So if I understand it right the Orange version comes with a custom fit so tight it is or is close to impossible to field strip it Mike. I will give in to your exaggeration there. Then within 2,000 rounds the metal wears so quickly that the slide and frame wears in enough to remove the slide from the frame. I would assume from your statement the wearing would continue, why would it not???? Is this good, bad or not likely? Those who have a different opinion then you may not have their heads up their asses as much as you think and if they do may not be alone.
The Orange version likely does receive extra tender loving care at the factory and they may well hold the gun to higher tolerances. That isn't the issue. The issue is will the shooter benefit from all of this extra loving care. Most shooters I would suggest won't get much benefit out of the tighter slide or shorter reset if indeed the shorter reset is there.
Buy the gun for a lot of reasons...ego, just because you can, pride of ownership or because the regular Shadow $850, or the Shadowline $1,100 are both guns that you presently can out shoot and you want to be able to go to the next level without the hindrance of being held back by a lessor gum. If it is the latter reason then surely the decision is easy.
From what I have seen in competitions most shooters are served just fine with a regular Shadow at $850. Some I have shot with have above average to remarkable reflexes and can and do take advantage of the regular Shadows short reset and some of those individuals are likely capable of taking advantage of an even shorter reset. The problem arises when you throw these variables into the sports of IDPA or IPSC. IPSC in particular requires more than a 1/16th or less shorter reset on a handgun to score better. A light trigger certainly has some advantages but those advantages are lost in an instant if the shooter just slightly bobbles a reload.
What I am trying to say is there is more to the sport than just shooting a gun. Some guns are just not in play to be reasonably competitive but the regular Shadow, 85 Combat, 75B, Beretta 92, Glock 17, M&P, or Sig 226 to name a few, in most hands are not those guns.
The "Orange" version may represent added value in terms of manufacturing costs (Or more likely a marketing ploy to leverage up a product for added profit), but for most the only advantage they will get is a better set of grips and for those who are honest enough to admit their skill levels aren't likely going to be able to advantage the tighter slide to frame fit or shorter reset then the only benefit they can see or will get are the Orange grips. In my view their heads are screwed on right and where they ought to be.
Happy New Year
Bob
me too. I would want to service it before I shoot it for the first time. If one can't strip it right off the bat, it would be returned to the supplier.
