So after waiting for what seemed like an eternity (May 2014--Jan 2015) I finally got my Shadow 
I had been on the waiting list forever and waffled back and forth about whether to wait or just buy the SP-01 and upgrade it. As it happens with gun decisions, the day I made the choice to buy the SP-01 I got an email from Rob at CZ Custom saying some factory Shadows had just come in. The verdict is that this gun is simply awesome. Just awesome! I may follow up with more info on the gun if people are interested, but here is a quick review.
Fit/Finish/Feel:
The gun is very smooth when cycling the slide. Not quite TRP smooth, but pretty great--especially after a few hundred rounds. There is a little up/down/side to side wiggle which honestly surprised me. I would be lying if I said that it didn't bother me, because initially it really did. After shooting it though I have no complaints. Finish is typical CZ "polycoat" aka thick black paint that looks like it will wear quite well. The feel is also classic CZ which is in my opinion perfect. I love the grip angle, the reach to the trigger, control placement, etc. I even like the rubber grips, which probably puts me in the minority. They just fit my hand perfectly. For reference sake, I usually wear a Medium glove. Medium Mechanix gloves end up being a little tight across the palm for me, and just a tad long in the fingers. As a result I prefer long grips with a short reach to the trigger, and in that respect the Shadow is great.
Function:
I strongly dislike the "it functioned flawlessly over 50 rounds" bit since I think firearms need extensive evaluation periods before anyone starts using the F word. In the case of the Shadow, I had a couple FTF's. However, I was alternating between two mags at that point and I was only getting problems with one of them. I marked the suspected mag and set it aside and continued shooting with the others mags, and the Shadow didn't have problems from that point on. I'm nearly certain it was no more than a problematic mag at this point. To date I have put about 400-500 rounds through the gun made up of Tula, Winchester, Perfecta, and Fiocchi ball ammo, and a few rounds of Hornady Critical Duty.
Shootability:
Stupidly easy. My Shadow weighs in at a whopping half ounce less than my Springfield TRP, and that little 9mm just doesnt move the gun much. It is childs play to track the front sight under quick strings. The trigger has a predictable, tactile reset which helps in shooting quick strings, and the SA pull weight is in the very low 4lbs range and quite crisp. DA pulls are not difficult to hit with and I would estimate the DA pull weight to be about 7.5-8lbs. Here is an example of how easy it is to shoot this gun. I took my wife to MCFG to shoot this, which was her third time ever shooting a handgun. Seriously. Due to other shooters using the bays, we had to shoot 20yds back from the plates. She shot the M&P9 first, and then I gave her the Shadow with a 12 round mag. From 20yds she did not miss the steel a single time. Frankly I was shocked (both with her skill, and knowing that the gun was contributing to that).
Intended Use:
I bought the Shadow for IDPA and Home Defense, and I'll probably end up taking it to work as well. I don't see any problems with using a gun with a manual safety and a light trigger for home defense. I just don't. I mean how many people use 1911's for home defense, which also have light triggers and manual safeties and (for series 70 guns) no firing pin blocks? I'm not worried.
Conclusion:
I love it, and it will hurt my wallet. Since my wife shoots it so much better than the M&P, I will inevitably have to get her a CZ. Either the SP-01, a regular 75, or something. Also this will likely result in me buying a P-01 for carry. Yikes. Don't buy CZ's guys, they will take over your life. And now pics since I know everyone is waiting for that
View attachment 35876
View attachment 35879View attachment 35880
I had been on the waiting list forever and waffled back and forth about whether to wait or just buy the SP-01 and upgrade it. As it happens with gun decisions, the day I made the choice to buy the SP-01 I got an email from Rob at CZ Custom saying some factory Shadows had just come in. The verdict is that this gun is simply awesome. Just awesome! I may follow up with more info on the gun if people are interested, but here is a quick review.Fit/Finish/Feel:
The gun is very smooth when cycling the slide. Not quite TRP smooth, but pretty great--especially after a few hundred rounds. There is a little up/down/side to side wiggle which honestly surprised me. I would be lying if I said that it didn't bother me, because initially it really did. After shooting it though I have no complaints. Finish is typical CZ "polycoat" aka thick black paint that looks like it will wear quite well. The feel is also classic CZ which is in my opinion perfect. I love the grip angle, the reach to the trigger, control placement, etc. I even like the rubber grips, which probably puts me in the minority. They just fit my hand perfectly. For reference sake, I usually wear a Medium glove. Medium Mechanix gloves end up being a little tight across the palm for me, and just a tad long in the fingers. As a result I prefer long grips with a short reach to the trigger, and in that respect the Shadow is great.
Function:
I strongly dislike the "it functioned flawlessly over 50 rounds" bit since I think firearms need extensive evaluation periods before anyone starts using the F word. In the case of the Shadow, I had a couple FTF's. However, I was alternating between two mags at that point and I was only getting problems with one of them. I marked the suspected mag and set it aside and continued shooting with the others mags, and the Shadow didn't have problems from that point on. I'm nearly certain it was no more than a problematic mag at this point. To date I have put about 400-500 rounds through the gun made up of Tula, Winchester, Perfecta, and Fiocchi ball ammo, and a few rounds of Hornady Critical Duty.
Shootability:
Stupidly easy. My Shadow weighs in at a whopping half ounce less than my Springfield TRP, and that little 9mm just doesnt move the gun much. It is childs play to track the front sight under quick strings. The trigger has a predictable, tactile reset which helps in shooting quick strings, and the SA pull weight is in the very low 4lbs range and quite crisp. DA pulls are not difficult to hit with and I would estimate the DA pull weight to be about 7.5-8lbs. Here is an example of how easy it is to shoot this gun. I took my wife to MCFG to shoot this, which was her third time ever shooting a handgun. Seriously. Due to other shooters using the bays, we had to shoot 20yds back from the plates. She shot the M&P9 first, and then I gave her the Shadow with a 12 round mag. From 20yds she did not miss the steel a single time. Frankly I was shocked (both with her skill, and knowing that the gun was contributing to that).
Intended Use:
I bought the Shadow for IDPA and Home Defense, and I'll probably end up taking it to work as well. I don't see any problems with using a gun with a manual safety and a light trigger for home defense. I just don't. I mean how many people use 1911's for home defense, which also have light triggers and manual safeties and (for series 70 guns) no firing pin blocks? I'm not worried.
Conclusion:
I love it, and it will hurt my wallet. Since my wife shoots it so much better than the M&P, I will inevitably have to get her a CZ. Either the SP-01, a regular 75, or something. Also this will likely result in me buying a P-01 for carry. Yikes. Don't buy CZ's guys, they will take over your life. And now pics since I know everyone is waiting for that
View attachment 35876
View attachment 35879View attachment 35880
