CZ Shadow spring question

Brook

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I just started into IPSC with my first centerfire pistol, a CZ Shadow. Love the gun (nearing 1000 rounds through it without a single failure), except for one thing: the double-action trigger weight. My Black Badge instructor put a digital trigger pull scale on it, and it registered at more than ten pounds.

At a recent event (the Poco Steel Shoot -- awesome weather, great organizers, outstanding turn out, everyone in a great mood) some Shadow owners were discussing the Shadow DA trigger weight, and there was general agreement that getting a lighter spring was a useful option. (Online CZ forums agree.)

Here's the debate though: some people say that you can install a lighter spring and still keep your Shadow in the production division, as long as you order the spring from the actual CZ factory (as opposed to, say, CZ Custom in the States). Others weren't so sure about this.

Anybody know for certain?
 
Yes you can. The springs are cheap and make a huuuge difference! I highly reccommend do it. You do not need to orer them from the factory, but they do have to be factory parts. You can get the factory parts from czcustom or other dealers that are site sponsors.
 
CZ 13# Main Spring + CZ Combat Hammer (not the competition hammer, there is a visional difference so don't get caught with the wrong one) + gun grease + lots of dry firing practice = 5lb DA and a really nice light SA. At least that's what I'm getting using free weights for my trigger test

Besides, the 2012 rules now state 4.4lb DA and 2.2lb SA

Downside to a light DA SA trigger is you will get light strikes if you install a Kadet Conversion Kit.
 
Depending on primer used, some people experience occasional light primer strikes shooting reloads with the 13 pound mainspring in the Shadow or CZ 75B variants. There are extended firing pins available that I've found pretty much eliminate the problem. A lot of dry firing can also help by weakening a new/tight firing pin spring as well. There is also a lower weight firing pin spring available, but I've never tried it. You might also be fine with the 15 pounder mainspring, since the difference is DA pull isn't great compared to the 13#, but I don't hear of anyone complaining about light strikes with that one. Just don't change all your springs and try them out at next match!
 
Depending on primer used, some people experience occasional light primer strikes shooting reloads with the 13 pound mainspring in the Shadow or CZ 75B variants. There are extended firing pins available that I've found pretty much eliminates the problem. A lot of dry firing can also help by weakening a new/tight firing pin spring as well. There is also a lower weight firing pin spring available, but I've never tried it. You might also be fine with the 15 pounder mainspring, since the difference is DA pull isn't great compared to the 13#, but I don't hear of anyone complaining about light strikes with that one. Just don't change all your springs and try them out at next match!

Light strike when using the Kadet Conversion kit
 
The competition hammer is not a wrong one, many guys use it

SB

IMG_4737.jpg


Far left, Factory CZ UB product, is OK. Far right is a no no, that's from CZ Custom Shop (OK if you shoot USPSA but not IPSC)
 
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Yes.

What I'm told is if the outer top corner is rounded and serrated - it is a CZ UB product.
If the outer top corner is cut away and the serration is on the top then it's not IPSC Production compliant but OK for USPSA Production Div.

It can get confusing... over at another forum they refer it as either CZ UB "Combat Hammer" or CZ Custom Shop "Competition Hammer"
 
I'm a little amazed because it came from CZCustom and is exactly identical to the one bought from CRAFM that is on my other Shadow, I did not know there were good and bad competition ones
 
I'm a little amazed because it came from CZCustom and is exactly identical to the one bought from CRAFM that is on my other Shadow, I did not know there were good and bad competition ones


Actually if you go to the CZ custom website the "competition hammer" that they advertise is said to be a CZ UB manufactured part and appears to be identical to the hammer that has been called the Combat hammer on other sites.................

http://czcustom.com/CZ_SA_DA-Competition-Hammer.aspx
 
CZ Custom's hammer that I have on my 85 Combat came in CZ packaging. CZ Custom is owned in part my CZ UB and makes parts for CZ UB. CZ Custom also makes the Shadow T for CZ USA a division of CZ UB.

Take Care

Bob
 
CZ Custom's hammer that I have on my 85 Combat came in CZ packaging. CZ Custom is owned in part my CZ UB and makes parts for CZ UB. CZ Custom also makes the Shadow T for CZ USA a division of CZ UB.

Take Care

Bob

It doesn't matter... If it isn't produced by the CZ factory, it isn't legal Production.

CZCustom is NOT the factory. Uncle Vinny is pretty clear on that... The SS guide rod (for example) from CZ custom is not allowed... The one i ordered from Czechoslovakia is. Could anyone tell them apart? I doubt it. I certainly can't.

Does all of this matter? Probably not, but you may find yourself shooting Open if someone notices the hammer and cares to get sticky about it.

(Also, the Shadow "T" isn't on the approved production list. In fact, the Production list specifically identifies the CZ Custom Shop SP01 Shadow as "not approved")
 
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Great! I'll go ahead and order myself a 13-lb spring then. Thanks for the wisdom guys!

FYI... the spring alone will not get it down to the 5 - 6 lb but will be lighter than your current trigger weight.

The Hammer and spring combo will make the big difference.
 
FYI... the spring alone will not get it down to the 5 - 6 lb but will be lighter than your current trigger weight.

The Hammer and spring combo will make the big difference.

Simple spring change will get DA to only 7.5-8.5# pull.

It doesn't matter... If it isn't produced by the CZ factory, it isn't legal Production.

CZCustom is NOT the factory. Uncle Vinny is pretty clear on that... The SS guide rod (for example) from CZ custom is not allowed... The one i ordered from Czechoslovakia is. Could anyone tell them apart? I doubt it. I certainly can't.

Does all of this matter? Probably not, but you may find yourself shooting Open if someone notices the hammer and cares to get sticky about it.

(Also, the Shadow "T" isn't on the approved production list. In fact, the Production list specifically identifies the CZ Custom Shop SP01 Shadow as "not approved")

Thanks to Vinnie, Shadow T HAD BEEN APPROVED in March this year AND THEN PULLED from Production list. No, it's not approved anymore.
CZ Custom Shop SP01 Shadow - it's a totally different beast.
 
I've been considering the competition hammer... or combat hammer.. whichever is te ipsc legal one, but i've hear it requires fitting... what type of fitting? Is it something someone with a little knowhow and limited tools can do or is it something best left up to a gunsmith?
 
I've been considering the competition hammer... or combat hammer.. whichever is te ipsc legal one, but i've hear it requires fitting... what type of fitting? Is it something someone with a little knowhow and limited tools can do or is it something best left up to a gunsmith?

One may have to fit left safety to sear or sear to left safety. It's not difficult, just time consuming, with a chance you'd need new safety lever or sear or both :)
 
Simple spring change will get DA to only 7.5-8.5# pull.



Thanks to Vinnie, Shadow T HAD BEEN APPROVED in March this year AND THEN PULLED from Production list. No, it's not approved anymore.
CZ Custom Shop SP01 Shadow - it's a totally different beast.

Good to know, thanks. Vinnny has a hard on for CZ Custom for reasons nobody knows but Vinny.

Take Care

Bob
 
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