CZ-USA CZ Shadow 2 Handgun

I just acquired the latest and greatest competition gun from CZ-USA... The CZ Shadow 2! 😍 I found this two-tone Shadow 2 at my local gun store and traded in my CZ-75 Stainless Limited Edition that was just collecting dust in the safe.  I plan to use this new gun in USPSA's Production division.  Unfortunately, the Shadow 2 is too heavy for IDPA rules, so I'll continue to use my CZ-75 SP-01 for IDPA.  The Shadow 2 is ready to go out of the box for competition use.  It already has fiber optic adjustable competition sights, a smooth trigger pull, thin safety levers, aluminum checkered grips, and excellent checkering on the front and back straps.  The only thing I've done to the gun is install a 11.5# hammer spring, a 10# recoil spring, an extended firing pin, a reduced power firing pin spring, and a reduced power trigger spring (all from Cajun Gun Works).  With these springs and a little bit of polishing on the internal trigger components, it already feels much better than my modified SP-01 and has a much shorter trigger reset.  Trigger pull weights are now under 6.0 lbs double action and under 2.5 lbs single action. As a bonus, the Shadow 2 is compatible with all the mags that I use in the SP-01, so there's no need for me to purchase any new magazines for it. I'm very excited to start using this gun during the 2018 season! 😀

UPDATE February 2018:  I've decided to have the Shadow 2's slide milled for an optic by CZ Custom with their new multi-optic plate cut and use this gun in the Carry Optics division of USPSA rather than in the Production division, since my old eyes really prefer a red dot sight for competition. This gun is perfect for USPSA's Carry Optics and I'll use my optic-equipped CZ P-09 in IDPA's new Carry Optics division. Unfortunately, CZ Custom has a 10-week turn around on milling work, so I'll just keep using my CZ Scorpion EVO Carbine in the PCC division of USPSA until this gun is ready.

 
 

DIY High Visibility Front Sight Modification

I recently came across an article on pistol-training.com (linked below) for a DIY High Visibility Front Sight modification and figured I would try it out on my new mostly stock CZ P-07 and Glock 19 Gen4. I've heard about using florescent paint on the front sight before, but I wasn't sure how that would work around the tritium vial of night sights. I've installed factory tritium 3-dot sights on both of the guns (mainly because I already had the CZ sights), so using the hole punched pinstripe tape seemed like a great method. I've gotta say... my old eyes really like it! 😁 Why not just buy Trijicon HD sights? Because the HD sights aren't available for all the different guns I carry. Plus, I've got enough pinstripe tape to do this several hundred times for only $5. I liked this modification so much that I went ahead and modified all of my carry guns. 😎

http://pistol-training.com/articles/the-johno-diy-high-visibility-front-sight

  

UPDATE: October 2018

I'm now using florescent green pinstripe tape on my red dot sight guns to contrast with the dot while still using red on my non-optic guns. I've also simplified the installation process by using a 1/16" hole punch to cut out the hole for the tritium lamp to show through, and then a larger 1/8" hole punch to cut the outside edge into a perfect hi-viz ring. The 1/8" outside diameter will fit most tritium front sight posts without any trimming. Once the hi-viz ring has been punched out, gently position it on the front sight post and press it down firmly with your finger. You may have to add a little heat to activate the adhesive depending on the brand of tape that you use. Once the hi-viz ring is in position it can be sealed onto the front sight post by putting a little dab of clear fingernail polish over it.  This keeps it protected from most cleaning solutions and lube, but is easily removed with a little fingernail polish remover.