The Shadow 2 Polycoat is tasked for competition. (Photo: CZ Custom/Facebook)
CZ Custom is rolling out two new and updated pistols for the U.S. market this Spring. One is a production-ready competition pistol at a great price and the other is a flexible all-purpose pistol for self-defense.
First up is the updated Shadow 2 Polycoat, a worthy successor to the original Shadow competition pistol. This gun has a full-size steel frame with an extended, single-slot dust cover. This helps bring the overall weight up to a solid 46 ounces dry for fast, flat shooting.
Chambered for 9mm Luger, the Shadow 2 comes with three flush-fitting 17-round competition magazines. Of course, it also runs great on standard extended CZ 75 mags, too.
Other great competition features include a slim fiber-optic front sight and height-adjustable target rear sight. The pistol has front and rear cocking serrations on the slide along with extended controls including a generously oversized magazine release.
The frame sports a set of flush-fitting machined aluminum grips with a matte black finish to match the frame. Both the front- and backstrap have fine checkering for improved handling. It also has a nice beavertail and a large square, undercut trigger guard for a high-up grip.
Internally CZ Custom left the Shadow 2 Polycoat alone — this lets buyers tune the trigger to their personal preferences. Just the same the pistol comes standard with a skeletonized competition trigger and pre-B disconnector to improve the trigger in single action. The single action trigger has a light 3.5-pound pull with standard springs. The double action trigger weighs in at 10 pounds before any work.
With a base price of $1,299 the Shadow 2 Polycoat is not cheap but it is inexpensive for its class. While it will clearly shine with a little extra trigger work overall it stays inside a good price range for a top-flight competition pistol. And of course, CZ Custom is happy to provide any trigger tuning for a little extra.
The Semi-Compact is for someone looking for their “one gun.” (Photo: CZ/Facebook)
The second pistol is the new Semi-Compact. Shooting icon Jeff Cooper famously said “Beware the man with one gun. He can probably use it.” The CZ 75 Semi-Compact is true to that ideal.
The Semi-Compact pairs a compact slide assembly with a full-size CZ 75 B frame. This handgun is tailored for everyday carry and nightstand duty with a few competition-oriented features making it a real do-everything pistol.
The shorter slide and barrel is easier to conceal, and so is the standard short dust cover. The Semi-Compact is compatible with all standard CZ Compact holsters. To make up for the shorter sight radius the Semi-Compact has an extended rear tactical sight and high-visibility fiber optic target front sight.
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The full-size frame offers a generous four-fingered grip and improved magazine capacity. CZ Compact pistols have a 14+1-round capacity with flush mags. The Semi-Compact uses standard 16-round CZ 75 magazines and can use extended magazines for home protection and competition.
The Semi-Compact is a factory-tuned gun with a lightened trigger. The single action trigger is a predictable 4 pounds and in double action the trigger pull is very manageable at 8 pounds.
While it’s a little more expensive at $1,482 these guns will still move fast. Whether you’re interested in the competition-minded CZ Shadow 2 Polycoat or the all-purpose Semi-Compact act fast because these custom CZs never last long.