Colt Competition 1911 vs CZ Shadow 2

welder179

welder179

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Well, I've been considering replacing my M&P9 to something more suited to IPSC and Multi-gun. I've been doing a fair bit of research and have two really close contenders at the moment but both are two very different guns in their own right. On one hand I have a Colt Competition 1911 9mm, this would move me to Classic Division obviously. On the other hand I have a CZ Shadow 2, this keeps me in Production Division. I went to a store were I was able to handle both side by side and compare dryfiring it and both are really close for me, they are even priced within $100 of each other. Here is my comparison so far but I would be interested to hear the opinions of others:

Colt Competition 1911 (9mm):
https://www.colt.com/detail-page/competition-ser70-9mm-bl-91

Pros:
Predictable single action trigger
Modular 1911 parts/customization and vast availability of those parts
Magazine capacity similar in other nations (should I ever go to the U.S. they will be shooting 10rnd mags also)

Cons:
Just didn't seem to just sit in my hand naturally around the grip, but great trigger reach (I have very small hands, but that would most likely change as I got use to shooting it)
Only 9rnd mags come with the gun so I would be buying all new 10rnd mags

CZ Shadow 2:
http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-shadow-2-black-blue/

Pros:
Grip was a bit more natural for me
Big/easy to find mag release

Cons:
Double action trigger really pushed the limit of my finger reach (again, small hands)
Continously worried about decocking the gun and having an accidental discharge and injury during "load and make ready"
Any upgrades would immediately move me out of production division


Now of course there's always going to be the mentality of buy a gun for ever purpose, lol. However I prefer to just have one gun and do everything with that and get most comfortable with the one firearm instead of switching back and forth simply to coordinate with rule changes, if I was rich sure why not, but as I'am not I think finding "the one" is a better choice for me.
 
Colt competition I have one and I don't love it there are issues I have with the gun. If your were planning on shooting classic is suggest a .40 otherwise stick to production and shoot 9mm with the cz.
As far as mag capacity abroad goes that's a non issue because what most people do is just drill out your rivets while your down there and repin before you come back.
I don't have a shadow 2 but I do have 2 shadow 1's and it's my most shot pistol. I'll say the 1911 is my favorite type of pistol however I feel the shadow or shadow 2 would serve you best.
 
skoal said:
Colt competition I have one and I don't love it there are issues I have with the gun. If your were planning on shooting classic is suggest a .40 otherwise stick to production and shoot 9mm with the cz.
As far as mag capacity abroad goes that's a non issue because what most people do is just drill out your rivets while your down there and repin before you come back.
I don't have a shadow 2 but I do have 2 shadow 1's and it's my most shot pistol. I'll say the 1911 is my favorite type of pistol however I feel the shadow or shadow 2 would serve you best.
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Yes I am planning on sticking with a 9mm only. I work anywhere from 50-70hrs a week so I don't have time to reload but I have enough money to just buy my ammo, and 9mm is cheap.
drilling out the pin on the mags is not something that occurred to me, but your right there it just makes it more of an inconvience as opposed to an actual issue.
 
Don't get me wrong you can shoot 9mm in classic if your deadset on the 1911 but since you have the cz all ready id say shoot that for now and if you want to add a pony to the stable you can allways do that at a later date. The $1300ish for the colt could feed your cz for awhile and practice will get you over the first double action shot.
 
^ He doesn’t have a CZ already.

OP, that’s a tough one. The way a grip fits the hand on a 1911 can be changed fairly easily with different grip panels. Getting the CZ’s trigger to be shorter for DA will be more of a challenge depending on severity.

Where in Sask are you located? Will IPSC or 3-Gun be your main focus?

I think you’re very smart to stick with 9mm if you aren’t reloading.
 
TT1900 said:
^ He doesn’t have a CZ already.

OP, that’s a tough one. The way a grip fits the hand on a 1911 can be changed fairly easily with different grip panels. Getting the CZ’s trigger to be shorter for DA will be more of a challenge depending on severity.

Where in Sask are you located? Will IPSC or 3-Gun be your main focus?

I think you’re very smart to stick with 9mm if you aren’t reloading.
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Your right i misread that.
 
TT1900 said:
^ He doesn’t have a CZ already.

OP, that’s a tough one. The way a grip fits the hand on a 1911 can be changed fairly easily with different grip panels. Getting the CZ’s trigger to be shorter for DA will be more of a challenge depending on severity.

Where in Sask are you located? Will IPSC or 3-Gun be your main focus?

I think you’re very smart to stick with 9mm if you aren’t reloading.
Click to expand...

Saskatoon, I shoot with the boys from the SRRC on Wednesday nights over at the wildlife range. yeah IPSC and 3gun are all I'm really interested in for the forseable future. I do PPC sometimes too but that's just more to help me learn to pace my shots better and to be more accurate instead of trying to be fast.

the reach on the CZ was right at my limit, I had just the tip of my finger on the trigger. it wasn't ready to slide off by any means I don't think, but that might be different when it comes to actually making a double action shot after drawing from the holster. theres guys at the club that have these guns (or similar enough in the case of the 1911) hopefully I can test drive them both to make a fully informed decision. just trying to see what the opinions of other were.
 
1riot1ranger said:
Um... perhaps it’s better to decide which division and compare pistols within those groups. This is a bit of an “apples & oranges” discussion.
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Yes/No, when looking for a gun that can also be suited for 3gun my local club uses USPSA Multigun rules in which case the rules governing the pistol is Limited division so I'm looking at a gun that is suited for multiple divisions. so as I pointed out I'm not a fan of having a different gun for every type of shooting, id rather have the one and get really comfortable with that.
 
I’m not familiar with all IPSC rules by any means, but won’t you be shooting minor in Classic?

Even if your goal is just to have fun, and not be competitive - it will drive you nuts that you can’t compete score-wise with guys shooting .45 (who may be shooting half as accurately as you)

I own a shadowline and a shadow 2, so I’ll admit I’m slightly biased and can’t help you much.

But I will say, don’t fear the de-####. There is absolutely NO time rush/limit on administrative firearm handling. Be safe, and smooth, and learn the ‘thumb roll’ method, and never rush to holster a pistol. (And hey, you can always send three rounds at the first target of each stage)

Enjoy your purchase either way!
 
OP,
Why do you think you can’t shoot your M&P in IPSC or 3G?

I personally like the M&P and any striker fired gun that has no manual safety for multi-gun matches. Saves me the worry of whether I put it on safe or de-cocked it when I dump the gun. I know the CZ is basically the King of IPSC here and guys who shoot it transition to 3G with the same pistol as they are already familiar with the operation of the gun. I watched Slavex shoot his Shadow 2 and he could make the gun sing.

But if you’re already familiar with the M&P, why not just stick with it? It’s a great trouble free gun. Just install the Apex trigger kit and good fiber optic sights ( if you haven’t already done so) and spend the rest on ammo.

Unless you’re an A level shooter already, any advantage of switching platforms may be slight and easily compensated by good technique and practice.

But hey! If the reason for switching is the excuse you need for buying another gun, then by all means! Go for it! Can’t have too many, right?
 
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welder179 said:
Yes/No, when looking for a gun that can also be suited for 3gun my local club uses USPSA Multigun rules in which case the rules governing the pistol is Limited division so I'm looking at a gun that is suited for multiple divisions. so as I pointed out I'm not a fan of having a different gun for every type of shooting, id rather have the one and get really comfortable with that.
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Then get the Shadow II and put the wider thumb safety on it... Shoot hammer down for Production in IPSC and shoot SA mode for 3 gun.
 
Hey!
Loading the Colt & the Shadow are identical. Insert magazine, rack the slide, engage the safety. Identical.
The Shadow has second strike capability, the Colt does not. If you employ the Colt in your class, the Shadow is the same SAO.
Want some variability? The Shadow can be SA/DA and learning to ease the hammer down on a live round is just training.
 
Still alive said:
OP,
Why do you think you can’t shoot your M&P in IPSC or 3G?

I personally like the M&P and any striker fired gun that has no manual safety for multi-gun matches. Saves me the worry of whether I put it on safe or de-cocked it when I dump the gun. I know the CZ is basically the King of IPSC here and guys who shoot it transition to 3G with the same pistol as they are already familiar with the operation of the gun. I watched Slavex shoot his Shadow 2 and he could make the gun sing.

But if you’re already familiar with the M&P, why not just stick with it? It’s a great trouble free gun. Just install the Apex trigger kit and good fiber optic sights ( if you haven’t already done so) and spend the rest on ammo.

Unless you’re an A level shooter already, any advantage of switching platforms may be slight and easily compensated by good technique and practice.

But hey! If the reason for switching is the excuse you need for buying another gun, then by all means! Go for it! Can’t have too many, right?
Click to expand...

just been something ive been thinking about, but yes the M&P has been good to me so far, and its what ive got for now. I'm in no rush to buy anything new that's for sure, just doing research. ive got roughly 5000 down the pipe on my M&P, and I have been looking at some upgrades such as the apex trigger kit, maybe just turn that gun into a Standard/Limited division gun and just shoot happy there. but its always nice to look at options and see what others option would be none the less.
 
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