Shooting Illustrated Reviews the CZ Shadow 2
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 4 months ago
The Shadow 2 is probably one of the most ergonomic metal pistols ever made. The grip itself is thinner than other handguns’ grips that use similar double-stack magazines. Adding to this, a generously undercut trigger guard also enables a sure shooting grip. On the frontstrap, there is aggressive checkering and because the large, squared-off trigger guard is undercut, the frontstrap does not feel crowded and provides plenty of space for the strong-hand’s fingers. The shape of the trigger guard works in tandem with the grip, as the trigger guard provides a parallel horizontal surface for the index finger of the support-hand to push up against. The backstrap is generously radiused to better conform to the web of the strong hand. Its upswept beavertail which is profiled similarly to a 191l to brace the firing hand and protect against slide/hammer bite. The Shadow 2 ships with thin, textured aluminum stocks. Because this gun is so popular in the action shooting sports, there is a wide selection of aftermarket stocks to suit all tastes making the gun ever more ergonomic and customizable for anyone.
The slide itself rides inside of the gun’s frame, so it is not very tall. Compared to other slides, there’s less surface area to grab onto in order to manipulate it. However, there are generous serrations both on the front and rear of the slide. The topmost part of the slide is flattened and ribbed to cut down on glare. Both the front and rear sights are serrated, match grade units. The front takes a 1mm fiber optic insert, and the rear sight is adjustable for elevation only. Changing windage means using a punch or sight tool to drift the unit.
The CZ Shadow 2 is eminently shootable for two main reasons: Its weight (46.5 ounces) and its inside-the-frame slide design. Both of these aspects help the entire gun keep flat while shooting. Not only does this slide configuration provide a lower bore axis, but the dust cover area has a considerable amount of metal which acts as a counterweight against muzzle flip. This makes it easier for the sights to return to zero during shooting, which is quite noticeable with the CZ Shadow 2 compared to other pistol designs. Combined with an easy shooting trigger, the Shadow 2 lends itself well to shooting very accurately, very consistently and very quickly.
They show the MSRP as $1099. I’d like to know where they can pick up a CZ Shadow 2 for that little (after checking, I see that the price has dropped a bit so that may be right in the range for a pistol without the optics slide cut). They’re used extensively for competitive shooting and are in constant demand. Also, that pistol shown in the image doesn’t have an optics cut, and the cut generally goes for another $250 or more on top of the price of the pistol without the cut.
I can vouch for the shallow depth of the slide (which is the way it is in order to achieve the low bore axis). If it weren’t for the cocking serrations, you would have a difficult time cycling the slide.
I can also vouch for the ease of use and quick return to sight picture. My reaction after shooting it was, “Um, wow, holy cow, what in the world – I’ve never shot a pistol like that before!” After handing it to a fellow shooter, the reaction was the same.
I’m surprised it took Shooting Illustrated this long to do a review of it.
All of that being said, the gun is heavy, and not ideal for something like concealed carry because of that and it’s large size. It’s more of a truck gun/night stand gun/competition gun (and maybe an open carry gun). In a gun fight I’d rather have it than any other pistol. But because of the difficulty of carry, you’re more likely not to have it.
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On August 13, 2023 at 11:14 pm, Dan said:
There’s no such thing as a pistol that’s too heavy for concealed carry. You just have to make a conscious decision to carry it and get used to it. I carry a 1911 the vast majority of the time. I used to carry a Glock. The 1911 is a bit heavier but not that much. Wear a quality belt, use a quality holster and dress around the weapon and you can carry pretty much anything anywhere. A difference of one pound…which is typically all that separates a light gun from a heavy gun is simply not that much weight.
On August 14, 2023 at 1:24 am, TheAlaskan said:
I’m so used to packing a 44 magnum super Redhawks, yes, concealed too. It can be done, mainly in winter, that a cz shadow 2 would be quite easy to conceal and much lighter than a big Ole hog leg.
On August 14, 2023 at 8:17 am, Bob in NC said:
I wish it was so, but I have to respectfully disagree with such a broad statement.
If you are disabled, and /or have back problems, carrying even only an extra pound can cause enough pain and shifting of gait to cause you to look for an alternative.
I speak from experience here – my spinal steosis stopped me from carrying my Beretta 9mm- which weighs 27.2oz empty and has a polymer frame. Add in 15-17 rds, and it made it so I chose not to carry it for “running errands.”
I now have to carry a .380, which is about half the weight of the Beretta,and it is loaded with good hollow point ammo. Not optimal but the best I can do.
On August 14, 2023 at 9:10 am, Frank Trappist said:
I have a “Cajunized” CZ TS, from lots of years ago, and it’s very similar to this gun. It is fantastic in every way, but it is big. Accurate, totally reliable, massive capacity (21+1, depending on magazine). And as good of a trigger as exists including 1911s.
CZs are popular among those “in the know” but deserve to be known more widely, in my opinion.
You will have to clean it periodically… every three years or three thousand rounds, whichever comes first. : )
On August 14, 2023 at 6:39 pm, Charlie Foxtrot said:
Umm… no.
The Shadow 2’s size and weight means it’s not well suited for self-defense nor carry. For that, I’d recommend the CZ P-01, P-07s or P-09s. If you must go Heavy Metal, the SP-01 Tactical would be your best bet. (Qualifier: I live in Middling Florida, and we very rarely wear jackets, and only when the highs dip below 70.)
However, for competition or range toy… Hells to the YES! for CZ’s Shadow 2 OR (Optics Ready). I shot a friend’s, and offered to buy it before the first mag was done (I was given a polite Eff NO!) So now I’m saving my egg money and embezzling from the Her Ladyships mission critical Shoe and Purse budget to quickly get my own Shadow 2.
I’m 100% with Frank Trappist, CZs deserve to be known more widely, both for their pistol and rifle lines.
On August 14, 2023 at 6:45 pm, S L said:
$979 no optics cut.
$1,199 optics ready.
https://grabagun.com/bsearch/result/?q=cz+shadow+2
On August 15, 2023 at 12:23 am, BM said:
I have 2 of them. One is an OR. I also have a CZ-75 P-01.
They are probably my favorite guns to shoot, right up there with my Alien and my Sig Erckenförde X-6s. They just feel liquid and slick and race-fast. I love them. The balance, the weight, the look. And the price is reasonable…
On August 15, 2023 at 12:27 pm, Latigo Morgan said:
I fell in love with the CZ75 in 1987 in Germany, after a buddy bought 2 of them through the Rod and Gun Club in the Army. At that time, they were rare in the US. He bought one for himself and one to take home to his dad – price was $350. To shoot them, we’d go to Rod and Gun club shooting range, it it turned out to be such a mad house of an accident waiting to happen, we started going out the the Army shooting range at nearby Bingen Army Airfield. There, we were allowed to shoot just as long as no units were there qualifying. It was the first 9mm I ever shot. The second one I shot was an H&K P7 squeeze cocker. Anyway, I put in an order for a CZ-75 for myself and put my money down. Then I met a girl…..and needed the money back.
Flash forward 35 years. After carrying a full sized 1911 for years, then a Springfield XD45, I wanted something a little more compact. I was looking for a Sig 320, but not really keen on the striker-fired concept, even though I’d been carrying the XD45. It was quite by accident I found the CZ 75 P01. Dang, what a piece of art in the hand! My hand just wraps around it like it was made just for me. For a short barreled pistol, it’s a dream to shoot. The Browning Hipower comes close, but the CZ is better. I believe it is what John Browning himself would have designed if he’d been given another 20 years on this earth.
On August 15, 2023 at 1:23 pm, Herschel Smith said:
Also give the CZ P-07 a try. Sleek, small enough but large enough, hammer fired.