What is sure to be CZ's new top-shelf carry gun hit the market this week, building on the Shadow 2's well-deserved reputation but in a lighter format. 

The new CZ Shadow 2 Compact shares the same DNA as its IPSC Production class big brother, which the company stresses translates to superb accuracy, ergonomics, and handling with a "butter smooth" trigger pull (single action 3.4 pounds; 10.3 for double action).

Trimming the weight from the competition gun, the Compact uses a forged 7075 aluminum frame and a 4-inch barrel. Magazine capacity is 15+1 with a flush-fit double-stack mag. Like the standard Shadow 2, the Compact ships with textured aluminum grips. 

Other standard features include a low-profile ambidextrous manual safety and an interchangeable low-profile magazine release. The pistol is optics-ready (Trijicon RMR/SRO pattern direct mount) but ships with a fiber optic front sight and a height- adjustable checkered rear. It also includes a three-slot Picatinny accessory rail. MSRP is on the order of $1,299. 

For a bit on the thinking behind the gun, TFB TV's James Reeves caught up with CZ Pro Shooter Eric Grauffel at the CZ booth at IWA in Germany earlier this year in a video just posted this week.

And for a deeper dive into an early review, Alex from ANR Design goes for almost 20 minutes on the Shadow 2 Compact.