S&W M&P vs CZ Black Shadow

xxclaro

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A friend of mine just called me and asked me what the overall opinion on the Smith M&P is. He is looking for a new 9mm,and saw the M&P at Pheonix for $699, I believe. The guy there was telling him that the CZ Black Shadow, will a bit more expensive,is a better buy. I told him I'd run it by you guys here,as there seems to be plenty of knowledgeable folks here concerning these guns.
So, if you were to choose between these two guns with your own money,what would you chose and why?
He's considering taking one of the Black Badge training courses at Pheonix,which is why he needs the gun.
 
M&P is a good gun if you don't get a lemon, not at the same level as any CZ guns IMO. CZ pistols were made with competition in mind and has great accuracy out of the box While M&P was made for LE. The Shadow is some the best pistol out there.

Trigun
 
The CZ Shadow (NOT the polymer framed CZ) is a terrific competition pistol, but to say that the recoil of an M&P is snappy is wrong, it's a pussy cat. As far as lemon M&P's go, the current (and even the last 2 minor changes) have been 100% reliable out of the box. I've put about 5,000 rounds through a CZ85 and 8,000 through 2 9mm M&P's and an additional 1,000 or so through an M&P in 45 (which also isn't hard to control), there's not really that much between them from an accuracy stand point (they'll both shoot better than a new shooter) if the gun is fired single action only, the CZ will be easier to get accuracy from. As far as mag changes go the M&P will beat the CZ every time, simply because the button can be moved to the other side and it is faster that way. I guess at the end of the day in my mind the CZ is a better IPSC pistol, and the M&P is a better all around pistol.
 
Mag release on the Shadow can be flipped for use on either side so that isn't a biggie.

Having shot both pistols I'm happy I went with my Shadow. But for a polymer gun the M&P and GP6 are my two favourites.
 
I had the m&p 9.. got bored and sold it. Tried a buddies a sp01 shadow and well.. ill never shoot another 9 !! The shadow is an awesome gun to shoot.. very accurate and the front fiber optic sight is a beauty!!

Hands down the CZ
 
I have a shadow 9 mm but have shot the m&p and liked it but the edge goes to the shadow. Now the choice between my sig p226 9mm and shadow is more difficult as i think both are top notch pistols.
 
I really liked my M&P9 and would love to try it in IPSC one day. It's less picky about the ammo as well. I currently have a CZ75B and would rather have another M&P than a shadow
 
If you go IPSC - you have to reload. To cut your expense, at least.
If you reload - you customize your ammo to your gun; not just make and model but your individual gun.
 
The M&P will be more reliable, as the CZs tend to eat parts.
However, the CZ parts like Glock are readily available, where as you will have difficulty getting parts for the M&P.
If you like the trigger in the CZ, but like the weight of the M&P, skip both and look at the GP-6. That trigger and reset get better....
As far as IPSC goes, you can be competitive with any of the above.
 
I have both and love both. I compete with the Shadow and can definitely shoot better with it. That said, it's much more prone to problems than the M&P. The M&P has never, ever, ever jammed with any kind of ammo (even weak comp. loads which jam up the CZ without replacing the spring with a lighter one.) If I had to carry one all day, it would be the CZ. If I had to rely on one for home defense (hypothetically) it would be the M&P. But the shadow is definitely the better competition pistol.
 
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