CZ Shadow 2 Carry: 1000 Round Review

The CZ Shadow 2 Carry - what CZ fans have been hoping for.

CZ Shadow 2 Carry 1

Let’s start off by saying I am a big CZ fan, but this gun was bought and paid for by us. We have not received any compensation for this review.

I was excited when CZ announced the Shadow 2 Carry was finally going to be released. This was what a lot of CZ fans have been asking for. They wanted something similar to their range/competition pistol, but with some extra safety features geared towards concealed carry. This gun includes a decocker and firing pin block plus many other features. Let’s start with first impressions.

First Impressions
The Shadow 2 Carry arrived in a new case that you may not be familiar with if you own other CZs. This one shipped in a semi-hard case instead of the foam-lined plastic cases.

CZ Shadow 2 Carry 2

First thing to do with any new pistol is field stripping, cleaning, and lubricating properly. The Shadow 2 Carry takes down the same as any other CZ 75 or Shadow would by removing the takedown lever. This is done by pulling the slide back and aligning the line hash marks on the right side. You can then remove the slide stop.

CZ Shadow 2 Carry 3

Take a look at the manual for recommended oiling points, this is always where friction and wear would normally occur. Once fully cleaned and lubricated the Shadow 2 Carry was ready for some range time. Before going to the range, lets discuss some of the similarities and differences between the most similar pistol in the CZ lineup, the P-01.

CZ Shadow 2 Carry 4

Comparison Shadow 2 Carry vs P-01
The P-01 is what most people will compare to as they both have the same trigger set up. They are both decockers and both have a fpb (firing pin block).

CZ Shadow 2 Carry 5

Differences
• Shadow 2 Carry Barrel Length is 4” compared to 3.75”
• More aggressive checkering for the Sadow 2 Carry on front and backstrap of frame.
• Bigger undercut trigger guard on Shadow 2 Carry.
• Bigger beavertail on Shadow 2 Carry.
• Ambi-decocker on Shadow 2 Carry
• Flipped slide stop on Shadow 2 Carry
• Shadow 2 Carry bushing is pinned separate from front sight
• P-01 – DA: 9 lbs 2oz SA: 5 lbs 2oz
• Shadow 2 Carry – DA: 8 lbs 14 oz SA: 4lbs 10 oz

Fit and Finish
The Shadow 2 Carry feels premium, the nitride and black polycoat finish is durable and looks great at the same time. I could not find any flaw in the finish or see any visible machine marks.

CZ Shadow 2 Carry 6

The biggest draw to the Shadow 2 Carry, aside from the trigger, is being optics ready out of the box. It is cut with a RMSc footprint. We decided to mount the Holosun EPS Carry and this mounted direct without the need for an adapter plate. The EPS Carry is almost a perfect fit widthwise; it is just a hair narrower than the slide cut and looks as good as it functions.

Function
The Shadow 2 Carry functioned flawless. There was not a single malfunction, hiccup, or issue. It ate any ammo we threw at it. We tested the following ammo:

Federal HST +P 124 (200 rounds)
Sellier & Bellot 124 gr (400 rounds)
Blazer 124 gr (300 rounds)
Winchester Target & Practice 115 gr (100 rounds)

Ergonomics
If you are familiar with the CZ P-01, 75 Compact, or Shadow 2 Compact, the Shadow 2 Carry will feel just at home. The compact frame size allows 15 round magazines and provides plenty of room for a full grip.

The Shadow 2 Carry has an Ambi Decocker, unlike its P-01 cousin. This would be useful for those that are left-handed. The magazine release can also be switched for those lefties out there. The factory grips are a little thin for my liking, but this can be changed easily. We touch on this when talking about accessories for the Shadow 2 Carry. Trigger position is great for average size hands, if you have a little trouble reaching comfortably, Cajun Gun Works does make a reduced reach kit.

Accessories & Modifications

CZ Shadow 2 Carry

Like other CZs, there is large aftermarket support for accessories and different modifications. The first accessory we added was a red dot for the Shadow 2 Carry. It being the RMSc / Holosun K footprint we decided to mount one of the more popular options and went with the Holosun EPS Carry. Mounting was easy, just remove the factory plate. The screws did have blue Loctite but were removed fairly easily with the proper torx bit and force. Most of this review was completed with the EPS Carry mounted and it never lost zero, loosened up, or had any issue at all. At the same time, we mounted the EPS Carry we added the Streamlight TLR-7 HLX. Unlike its steel framed big brother, the Shadow 2 Carry is an alloy frame and the TLR-7 HLX helps ad some weight.

The next modification many CZ owners make is changing the grips. You can really tailor the grips for your size hands. Some people like palm swell grips to fill their hands more, others like thin grips for a slimmer feel or smaller hands. After going through our first 1000 rounds we decided to change the grips out for some Vytal Manufacturing Kraken Palm Swell grips.

Lastly, we did Cajunize the Shadow 2 Carry after we put those first 1000 rounds through it. We polished and installed the full Cajun Gun Works Pro Kit and the difference was amazing. Trigger felt smoother and lighter in both SA and DA. We will provide a full update in a followup article once we put at least another 500 down range. We will also have a more detailed follow-up on mods for this shadow 2 Carry, so keep an eye out.

Overall
The CZ Shadow 2 Carry is what I and many other CZ fans have been hoping for. Is the trigger as good as a full-size Shadow 2 or a Shadow 2 Compact? No. This is a compromise to add that firing pin block to keep it 100% drop safe. Is this a great option if you want to carry something similar to what you compete and train with? Yes! Will this gun replace my EDC? Probably not. Or at least not all year round. For me, the Florida heat makes concealing thicker pistols a little more difficult. The Micro 9s remain king in my mind for most days in the swamp we call Florida.

SPECS
Manufacture: CZ (Ceská zbrojovka)
Model: Shadow 2 Carry
Caliber: 9x19
Magazine Capacity: 15
Optic Ready: RMSc / Holosun K
Sights: Luminescent front and rear
Barrel Lenth: 4”
Length: 7.5”
Height: 5.4”
Width: 1.5”
Weight: 30.7 oz (empty mag)
MSRP: $1599

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By W. Hunter Powell
Guns International.com