The CZ Shadow 2: From Competition to Carry-Friendly Compact

Back in 2017, CZ released its flagship sport pistol with the Shadow 2 competition pistol (below). The full-size pistol incorporated advanced materials and match-ready features designed for increased accuracy. And now, CZ offers the same accuracy and performance in a more concealed carry-friendly model with the Shadow 2 Compact.

The CZ Shadow 2 Compact

Boasting the same competition-proven features as its big brother, the Shadow 2 Compact is built on an aluminum alloy frame with Duralumin grips. The use of the 7075 aluminum frame keeps the Compact down to a carry-friendly 2-pounds. Riding atop the frame is a slide with deep-cut front and rear cocking serrations.

Likewise, the slide features the same optic cut as the Shadow 2 OR model and accepts the same mounting plates. However, a fiber optic front sight couples with a checkered rear sight for those who prefer iron sights. Housed within the slide is the 4-inch cold hammer forged 9mm barrel, promising impressive ballistic performance, according to the company.

The CZ Shadow 2 Compact. — (Photo by CZ USA)

Just forward the spacious trigger guard is a three-slot Picatinny rail for attaching a light or laser. Nestled within the trigger guard is the double-action trigger with a smooth trigger pull and shortened reset. Specifically, the trigger features a single-action pull of 3.4 pounds and a double-action pull of 10.3 pounds.

Providing right- and left-handed operation, the Compact features an ambidextrous low-profile manual thumb safety. Likewise, the reduced height magazine release button is reversible for right- or left-handed shooters.

Boasting a capacity of 15+1, the Shadow 2 Compact ships with two magazines. However, the Compact is also compatible with the Shadow 2 full-size 17-round magazines as well.

Availability

The CZ Shadow 2 Compact is available now, with an MSRP of $1,299.00. For more info, please visit CZ-USA.com.

CZ Shadow 2 Compact Specifications

Caliber: 9 × 19
Magazine Capacity: 15
Weight with empty magazine: 30 oz. / 1.8 lbs (870 ±5 g)
Overall Length: 7.5 in (191 mm)
Width: 1.4 in (35 mm)
Height: 5.4 in (138 mm)
Barrel Length: 4 in (102 mm)
Barrel: Cold Hammer Forged
Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Checkered Rear
Trigger Pull: SA 3.4, DA 10.3 lbs (SA 15, DA 46 N)
Action: DA/SA
Trigger Travel: SA 0.11, DA 0.19 in (SA 3–4, DA 5 mm)
Trigger Reset: 0.11–0.15 in (3–4 mm)
Frame: Aluminum Alloy
Grips: Duralumin
Safety: Manual Safety, Safety Notch On The Hammer
MSRP: $1,299.00

Features

Forged 7075 aluminum frame is compact and durable
Smooth trigger pull and shortened reset
Exceptionally low and secure OR (Optics-Ready) interface
Fiber optic front sight for extreme visibility and increased shooting accuracy
Height adjustable rear sight for easy aiming
Low-profile ambidextrous manual safety
Interchangeable low-profile magazine release button

On November 3, 2017, Mike Detty reported:

The CZ 75 SP-01 has long been a favorite of USPSA shooters for “Production” class. It is easily customizable and has good weight, which makes muzzle flip negligible. The steel-frame gun, chambered in 9mm, is just easy to shoot in general. With the introduction of the CZ Shadow 2, there is a new pistol destined to dominate the competition fields. It is the Shadow evolved!

The CZ Shadow 2 Competition

Firing it at the recent Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, CZ built its next-gen Shadow 2 to be longer and heavier in an effort to reduce splits or time between shots by adding weight. Both the beavertail and trigger guard are undercut more radically to provide the shooter with the highest hold possible. This puts the shooter’s hands closer to the bore’s axis and aids in reducing muzzle flip.

CZ checkered both front and rear straps more aggressively for a positive no-slip grip. There is a different shape to the slide and the serrations are much more aggressive.

The CZ Shadow 2 has a longer barrel, longer slide and longer dust cover to absorb the already light 9mm recoil. Its barrel is longer than the 4.6 inches of the previous Shadow by a quarter inch. CZ doesn’t cut every Picatinny slot just to make the frame as heavy as possible.

There’s an eye-attracting fiber optic front sight and an elevation-only adjustable rear sight that can be drifted for windage. It’s a rugged rear sight designed to stand up to tens of thousands of rounds USPSA competitors will put through their guns.

There are also a couple different styles of safety levers you can swap in to suit your taste and or hand size. Even the magazine release has three different positions to customize the gun to the shooter.

Shooting the Shadow 2

The Shadow 2 has one of the nicest competition triggers I have ever experienced. It is light and crisp with a firm and short reset.

CZ’s pistol uses the same grips and same mags as the previous Shadow. For the folks who have already been shooting Shadows, this is a welcome addition.

CZ-USA finishes the Shadow 2 with an extremely tough and corrosion resistant black nitride and then goes the extra step to coat the frame and slide with a flat black poly coat. Given the extreme use competitors put their guns through, the Shadow 2 should remain looking good through many seasons of use.

Prices for the Shadow 2 start at $1,299 and go up from there depending on shooter-selected options.

For more information on the CZ Shadow 2, please visit CZ-USA.com.