Thoughts on CZ 75 Shadow, and Kadet kit conflict?

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Polymath

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Hello all,
After learning to shoot and honing my skills with my .22, I'm looking to take the next step and get my first 9mm. Along with the usual suspects of a Glock 17 and M&P, I've been seriously considering a CZ 75, particularly the SP-01 Shadow, because of the all-steel frame, the fact that it's hammer-fired, and the overall value. Another thing that appeals to me is the possible use of a Kadet kit to get some cheaper range time. Unfortunately, after Googling the compatibility of the Shadow and the Kadet kit, things get complicated. The CZ site notes that the Kadet kit is incompatible with the Shadow, and says that a kit for the SP will be out "in the coming months", however further investigation reveals that message has been on the website since at least 2010.

In forums, some people swear the Kadet fits beautifully on their Shadow, others say a little filing is necessary, while still others have horror stories about it not working at all. Some people have said they bought a "Kadet 2" and that it MIGHT be different than the "Kadet 1".

So I thought I'd ask you guys and gals - have you had experience with the Kadet and the Shadow? Do they work? Is there a difference between the Kadet 1 and 2?
Finally, what are your general thoughts about the CZ 75? Here's your chance to sway a newcomer to your specific gun cult. =)

Thanks!
 
They make the Kadet a bit oversized and it generally needs a bit of filling to fit so that it's nice and tight.
I run a Kadet on a SP01 Tactical and it runs fine with high velocity ammo. I could probably change the mainspring to a lower weight to help with some .22lr ammo but I haven't bothered as it runs pretty good on Bulk Federal and great with Mini mags.
 
i've seen soem kits that have worked with the shadow frame. it needs to be fitted by a gunsmith. if you are using a 13lb mainspring in your frame it might not work with all 22lr ammo.

best bet is to get a cz75/85 to use with your kit.
 
New Shadow and Kadet

Just bought the new Canadian Shadow from CRAFM - beautiful gun! Had to do some filing to fit the Kadet 2 kit, but very minor and only at point B (front end) as indicated in the manual. However, probably due to the lighter springs in this model as well as needing to break in the gun, it will give light strikes with all the ammo tried so far - Winchester double X, CCI Mini Mags, etc. Around every 3rd round FTF. Probably going to swap out the main spring for a heavier one (supplied with the gun). The 9mm is awesome.
 
my kadet kit works perfectly with my shadow. They all should.

As mentioned, the lighter mainspring may not reliably set off all ammo, so just swap in a heavier one if you have replaced the factory.

As for the fitting of the kit, 5 min with a fine file to get the rails on the kadet kit slide to perfectly fit your shadow frame is all it takes.
The kit comes with instructions and shows you where to fit it.
Very simple.
 
After renting a whole lot of guns to try I finally went with the CZ option because I simply liked how it felt when it shot and the feel of the DA/SA trigger over the striker fired guns. I later found a used pre-b 75 which I bought. Both are superb shooting guns and are not going anywhere but out to the range with me. If you've found the same thing applies to you then they are the gun for you.

However I'm not a fan of the Kadet kit or any conversion kit and doing a lot of swapping.

The commonly given reason is that it let's you practice with the same trigger and gun. Now that makes sense IF the CZ's are the ONLY handguns you have and the only handguns you ever intend to buy. And if you're SO focused on getting good with only the one style of gun then why not invest in a whole Kadet? That way you don't need to pause while converting and lose your flow and focus of your practicing. Oh sure, the Kadet is a lot of money. But if you're so focused on this style of shooting that you will only ever buy a Shadow or some other center fire CZ and a Kadet for the .22 practicing then paying for a whole second gun over a conversion kit isn't that pricey.

But if you're like many of us and own a variety of handguns then this aspect simply doesn't apply since you will have to adapt to a variety of grip angles and shapes anyway. If you're going to own and shoot a variety of guns then you may as well get a whole separate .22 which can shoot on its own and avoid the swap over time. Not to mention that the conversion kits are often as much or more costly than a nice shooting .22 pistol.
 
I purchased brand new Shadow and Kadet kit a couple of years ago as my first restricted purchase. It took me about 5 min fiddling with a file (I was soooo super careful to do it slowly!!) a tad for the unit to fit on the Shadow slide rails. I used a file that was in my leatherman tool. The gun remains stock and it fires ALL .22 I put through it. Usually the cheapest, but I've tried the hyper vel. expensive stuff as well. It runs like a top!

Takes me about 20 seconds to change from 9mm to .22 at the range table.

I bought mine for all the reasons BCRider states folks do. Honestly I'm not sure how valid the points are for me at this point however. But, I sure don't find that the switch is bothersome or time consuming in the least. It takes me longer to load half the mag with .22's! Would I buy them again like that?.... not too sure but I do like them, and it's one less firearm and more room in my gun tote!
 
Single Action, with frequent practice I don't doubt that you can swap uppers in 20 seconds. For how I use and used my .22's as training aids during my first sessions and still do that 20 seconds is still too much.

Back when I started and the Shadow had me "enjoying" a healthy amount of flinch my standard practice to kick this was to shoot a mag or two of .22. I'd get into "The Zen Zone" and simply pick up and insert a mag of 9mm and shoot. As the flinch started to come back I'd drop the mag and clear the gun and go back to some .22. Then I'd "flow" back to the 9mm as my "Chi" was re-energized... :D For this to work FOR ME it all had to flow. If I'd stopped for even 10 seconds to swap uppers it would have been too long. For me simply adapting to a different trigger and grip angle was transparent compared to swapping uppers to have the same grip and trigger.

.... then I got my first revolver and a 1911 and all that grip angle and trigger similarity issue went right down the toilet.... :D
 
I shoot my Kadet kit more then the 9mm because it's so fun,cheap and accurate.
Beyond BCriders technique for overcoming flinch which requires 2 guns there are not many other negatives about the Kadet kit. It's one of the few conversions that generally works well and is accurate plus it's got some heft to it unlike some lightweight allum slides.

It's been a while since I swapped slides but less then a minute is easily attainable.
 
BCRider said:
Single Action, with frequent practice I don't doubt that you can swap uppers in 20 seconds. For how I use and used my .22's as training aids during my first sessions and still do that 20 seconds is still too much.

Back when I started and the Shadow had me "enjoying" a healthy amount of flinch my standard practice to kick this was to shoot a mag or two of .22. I'd get into "The Zen Zone" and simply pick up and insert a mag of 9mm and shoot. As the flinch started to come back I'd drop the mag and clear the gun and go back to some .22. Then I'd "flow" back to the 9mm as my "Chi" was re-energized... :D For this to work FOR ME it all had to flow. If I'd stopped for even 10 seconds to swap uppers it would have been too long. For me simply adapting to a different trigger and grip angle was transparent compared to swapping uppers to have the same grip and trigger.

.... then I got my first revolver and a 1911 and all that grip angle and trigger similarity issue went right down the toilet.... :D
Click to expand...

Sounds like quite a good flinch away technique. I can understand the breaking zen thing for sure.
 
I wonder where did you guys get the Kadet kit from? I'm looking for one that will be put on my SP-01 (as same reason I want the same trigger pull practice for less). Thank you.
 
I ordered mine from the States back when freedom ruled over fear.....they pop up on the EE but if you buy used the fit may or may not be tight.
Try a dealer that stocks CZ's.
I've had good dealings with http://www.gunsnthings.com/
 
got mine from wolverine

love it work great very accurate , get the occasional stoppage but that's using cheap bulk crap and not cleaning it much
 
Both Kadet and Kadet-2 are compatible with Shadow.

Kadet-2 was made to make it compatible with P-07 and a few more guns that original Kadet kit wasn't.

Main spring for use with Kadet kit should be of at least 15# with 16-17# recommended.

Filing may be required as kits come slightly oversized to make sure tight fit on 'loose' frames too. Fitting is described in Kadet manual, with pictures.
 
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