Settled on first pistol - CZ SP-01 Shadow - looking for .22LR conversion

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juliett_lima

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I am a new license holder and was shopping for my first pistol. I've read threads from other members going through the same process and of course, the wisdom given was to try them out at your local gun store instead on buying based on specs alone!

I was at the local range last week signing up for membership and was looking at the SIG P226 at their gun shop. I held both the E2 grip and the Legion G10 grip and they both felt comfortable in my smallish (for a guy) hand. I also held the M&P2.0 and a Glock 17 there, but I thought the P226 felt better. They didn't have any CZ at the range for me to try.

The next day, I spend about an hour at a LGS which has many more demos of various makes and models. I tried both the SP-01 Shadow and the Shadow 2 and boy, do they feel nice! The store has a P226 there too with an E2 grip so I was able to compare them side-by-side, even though I've always love the look of the P226, the CZ just felt "right".

Between the SP-01 Shadow and the Shadow 2, I don't think I will be good enough shooter as a newbie to appreciate the enhancements on the Shadow 2 justify the $400+ difference. So I think the Shadow is it and I will go back to the LGS sometime this week to place the order.

For both the P226 (when I was considering it) and the CZ, I've always wanted to get a conversion kit to shoot .22LR (cheap ammo and to develop good habits). For the Shadow, I think there are two different Kadet kits that would work:

Kadet II: https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-75-kadet-adapter-ii-22-lr-adj-sights-10-rd-mags-will-fit-omega-system/

SP-01 Kadet: https://shop.cz-usa.com/ProductDetail/01612_Cz-Sp01-Kadet-Adapter-22lr-10rd

I know the Kadet II requires some fitting to work with the SP-01 frame. I've seen some videos online and it "seems" easy... just want to see if anyone has experience and guidance for me on the fitting.

Also, do I have to worry about this statement on the CZ website with a bone stock Shadow, or will this be dependent on the ammo? "When used in competition-oriented or modified 75 series pistols like the Shadow, a factory-weight 75 mainspring may be required to provide proper primer ignition."

As for the SP-01 Kadet, I like this as it was made for the frame and no fitting is requires - however, I can't find any dealer in Canada that has this. Any know a store that carries this?

Thanks and sorry for the long post. Quite excited for my first firearm!
 
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Any Kadet kit may require fitting. There are three contact points: two at the front of the Kadet frame (which would be part of the slide on an "adult" caliber gun), and the part of the barrel assy that mates with the locking block and slide stop in the lower receiver. These three points are slightly oversized from factory and might need to be carefully and slowly filed down until the Kadet upper can be inserted into place. The fit should be very tight - that's why Kadet is so accurate. Google up the user manual.

Any Kadet kit (including older Kadet 1) should fit the Shadow 1. I run Kadet 1 on a Shadowline - it works really well.
 
Congrats on your Shadow I came to the same conclusion several years ago when faced with a similar upgrade decision, I never have regretted getting the basic Shadow but decided a separate gun was better for me in 22 cal.. enjoy
 

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Squiggy said:
If you look on EE you can buy a beauty 22lr for the price of Kadet kit.
Click to expand...

That has always been the thing for me. For the price of conversion kits (according to the two minutes I researched it), they want so much money I may as well buy a separate pistol altogether.
 
I've got a Shadow 1 on the way right now as well as I move my son away from the G19 I have for him (he shoots the CZ much better and I've always wanted a CZ... and I have a G17 RTF2 that's staying).

I currently have my G17, his G19, and a .22 call G22 (Advantage Arms kit on a G22 frame registered as a .22) but I'm leaning towards selling off the .22 G22 and getting a Kadet instead. I also would rather do the SP-01 / Shadow 2 Kadet for a couple of reasons; 1- proper slide as opposed to an inlaid slide, and 2- no fitting required (that I've read about), but any Canadian sites I see it on are out of stock. The flip side to the SP-01 Kadet is that it's new and is not yet proven like the Kadet 1/2 is.

That all said; if a well priced used Kadet shows up...
 
juliett_lima said:
Also, do I have to worry about this statement on the CZ website with a bone stock Shadow, or will this be dependent on the ammo? "When used in competition-oriented or modified 75 series pistols like the Shadow, a factory-weight 75 mainspring may be required to provide proper primer ignition."
Click to expand...
My Kadet kit requires a 15 or 16lb mainspring to reliably ignite primers. 13lb mainspring was way too annoying with light strikes every mag.
 
I had a GSG kit for my 1911... for a couple of days. Way less accurate than the pistol when shooting .45s. I'm sticking with my High Standard. I'm sure the CZ kits are a lot better quality, but you need to keep track of all the parts too.
 
My CZ Shadow with the Kadet kit shoots very well. I have not shot mine for some time as I set my Shadow springs too light for it. I don’t have the time for IPSC anyway so I should change it back so I can make use of it again. As far as fitting the kits up for the first time, it’s super easy to do. My slide to frame fit on the kit is better than the factory Shadow is.
 
I was also looking for a Shadow 2 Kadet kit but for the price I think I'll hold out for a separate .22 piece. I have my eye on the CZ P-09 Kadet, it comes stock in .22, not an additional kit.
 
Kadet kit was one of the best purchases I made right after tge Shadow.
Why buy another inferior 22 when you can have a kadet on a shadow.
 
My thoughts would be go with a seperate gun in .22LR. I have had a GSG 1911, I have other .22s as well. There are better pistols out there than the GSG. The Ruger Mark series are great, the Browning Buckmarks are good as well. There are various options like bull barrels that change the Rugers character. Shoot the Ruger than shoot the GSG, big difference.
 
The Kadet II kit works great on the Shadow I not to not much fitting required simple file work at best. Mine functions and shoots well . My Shadow II kit it was a drop in fit on my Shadow II functions well but not as accurate as the Shadow I, Wolverine stocks and has been a big help. I have a GSG conversion on a 1911 it worked after a lot of work my opinion you get what you pay for . The Kadet II kit is all steel and worth every penny. If you already have the Sp01 Shadow I it's a no brainer IMHO
 
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I have a Kadet kit it works successfully on all my Shadows and Shadowlines. and on my original 75s. I tried it on a Shadow 2 it wasn't a good match, which is OK as I don't shoot S2s.

I leave it on a dedicated Shadow now that is set up exactly like my IPSC gun, grips, sights, etc, so I can use and practice with my competition rig without exchange and sticking with the same gun.


That said I've shot the heck out of an MP22 I absolutely love the gun and its been very reliable with standard ammo, the only suggestion is to stick with plated ammo to avoid their notorious fouling issue.
 
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