HISTORY
CZ came out with the famous CZ 75 9mm pistol while still behind the Iron Curtain in 1975. With its swept-back grip and smooth double-action trigger, it became sought after by shooters everywhere.
Fast-forward to 2016, and the Czech shooting team competing in the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) requested an improved CZ 75. CZ excelled in its creation of this pistol: the CZ Shadow 2.
Related Review: CZ’s Shadow 2 in 9mm Is A Classy Competition-Ready Gun
Now, the compact version of that pistol has a new purpose: personal defense. Why not take a proven and reliable competition gun and shrink it into a practical carry gun? Great idea, CZ!
MY IMPRESSIONS
I love the CZ Shadow 2 full-sized pistol. It is one of my favorites for competition and informal shooting. However, it is purposely heavy as a boat anchor and not practical for concealed carry. The compact version has the key features I love, minus nearly 1 pound in weight.
Three features of the Shadow 2 Compact make it stand out. First, the grip fits me like a glove. Despite its double-stack magazine, the grip feels nearly as narrow as my 1911 pistol. Its angle relative to the slide allows my hand to align with my eye when I aim.
Second is the trigger. Although a double/single-action design, it squeezed and lets off nearly as nicely as my Smith and Wesson revolver. I believe anyone can transition from a revolver to the CZ Compact with ease. Finally, the aluminum receiver cuts weight drastically while retaining the shape and good looks of the original Shadow 2.
When I take aim with the CZ Compact, I notice the incredibly low-profile slide. The slide height is a tad over half an inch tall. This amazing feature is crucial to accuracy. It maintains a lower center of gravity, allowing faster follow-up shots by controlling recoil and kick. Sights are also lower and easier to pick up.
Sights & Controls
I like iron sights, and CZ has simplified them. Instead of two rear dots, the Compact has a simple square notch that naturally aligns with the red fiber-optic front sight blade. I do not feel at a loss for dots on my rear sight. It is adjustable for elevation by turning a built-in screw. Best of all, CZ has included a removable rear sight plate. This allows mounting of a modern red dot sight if desired. Simply remove two screws, slide out the sight plate, and replace it with your choice of optic plate.
Handling and shooting the Shadow 2 Compact is instinctive and simple for me. Although it has a receiver-mounted manual safety, I choose not to use it. As with a double-action revolver, I carry the Compact loaded with one in the chamber and the hammer set to double action. This way, I can draw and fire without thinking or learning a new safety device, which would slow my first shot.
Controls are exaggerated on the Compact. It comes with an extended magazine release, and its slide hold-open release protrudes within easy reach of my thumb. I like the thoughtful cocking serrations on the forward and rear portions of the slide as well as the front of the trigger guard. If I choose to attach a laser or flashlight, the 2-inch Picatinny rail will make it happen.
These features combined with nicely checkered metal grips give me confidence while holding and taking aim. It seems like an extension of my hands and arms as I point.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Caliber: 9mm
- Weight: 1.875 pounds
- Overall Length: 7.5 inches
- Height: 5 inches
- Width: 1.125 inches
- Trigger: Double/single action; double action 10.5 pounds, single action 4 pounds
- Barrel: 4 inches, hammer-forged steel
- Sights: U-notch rear adjustable for elevation, fiber-optic front
- Optics-Ready: Removable sight plate
- Magazine: 15-round capacity, steel double stack (two included)
- Extended magazine release
- Ambidextrous receiver-mounted safety
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MSRP: $1,390.99
SHOOTIN’ TIME!
It is a beautiful spring day in Arizona, and Area 51 is primed for a thorough test. The Shadow 2 Compact will be loaded with PMC Bronze 115-grain hollow points and 124-grain full metal jacket ammo. This is a new firearm provided directly from CZ. It comes with two 15-round steel magazines, cleaning rod, brush, and trigger lock. I will shoot it as delivered without any electronic sight.
Engaging the soda cans at less than 10 yards proves easy for the Compact. When hit with hollow points, they explode and tear the aluminum to shreds! The 2-liter root beer bottles are equally explosive and seem to lift off. Trigger control is amazing and crisp.
The open sights are easy to see, especially the red fiber-optic front blade. It is a comfortable gun to hold and absorbs recoil well. Shots on my steel target are easy to center, and the heavy steel flapper moves from one side to the other when hit by the lightweight hollow points.
Accuracy & Reliability
Time to change magazines. Did you know that the Shadow 2 Compact also can accept larger 17-round magazines from the full-sized Shadow 2? They fit and extend a bit below the grip but function flawlessly.
Will this pipsqueak hit a long-range target? At 50 yards is a milk bottle-shaped steel target. I must squeeze carefully and hold a few inches high but hear the nice “ding” with each of three hits. This pistol is not a pipsqueak; it is a powerhouse in a small package! That is amazing accuracy from a 4-inch barrel.
Finishing the shooting, I blast away at the steel plate, swinger steel, long-range steel, and rattle a mag dump as fast as can be fired. No jams or malfunctions were encountered in today’s test. The pistol is reliable.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- Highest quality
- Accurate
- Lightweight
- Concealable
- Ambidextrous safety
- Good open sights
- Excellent single-action trigger pull
- Electronic optics-ready
- Deep checkering feels and looks great
- Comes with two steel 15-round magazines
Cons:
- No interchangeable rear grip straps
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Heavy double-action trigger pull
FINAL THOUGHTS
I love the CZ Shadow 2 Compact. It is lightweight, compact, well-made, accurate, and reliable. It is a very good choice for concealed carry or casual target shooting. There may be lighter pistols out there, but the solid feel and pointability are worth it to me.
I like the ability to carry it safely with or without the manual safety engaged. The Shadow 2 Compact will come up to fire quickly and accurately. I may not choose it for competition, but it fills the role of defense gun very well. Pick one up today, and you will feel the difference, too!
