KMR W-02 UMBRA review (with pictures) vs. Shadow 2

[sil7z]

https://xrayparts.it/en/247-kmr-arms-parts

finally, some spare parts available

Xray has offered KMR parts for some time now. Variety of parts has increased over time, yes. I got the KMR palmswell grips from them and after I used up my included KMR oil, ordered six more in a joint order with another owner. 20€ shipping is okay if you order many things at once...

[sil7z]

Bumping this a bit. I've shot over 5700 rounds over 11 months through my KMR Spectra. It's been marvellous. I appreciate the factory RMR optics plate having a passthrough for punching out the extractor pin to facilitate a thorough cleaning of the extractor. Though I'm no longer able to reap this benefit as I won a C-More RTS2 clone in a raffle at a IPSC L3 match and there's no chance of this passthrough with it's optic footprint.

Anyway, I've had a total of 3(!) recent stovepipes, out of 5700 rounds fired. Commonality between them was using Magtech 124gr ammo. Ordered and received a set of factory springs (13lbs recoil, 17lbs main, new sear and trigger springs) to perform the first annual maintenance, so to say. Since the extractor is kind of known to break, got that and it's spring as backups.

Can anybody comment on Cerakote recoating? It's seen some use and the Cerakote has worn here and there. Is recoating a labor-intensive job for a Cerakote applicator?

[timmy75]

I’m at about 8,000 rounds of ammunition in 11 months. Not a single malfunction so far with my reloaded ammo. Mixed casings from the range and a 130 PF load.

A 13 LBS recoil spring and a 17 LBS main spring seem like overkill to me. In my Umbra, the factory recoil spring is 11 LBS, and the main spring is 14 LBS (a weaker one could probably be used to make DA smoother). UMBRA parts diagram --> https://kmrarms-sk.com/img/cms/Rozpad-W-02-UMBRA-cz-black.jpg

For backup, I would have a trigger spring, slide stop, and extractor + spring, known weak(er) points of the CZ 75 design.

I don’t see a reason to do a Cerakote refinish. The pistol is being used anyway, and in a year, if you train and do dry fire practice, it will be full of scratches again... Maybe in five years or so.

[sil7z]

I actually used a -20% Eemann Tech trigger spring for the whole time, but now reverted back to factory full strenght one. You get used to the heavier double action. It will probably ignite any primer, the first time, every time

KMR factory slide stop as spare part is 80€. CZ Shadow 2's factory slide stop is half the price. I sincerely hope KMR's slide stop doesn't have this issue

Maybe it's just me with a heightened sense of beauty. I might do it if the cost is reasonable. If not, maybe in a few years time.

[timmy75]

An interesting detail I noticed:

KMR uses different extractor springs for OR and non-OR models. I don't see any reason why, but there are maybe some structural differences in the extractors? Although there aren't two extractor models, they are all the same for 9mm.

Also, it's interesting that only the KMR OR extractor spring can be used for all CZ models.

From the pictures, it seems to me that the OR extractor spring is slightly stronger than the "regular" (non-OR) one.

[sil7z]

I noticed that too - I ordered the OR spring. Some of my local Spectra users have had issues with the extractor, while their guns were actually almost brand new. This might be a response on KMR's part - offer different extractor springs. They too have the OR models but they are shooting Production.

The other thing that can be noticed is that there's a 2024 model of the L-02 Spectra. I wonder what's the difference...

[timmy75]

The only thing I don't like about KMR pistols is that they change the models by year, on the fly, so you can buy a pistol, and shortly after, the same model comes out but with a few better features.

From what I can notice, the changes in 2024 for the Spectra are:
grips, floating trigger pin, safety levers, different rear sight connected to the OR plate and maybe the disconnector.

As far as I know, by 2023 all models had already received sear cage springs for stability (like the TS). Models from 2022 don't have this.

[sil7z]

At least looking at the schematic, it's odd that the 2024 disconnector hook shape is more like the standard CZ Shadow 2 type. Up to 2023 the disconnector was like one on the Shadow 2 Orange.

Yes, my 2023 model has the small sear cage springs.

[timmy75]

My model is from 2022 with an 'older' disconnector. There is almost no pretravel.

It's possible they wanted to achieve a bit more pretravel in SA. I haven't tried the 2024 pistols, so I can't say.

Otherwise, I don't see any advantage if there is no pretravel in SA; as far as I'm concerned, it's even better if it's longer because I can prepare the trigger easier. The only thing I care about is a short reset. But that's just my opinion; maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe it's just an error in the illustration, and there wasn't any change at all, who knows...? 

[sil7z]

I got to try a 2024 model S-02 in .22LR. The trigger didn't feel like anything special to be honest. There was definite pretravel, more than my 2023 L-02.

Reached out to my local KMR dealer and they wanted to test on their own before selling me the 2024 model floating trigger pin. Waiting on that...

[timmy75]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffN-ZYSmVqY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ5cb-yi_is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf-pPfa9TeU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9dugKekhwk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCevL2sS08k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwwSYPRopCk


Here are a few recent videos; unfortunately, I don’t think any of them are in English, but turn on subtitles or just watch them (especially the one in German )

[sil7z]

I learned (and it shows in the first video) that the 2024 floating trigger pin doesn't fit earlier models - it is slightly thicker. In order to use it, the trigger would have to be changed and the trigger pin hole in the frame drilled out a bit.

[timmy75]

I don’t know the diameter of the new trigger pin, but I think it’s 2.2 mm in diameter for older models (my Umbra is a '22).
I use the original CGW pin for the CZ; I think it’s 2.2 mm on the outside and 1.8 mm on the inside.

For the item "SA/DA Semiflat Trigger" reference # KMR-0861-01505-0401, it says it’s only compatible with the 2.2 mm trigger pin. My assumption is that they made some change to the thickness of that pin and trigger for models from 2024 onwards. I don’t know why, but I’d like to know the reason for the change and whether it brought any improvement.

What caught my attention was the latest video. I didn’t know that new pistols come with a barrel bushing alignment tool. Sometimes you have to wiggle it a bit to get the barrel to sit nicely in place during assembly. It’s a useful tool, but unfortunately, I didn’t get it in my bundle.

[timmy75]

I added a semi-flat trigger (DA/SA) to my Umbra. It's a fantastic upgrade, and now it's as close to an SA trigger as it can be. Production is Open light now

[sil7z]

Looks nice, but I'll stick to my stock trigger

Barrel alignment tool is useful when the pistol is still new. I'm on my original barrel bushing and installing the barrel has gotten easier after 6500 rounds.