CZ Shadow 2 Compact Review - Overhyped or a Legend in the making just like its big brother!

CZ won the hearts of the competition scene with the introduction of the Shadow 2 back in 2016. After all those years, the Shadow 2 remains relevant in USPSA, IPSC and even IDPA (with some mods of course). So... did CZ deliver on the compact version? or is overhyped??? Also, be on the look out for the shootout video in which we pit this gun against the Langdon Tactical PX4 Compact as well as the Sig P365 AXG Legion in a battle of "The Performance Carry Shootout"
Also (again), if you liked my Upgraded Prodigy video... Ill be doing this down the road... but I've already ordered all the parts... link below for full parts list with links! www.gentlemangunner.com/blog/cz-shadow-2-compact
#czshadow2 #shadow2compact #uspsa

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

The 1000rd Review is OUT! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXXIYomrr5adjrMsi=6gX22BGb_hyrcZGN

[@williamcarter1381]

I purchased a CZ custom shop S2C a few months ago and love this gun. It’s shoots better than my Staccato CS and is not far behind my Wilson Combat SFX9. I have no regrets in purchasing. Btw, nice video with unbiased content.

[@mooktemas6800]

This gun is super good. And shoots just as good as my staccato C2 for half the price.

[@ChrisSmith-xw7wv]

Man, that was awesome content! Super thorough and objective as usual! Shot Devin's after he did the trigger work and it was super slick.

[@bill1561]

Great video and very helpful. I've been wanting one of these since they first came out but was having real trouble justifying the cost. Your video convinced me that it. just might be time to pull the trigger and order one of these.

[@tekpowertactical]

I picked up one a month ago, and I love it.

[@user-fj7vm9fz2h]

Got mine awhile ago. It took just one magazine to convince me that it is a fantastic shooter. I went from all over the target to shooting the center out of it at legal use range. The sights and trigger even allowed me to speed up and still have accuracy. I’m 70 with a heart condition and meds that affect my shooting but this pistol is awesome. It seems forgiving while still shooting accurately. Soon; very soon I will be using it as my EDC. I hope the popularity doesn’t drive the price up as I would consider a second for my family legacy.

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

I actually picked up a 2nd one a couple of weeks ago for just under $1200… so they’re starting stock them and prices are coming down a touch… but who know how long that will last. Regardless, congrats on the new gun!

[@billtshudy3653]

Love both the Compact and the Shadow 2. Honestly I believe I shoot the Compact as well as my Staccato P.

[@chik3nTendies]

Man, 1st video I've seen of you and have to say, you did a really good job going through this gun explaining it the way you did. Subscribed.

[@InkwellFoto]

Yes, the answer is yes, it is worth it. Im thinking about buying another one so I can modify it.

[@LVbibby]

Sweet video glad you found one to pick up! I like mine a lot the feel and shooting characteristics don't feel compact it is so pleasant and group great.

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

I had a bunch of my squadmates (whom love CZ ironically) shoot it yesterday and they all seem to have the same consensus… “it’s still a shadow… just a touch more lively”

[@wisesage3289]

Consistent good content. Thanks.

[@thegoodsheperd1189]

Excellent pistol, and so is the P-01

[@JakeCamo]

Nice video and nice shirt!

[@Optimization_Coach]

Converted my tanfoglio double action to single and love that gun! Shadow is a sweet pistol for sure.

[@tylerraymond1868]

I really love this gun. It just needs g10 lok grips and it’s good to go for carry or competition. Definitely not for new shooters due to having to manually lower the hammer/no decocker, but so rewarding for competition folks who have taken the time to learn and practice this stuff. Not for everyone, but right up my alley!

[@Kvcustomrods]

Just picked up mine few days ago. Running 17rd mags with a magwell..

[@cz1always608]

Own it IMO Worth every penny!!!!! Thanks

[@ericscott6427]

Great content

[@zachwands7663]

Just bought one just waiting for the background check to pick it up, cant wait

[@monkey6430]

Can you stick a regular shadow slide in there? Always wondered how that would feel. Smaller competition gun not suitably fit carry. Love that 4” barrel in 9mm. Love the content keep it up!

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

So your comment made me go try this… I can CONFIRM that you can in fact take the 4.9” upper/slide and stick it on the Compact frame… and it does dryfire! It also works vice versa as well. Not sure if I’ll go try it in live fire… but it was fun to find out. Also, there’s a slight difference in rear slide length at the end by about 3-4mm… at another time, I might just see if it’s hitting the firing pin at the same geometry

[@jamesdelong6401]

Very nice pistol

[@DDay336]

I LOVE mine!

[@czarmorer]

Excellent review!! I've reviewed mine too but you're a pro at this and covered so many more important details! I know a guy that can get that S2C and make it a trigger clone of your full size. Just saying... LOL

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

I’m trying to get on his long waitlist 😝

[@czarmorer]

@@TheGentlemanGunner 😆

[@redliner1408]

Very interested in seeing if you can bring the compact up to par with the full size.

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

Me too 😂

[@rickstatler5581]

CZ-USA told me it was made for ipsc competition. It was made to fit in the box and it does.

[@ThisHandleIsTaken1]

Right now Greg Cote has their 16 rd mags available and in stock- it is OEM 15 rd mag, and then they give you a +1 baseplate, that perfectly contours to the Shadow 2 compacts grip. You get a full size grip similar to the full size Shadow 2, with the shorter compact optic cut slide. It is pretty slick- I just got my 2 mags- had put an out of stock notification on it, and they popped into stock 2 weeks ago . . .

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

Well… that’s awesome!

[@ThisHandleIsTaken1]

@@TheGentlemanGunner I should mention that they come with the regular 15 rd baseplates installed OEM. So you can choose if you want to run them 15 rd flush or 16 rd slight extended. Of course you can just buy 17/19 rounders, of which I am sure you have a bunch , but the Greg Cote 16 is designed specifically for the Shadow 2 compact- so the extension fits the base of the grip perfectly and extends the grip slightly . . .

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

@@ThisHandleIsTaken1 I’m going to take a closer look at this option. Why? I didn’t mention this in the video… but this gun is legal for IDPA CCP as it sits… with 17rd mags… it doesn’t… so purely a competitive perspective as to why I would do it. Otherwise, I would just happily use my small battalion of my current S2 mags. Thanks again for the suggestion!

[@greggarmin9426]

You can also use the base plate assy from the Shadow 2 on the S2C.

[@greggarmin9426]

This will add an additional 1/2” in length to the mag and making it a plus 2 for a total of 17rds

[@blackstarbucks]

I bought a s2c from the cz configurator! My plan is its going to replace my cz p10c as my daily ccw but I will still rotate my p10c in for summer and while wearing tighter shirts since I dont have a optic on it

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

I’ve gotta try the CZ configurator one day… maybe a TS2 in the future!

[@dk99745]

For mags when they do become available do you get the CZ P01 15’s? New sub here. Thx for the content. Love mine!

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

That’s correct and thank you for the Sub 👍🏻

[@somebrains5431]

Was waiting for the shorter barrel and slide to settle at speed better than the S2.

[@Voltis-5]

Got mine for $1160 at Range USA and a coworker bought his through Gun broker for $1600......some folks just buy without hesitation 😅

[@SEAKPhotog]

Nice review! The price is a bit of a poke in the eye when compared to on sale full-sized shadow 2 ORs, especially given that the compact has an aluminum frame. I actually wasn't planning on buying one, even as CZ collector/lover, but when one popped up in my feed for $1250 while I was having a terrible week at work, YOLO took over and I impluse bought it. Still haven't shot it but did go ahead and install a lighter mainspring and CGW reach reduction kit. I also polished the internals while I had it cracked open. That work greatly improved the trigger, which was honestly disappointing out of the box. I've also got a Lok grip magwell on its way to me - I think it'll make the grip even more comfortable. I saw the CZ Armorer did a polishing tutorial on a Compact that wasnt his. Im guessing it's yours?😉 I think a steel framed compact would be awesome but I'm not gonna hold my breath. I love my steel framed P01. Any thoughts about comparing it to a DWX compact OR ?

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

That was not mine unfortunately… However… once the filming of the shootout is over… it’ll be in his hands 😎 As far as the DWX Compact… I think that would be a great comparison. It just drives me nuts it’s not Optic Ready and trying to unload a non-optic pistol and/or fight of the temptation to mill it is what has kept me from even getting a DWX in general. But I’ve shot one before and like them… so one day (maybe)!

[@LVbibby]

The full size optic ready DWX is supposedly out this summer hopefully the fall for the compact OR?

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

@@LVbibby and in CZ fashion… none will be in inventory when they release it 🤣🤣🤣

[@SEAKPhotog]

@@LVbibby I think they're already trickling out into the wild - the full sized version anyway - if you're quick.

[@SEAKPhotog]

@TheGentlemanGunner Nice! I finally got mine to the indoor range to punch paper, try out different ammo brands and see if my disco fitting worked. It does indeed shoot like a bigger gun. The ergos are nice. It's more accurate than I am of course.

[@mdc9518]

I love CZ. Have a CGW P-01, S2 and EVO 3+ SBR. That gun is overhyped for sure. Carry guns have to be drop safe

[@ttropp]

Im really interested in this gun as a CCW but what makes me hesitate is no de-cocker. Ive shot a S2 in USPSA so i get the lowering the hammer thing, but for a carry gun that i would use in shooting classes and general practice, it just seems very unnatural for me to not have a de-cocker. I have a P07 with CGW trigger work done that i like a lot, but the S2 compact keeps calling....😐. So for owners, is it just not a big deal for you as a CCW gun to know yiu will have to manually lower the hammer after every shot or shot string?

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

That’s gonna take another level of discipline and comfort. The positive is there is at least a thumb safety for the stuff you do at the range… and I only thought about that after playing with the spurless hammer on the LTT PX4 where it has no other safety other than de-cocking from SA… so you have to always run DA from a competitive and functional standpoint.

[@ttropp]

@@TheGentlemanGunner appreciate the response!

[@TheStrick67]

imo… As a carry gun I'm going to manually lower the hammer into decock and holster the gun, and place it in position its not as though I'm going to be manipulating the hammer anymore all day long. At the range I don't have an issue lowering at all, practicing the DA squeeze last trip to the range I shot 100 rounds DA not 1 AD/ND.

[@MRsolidcolor]

this gun is about the same weight as my p09.. damn

[@tekpowertactical]

Without the optic, what division did you shoot your Shadow 2 Compact in?

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

Sorry, just saw this comment. IDPA - CCP and SSP

[@deanmiles3505]

It seems like a great pistol but if they allow price gouging by the industry and don’t make the support products (mags) why would I buy one. The industry is just trying to take advantage of the supply demand and not making a reasonable profit at MSRP.

[@joltran3276]

My biggest issue is the lack of firing pin block. I have that on my 500$ p09 and I’d love one on this too.

[@tekpowertactical]

What Red Dot do you recommend?

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

I’ll probably end up tossing an SRO on it eventually. But if you think you may actually carry it… Holosun 507c or RMR. Recently, Cyelee has sent me some optics to play with and for the price… is a good option

[@pauvilreutov2975]

I own a Cyelee optic. I don't recommend them. On mine the red dot stays on target on the left side of the window, but on the right side of the window it drifts off target about an inch at 15 feet. I got a Swapfox and it is much better. I wouldn't recommend a red dot for less than $200, they seem to make too many compromises to fit the budget.

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

@@pauvilreutov2975 what was your experience with Cyelee when you told them about it?

[@pauvilreutov2975]

@@TheGentlemanGunner I only realized what the problem was after several months of missing the targets and getting frustrated. I haven't contacted them yet to get it fixed.

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

@@pauvilreutov2975 gotcha, I only ask because I like hearing peoples actual experience with gear they get. Often times, gear and guns we get from manufactures are usually the nicer picks of the batches (not saying this is Cyelee)… so if something breaks from one of them, I like hearing how a manufacture actually addresses and they handle it.

[@Osprey1994]

Dude, you make that gun look small AF.

[@silverbackgorilla2112]

I've been a huge CZ fan for over 40 years, but the Shadow 2 Compact was the first CZ I didn't like. I sold it.

[@TheGentlemanGunner]

I’m curious, what stood out to you?

[@silverbackgorilla2112]

@@TheGentlemanGunner I don't know, I shot it well, but it just didn't "speak to me" I guess.

[@lomesh08]

I have mine and I don’t know some reason i am ready to sell mine to i did order couple legacy holster but still i am not comfortable to carry aiwb

[@neils2357]

The inflections at the end of your sentences make your statements sound like questions. Like an Aussie.

[@joltran3276]

☝️🤓

[@TheGeorgianGuy]

They’re releasing the updated p01 in October which will be a better carry than this

[@WesTexan]

They announced this?

[@TheGeorgianGuy]

@@WesTexan not officially but they’re coming out with a new p10 with a fcu, a new P01, and a new micro compact probably in October. The micro compact is probably a shadow 2 micro

[@WesTexan]

@@TheGeorgianGuy I hope so.

[@awokeone7997]

​@TheGeorgianGuy where did you hear about the P10 with the fcu? Any pics?

[@TheGeorgianGuy]

@@awokeone7997 kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWHQdqyadsdqfaMsi=nnZLL8yN1FPSvV8u

[@awokeone7997]

Idk if the S2C will replace my P10c. Its almost 3x the price, heavier, worst trigger. P10 series are probably the most underrated striker fired handgun.