Stock Shadow 2 vs Cajun S-2 package

[azlefty]

I have been away from shooting for almost 40 years,and I'm making up for lost time.This time of year I seem to think of purchasing guns.I realize your replies will require some degree of subjectivity,but I respect the forum members,and their willingness to freely share their knowledge and experience.This forum is an amazing resource.

I'm a newbie to CZ pistols,and have been using a stock Shadow 2 for about a year,so I know how it my stock Shadow shoots for me.I love the Shadow 2.It is my preference for every match.I force myself to shoot a 1911 once a month on "revolver day" just for fun.(you might have guessed I'm left handed)I shoot in outlaw USPSA style matches where I can shoot the Shadow 2 "cocked & locked",so I'm never required to shoot double action. Most shooting is close range,with occasional targets out to 20-25 yards.I put LOK grips on it,as well as a right side extended safety.I've also reduced the recoil spring to 12#.

I sometimes think I'd like another Shadow 2 to have as a backup.Which leads to the question. Aside from budget considerations,will I see that much benefit from the S-2 package?

Would it be any harder to maintain? How about reliability?
Should I just get another stock pistol, and change all the springs,etc.

All that being said,I'm very interested in the new Dan Wesson DWX.I spoke to someone who shot one,and he said it was great. Decisions.Decisions.

[Luvdog]

I'll tell you that my Stock S2's weren't nearly as nice as my Custom/CGW/CJ Maven worked Shadow 1's.

I ended up sending my S2's out to get tweaked by CJ and they came back every bit as good as my S1's.

For me, it was worth it to send them out to get  tuned.

[George16]

It all depends on how much you’re going to spend to get them as good as you wanted it to be. There’s a reason why CGW and CZ Custom are the go-to shops for custom work and performance enhancements for CZ pistols. You can also save money by buying the parts and doing all the work yourself.

I bought and installed an 11.5# main spring, 10# recoil spring, reduced TRS, extended firing pin, reduced firing pin spring, competition hammer, adjustable sear, 10x bushing, T5 disconnector on my shadow 2 that I’m currently using in USPSA. I also did the polishing of the internal and action parts using Professor Atlas polishing tutorial and I was able to get the DA to 5# 4.3 oz and SA to 1 # 9.9 oz. it has a very short reset since I fitted a T5 disconnector. I also anneled and straightened the trigger as well as drilling and tapping it for a pretravel screw.

[hoghunter]

I am pondering the exact thing. I’ve never shot the S2 but the allure of having a CGW S2 is strong. Of course I can get the S2 for about $500 less than a CGW S2. I’m no gunsmith so polishing internals is not my area of expertise. I’d draw the line at swapping springs- but that wouldn’t come close to a true CGW S2. Not to hijack the thread- but if someone did just buy a stock S2 and only felt comfortable swapping springs or similar easy stuff, what SPECIFICALLY would be recommended (what springs, #, kit, where from, etc.)? Again- sorry to hijack but I’m wrestling with a similar decision. 

[George16]

I am pondering the exact thing. I’ve never shot the S2 but the allure of having a CGW S2 is strong. Of course I can get the S2 for about $500 less than a CGW S2. I’m no gunsmith so polishing internals is not my area of expertise. I’d draw the line at swapping springs- but that wouldn’t come close to a true CGW S2. Not to hijack the thread- but if someone did just buy a stock S2 and only felt comfortable swapping springs or similar easy stuff, what SPECIFICALLY would be recommended (what springs, #, kit, where from, etc.)? Again- sorry to hijack but I’m wrestling with a similar decision.

With regards to springs, it depends on your reloads if you’re shooting in competition. I bought all the parts (spring, adjustable sear etc) from CGW and installed them myself. Go to their website and you’ll find everything you need there. You can also give them a call. They are very, very helpful and accommodating.

Since you already have the gun apart for the parts installation, you can polish the internals using this guide from Professor Atlas:

https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/191773-cz-tuning-101-with-professor-atlas/?tab=comments#comment-2122401

[hoghunter]

Thanks- I don’t reload and only shoot Speer Lawman 124gr 9mm. I’m not goino to attempt to polish anything. The most I’d do would be to swap springs. I’m really down to the TSO, S2, or CGW S2.

[George16]

Thanks- I don’t reload and only shoot Speer Lawman 124gr 9mm. I’m not goino to attempt to polish anything. The most I’d do would be to swap springs. I’m really down to the TSO, S2, or CGW S2.

Then I would highly recommend the TSO between those three choices. It’s really nice out of the box with a sub 2# trigger pull weight. Don’t change anything until you have shot it for at least a few hundreds rounds. If you do, more likely it’s just to replace the recoil spring to minimize muzzle flip or dip.

I have a TSO and a modified shadow 2. The TSO is still a lot better. The trigger pull weight was 1# 4.3 oz out of the box.