Whats the difference in the regular CZ-75B and she SP-01 shadow? The shadow seems to be very popular in the production division, but is there really a big difference in the 2 guns? Would a person shooting a regular CZ-75B in production class be in a huge disadvantage over the competitor using a SP-01Shadow?
Difference in Pistols?
- Thread starter blueflash
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It all depends. For instance, Dave Sevigny is going to beat you with his Glock, regardless of what pistol you are using. 
Anyways, the Shadow has few features that are making it easier to shoot, especially for the beginner:
* heavier frame with a rail, with more weight on the front help to recover from recoil faster
* a bit bigger beaver tail, comparing to 75b
* no firing ping block/safety, comparing to SP01 Tactical, reducing trigger pull
* fiber optic front sight and thick competition rear sight,
* nicer and more comfortable trigger (though you have to watch for it, I saw Shadows with some old triggers installed at the factory)
Anyways, the Shadow has few features that are making it easier to shoot, especially for the beginner:
* heavier frame with a rail, with more weight on the front help to recover from recoil faster
* a bit bigger beaver tail, comparing to 75b
* no firing ping block/safety, comparing to SP01 Tactical, reducing trigger pull
* fiber optic front sight and thick competition rear sight,
* nicer and more comfortable trigger (though you have to watch for it, I saw Shadows with some old triggers installed at the factory)
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It all depends. For instance, Dave Sevigny is going to beat you with his Glock, regardless of what pistol you are using.
Anyways, the Shadow has few features that are making it easier to shoot, especially for the beginner:
* heavier frame with a rail, with more weight on the front help to recover from recoil faster
* a bit bigger beaver tail, comparing to 75b
* no firing ping, comparing to SP01 Tactical, reducing trigger pull
* fiber optic front sight and thick competition rear sight,
* nicer and more comfortable trigger (though you have to watch for it, I saw Shadows with some old triggers installed at the factory)
I sure hope it has a firing pin!
I have a CZ 85 and a Shadow. I notice the Shadow is a little steadier due to the extra weight. This is especially noticeable in weak hand only stages, the extra weight seems to settle me down and absorb the recoil better.
I've got a brand new Shadow, it doesn't have an adjustable trigger (one is on order though), it's got the new super curved trigger (don't like). The sights are better, the undercut under the trigger guard is more pronounced and the magwell is more beveled. I think the safety is different too. Although to be honest I'd rather have a smaller profile safety. gotta find one of those.
If you are faster and more accurate you will score better than the guy with the Shadow using your 75B. Th Shadpw was designed for IPSC Production and has features that make it proficient in the hands of top shooters. For lessor lights it helps but the gun won't make an "A" class shooter a Grand Master. Practice might.
Take Care
Bob
Ya, thats what I thought. Basically for a new guy in IPSC, if I was shooting a regular CZ-75B, I probably would'nt notice much of a difference in performance over the upgraded SP-01 shadow. However someone with a couple of years experience would probably benefit from the upgrades in the Shadow. Does that sound like a accurate statement.
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Actually....not in my opinion. The Shadow has a much superior DA than the stock 75/85. With other the other improvements built into the Shadow you are miles ahead spending a few more bucks. You are going to do it eventually so your better off going for it right up front.
It boils down to this - the 75 is a service gun, plain and simple. The Shadow is purpose built for IPSC Production Division competition.
In my opinion anyhow
John
It boils down to this - the 75 is a service gun, plain and simple. The Shadow is purpose built for IPSC Production Division competition.
In my opinion anyhow
John
The difference in the out-of-the-box trigger pulls is huge, as would be your competitive disadvantage. And the manual safety on the Shadow is so much better that that alone is worth it's increase in price and weight.
Try before you buy, unless you buy a Shadow.
Try before you buy, unless you buy a Shadow.
If you put in a 13# mainspring in the 75B you won't notice much difference between the 75B and the Shadow trigger pull when the heart is pumping and the timer is running. It is the archer not the arrow.
Buy a 75B and take the $200 difference in cost and buy ammo and go shoot and enjoy the sport. If you like the sport and have the talent and desire to spend the time to excel then you might want to look at your equipment. Sivigny seems to do quite well with essentially stock Glocks in USPSA while Adam Tyc excels in IPSC with a Shadow but those two live on a different planet then most of us when it comes to shooting. Buying what they use isn't going to make you a Grand Champion....practice, desire and talent will.
Take Care
Bob
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Well....I don't think so.
I have an SP-01 and previously tried 2 different CZ85Combats. I resprung them all and they just don't compare to the Shadow. I sure if I wanted to spend money and time putting in new hammers and polishing the crap out of them they would be a lot closer to the Shadow but....
I found the DA pull FAR superior on the Shadow, the design of the frame adds a lot to the controlability of the gun as well.
If you want to buy a gun, take it out of the box and shoot IPSC the Shadow is the gun. Respring it with genuine CZ springs you have an even better -PD legal- IPSC gun that will be competitive for years to come.
Like I said before, If you are going to buy a gun specifically for IPSC then bite the bullet and go for the Shadow.
John
I know I have one of your Combats. With the Competition hammer installed I can't tell the difference between it and the Shadow except it is lighter, slightly faster in draw time and easier to transition between targets. I do give up some speed on the 2nd shot as the Shadow is heavier in the front end. In my view the Combats balance better.
For somebody who is starting into the games any of the three pistols will serve the shooter well. When shooting IPSC moving fast between shooting ports on a long field courses accounts for more time then the difference between splits, for me anyways - I move slo mo.
The top Production shooter in USPSA runs a Glock 34 and I wouldn't recomend a new shooter has to go out and buy one of those either to enjoy himself in IPSC.
To the OP buy what you can afford and play the game and see if you like it or not. If you do, decide what you expect out of the sport. Do you want to shoot it for recreation or do you want to put the time and effort into becoming the best IPSC shooter you can be. Only you can decide that. Sometime after your first IPSC shoot you will decide what your participation level and commitment is going to be. There will be lots of time to decide on what equipment is best for you and what Division you want to pursue.
Take Care
Bob
For somebody who is starting into the games any of the three pistols will serve the shooter well. When shooting IPSC moving fast between shooting ports on a long field courses accounts for more time then the difference between splits, for me anyways - I move slo mo.
The top Production shooter in USPSA runs a Glock 34 and I wouldn't recomend a new shooter has to go out and buy one of those either to enjoy himself in IPSC.
To the OP buy what you can afford and play the game and see if you like it or not. If you do, decide what you expect out of the sport. Do you want to shoot it for recreation or do you want to put the time and effort into becoming the best IPSC shooter you can be. Only you can decide that. Sometime after your first IPSC shoot you will decide what your participation level and commitment is going to be. There will be lots of time to decide on what equipment is best for you and what Division you want to pursue.
Take Care
Bob
