Newbie Q. CZ Shadow 2 OR vs standard version

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Alchemist

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Apologies in advance for a newbie question but this is my first handgun purchase.

Recently went to a local gun store and was chatting with the knowledgeable staff about handguns and was shown the CZ Shadow 2 with a decent discount on it. I went home to read reviews and it has glowing ones. On the store website I see an optics ready CZ shadow 2 for a little more money too. I will only be buying one handgun, at least for a little while, and so want one that is “versatile” and a pleasure to shoot. My budget was originally a little below what the shadow will cost but I’m ok with upping that a bit for a quality item.

My questions are as follows:

In terms of competitions (if I get into that) is the OR version 2 guns in one if you are swapping sights between the OEM iron sights and a red dot optic? Is it more complex than that?

Is there any downside to having the OR version vs the standard? Is racking more difficult since you lose the serrations at the back of the slide in the OR ready version?

For me right now the only downside I see is that the grey version (I like this colour) only comes in standard and the OR version is black with blue grips. This is why I’m asking the questions though as I’m sure there’s more to it than just aesthetics.

TIA!
 
Alchemist said:
My questions are as follows:

In terms of competitions (if I get into that) is the OR version 2 guns in one if you are swapping sights between the OEM iron sights and a red dot optic?
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Yes


Alchemist said:
Is it more complex than that?
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Nope

Alchemist said:
Is there any downside to having the OR version vs the standard? Is racking more difficult since you lose the serrations at the back of the slide in the OR ready version?
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Would depend on your technique, I've always racked my Shadow and Shadow 2's on the front serrations so it is a non factor for me.

Alchemist said:
For me right now the only downside I see is that the grey version (I like this colour) only comes in standard and the OR version is black with blue grips. This is why I’m asking the questions though as I’m sure there’s more to it than just aesthetics.

TIA!
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I've had both colours in the Shadow 2 and the Urban Grey will get beat up and show wear significantly more than the black over the long haul.
 
Chilidip said:
Yes




Nope



Would depend on your technique, I've always racked my Shadow and Shadow 2's on the front serrations so it is a non factor for me.



I've had both colours in the Shadow 2 and the Urban Grey will get beat up and show wear significantly more than the black over the long haul.
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Thank you very much! Am I on the right track for looking at this as my first handgun?
 
Here are a couple of good videos on the Shadow 2.

The first will show you how dirty the Urban Grey will get. Jump to 12:00 if you want to miss all the shooting.
The second is a great review of the Shadow 2, by someone who knows a little bit about handguns. :)
The third is a helpful little video about the Optical Ready S2 from a little lady in BC. (I will post the 3rd video in the next msg as per CGN rules.


 
Alchemist said:
Thank you very much! Am I on the right track for looking at this as my first handgun?
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You may want to handle it first at the store, friend's place or rental range. It's heavy. Factory grips are too slick and will need to be changed out to something grippier.
 
Alchemist said:
Thank you very much! Am I on the right track for looking at this as my first handgun?
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I've had two Shadow 2's and they are great guns for me I actually prefer the original SP-01 Shadow, I sold both my 2's and went back to my Original Shadow last year for Production Optics. Can't go wrong with a Shadow 2 but if budget is an issue Rangeview Sports on this forum has the original Shadow on for $699 which is a screaming deal for a fantastic pistol, the down side if you want to dabble in Production Optics later you will need to use a dovetail mount or mill the slide for a dot.
 
If you're looking at getting a shadow 2,get the OR. It costs a bit more but the flexibility of adding a rds is worth it. The problem with dovetail mounted rds is that your sight picture is too high and you will mess up your ability to point pistols and be on target because you will have to compensate. For that reason you should start with irons, learn to quickly draw, grip, and be somewhat on target. Then when you get optics on a milled slide, it's the same motion but with a red dot.

I've had a shadow 1 since 2008 and I jumped on the cz deal to get a shadow 2 OR. Rds on pistols are becoming increasing popular now so I'm gonna try it out.
 
Thanks everyone. Read the comments, watched the videos, went down to the store and bought one! Now I will wait on the transfer.

I won’t get a red dot yet. I want to learn the basics with the iron sights.
 
I have both the standard shadow 2 and the OR version.If youre contemplating at all mounting optics on it,definitely get the OR version.The optic sits nice and low on the slide and youre not bothering at all having to hammer in mounting plates.Its also very easy to switch back to the supplied iron sights.
 
I noticed that vendors like Bullseye in London quickly sold out of the OR Shadow 2s once the CZ sale started.
I was happy to pick up mine for 1,159.99
 
Original Shadow 1 is a great pistol I have had one for 2 years, originally the rounds flew all over making me doubt my purchase but 100rds in after break in and good gosh its my most accurate pistol....I shot a shadow 2 once and put 10 rounds within an inch at 10m so have wanted one since. My opinion on the optics ready model is that it is capable but will be lacking if placed in competition with other more kitted out pistols so when this great deal came up I ordered My CZ Shadow 2 from rangeview in the standard model with blue grips. I have a thing with two tone pistols that make me feel like they were built with spare parts and I would rather the slide and receiver match. I ordered black grips to replace the blue ones. I have other pistols but hands down the CZ's are the best I have handled....my second favourite pistols are Glocks (from performance not because I actually like them I just seem to shoot well with them), second choice for looks of a pistol would be Beretta's but I throw softball sized groups at best at 10m with it... so in short but a CZ shadow and don't worry about the rest.


if you are shopping at rangeview only Shadow 2 standard and two tone models are left at $1039.99 which is the best price I have seen on these since they were launched. Shadow 1 at $699 unsurprisingly sold out...wonder if it was an error in pricing looking at it between that in the P10 which is listed at $779.99 when they entered the numbers in, either was great deal for the buyer.
 
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Biggest difference will be rear serrations on the slide. The OR version will not have it. If rear serrations is what you normally use to rack the slide. You may have some difficulty without an optic.
 
Gasanwu said:
Biggest difference will be rear serrations on the slide. The OR version will not have it. If rear serrations is what you normally use to rack the slide. You may have some difficulty without an optic.
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Already found this to be a small issue. My technique isn’t great though, it’s working better punching with my right hand rather than pulling with my left.
 
Chilidip said:
I've had two Shadow 2's and they are great guns for me I actually prefer the original SP-01 Shadow, I sold both my 2's and went back to my Original Shadow last year for Production Optics. Can't go wrong with a Shadow 2 but if budget is an issue Rangeview Sports on this forum has the original Shadow on for $699 which is a screaming deal for a fantastic pistol, the down side if you want to dabble in Production Optics later you will need to use a dovetail mount or mill the slide for a dot.
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The SP 01's are great guns it matters not which one you end up with IMHO unless you really need the latest and greatest and you compete..go with how it feels in your hand.
 
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