Bull Shadow 2 Inbound

[Stojanovich]

I've enjoyed my CZ Custom Shadow Orange so much during the past year that when the opportunity to purchase a Bull Shadow 2 recently came along, I didn't let it pass.  I was all over it like stink on a monkey.  I'm sure you understand?  I mean, look at that thing!  Is it badass, or what?

This will be my first pistol (ever) with a mounted optic only and I don't have a lot of previous experience with optics on handguns.  I tried a friend's Walther Q5 Match last year and I (obviously) wasn't used to it because the size of my groups were unimpressive but, in spite of that, I'm willing to take the chance that even at my age (60) an old dog can still learn some new tricks and I'll be able to adapt.  My research the past couple of days indicates that most shooters struggle at first but, eventually come to love optics and can't imagine going back to old school iron sights.  Ever.

What say y'all?  To those of you who have successfully made the switch from fixed sights to optics, how did you expedite the process?  Trial and error?  Practice, practice, practice?  I'd value your opinions and stories about how ya did it!  Thanks!!! 

[batman4706]

That's a beautiful pistol. I am 72 and have red sots on all the pistols I shoot, I even sent one S&W revolver  back to the factory to have it drilled and tapped for a mount. Best way to get used to them is pack a lot of rounds and head to the range.

[Stojanovich]

That's a beautiful pistol. I am 72 and have red sots on all the pistols I shoot, I even sent one S&W revolver  back to the factory to have it drilled and tapped for a mount. Best way to get used to them is pack a lot of rounds and head to the range.

I'm thinking you're right about that!

[Redeker]

I have a P-07 w/ a drilled & tapped slide for red dot that I have had trouble getting a handle. I had back up front and back irons added, which I regret, because I think that is holding up the process. This is not the case for everyone, but I should have gone 'all or nothing' with the red dot, or got a dovetail plate maybe.

[Earl Keese]

Shooting groups with a red dot is "easier" than with irons. Any wobble you see was already there with irons, the dot just makes it obvious(and distracting). The main difficulty comes in getting your index right from a draw(finding the dot). Also challenging, you need to learn to fully focus on the dot instead of sights. After years of shooting irons, I still find myself loosing target focus and looking at the dot periodically.
 My 75 points so naturally for me, that picking up the dot wasn't hard at all. My P10C is more of a challenge, I still find myself adjusting after I push out.
 The best way to make the switch is to leave the iron sight pistols in the safe and practice your draw/index until you get comfortable. If you practice at least 3 or 4 times weekly, I'd think you should be getting comfortable in 2-3 weeks or so. You may find this process a little more difficult because you also have to get used to pointing a new gun. I love the dot because it exposes weaknesses in technique that we don't notice with irons.

[Earl Keese]

I have a P-07 w/ a drilled & tapped slide for red dot that I have had trouble getting a handle. I had back up front and back irons added, which I regret, because I think that is holding up the process. This is not the case for everyone, but I should have gone 'all or nothing' with the red dot, or got a dovetail plate maybe.

My P10C is milled for BUIS, but I left them off to learn the dot. I still have a ways to go before I install them and start carrying it. You could always have the rear sight removed from your P-07, then reinstall when you've mastered the dot.

[Stojanovich]

Shooting groups with a red dot is "easier" than with irons. Any wobble you see was already there with irons, the dot just makes it obvious(and distracting). The main difficulty comes in getting your index right from a draw(finding the dot). Also challenging, you need to learn to fully focus on the dot instead of sights. After years of shooting irons, I still find myself loosing target focus and looking at the dot periodically.
 
My 75 points so naturally for me, that picking up the dot wasn't hard at all. My P10C is more of a challenge, I still find myself adjusting after I push out. The best way to make the switch is to leave the iron sight pistols in the safe and practice your draw/index until you get comfortable. If you practice at least 3 or 4 times weekly, I'd think you should be getting comfortable in 2-3 weeks or so. You may find this process a little more difficult because you also have to get used to pointing a new gun. I love the dot because it exposes weaknesses in technique that we don't notice with irons.

Thanks, Mr. K!  I appreciate your advice and encouragement.  So, ignore the front sight and focus on the dot.  Got it.

How difficult was it for you to adjust the dot to get it zero'd-in and what distance did you use?  Sorry for so many questions.  Handgun optics are truly a new frontier for me.

[Earl Keese]

Shooting groups with a red dot is "easier" than with irons. Any wobble you see was already there with irons, the dot just makes it obvious(and distracting). The main difficulty comes in getting your index right from a draw(finding the dot). Also challenging, you need to learn to fully focus on the dot instead of sights. After years of shooting irons, I still find myself loosing target focus and looking at the dot periodically.
 
My 75 points so naturally for me, that picking up the dot wasn't hard at all. My P10C is more of a challenge, I still find myself adjusting after I push out. The best way to make the switch is to leave the iron sight pistols in the safe and practice your draw/index until you get comfortable. If you practice at least 3 or 4 times weekly, I'd think you should be getting comfortable in 2-3 weeks or so. You may find this process a little more difficult because you also have to get used to pointing a new gun. I love the dot because it exposes weaknesses in technique that we don't notice with irons.

Thanks, Mr. K!  I appreciate your advice and encouragement.  So, ignore the front sight and focus on the dot.  Got it.

How difficult was it for you to adjust the dot to get it zero'd-in and what distance did you use?  Sorry for so many questions.  Handgun optics are truly a new frontier for me.

No sir, dont focus on the dot. Focus on the target. I zero mine at 15yds, but I primarily shoot Steel Challenge. If you are going to be target shooting, I'd defer to Joe L for zeroing advice there. When I set my 97B up for bullseye, I think I used a 25yd zero. Jut remember, if you zero from a rest, confirm by shooting two hand or however you plan to use the gun. You may have to adjust a little to dial it in.
 Mine haven't required much at all to sight in. I usually use a 2" square in the center of an 18"x24" sheet of paper with the dot just bright enough to see it. I'm guessing CZC probably has that gun zeroed already. Otherwise Eric Zinn wouldnt be sending out all those pretty test targets. 

[Earl Keese]

Btw, congrats! That's an awesome gun! Are you going to be shooting it in matches?

[cliff58]

Beautiful pistol,congrats.

[Stojanovich]

No sir, dont focus on the dot. Focus on the target. I zero mine at 15yds, but I primarily shoot Steel Challenge. If you are going to be target shooting, I'd defer to Joe L for zeroing advice there. When I set my 97B up for bullseye, I think I used a 25yd zero. Jut remember, if you zero from a rest, confirm by shooting two hand or however you plan to use the gun. You may have to adjust a little to dial it in.
 Mine haven't required much at all to sight in. I usually use a 2" square in the center of an 18"x24" sheet of paper with the dot just bright enough to see it. I'm guessing CZC probably has that gun zeroed already. Otherwise Eric Zinn wouldnt be sending out all those pretty test targets. 

Ah, of course: Focus on the target!  The majority of my shooting will be Steel Challenge-type matches.  I figured it would arrive pretty well dialed-in for the load it was test-fired with but wanted to be prepared for the inevitable tweaking and adjusting that I'll probably need to do using different factory loads.  Eventually, I know I'm going to reload 9mm but, right now I've gone down the .50 GI rabbit hole and there's no light at the end of the tunnel yet.   

Btw, congrats! That's an awesome gun! Are you going to be shooting it in matches?

Thanks!  Absolutely!  My club has three steel matches per month: speed, falling and three-stage speed.  I've shot them several times with my Shadow Orange and did...OK but, the main thing is that it was fun and for bragging rights only.  I used to shoot $ matches (pins and IPSC) back in the 80's and 90's that sometimes got pretty salty.  Matches at my club are pretty sedate by comparison.  We have a lot of great competitors for members, though.  All I want to be able to do is to continue making a decent showing against them. 

[Earl Keese]

If you ever listen to podcasts, this one has some great info in it regarding running a dot.
https://firearmsnation.com/yong-lee-advanced-pistol-optic-management/

[falar]

I have one on order too.....its been a few weeks so I hope to see it soon.

I opted for no slide cuts though (I don't like optics on pistols) and an accubushing/threaded barrel setup because I want to use it as a dedicated suppressor host.  I hope the sights are tall enough.

[pcar157]

I have seen numerous comments on this and other forums about red dots being "for old eyes". In my view red dots are for all eyes. What can be easier than looking at the target, put the red dot where you want the POI and pull the trigger?  No more consideration for "6 o'clock hold" or "combat hold", no more looking a the front sight with a blurry target in the background and I could go on and on. From my perspective the fact that POA is POI simplifies that whole aiming process. Of course the shooter still has to do their part i.e. grip, trigger control etc.
Just sayin'!

[Stojanovich]

If you ever listen to podcasts, this one has some great info in it regarding running a dot.
https://firearmsnation.com/yong-lee-advanced-pistol-optic-management/

Thank you again!  I'll log-on and check it out when I get home from work this evening!