Shadow 2 reliability issues

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Demolition

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Hey guys,

Hoping I can get some help here. I'm a new firearm owner and I purchased a CZ Shadow 2 back in April for my first. An expensive first gun I suppose but at the time I was worried about the Liberals banning handguns so I thought I would get something higher end.

I have between 1000-1200 rounds through it now and I must say I'm really disappointed with the reliability. It's been failing to extract (at least I think that's what it's doing) consistently with everything I put through it other than Blazer 124 grain (zero malfunctions with this so far, maybe 350 rounds). Of the other 700ish rounds I've put through the gun with other ammo I've had probably 30-40 malfunctions. That just doesn't seem right.

Blazer 115 grain, Federal 115, Remington all result in consistent malfunctions. Today I tried some Critical Duty 135 grain (had 3 malfuncitons out of 50 rounds).

I don't think it's my grip because I shoot slow and really try to focus on not limp wristing the gun.

Any advice would be appreciated because I'm not sure what can be done about this. I honestly wouldn't feel good about selling this gun to someone else because it's so unreliable. Should I contact CZ?
 
Wolverine supplies is the Canadian warranty center I believe. They should be able to help you out.

Something definitely sounds wrong.

Could also be a magazine issue though. Mark your mags and see if it’s the same one giving you issues each time.
 
I've cleaned and oiled the gun after every trip to the range. Made no difference unfortunately :mad:.

I'm using Mec-Gar metal mags. 3 came with the gun and I bought 2 more later from Wolverine. I'm fairly certain I've had malfunctions with both the mags that came with it and the newer ones from Wolverine. They seem like good quality but not sure if they have a good reputation?
 
Very strange and unexpected report. I just got home from the range where I shot my Shadow 2. I've had it since they came some years ago and don't keep careful track of rounds through it. I'm estimating 20k rounds and I can't remember any malfunctions.

The Mec Gar magazines are awesome, the best pistol magazine I've ever used. Better than the factory CZ ones.

I can't think of any advice for your situation. I would have to see it in person, or see video of a few malfunctions. And also probably try your ammo in my gun.

I would recommend escalating to a local expert for their opinion. If you have a local IPSC presence perhaps you could take it to an IPSC event and ask someone there to test run your gun, there will almost certainly be someone familiar with Shadow 2s.

Another avenue would be to contact Wolverine as others have recommended.
 
Demolition said:
I've cleaned and oiled the gun after every trip to the range. Made no difference unfortunately :mad:.

I'm using Mec-Gar metal mags. 3 came with the gun and I bought 2 more later from Wolverine. I'm fairly certain I've had malfunctions with both the mags that came with it and the newer ones from Wolverine. They seem like good quality but not sure if they have a good reputation?
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Try getting a new extractor and extractor spring. If that doesn't work some guys over at the Benos forum have had success with a modified extra power extractor spring (cut off 1 coil, make sure it goes into battery).
 
Where are you located? Try getting an experienced shooter to try it first. Won't cost anything. :) You can also post pics here of your extractor and maybe we can spot some problem with it....

fwiw, recently at the range, a shooter was getting tons of stovepipes shooting his pistol. After I fixed his grip, it was running fine again. So, you never know. It may still be your grip.
 
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adamg said:
Very strange and unexpected report. I just got home from the range where I shot my Shadow 2. I've had it since they came some years ago and don't keep careful track of rounds through it. I'm estimating 20k rounds and I can't remember any malfunctions.

The Mec Gar magazines are awesome, the best pistol magazine I've ever used. Better than the factory CZ ones.

I can't think of any advice for your situation. I would have to see it in person, or see video of a few malfunctions. And also probably try your ammo in my gun.

I would recommend escalating to a local expert for their opinion. If you have a local IPSC presence perhaps you could take it to an IPSC event and ask someone there to test run your gun, there will almost certainly be someone familiar with Shadow 2s.

Another avenue would be to contact Wolverine as others have recommended.
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Ya the Mec-Gar mags seems like great quality, doubt that's the issue. Not sure what the deal is with IPSC currently with COVID but I'll look into that.
Good to hear you have 20k through yours with no issues.

4n2t0 said:
Try getting a new extractor and extractor spring. If that doesn't work some guys over at the Benos forum have had success with a modified extra power extractor spring (cut off 1 coil, make sure it goes into battery).
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I've seen people talk about this. A bit disappointing to need to do this sort of thing on a premium pistol like the Shadow 2 but I guess I should consider trying it.

jimbo14 said:
Where are you located? Try getting an experienced shooter to try it first. Won't cost anything. :) You can also post pics here of your extractor and maybe we can spot some problem with it....

fwiw, recently at the range, a shooter was getting tons of stovepipes shooting his pistol. After I fixed his grip, it was running fine again. So, you never know. It may still be your grip.
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I'm shooting at Ridgedale in Abbotsford. I'd love to have someone really experienced try it out or correct my grip.

I've been doing quite a bit of dry firing at home and really working on my grip but it has a long way to go. The reason I don't think it's my grip is that I can go through 150 rounds of Blazer 124 grain with no issues, then switch to Blazer 115 grain (or other ammo it hasn't liked) and I'll get a FTE within 40 rounds. It's like clockwork.

This morning I wanted to see if the Critical Duty 135 grain would run in it. I went through 50 rounds and had 3 malfunctions. I then went switched to Blazer 124 and it ran 100 rounds no problem. And I actually felt the my grip was getting worse toward the end of the session as I definitely wasn't shooting as well on the last 50.
 
Are you free on Wed night between 6:30 and 9pm for a drive to South Surrey, to Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club? I can try it out, check out your grip, and swap out the recoil spring if needed, to see if that helps. I put a brand new 11-lb recoil spring in my range bag, so I won’t forget. Lol!
 
I think if you are new at this, let some one else try it, and have a good look at the chamber, make sure it is nice and smooth inside.
Run a mag fast and hard, don't worry about the target, lock your wrists .
 
Trinimon said:
Are they brass or AL cased ammo? Could try a lighter 11lb recoil spring.
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Only brass ammo.

jimbo14 said:
Are you free on Wed night between 6:30 and 9pm for a drive to South Surrey, to Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club? I can try it out, check out your grip, and swap out the recoil spring if needed, to see if that helps. I put a brand new 11-lb recoil spring in my range bag, so I won’t forget. Lol!
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Appreciate the offer! Unfortunately my only times to shoot are first thing Saturday or Sunday at the moment. Have a new baby and run a small business so time is very tight!
 
Demolition said:
Appreciate the offer! Unfortunately my only times to shoot are first thing Saturday or Sunday at the moment. Have a new baby and run a small business so time is very tight!
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Congrats on the baby!

Bummer. The only time I can bring guests is Wed nights, and I was just at Abby F&G yesterday morning. You will probably have this resolved by the time I get to Abby next.
 
I Have three Shadow 2's that are run vigorously in competition. My second had the same issues, and it was just a very stiff extractor. The solution was to remove it and the spring and give it and the cavity in the slide a thorough cleaning. Reassemble with good lubrication, and hopefully your problems go away.
 
tulsah said:
I Have three Shadow 2's that are run vigorously in competition. My second had the same issues, and it was just a very stiff extractor. The solution was to remove it and the spring and give it and the cavity in the slide a thorough cleaning. Reassemble with good lubrication, and hopefully your problems go away.
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I'm going to give this a go, thanks for the suggestion. Do I need a punch to remove the pin holding the extractor in?
 
I have a SH2 and have had 2 Shadow 1's with thousands of rounds through all of them and can't recall but one malfunction which may have been ammo or mag related. Never heard of people having such issues so I would definitely think there is a defect or some other malfunction related to ammo/mags.
 
So I have a positive update! I removed, cleaned, and reinstalled the extractor. Just got back from the range and the gun performed great. Had no issues with over 200 rounds of ammo it previously had consistent malfunctions with, including hollow points.

I have a feeling the extractor was installed improperly from the factory, but time will tell. Regardless, this is the first trip to the range I've had with this thing where it's been reliable, so I'm a happy camper right now :d. Thanks everyone for your input! I'll update again after another 500 or so rounds.
 
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