fire without pulling the trigger. The example you gave about the instructor dying, was a modified gun with a CGW modified pistols with a extended firing pin.
@TheHumbleMarksman Hopefully you can help me with this: I've looked at the S2 and the S2 OR version as well as SAO variants. Is it possible to have the wide thumb safety on each model? I'm used to resting my thumb on it but the OR version I had in hand has the two small ones and a gunsmith told me the one from a regular SP-01 Shadow wouldn't fit. The SAO variants have the wide safety again. Are those all interchangable within the Shadow 2 variants?
the parts interchange - yes. For a shadow 2 which is never a "safety on" kind of gun - with respect to USPSA - it's a liability. The flush safeties are a better choice for sport.
I wish I could get one of these, but here in MA they are unobtanium, and shooting with 10 round mags in Carry Optics is no bueno. I've got an iron sighted Shadow 2 and it is truly a peach of a gun. I installed some springs from Cajun Gunworks and now the DA pull is about 6 lbs.
Mine is a production single-action only, which has a blue trigger (matching the grip panels). I bought it in mid-2020 (at over-priced pandemic pricing). So unless they just stopped making the SA version of this gun, you wouldn't need to modify it to make it single action only, or buy the orange tactical sport version, for a lot more $$.
The last time I switched springs I left the cgw reduced power trigger return spring in to see how long it lasts. It broke eventually, but it took longer than I expected with daily dryfire, double and single action. Not exactly scientific, but I have more confidence in the spring than I had before. I'm testing out the czc trs spring now.
Same.. and the slide is just as thick as any other slides, its just inside the frame where you can't see it, so it fools you. But its pretty obvious when you lock back the slide, she thicc
It's all relative I suppose. If you compare the CZ to some other popular hammer fired designs (Sig P 226, 220, 229, FN FNX) the CZ definitely has a lower bore axis.
HELLO !!.. thanks again for all your magnificent reviews presentations base on personal experience, fantastic . Will like to know your opinion of the classic CZ 75 B OMEGA . My local store have a few in special sale in the box new for $549.00. I know is and old platform but is beautiful , good price. I will carry this in my shoulder bag and in the car . The first pull of the trigger is really hard, single action better but feels like a double wall before it fires. Your experience and opinion will be highly appreciated!
Hey bud. New subscriber,. Great videos, I was wondering on the optic mount adapter you ordered from Europe or if you know of another USA company that makes them for the CZ Shadow 2 OR, I specifically want one for a Romeo3 XL and am having no luck with my online searches. Any help or a link would be appreciated. Have a blessed day.
Is there is a lot of difference in target accuracy shooting between CZ 75 B Omega vs CZ SPP1 competition that justified to buy the competition if you already own the CZ 75 B Omega ?
Funny how many guns are "OR" yet aren't. I think the new Beretta M8A4 is another. And there's another...not sure if it's the Walther PDP "OR"...Rushed the guns to market. My gripe...minor one...about the gun making biz is I'd wish they would would just make either a "tactical/duty" gun" or a competition gun. Not a "competition gun" with "lightening cuts" as well as a weapon light rail. Forget about the weapon light rail if it's a "target/comp gun". If it's a "duty gun" forget forget about the "lightening cuts" on the slide....which SIG did with the P320 Xcarry Legion. Smart. What wasn't is why SIG chose to make it a "legion gun and not include Legion mdallion on the grip and an etching on the top of the slide... Just wanted to cash on on the "Legion" branding? At the last minute?
Hi Looking for some advice... 1. is there a red dot plate available that mounts on a CZ P10C OR for sig romeo 3max? 2. Would a plate for sig romeo 3max the fits on shadow 2 fit also on cz p10C?
I'm not sure why someone would modify it for a single action when you can just get the single action model to begin with and the standard shadow 2 is a single action by default, hence if you rack the slide to chamber a round, the hammer is cocked all the way for a single action at all times. The only way to have a double action after chambering a round is to slowly de-cocked the hammer manually all the way down. (or 3/4 down if you want the safety)
1911 Glock Snob...lol.. yes I know there is no such thing but you're not a snob either. I appreciate your real world experience. I am curious is the Czechmate suffering from these same part failures.
I will update my recommendation then - for a long time they had aluminum only as I recall - a buddy has the threading give out and he launched his DPP in a match from a CZC aluminum plate - the next shot was through the window of the dot- totally insane.
I almost bought one and now I’m absolutely glad I didn’t. Spending that kind of money one should have everything they need to operate. I’m no competition shooter but I expect a optics ready buy to have everything I need to shoot as advertised. Great video thank you.
When the Shadow'$ came out I said,ok I can do that. Got a 75-B,spent a few hundred dollars on Shadow part's. Now, it's not a Shadow,I know this. But my 75 is now, the most accurate, smoothest shooting, duty type pistol I've gotten into. Steel framed CZ's are an amazing addition to any shooters collection and are super easy to work on. Go buy 1!
Ok, you QWz-PAPA1 9.2X23mm, Fan Boy, you! lol So, let me get this straight. If I swap out my Glock for a CZ Shadow I'm going to have to buy cleaning gear, including one of those funky brass bore brushes, oils and greases and give it regular baths, and brush its teeth after every meal? Maybe even take it to the doc? My Glock is a junk yard dog. I hose it once, every new moon or two...or three with CLP, dry, and good to go. Oh, and CZ trying to squeeze you for a vig on an optics plate like some Brooklyn loan shark? After slapping down a stack of Benjamin's? Outrageous!!! But I did own an old CZ75, and shot it almost as good as a 1911a1 piece mealed from WWII parts. Hey, thanks for the vid, appreciated!
Not really - when they drop an optics ready one - maybe - unless they want to send me one I would for sure but they have ghosted me when I have reached out
Great review. Which cz shadow do you recommend for home defense ? I'm looking into getting a metal frame home defense gun because I do not have one lol.
Being cheap (comparatively) I shoot Tanfoglios or the TZ as some call it. It's very similar in form, make, and function. My first was a Limited Pro, which broke the tip off the extractor during a match in North Carolina. You will not find a Tanfoglio extractor in Boone North Carolina and my gunsmith didn't attend that match (347 miles away). As a result, I bought a P-match for backup, which actually became my primary because of how well the grip fit my hand. The P-match is with my gunsmith now, to have a Holosun fit on it. It's kind of an erector set. The slides are interchangeable and I have a .40 SW barrel for it. So I can shoot single action, or double action, in .40 or .9mm. If you shoot one in IDPA though, make sure it fits the box. Some large frame Tanfo's need about an 1/8th of an inch taken off the horn in the back to fit.
Try both, it depends on you hands. If the Beretta fits you well with the slimmed down grip or you don't even need different grips, then see where you end up in price. The big pro is that they do the milling in house if you ask for it. Downside could be waiting for it. Check if the chosen pistol can be used where you wish to compete.
Re: the quarter cock. As far as I’ve been able to find online, it was a dropped Shadow or Shadow 2 that killed that USPSA RO in November last year. Be smart. Hammer off the firing pin.
How would you handle the optics plate situation? Making you buy plates seems to be a failed recipe.
Honestly, the better solution is just buy a Shadow 2 and have a competent company mill the slide for a common footprint. Plate systems mean more parts, less precise optic pockets and recoil boss dimensions, and more opportunities for issues.
If you are willing to go down the hole at that price point, buying a plate will not seem that bad.
I prefer a direct mill.
Don’t buy the gun until you buy the plate first. Or buy a regular Shadow 2 and direct mill.
Get regular Shadow 2, get Art at Axiom in Wesley Chapel Florida to mill it and mount your optic directly, no plates needed.
I purchased the regular Shadow 2 when I handled it at my local gun store. And I bought it because I was so impressed with the fit and finished. I sent it back to CZ because I saw pin pricks on the inside of the slide. Turns out it is part of the Rockwell harness test that is performed at the factory. I also found out that the barrel looked like the slide had been racked a lot for a new gun. Turns out that they put it on a machine to slide it several thousand times to smooth out the action. Anytime I let a friend shot this pistol they walk away with a big smile. This is a pistol that you can hand down to your children’s children, and they will think fondly of you.
"This will be your magic bullet hose with which you dispense justice to your cardboard foes and all will be right in the world"
Quote of the year material right there
In Thailand where I live, a standard stock Shadow 2 costs around $2,900 (excluding $150 paperwork processing fee). Our minimum wage is $10 per “day”. I’m so envious of you guys Americans!
They’re on clearance now for $999.00 lol
I bought a cz shadow 2 orange in Brazil . It cost about 6400 USD
I'm envious of you my Thai friend ... the minimum wage here is 266 USD per month.
And it's getting worst with president lula. He is burglar! Literally!
@@walterlangkowski4723 I saw them on sportsman warehouse for that price! Awesome. I can’t buy it california however. It’s too dangerous apparently
In sweden, new OR costs 1950$ and a standard shadow 2 costs 1750$ just bought a second hand shadow 2 Or in almost new condition for 1600$
Wtf, i thought we were being riped off, in the Philippines, its about USD 2500 without licensing costs
I carry my CZ Shadow 2 Compact because from the moment I held it and took it immediately to the range, I fell in love, Hard. I also use it as my conceal carry with hammer down and I'm not worried about firing pin blocks because I'm not a drunk who drops their gun all the time, nor am I constantly stumbling backwards and falling on my holster side hip. If these things are you, maybe keep your gun in a safe and don't endanger the rest of the world. Have a great day and stay strapped.
You know Dave, i thought, oh no he ain't gonna dog on my Shadow 2! But I'm not gonna lie, everything you said was spot on. I bought it last Aug/Sept and didn'treally know what i had until i went to my first match and had a couple guys offer to buy it. Very happy with it and plan to get another for back up. Glad to have you back in the fam brother lol.🤙🤙
I try to be fair
Fanboy, fanboy and fanboy ( you happy now?), seriously I just purchased this gun after some serious due diligence more focused on the build quality, QC testing by CZ ETC. To your credit the impetus for finalizing my decision was your very comprehensive and balanced review (in my humble opinion this was the most helpful of the 1/2 dozen reviews I watched). Plan to head to my range in the morning to try it out. Thanks
I have no doubt you will enjoy it!
Hi David,
I love your review of this pistol as you highlight some features that mattered a lot to me when I had to decide "which gun" (most reviews watched never mentioned this)
ie. The 1/4 cock position of the hammer with the ability to activate the safety, making it safe in case of falling on the hammer and cooking off the round in the pipe.
Also enabeling "one in the pipe" while still having the double action force required for the first shot. It's important to me as I will be using the "DUCE" for home defence.
If I could click the "Like" button for each time I watched your videos, it would amount to some hundred or more. Thank you for making these videos.
Warm regards from South Africa.
Kind words- thanks!
Excellent honest review. I did not realize the optic plate does not ship with the gun.
I have a video idea for you. Do a comparison of a stock Shadow 2 vs upgraded X5 Legion for Carry Optics. Comparisons have been done of the two in stock configuration, but the X5 Legion could be sent to the Sig Armorer for an Action Job and Fit Barsto barrel for the same cost of a stock Shadow 2. Could also compare addition of brass grips to the Shadow and tungsten plug to the X5 Legion. I think for competition shooters people care less about what the gun does stock, and more about where you can take the platform after being modified. Would be interesting to equalize the cost difference between the two with upgrades.
Love my Shadow 2 !! For me optional optic fitting is no issues since i like the iron sights. Amazing to shoot aswell, eats whatever ammo i put in it :D
I own both the CZ Shadow 2 Orange and Blue. Hard to describe how fantastic these guns are. I will have both in my collection as long as I am above ground!
Is there a difference in the different colors?
I'm going to be a happy camper if I'm able to shoot the amount of ammo required to break the slide pin! Trying to decide between the Shadow 2 Optics Ready and the Shadow 2 Orange. I don't think I can go wrong with either choice.
nobody talks about this, but weakest point of failure on my S2s has been the front sight roll pin, which also retains the barrel bushing. lose that pin, lose your sight, lose bushing, out of commission. All cause of a 5 cent roll pin. Most people don't advertise or suggest ever changing the sight roll pin on any maintenance schedule which i find odd, as its sort of a wear part if you shoot enough. perhaps i just have bad luck with it. If i were designing the CZs id do what CZC does and do a fitted bull barrel and dovtail front sight, or like what tangfoglio does have have the cone fit barrel - which is absolutely genius (despite the fact i hate almost everything else about their build quality from the factory without mods). I'm a huge CZ fanboy but the abundance of roll pins raises my blood pressure.
Good call about the NOT low bore axis. I have probably made 20 videos talking about how much i love the CZ low bore axis....until i compared it to a Glock.... Love this video.... thanks for sharing
I prefer the plate option because I have more flexibility in potentially changing optics. I was unable to find a plate for the 509T to shadow 2 and was looking at the unenviable possibility of having to have 2 stacked plates in order to adapt to an RMR footprint first, but then found out that the CZ P10 plate from C&H Precision for the 509T also fits the shadow 2, although the plate does not cleanly follow the profile of the slide near the ejector on the Shadow2... a good plate which works fine though.
I just bought this a few weeks ago along with the CZ RMR mount for my SRO. Perfect combination and a sexy gun.
Did the screws that came with the SRO work to mount the optic to the plate or did you have purchase some different screws
Wanted one before your video. Still want one afterwards. I just learned that with no decocker it’s a pain to use it for IPSC which requires hammer down in your holster. Still want one! Lol 🇨🇦
Odd but the first part that failed in my Shadow2 was the Trigger pin and I replaced it with the Cajun Gun Works floating pin with their trigger return spring. I also clean & minimally lubricate my shadow2 after ever use because it's my baby & deservers the best. LMFIAO
Thanks for the honesty
This is an awesome video! You covered all aspects of the gun. i do look forward to your new videos when they come out & I try to catch up on the ones I haven't seen yet! Keep up the good work David!
Love my CZ’s, always shoot good and never fail
The trigger is good out of the box. The trigger is awesome with the Cajun Gun Works trigger kit, along with the reach reduction trigger.
Wow...I watched this until the end. We cannot be offended by opposing views, when we are we are less open to learning. I am new to this community. My first gun, will be a CZ Shadow 2. I already ordered it. just for fun, not competitive shooting. Mine will be Optics Ready, and I am looking for an economical Optic. Good bang for the buck as it were. Appreciate the video thank u.
@Chris T I appreciate that. I am looking at Optics now. I am having trouble seeing my bullets hit the paper Target so I'm going to need some kind of magnification. Which model in particular did you have in mind? I also bought a Ruger Mark IV Target and I love that as well and I'm thinking of an optic for that for the same reason. Thanks for reaching out to me!!
@Chris T thanks I appreciate your input I'm new to all of this. I just ordered some splatterburst Targets so I can see where the bullets are hitting; Since you posted last I've been looking at the reviews online and they are outstanding. I will definitely get one thanks once again. The CZs optic ready the Ruger Mark 4 isn't; I'm thinking for the 22 I might just get a cheaper mount.
The catalog mentions an extended safety that comes with the gun, mine did not. I love mine but for the price it should have come with an optics plate and the extended safety.
I wish all handguns came optic ready. Everyone shoots better with a reticle imho. I sent my CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical to Cajun Gun Works for an optical cut, and they did a superb job of that and providing long front and rear tritium back-up sights.
F optics they make shooting too easy
Best pistol reviews on YT. No profanity used like one of the other channels.
profanity lol
Thank you for explaining why you want a hammer-fired pistol at least one-quarter cocked.
Yes, all of them are not safe with a round in a chamber. That is why every gun maker replicates this half cock solution. However with shadow 2 it is even worse, since this gun does not have firing pin safety block.
I’ve had aluminium plates strip 4 times. The deltapointpro is fine and it’s still my main :)
What plates? What company? Was it milled or cast?
@@meangreen320 springer Precision gen1 plate for the original x5. The gen2 apparently works well from what i’ve heard but lol don’t trust them
Romeo1 Pro Master Race
I guess that the superstar for IDPA, SSP and partially ESP, is the brand new Tanfoglio Stock 1 Extreme...
A very nice, competitive and affordable pistol for IDPA.
I use an extended safety as a thumb rest, but I haven’t engaged it in a looong time
Decocker Master Race
@@calholli what’s that?
I bought the Shadow 2 optic ready about 6 months ago. I’m a quadriplegic and shoot with a splint. This gun handles anything I put through it including all of my reloads with no ftf’s jams or stove pipes. I can’t say that for my other pistols.
It is truly a workhorse, after 10s of thousands the only failures I've had were related to my own reloads, and once I had a piece of rock get in my dropped magazine and wedge in the trigger spring, preventing reset randomly. I knew something was up, asked to be done the course of fire, and was able to pop out the rock and continue competing.
New shooter here. I absolutely love the look and specs of this gun and I really want it. What’s holding me back is that I read and hear everywhere that this is made for and performs best at IPSC type of shooting. I am going in to that later on but to start off I’m going to be doing mostly PPC, Precision Pistol Competition. Is this a BAD gun for that application? Or maybe it’s OK but not much more, making it way to costly of a first gun?
What do you guys think?
I just found your channel. I enjoy your honesty and detailed info. Thank you !
2 years later and i still cant find one for sale..... OR that is, i have the SA version and love it. would like to buy just the slide, but they are still unobtanium.
These guns only "cook off" rounds when hit on the hammer if you use the extended firing pin, which is very common. I have removed mine. I used some primed brass and a soft hammer, it was consistent and nonexistent with the stock firing pin.
Regarding the OR version, I weighed my options and decided direct mount was more cost effective and set the optic lower. I don't plan to shoot production, so the sight option wasn't really a benefit to me.
That's good information RE: the firing pin - but to your point - an extended pin and springs is the most common trigger job on a Shadow 2.
I have a non OR Shadow 2 and I’d love to have it milled for an optic. Unfortunately in IPSC if the gun is not OR from the factory can’t compete in production optics/carry optics
@@TheHumbleMarksman yea, I have to run the cajun blue 13 lb spring rather than the ultra light 11.5 black spring. I run their full kit otherwise.
@@danhanus2294 I run the 8.5Lb (white) in my CZs but I also run Federal Primers.
@@bretwalley4673 Yeah, I don't have the lightest spring in mine, no extended firing pin, and I also use well-seated Federal primers.
Really nice review with good information. I can't keep up with the RUclips rules anymore, thanks for that information as well.
Great info as always keep them coming please and thank you
geee 10k rds in and your saying i only need to replace a trigger return spring id say that's a hell of a deal. shit Id prolly replace all springs at 5k mark.
Hey I love Whataburger!
Wow, a cameo appearance by Walter Sobchak out on the range!
It should be noticed that stock, this firearm IS drop safe. It does not have the block off but it was tested and stock it will NOT fire without pulling the trigger. The example you gave about the instructor dying, was a modified gun with a CGW modified pistols with a extended firing pin.
Absolutely correct - but at least in online spaces almost everyone modifies the gun with the CZC or CGW trigger job that renders the gun unsafe.
@@TheHumbleMarksman also true- although there are some CRAZY people that everyday CCW these stock…. Not sure who hurt them but
The only downside to the Shadow 2 OR is that CZ continues to sell them to my competitors :)
hahaha u noob
@@hrlkt3413hahah you retard.
CZLIFE Indeed 🤘🏼 Carry On
you are an imposter! You don't carry your CZs anymore!
@@TheHumbleMarksman My tattoo & collection, reminds me that I’m a CZ Fan! 😂
Hey Humble Marksman, pls do a review of RIA .40 CAL competition gun. Appreciate you vlogs. Thanks.
I want Smith & Wesson to bring back the 5906 only with a 5" barrel and a full length dustcover. No I haven't been drinking (a lot).
I wish Ruger would bring back the p89.. RIP
@TheHumbleMarksman
Hopefully you can help me with this:
I've looked at the S2 and the S2 OR version as well as SAO variants. Is it possible to have the wide thumb safety on each model? I'm used to resting my thumb on it but the OR version I had in hand has the two small ones and a gunsmith told me the one from a regular SP-01 Shadow wouldn't fit. The SAO variants have the wide safety again. Are those all interchangable within the Shadow 2 variants?
the parts interchange - yes. For a shadow 2 which is never a "safety on" kind of gun - with respect to USPSA - it's a liability. The flush safeties are a better choice for sport.
@@TheHumbleMarksman
I just want to place my thumb on it.
I wish I could get one of these, but here in MA they are unobtanium, and shooting with 10 round mags in Carry Optics is no bueno. I've got an iron sighted Shadow 2 and it is truly a peach of a gun. I installed some springs from Cajun Gunworks and now the DA pull is about 6 lbs.
Mine is a production single-action only, which has a blue trigger (matching the grip panels). I bought it in mid-2020 (at over-priced pandemic pricing). So unless they just stopped making the SA version of this gun, you wouldn't need to modify it to make it single action only, or buy the orange tactical sport version, for a lot more $$.
I am currently waiting on the exact single action version you are referring to.
@@Catgat37 they have them at palmetto state armory for $999 right now
The last time I switched springs I left the cgw reduced power trigger return spring in to see how long it lasts. It broke eventually, but it took longer than I expected with daily dryfire, double and single action. Not exactly scientific, but I have more confidence in the spring than I had before. I'm testing out the czc trs spring now.
I snapped a Cajun RPTRS in like 12k rounds. The Shadow 2 spring would last about 15k for me.
Can you review the SP-01 Competition? Love your reviews!
Thank you for calling B.S. on the "CZ's have a low bore axis" myth that's been resonating in the YT gun channel echo chamber for way too long.
Same.. and the slide is just as thick as any other slides, its just inside the frame where you can't see it, so it fools you. But its pretty obvious when you lock back the slide, she thicc
It's all relative I suppose. If you compare the CZ to some other popular hammer fired designs (Sig P 226, 220, 229, FN FNX) the CZ definitely has a lower bore axis.
It literally does though compared to a lot of other hammer guns. The only "myth" is that it has anything to do with how the slide is designed.
Lol, its inaccurate. More than anything it gives you less reciprocating mass and a little more area to sit your thumbs on.
@@calholli ....yes its in the frame which also allows it to be lower in the frame... so the recipricating mass is lower in your hand
Why the majority of these guns I found on Gunbroker comes with 17 rounds and not 19??
Got my CZ Shadow 2 Blue, the slide release is so stiff that I have to use both thumbs together to push it! Slide pull is also hard. How to fix it?
Nice review. Thanks. I've been resisting the call of a Shadow 2 OR. You've made that call harder to ignore.😉
HELLO !!.. thanks again for all your magnificent reviews presentations base on personal experience, fantastic . Will like to know your opinion of the classic CZ 75 B OMEGA . My local store have a few in special sale in the box new for $549.00. I know is and old platform but is beautiful , good price. I will carry this in my shoulder bag and in the car . The first pull of the trigger is really hard, single action better but feels like a double wall before it fires. Your experience and opinion will be highly appreciated!
Hey bud. New subscriber,. Great videos, I was wondering on the optic mount adapter you ordered from Europe or if you know of another USA company that makes them for the CZ Shadow 2 OR, I specifically want one for a Romeo3 XL and am having no luck with my online searches. Any help or a link would be appreciated. Have a blessed day.
Humble M: Baby, I gotta buy a shadow 2. You know. For the fans.
Humble wife:
I really wish a company would make a Da/sa for ccw with an optic cut.
I just received one last week. Shadow 2 Compact. Aluminum alloy frame. Awesome! ❤
I came back and watched an ad for you! Keep going!!!
Watching now sir thanks for the sharing sir love this cz shadow 2
Good review. How much better do you think trigger pull could be improved? Weight? Smooth?
you can drop them to like 6/2 pulls with a very smooth DA - the SA is never particularly remarkable - always some creep on the deals I have seen.
Is there is a lot of difference in target accuracy shooting between CZ 75 B Omega vs CZ SPP1 competition that justified to buy the competition if you already own the CZ 75 B Omega ?
Trigger is nicer, and no firing pin block so you don’t have to worry about breaking the firing pin retaining pin
Funny how many guns are "OR" yet aren't. I think the new Beretta M8A4 is another. And there's another...not sure if it's the Walther PDP "OR"...Rushed the guns to market.
My gripe...minor one...about the gun making biz is I'd wish they would would just make either a "tactical/duty" gun" or a competition gun. Not a "competition gun" with "lightening cuts" as well as a weapon light rail. Forget about the weapon light rail if it's a "target/comp gun". If it's a "duty gun" forget forget about the "lightening cuts" on the slide....which SIG did with the P320 Xcarry Legion. Smart. What wasn't is why SIG chose to make it a "legion gun and not include Legion mdallion on the grip and an etching on the top of the slide... Just wanted to cash on on the "Legion" branding? At the last minute?
I wish I had gotten the OR, but it wasn’t out when I bought my S2. Now I’m looking to get it cut for an sro. Now the question is who to use...
Art with Axiom Custom Guns in Wesely Chapel, Florida, he does amazing work.
Look at Fire-4-Effect. Their optic mounting packages are awesome.
U should of gotten the S2 orange then get a optic cut. I got the S2 OR and wish I should of gotten the Orange.
Does the Shadow 2 OR come with the extended safety? I know the Shadow 2 does, but would like to know about the OR version.
it does not - they stopped doing that a while ago.
The biggest competition is find an adapter plate for this gun
I can't wait to get mine
Hi
Looking for some advice... 1. is there a red dot plate available that mounts on a CZ P10C OR for sig romeo 3max?
2. Would a plate for sig romeo 3max the fits on shadow 2 fit also on cz p10C?
PSA has the Shadow 2 OR for $1,100 with free shipping right now and it’s been very difficult not to purchase.
Does CZ still sell the SAO edition of the Shadow 2 now that the TS2 has been released?
I'm not sure why someone would modify it for a single action when you can just get the single action model to begin with and the standard shadow 2 is a single action by default, hence if you rack the slide to chamber a round, the hammer is cocked all the way for a single action at all times. The only way to have a double action after chambering a round is to slowly de-cocked the hammer manually all the way down. (or 3/4 down if you want the safety)
Love my SP-01 Shadow..hehe.. Thanks for showing the lady gun.... Hei å hå
My favorite Gun
Would the compact version make weight?
Looking more like SRO ? ❤
1911 Glock Snob...lol.. yes I know there is no such thing but you're not a snob either. I appreciate your real world experience. I am curious is the Czechmate suffering from these same part failures.
Definitely on my list of guns I want.
Is better to get the optic ready or get the slide milled?
Why the heck dont they include the optics plate? Add it to the price, at this level another 50-100 bucks its worth it just to have it.
Now THAT is a haircut!
Did the pistol used to have hair?
Lovely gun, considering you have to replace there everything except slider and the frame! 😂 Almost forgotten... some pins can be also reused...
Cz customs here in Arizona has those plates
Aluminum or steel? I would only use steel
@@TheHumbleMarksman they are steel 🙌🏼
I will update my recommendation then - for a long time they had aluminum only as I recall - a buddy has the threading give out and he launched his DPP in a match from a CZC aluminum plate - the next shot was through the window of the dot- totally insane.
Sounds unbelievable search “optic fail” on my channel
I almost bought one and now I’m absolutely glad I didn’t. Spending that kind of money one should have everything they need to operate.
I’m no competition shooter but I expect a optics ready buy to have everything I need to shoot as advertised. Great video thank you.
Best for home defense
Thanks!
You bet!
Adding an optic isn't "modification". Lawyers.
When the Shadow'$ came out I said,ok I can do that. Got a 75-B,spent a few hundred dollars on Shadow part's. Now, it's not a Shadow,I know this. But my 75 is now, the most accurate, smoothest shooting, duty type pistol I've gotten into. Steel framed CZ's are an amazing addition to any shooters collection and are super easy to work on. Go buy 1!
Love my shadow 2
Ok, you QWz-PAPA1 9.2X23mm, Fan Boy, you! lol So, let me get this straight. If I swap out my Glock for a CZ Shadow I'm going to have to buy cleaning gear, including one of those funky brass bore brushes, oils and greases and give it regular baths, and brush its teeth after every meal? Maybe even take it to the doc? My Glock is a junk yard dog. I hose it once, every new moon or two...or three with CLP, dry, and good to go. Oh, and CZ trying to squeeze you for a vig on an optics plate like some Brooklyn loan shark? After slapping down a stack of Benjamin's? Outrageous!!!
But I did own an old CZ75, and shot it almost as good as a 1911a1 piece mealed from WWII parts. Hey, thanks for the vid, appreciated!
Any plans to review the arex alpha?
Not really - when they drop an optics ready one - maybe - unless they want to send me one I would for sure but they have ghosted me when I have reached out
Great review.
Which cz shadow do you recommend for home defense ? I'm looking into getting a metal frame home defense gun because I do not have one lol.
None. CZ SP-01
Being cheap (comparatively) I shoot Tanfoglios or the TZ as some call it. It's very similar in form, make, and function. My first was a Limited Pro, which broke the tip off the extractor during a match in North Carolina. You will not find a Tanfoglio extractor in Boone North Carolina and my gunsmith didn't attend that match (347 miles away). As a result, I bought a P-match for backup, which actually became my primary because of how well the grip fit my hand. The P-match is with my gunsmith now, to have a Holosun fit on it. It's kind of an erector set. The slides are interchangeable and I have a .40 SW barrel for it. So I can shoot single action, or double action, in .40 or .9mm. If you shoot one in IDPA though, make sure it fits the box. Some large frame Tanfo's need about an 1/8th of an inch taken off the horn in the back to fit.
The devil is in the details. Thank you for your honest review.
Love mine. Have a cz ub plate for it and a us made one. I also shoot a shadow 2 orange in Prod.
Is this video still monetized? RUclips rules are changing so fast im curious
Yeah it is - but the comparison to the Max - which should be - isn’t
Awesome video quality on this one👍👍
CZ Shadow 2 OR vs Langdon Beretta OR ?
Try both, it depends on you hands. If the Beretta fits you well with the slimmed down grip or you don't even need different grips, then see where you end up in price. The big pro is that they do the milling in house if you ask for it. Downside could be waiting for it. Check if the chosen pistol can be used where you wish to compete.
Love it thanks
Re: the quarter cock. As far as I’ve been able to find online, it was a dropped Shadow or Shadow 2 that killed that USPSA RO in November last year. Be smart. Hammer off the firing pin.
that is true but USPSA Still requires hammer all the way down on Production and Carry Optics, half notch is a bump to Open even though it is safer.
@@bretwalley4673 Your life is not important, we can't let you have an advantage.
@@calholli the guy dropping the gun usually isn't the one getting shot.
Like someone else mentioned, an extended firing pin is what should be avoided if you’re worried about it.
@@calholli That works both ways: "Your life is not important, we'll give you an advantage and remove the firing pin safety" - CZ.