Estimated studying time: 13 minutes
When it was launched some 8 years in the past, the CZ Shadow 2 was instantly accepted. Those that compete, acquire, carry for obligation, and nearly each different gun-lover within the market beloved it. And why not? The Shadow 2 is excellence incarnate in nearly each measurable approach. If there was one class during which this tremendous pistol was discovered wanting, it was that of the self-defense market – particularly hid carry. Let’s face it, the Shadow 2 at nearly 47 ounces is a heavy handgun. That is without doubt one of the specs that pulls rivals to it. But it surely’s not so nice for sliding into the waistband for a day trip.
Enter the brand new CZ Shadow 2 Compact. For starters, it’s approach lighter than its full-sized sibling – tipping the size at solely 30 ounces. That is achieved by whacking a full inch off the barrel and total size of the gun – from a 4 ¾” barrel to three ¾”, and by making the body from aluminum alloy as an alternative of carbon metal.
In just about each different approach, the Shadow 2 Compact is equivalent to its massive brother. In fact, that doesn’t imply a lot to you in case you are not accustomed to the unique Shadow 2. To not fear, that’s what this assessment is for! Let’s dive in.
The Legend Continues
For starters, the CZ Shadow 2 is constructed on the tried-and-true design and motion of the legendary CZ-75. It was particularly constructed to be the successor to the CZ-75 SP-01 Shadow. The “inverted” slide-to-frame match is without doubt one of the most acknowledged parts of a CZ handgun. Moderately than the slide rails touring over the body rails, like most different semi-auto handguns – the CZ design has the slide rails touring contained in the body rails. The result’s a sleeker and customarily decrease slide-to-frame match.
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One other CZ trademark component is the grip angle – or ought to I say angles, as a result of within the case of the Shadow 2 household the angle of grip adjustments about 2/3 up from the underside. This creates a visual “canine leg” form to the backstrap which may look odd however feels nice. The ultimate contact there may be the lengthy upward curved beavertail.
The Shadow 2 is a hammer-fired, double-action/single-action handgun. The hammer has an uncovered spur that’s non-obtrusive and straightforward to control by hand. This supplies the person with some carry choices. The pistol may be carried “cocked and locked” with the hammer again in full cock and the security engaged, or it may be carried with the hammer down at full relaxation and security off. The previous mode offers the person a single-action set off for each shot. The latter supplies a double-action first shot with every subsequent shot being single-action. There may be additionally a hammer ‘security’ place, which is a partial (about ¼) cock place that enables the security to be engaged and leaves the set off in double-action mode. That is the perfect situation for carrying.
Shadow 2 Compact Specs and Numbers
The guide security on the Shadow 2 Compact is ambidextrous, with the “hearth” place downward in the most well-liked configuration (and due to this fact probably the most intuitive). A brilliant crimson dot on either side is uncovered when the security is off. I attempt to simply keep in mind “crimson for prepared”. The protection levers are frame-mounted and pretty flat to the body. Swiping the security on or off shouldn’t be all the time simple, relying in your hand measurement and the place your thumb hits it.
There is no such thing as a tactile suggestions or any audible click on, so this can be a movement the place repetitive observe can be inspired. The complete-sized Shadow 2 got here with an optionally available left-side security lever with a nice-sized thumb shelf/relaxation, however in fact, that will be a snagging consideration and certain a consolation challenge on a carry gun. The protection offers you a lifeless set off and blocks the hammer, however there may be not a hammer-drop operate.
And talking of dropping the hammer, you’ll need to try this rather a lot with the Shadow 2 Compact! I hoped to complete the specs earlier than (spoiler alert) saying this – however this gun isn’t just a shooter… it’s a FUN shooter! Okay, sorry. Again to some tech speak.
A Smaller CZ Shadow
The Shadow 2 Compact stands 5.4 inches tall, which places it close to the higher restrict of “concealable” for me and most folk, since that is the dimension that can trigger printing inside your cowl garment. Sporting it in a holster with some ahead cant will significantly assist. The gun is 7.5 inches lengthy total, with solely about 2 ½ inches of that being “above the holster”. The width of the pistol is just below 1.4 inches on the widest level. It received’t disappear into your waist like a 1-inch large micro 9 does, however it’s properly inside tolerances for most individuals. The gun comes with two 15-round magazines and is able to accepting full-sized Shadow 2 magazines.
Oh, That Set off!
I measured the set off pull after my vary work, permitting the transferring elements on the brand new gun to put on in for a number of hundred rounds. The double-action pull was 10 lbs. nearly precisely and the single-action was 4 lbs., 3 oz. Extra necessary than the quantity on the size is the texture of the set off – which is buttery clean in DA or SA with a crisp break and a pleasant brief reset.
The aluminum alloy body of the Compact is adorned with a fantastic set of aluminum grip panels with glorious texture. They’ve a mushy blue hue and checkering that’s each enticing and efficient. The “Shadow 2” insignia is engraved into each panels, to ensure your vary buddies know you’ve received the products.
Atop the slide sits a set of top-quality sights. The rear sight is adjustable for elevation and windage. It’s a wedge design that will most likely not provide a tactical slide-rack edge, however I really like the pretty excessive rear plate with the blackout and serrated fashion. Out entrance, the sight is a crimson fiber optic tube sitting in a skinny blade. It gathers mild very successfully and supplies a pleasant compromise between fight and goal sight image. Between these sights is a large serrated monitor that helps stop glare to the shooter’s eye.
Pink Dot Prepared?
The Shadow 2 Compact is optics-ready. Largely. As comic Jeff Foxworthy may say, it’s “fixin’ to be prepared”. The slide is pre-cut, and the elimination of two screws takes off the metal cowl and exposes the mount. Adapter plates usually are not included with the gun, nonetheless. To acquire the adapter wanted in your desired red-dot optic you’ll be able to go to CZUSA.com and search by pistol (Shadow 2) and footprint (RMR or DPP). Provides may be spotty as demand is excessive, however different good choices are CZ-Elements and Cajun Gun Works. As of this writing, the plates for the Shadow 2 are priced at round $67 every.
The Web search engine is your good friend and you might discover different good sources too. With the elimination of the quilt plate, the rear sight can be eliminated. This isn’t my favourite design, because it eliminates the power to co-witness with iron sights or extra importantly have them as a backup. Nonetheless, some fashionable crimson dots do present a rear notch or mark that can be utilized together with the entrance sight in a pinch. I can perceive why it was finished this manner, as there isn’t a lot actual property to mount a completely adjustable sight behind the plate and hold issues snag-free.
Taking pictures the CZ Shadow 2 Compact
A whole lot of my time is spent behind a digital camera or taking measurements with calipers or scales, however the true story unfolds once I get behind the set off. As with all operated by hand machine, in the case of a handgun I need to know the way reliably and effectively it operates – does it do what is predicted of it – and is the interface with the operator pretty much as good because it may very well be.
CZ Shadow 2 Ergonomics
Being very accustomed to the full-sized Shadow 2, it was simple to appreciate that the Compact model feels the identical and that every one the controls are equivalent in location, measurement, and performance. Nice – no studying curve – at my age, each studying curve is a steep one! The one massive distinction in fact to the full-sized pistol is the burden. Having about 1/3 much less mass within the fingers is kind of noticeable.
The sight image is equivalent to the bigger pistol additionally, albeit shorter. Sight alignment must be a tad steadier with the shorter gun to provide the identical measurement group. The ergonomics of the CZ Shadow 2 are amongst my favorites, and the Compact is as soon as once more equivalent besides that it’s a bit shorter of grip top. For me it’s good, as my pinky finger falls simply on prime of the underside flare of the entrance strap, giving me a pleasant comfy locked grip.
Extra In regards to the CZ Shadow 2 Set off
The set off is clean as silk in each double or single motion mode. That is significantly enhanced by the polished set off shoe that gives little or no friction. It may very well be my creativeness, however I imagine the sleek set off shoe helps stop gun motion through the pull by permitting the finger to slip barely throughout its floor relatively than pulling the muzzle down and to the left or proper. The one criticism I can discover is that in double-action it’s a millimeter or two additional ahead than I’d like. However people with larger paws received’t have that criticism, and the gun is fired in single motion on a regular basis anyway if you happen to don’t manually decrease the hammer.
What About Recoil?
Recoil with the Compact model of the Shadow 2 was not something noteworthy – which suggests it’s properly managed. The low bore axis inherent within the CZ design together with the grip angle that cants the wrist ahead, mixed with glorious checkering on all grip surfaces retains the gun properly planted and the muzzle returns rapidly to the goal. In any case, it’s the shorter and lighter model of among the best competitors pistols available on the market.
However Is It Correct?
One factor that made the Shadow 2 nearly immediately well-known… in addition to its weight and implausible set off… was its accuracy. Rivals could spend loads of time speaking about these earlier facets of handguns, and even wax poetic about grips and magwells, but when the bullets don’t go precisely the place they’re alleged to the gun is ineffective. The Shadow 2 Compact might need a brief barrel, however that barrel is similar match-grade high quality working in the identical system. And it’s certainly correct.
I used to be satisfied of this after spending a full morning banging small metal plates downrange, however to quantify the efficiency I arrange paper targets at 20 yards and used a very good high quality pistol relaxation and 4 completely different a great deal of 9mm ammo. As all the time, I’m the weak hyperlink within the chain, and every group had that one flyer that I’d wish to take again – however apart from that the teams had been tight and persistently positioned on the goal. It was encouraging to see that the Sig Sauer Elite Efficiency 124 gr. V-Crown ammo, which is a most well-liked carry load for me, did very properly – in an in depth tie with the Fiocchi 124 gr. load. However the most effective total group was delivered by Federal 115 gr. FMJ at 1.36”.
Remaining Ideas On the CZ Shadow 2 Compact
Whether or not the CZ Shadow 2 Compact is the following greatest carry gun for you is a call you’ll must make primarily based in your preferences and priorities for a hid carry gun. The important thing elements that can problem it are its measurement and weight towards the plethora of micro-nines available on the market that just about defy physics. Nonetheless, for many who don’t thoughts a wider, taller, and heavier pistol – and even want it, the Shadow 2 Compact is without doubt one of the very best quality/best-performing handguns obtainable.
Priced at $1,299 MSRP, it should even be up towards the competitors of the boutique and high-end merchandise provided by different prime makers. Should you’re procuring in that market, the Shadow 2 Compact deserves to be in your shortlist.
If you need a contest pistol that may serve triple obligation as residence protection and hid carry, this could be the highest of the sector. Equipment will definitely be obtainable available on the market, in actual fact, Blade-Tech already has a wonderful OWB holster for it that’s match-ready.
READ MORE: First Look: SIG Sauer P365 Fuse
Many individuals wished a shorter, lighter model of the distinctive CZ Shadow 2 – and in each approach, CZ has granted their want.
Be taught extra concerning the CZ Shadow 2 Compact by visiting CZ.
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