CZ Yearbook 2019 /eng

34 | | 35 these are the key factors that determine who succeeds. The new shape of the triangu- lar hammerwitha largeweight reducing hole is more of a de- sign feature in the CZ SHAD- OW 2. When talking about the safety catch, the left one was originally slightly elongated. However, after feedback from users, the safety on both sides is flat. The basic accessories now include three magazines and a set of buffers. A new rear sight, new technologies When speaking about accuracy, CZ had two things in mind: the accu- racy of the pistol and the preci- sion of manu- factur- ing. In the first case, the ac- curacy poten- tial of the new SHADOW has been increased by a some- what longer barrel and sight line. Then there are the new sights, including an adjusta- ble rear sight with an angled roughened sight surface, and a front sight with red fibre op- tic. The rear sight is compact, yet has a clear sight picture. It is very simple and therefore durable, it has proven so good that CZ has decided to use it for their other modern pistols. Regarding production, it can be briefly said that the CZ SHADOW 2 is manufactured using a completely different technology than the original SHADOW. In this regard, Česká zbrojovka has moved on and the CNC machining centres have been replaced by mod- ern robotic centres. As a result, the serial production provides a more stable manufacture of a much higher quality. The precise manufacturing pro- cess has a positive impact on the accuracy of the weapon and thus significantly increas- es the service life of all its parts. Variants and an adapter In addition to the basic black version with its typical blue grip panels, another attractive version, the CZ SHADOW 2 URBAN GREY soon followed. The name designates a f rame coated with a highly du- rable heat-cured Polycoat. The black aluminium grip panels on this model contrast beauti- fully with the grey colour. The CZ SHADOW 2 OR en- tered production in 2018. OR stands OPTICS READY, which means that this model has a slide modified so as to allow easy and highly stable attach- ment of modern miniature collimator sights. These have become more and more pop- ular, especially due to the fact that they enable even faster shooting – for the CZ SHAD- OW 2 that means one hellu- va speed. We have tried and can certainly agree. Moreover, collimator sights will now be joining sport shooting com- petitions. Given the results shown by even the very ba- sic CZ SHADOW 2, we can definitely expect great things from this pistol in this field. In addition to the 9×9 calibre, all the above-mentioned var- iants are also available in 9×21 cal., used in countries where the 9 mm Luger is forbidden for use by civilian users. Last year, another newcomer has joined the portfolio, an adapt- er for easy conversion of the CZ SHADOW 2 to the 22 LR cartridge. Such a rimfire pistol is a great tool for realistic, ef- fective and at the same time affordable training. And what is more, shooting with a rim- fire CZ SHADOW 2 is great fun (also tried and tested). The only negative thing is that due to fo- cusing on maximum reliability, the magazine capacity is “only” 10 rounds. That’s the penalty for having the 22 LR calibre, as it is a rimfire cartridge. Then there are various special editions, f rom the 40 th anni- versary of IPSC to a beautifully decorated model bearing the signature of three-times world champion of the Lady Produc- tion division, Maria Gushchina, who won her last title with this very model. A separate chapter is the latest addition, the CZ SHADOW 2 ORANGE, which you can find on p. 36. A new era The CZ SHADOW 2 is enter- ing the market with the slo- gan Competition Ready. This means that each pistol is fac- tory tuned so that you can enter a competition and win straightaway after taking it out of the box. At the same time, it is a kind of a play on words in the sense that with this gun CZ is once again ready to take on their rivals – and win. And this aim has certainly been fulfilled. In 2016, the CZ SHADOW 2 was registered for use in the IPSC Production di- vision and since then the list of its successes has been grow- ing and growing. The reason is clear – with this gun, shooting at each stage is much faster and such pace has no negative effect on accuracy. Often it is not only faster speed but bet- ter accuracy too. In short: with this gun, good shooters shoot superbly and superb shooters push their talent and skills to the maximum. See p. 41 for the list of laurel crowns achieved with the CZ SHADOW 2 pistol in 2018 – need we say more? A growing number of shooters f rom all over the world have come to understand that if they want to win, they need this gun. It seems that the CZ SHAD- OW 2 might be the limit where one can go in the Production division using the base of the timeless CZ 75, where design and technology are concerned. But perhaps more surprises are awaiting, after all, when the CZ 75 SP-01 SHADOW was in its prime, one might have thought that nothing better could come. Another thing is that a prob- lem can be approached from a completely different way yet again. In this respect, CZ gives little hints here and there. With regard to their impressive know-how, surely there might be a treat in store. But for now, the CZ SHADOW 2 is undoubtedly the queen of the IPSC Production division and it is highly unlikely any- thing could change about that in the near future. CZ SHADOW 2 through the eyes of Robin Šebo Robin Šebo (b. 1988) has been a sport shooter since 2007. He first took part in an IPSC competition in 2008, at f irst in the Standard division and since 2012 in the Production division. Because of his great success, he was soon offered a place in the CZ Shooting Team. As one of the best shooters in the world at the moment, Robin takes an active part in the development and test- ing of new CZ pistols. He has greatly contributed to the fi- nal version of the CZ SHADOW 2 with which he immediately began winning the most pres- tigious world championships. So, let us listen to his views on the most important advan- tages this pistol brings to the main target group of custom- ers:  Great improvement of the grip – the undercut beneath the trigger guard and beavertail allows the bore axis to be closer to the axis of the hand there- by reducing the muzzle climb during discharge. The sharp checkering and the flat alu- minium grip panels contribute to the firmness of the grip.  The pistol is slightly longer than the original SHADOW which means that the sight radius is also longer, thus improving accuracy as well. The upper part of the frame and the slide are 1mm thick- er on each side. The result is increased weight and there- fore partial stabilization of the climb – themass of themate- rial absorbs the kinetic ener- gy.  Modif ication of the trigger mechanism has shortened the overtravel in the SAmode, signif icantly improving the perception and control of pulling the trigger. The trig- ger travel has come closer to the “SA only” system.  All the major parts have been treated in a new and high- ly durable f inish, thereby increasing its accuracy, en- durance and durability while reducing friction.  The rear sight is adjustable in height so each shooter can customize thepoint of impact according to his or her prefer- ences and ammunition. The sights are designed to with- stand a tremendous number of rounds without damage. The front sight is dimension- ally adapted for sport shoot- ing and fully complements the notch in the rear sight.  The magazine release lever – its increased size is a huge advantage during fast reload- ing at competitions as well as during ordinary use, also with the possibility of adjustment in three positions according to the needs and comfort of the shooter.