Shadow Systems guns?

[jmr40]

What about them. I went into a LGS this afternoon to pick up some ammo and overheard a clerk trying to sell one to another customer. I walked over, listened and asked a couple of questions after the other customer walked away. I'm not necessarily wanting to buy one, just trying to get educated. But who knows, I might be convinced.

The clerk is a retired cop who carried and liked his Glocks well enough, but he thinks this is enough of an improvement to justify one. I've dealt with this guy before, and he seems knowledgeable and someone whose opinion I'd trust.

I'm getting to that age where I don't keep up with new stuff as much as I used to. And I don't want to be one of those guys. So, educate me.

 

[actionexpress]

They basically took a lot of things people didn’t like about Glock pistols and corrected them. Where they’re rather innovative is the back strap design and optic mount system.

The back straps essentially change the grip angle/point of aim of the pistol. Regular is your standard Glock, and another changes it to more of an 1911/M&P angle. I can’t recall the third.

The optic mount system doesn’t require a plate, it’s drilled for everything, and uses little spacers to fill the gaps.

They’re good guns, have had two in the past. Don’t expect a better trigger than a Glock, but they’re on par with most strikers.

One other thing of note; in the event you use your shadow systems pistol in a self defense situation and your firearm is taken from you into evidence- they’ll send you another pistol.

 

[jmr40]

That fills in some blanks. All I got today was that they were an "improved" Glock, but with no details. That they use standard Glock mags and holsters is a plus and the basic pistols weren't much, if any more expensive than a Glock.

I guess the next question is, do they match Glock reliability and durability?

 

[InTheSwamp]

They basically took a lot of things people didn’t like about Glock pistols and corrected them.

They changed them to their liking, and some others - I stick to my Glocks.

 

[JR24]

Main advantages of them are the options for grips (one is glockish, one is allegedly 1911ish and the other I think I supposed to be more like an M&P) which some like, I didn’t really notice much difference but Glocks fit me fine.

Second, bigger, advantage is if you want an optic. The mounting system is much better than the Glock plates, IMO.

Other than that and some pretty decent sights they are pretty much just more expensive Glocks.

In my personal opinion, I’d only want one if I was serious about running optics.

 

[jmr40]

The grip angle argument is a non-issue for me. I currently own Glocks, Sig's (365, M17, and M18) as well as Smith M&P and have owned most all of the common pistols at some time in the past. I switch between them and have never been handicapped either way by a different grip. I think that is more in peoples head than a real problem.

I've been pretty content with Glocks most of the time. The only advantage my current Sigs and M&P's have is that all of them have a 1911 style safety. There are situations where I'm less comfortable having a round chambered with no manual safety. In my nightstand, glovebox, and sleeping bag when camping among others. That is where the guns with safeties are used.

If carrying, and in a holster, I'm fine with a Glock or any other gun with no manual safety.

Sounds like these may be a good option for someone who is bothered by the grip. But so far, I'm not seeing any features that make me want to buy one over what I already have.

 

[vindag]

The grip angle argument is a non-issue for me. I currently own Glocks, Sig's (365, M17, and M18) as well as Smith M&P and have owned most all of the common pistols at some time in the past. I switch between them and have never been handicapped either way by a different grip. I think that is more in peoples head than a real problem.

I've been pretty content with Glocks most of the time. The only advantage my current Sigs and M&P's have is that all of them have a 1911 style safety. There are situations where I'm less comfortable having a round chambered with no manual safety. In my nightstand, glovebox, and sleeping bag when camping among others. That is where the guns with safeties are used.

If carrying, and in a holster, I'm fine with a Glock or any other gun with no manual safety.

Sounds like these may be a good option for someone who is bothered by the grip. But so far, I'm not seeing any features that make me want to buy one over what I already have.

I could never understand people complaining about this grip angle or that grip angle. About 20 years ago, I bought 3 Glocks, and 2 Springfield XD's. These pistols have very different grip angles, but I have a tendency to adapt to the particular gun, whether it's the trigger or grip angle. I shoot all of the polymer strikers about the same, which is decent. Now I can shoot my 1911's, other metal guns, or Python better than all of the plastics.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

The primary advantage is the optic cut, which is direct mount and low enough to lower one-third cowitness with standard-height iron sights, boosted by the fact that the Shadow Systems sights were already much better than the standard Glock ones. However, they had to redesign the slide parts a bit to get this to fit.

Everything else is basically a Glock with maybe 0-20% improvement depending on your preferences. To me the grip texture is better than the Gen 4 or 5 Glock texturing. The trigger is pretty much the same, maybe a smidge better, but really within the general range of striker triggers. If you like compensators, it's easy to get a Shadow compensated with factory parts as they have compensators that fit directly to the factory threaded barrels.

 

[Riomouse911]

As the guys said, they came up with some options and improvements for their models that Glock doesn’t offer from the factory.

I have only seen one that I knew was a Shadow Systems gun at the local range. The guy who owns it seemed happy with his new gun, and the younger employee who shot it really liked the feel (He is a really good handgun shooter, much better than I!).

Stay safe.

 

[JDeere]

This is good info as I had the same questions as jmr. Grip angles have never bothered me. I do like the idea of mounting optics being simple without adapter plates and such. I never thought I would go to using dots until I tried one and my groups shrank and I could call my shots better....

 

[dogtown tom]

Gucci Glocks.....made right here in Plain 'Ol, Texas.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Gucci Glocks.....made right here in Plain 'Ol, Texas.

Everything is better in Texas so it must be a improvement

The grip angle argument is a non-issue for me.

Yea I adapt pretty well depending on whatever pistol it is for me. When you're just that experience across different platforms you become adaptable pretty fast.

What the shadow systems is is just a improved Glock with easier to make modifications straight out of the box. A big thing to some people out there.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Warrior Poet has a video about their "War Poet" edition Shadow System 9mm that will explain many of the "improvements" to a standard Glock.

 

[groundhog34]

I own one the CR920 = Glock 43. It has a better trigger, larger capacity, better sights. In general it is an improved Glock. It has NEVER jammed 600+ rounds. Shoots well overall an excellent pistol. Mine is not cut out for a red dot. That said I prefer my new FN Reflex and my Sig P365.

 

[actionexpress]

I own one the CR920 = Glock 43. It has a better trigger, larger capacity, better sights. In general it is an improved Glock. It has NEVER jammed 600+ rounds. Shoots well overall an excellent pistol. Mine is not cut out for a red dot. That said I prefer my new FN Reflex and my Sig P365.

I had a CR920 for a pocket gun, just worked great for that type of carry for me. We tried the CR920P at the local event last weekend and it was excellent. I also shot an FN Reflex, I liked it a lot.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I had a CR920 for a pocket gun, just worked great for that type of carry for me. We tried the CR920P at the local event last weekend and it was excellent. I also shot an FN Reflex, I liked it a lot.

I want to try an FN Reflex, but I also wish they'd made a .45 Reflex.

 

[groundhog34]

I own one the CR920 = Glock 43. It has a better trigger, larger capacity, better sights. In general it is an improved Glock. It has NEVER jammed 600+ rounds. Shoots well overall an excellent pistol. Mine is not cut out for a red dot. That said I prefer my new FN Reflex and my Sig P365.

I concur 100% I have the same 3 rank them FN, Sig, CR920 all have been 100% reliable

 

[JR24]

I concur 100% I have the same 3 rank them FN, Sig, CR920 all have been 100% reliable

Same ranking in mag cost too

 

[herrwalther]

Lipstick on a pig as far as I am concerned. They take Glocks and dress them up. Fixing some issues while making others. Reshaping trigger guards and slides reduces holster compatibility. For the price they charge, I would rather have something else.

 

[actionexpress]

Lipstick on a pig as far as I am concerned. They take Glocks and dress them up. Fixing some issues while making others. Reshaping trigger guards and slides reduces holster compatibility. For the price they charge, I would rather have something else.

They're all compatible with Glock holsters, even the compensated models.

 

[JR24]

Lipstick on a pig as far as I am concerned. They take Glocks and dress them up. Fixing some issues while making others. Reshaping trigger guards and slides reduces holster compatibility. For the price they charge, I would rather have something else.

Seems like your preference is clear, so said opinion isn’t surprising.

Certainly can say that the alternate backstrap do change the feel some but the trigger, indeed, is still quite Glockish.

As noted, they fit Glock holsters fine.

 

[Peakbagger46]

The grip angle argument is a non-issue for me. I currently own Glocks, Sig's (365, M17, and M18) as well as Smith M&P and have owned most all of the common pistols at some time in the past. I switch between them and have never been handicapped either way by a different grip. I think that is more in peoples head than a real problem.

I've been pretty content with Glocks most of the time. The only advantage my current Sigs and M&P's have is that all of them have a 1911 style safety. There are situations where I'm less comfortable having a round chambered with no manual safety. In my nightstand, glovebox, and sleeping bag when camping among others. That is where the guns with safeties are used.

If carrying, and in a holster, I'm fine with a Glock or any other gun with no manual safety.

Sounds like these may be a good option for someone who is bothered by the grip. But so far, I'm not seeing any features that make me want to buy one over what I already have.

With that varied manual of arms, you better have it in your muscle memory to swipe off the safety (present or not) no matter what you are training with at the moment. I carry a Glock at work and personally don’t own any handguns with a safety as under stress remembering to disengage would be an issue.

I do carry a DOA jframe and DA/SA Sig on occasion but not anything with a safety.

And grip angle matters when shooting quickly (you know, defensive shooting), especially with a RDS. As much as I am used to Glock, acquiring the dot is difficult due to the barrel pointing high on the draw.