Cz 85 combat vs shadow

thatmikeguy

thatmikeguy

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Can anyone tell me how these two pistols compare? So far, they look very similar to me.
Both have no firing pin block. The 85 has no rail and no fiber optic front sight.
I would like a Shadow but I found an 85 for $650 and can't see much difference.
 
I shot both back to back the other day.
I prefer the shadow trigger personally. Feels lighter.
Both my friend and I shot better with the shadow.
 
CZ's rail is one of very few which i don't find ugly. I actually like it and wonder if the extra 1/4 pound would help with recoil control.
That said, i'm not a high roller by any means and would find it difficult to spend that much money.
If the CZ85 Combat is just as good then why not try it? The one i found has wood grips and looks beautiful.
 
thatmikeguy said:
CZ's rail is one of very few which i don't find ugly. I actually like it and wonder if the extra 1/4 pound would help with recoil control.
That said, i'm not a high roller by any means and would find it difficult to spend that much money.
If the CZ85 Combat is just as good then why not try it? The one i found has wood grips and looks beautiful.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about "just as good". The Shadows are reported to have had quite a bit of trigger work. Depending on what you want it for that may or may not matter
 
Get both, they're both nice. They're cz's after all, 85 combat is the next 9mm I'll buy. As a lefty it's got some nice ambidextrous features but I've fired a shadow on a couple different occasions and it was great too.
 
Shadow fan...just can't find any fault with it.....it's a permanent member of my family..and the trigger is sublime..jmho
 
I have the Shadowline version and an 85 Combat. After installing the pre-B Disconnect on the 85C, trigger on both are now on equal grounds. Rail on the Shadowline helps in taming the recoil. But for an experienced shooter, this is a very minor factor. If you feel getting a good deal, buy it. Win-win for either pistol.
 
I have an orginal CZ85 and enjoyed it for years recently bought a shadow....The shadow just seems to fit my hand better...seems to be a bit tighter all around than the 85 but I have to say after over 24 years the 85 still works like a charm.
 
it depends on what you goal is because technically the two are for different audience. shadow is more of a competition game gun even though you can install heavier spring to make it backwards, but I don't think anybody will do that. so with the Factory setup, it's not safe to be used as carry gun(trigger is 3.x lbs).
75b/85b/tactical(not tactical sports) are most of day-to-day carry guns. if you need to carry for the job or just shooting paper target, these are the cheaper options and the trigger can be tuned to match shadow afterwards which will bring the cost to close to shadow


thatmikeguy said:
Can anyone tell me how these two pistols compare? So far, they look very similar to me.
Both have no firing pin block. The 85 has no rail and no fiber optic front sight.
I would like a Shadow but I found an 85 for $650 and can't see much difference.
Click to expand...
 
For 99% of shooters there is no difference from a function point of view. A 85 Combat with competition fixed sights will shoot with the Shadow as the guns are essentially the same gun, The Shadow has a slightly different frame and the FLDC. The hammer/trigger has been worked pn to improve the pull and that is about it. Is the extra money for the Shadow worth it. If you prefer the feel of the Shadow, think the FLDC is cool and understand the 85 Comabt has a slide release lever that can and does fail from time to time then the extra dollars are worth it. If you prefer adjustable sights on your gun, like the full ambi nature of the Combat and want to save the money difference and apply it to ammo then the Comabt works for you.

I have the 75 B Shadowline along with a couple of Combats. One of the Combats has had trigger work done on it and the gun has a far better trigger then either my 75 B Shadowline or any stock Shadow out of the box. The other two are pretty much stock and don;t have the trigger of a stock Shadow out of the box. I prefer the looks of the regular dust cover and know the FLDC would have no affect on how I score when shooting. Some would see an improvement in their scores, most would think they would.

Be realistic and think about what you intend to do with the gun. Both work well and are excellent guns. The Shadow out of the box is set up for IPSC Production and IDPA SSP Division. The 85 Combat will serve most new shooters equally as they will not likely have the skills to take advantage of the lighter SA trigger pull. The Competition sights on the Shadow I think are better sights for most shooters whether they play the games or not. If you are new to shooting you likely will benefit more from the extra $200 worth of ammunition you could buy then you will from the few features one gun has over the other.

All that said, the Shadow is a very nice piece of kit that will last you a life time. It is a very good buy if you want a SA/DA pistol.

Take Care

Bob
 
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sailor723 said:
What I've always wondered about CZ's is are the upscale models really worth that much more money??
Click to expand...

I have an upscale model (75 Shadowline). In a nutshell....no. Would I buy a New Edition for $1,100 if I could find one...YES. Is it really worth it....nope but damn it is the best looking pistol in the marketplace IMHO. I will find one by spring. Neither the 75 Shadowline nor the New Edition will shoot any better than my stock 75B that I have but that is in my hands. More skilled shooters would take more advantage of the slightly faster reset of the Shadowline and it's lighter trigger.

The problem with CZ pistols is they are all extremely well made, have few, if any faults out of the box. Changes shooters make are more of a personal preference than for any real gain from what I have seen. Yes, I have paid for trigger jobs, new sights, springs and new grips. I remain a C shooter in IPSC and a Sharpeshooter in IDPA.

To the OP buy whichever gun YOU prefer. They are both great guns.

Take Care

Bob
 
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