Magazine Brake Question

[Motorcop]

I just bought a Shadow 2 Compact to go with my full size Shadow 2 which I dearly love.  I have only put about 50 rounds thru the Compact and so far it shoots very well for me anyway.  I wanted to try and get the trigger pull down a bit to match my full size Shadow 2 as much as possible.  I went after a change in the hammer spring and when I took the original one out I noticed a difference in the mag brake compared to my full size Shadow 2.  There is a "tail" on the bottom of the magazine brake on the Compact that isn't on the brake for the full size Shadow 2.  Can someone tell me what this "tail" is for on the Compact magazine brake and what the easiest way is to re-install the brake?  I did get the brake back in place, but it was more by luck than anything else.  Thanks for any help on this matter....

Rick H.

[tdogg]

I'm not entirely sure what the tail is for on the brake?  I know you can catch the tail on the main spring and induce drag on the magazine to make it function like a magazine brake.  You can clip it off if that makes reassembly easier.  I replace all my brakes with the heavy duty versions as I have actually caught the brake and stuffed it up into the frame on my 97BD while inserting a magazine on the clock in IDPA.  It rendered the gun useless and I had to go pull the gun apart and hammer it out flat to continue the match.

https://czcustom.com/products/cz-75-ts-mag-brake-stainless.html
https://czcustom.com/cz-parts-all/cz-compact-magazine-brake-stainless.html

Cheers,
Toby

[M1A4ME]

I just remove them.  The P07/P09 don't have the brakes and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

And it sure does make it easy to put a couple drops of oil on the hammer spring and guide.

[Wobbly]

I wanted to try and get the trigger pull down a bit to match my full size Shadow 2 as much as possible.  I went after a change in the hammer spring and when I took the original one out I noticed a difference in the mag brake compared to my full size Shadow 2.  There is a "tail" on the bottom of the magazine brake on the Compact that isn't on the brake for the full size Shadow 2.

How about some photos ? "A picture is worth a thousand..."

[Motorcop]

My fault for not getting a picture of it when I had the pistol apart.  I thought about that after the fact.  When I have a chance I will take it out and snap a picture and insert it when I figure out how to do that.  Apparently other CZ compact pistols use a similar design for the magazine brake.  There is a curved tail off the bottom of the mag brake and I am not sure what that tail is for.  That tail makes it more difficult to install the brake instead of just sliding it in.

Rick H.

[crc4]

I was tired of cussing and needless frustration so I've snipped the tail on all my CZ mag brakes. No loss of function.

[M1A4ME]

Most of us don't set them up to work as a magazine break anyway.  Who really wants to press the mag. release and then reach up with the off hand and pull the magazine out of the mag. well?  That's what it does when set up right, holds the empty magazine in the mag. well.

[SoCal]

I think it is put there as a skill test...LOL

[Alcoy]

I was tired of cussing and needless frustration so I've snipped the tail on all my CZ mag brakes. No loss of function.

+1.  I read it here somewhere after having no joy in putting it back and the mags not dropping free.

You have a nice combo S2 and S2 Compact.  Enjoy 😊.

[Motorcop]

Thanks for the replies guys.  The mags in both my Shadows drop free, so I have to go with the assumption that the magazine brake isn't really a brake at all.  I think it is more of a guide for unimpeded mag insertion.  This may not be the case on other CZ pistols.  I am stumped by the small tail on the Compact model though and what its purpose is, if any.  My best guess is that it's there to keep the magazine brake in perfect position, but if that's the case why isn't the small tail on the full size Shadow?  I will say the tail on the mag brake makes installation of the brake more complicated and time consuming.  It would be nice to know what the correct assembly process is for this item so as not to break the brake!

Rick H.

[SoCal]

The tail was on all 75 style CZ pistols, it was eliminated for the shadows as they were competition models.  This does not answer the question of why, probably lost in the annals of history.  So most have a tail but not all.  Clear as mud.  My 75B, both SP-01's but not my S2O or A-01 have tails.

All of mine with tails drop free!?

[tdogg]

It's on the 97 series as well: 

https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=67390.msg461926#msg461926

I'm guessing there is a military contract somewhere that requires magazine retention and thus they make the brake with the tang to fulfill that requirement.  I'm also guessing that most disable that promptly after receiving the pistol.

Cheers,
Toby

[Motorcop]

Once again, thank you for all the replies.  I do have a follow-up question for those that have disassembled a CZ with a mag brake that has a "tail" on it.  Upon re-assembly does the "tail" go into the angled slot for the hammer spring pin?  I don't see how it could possibly go anywhere else.

Rick H.

[SoCal]

If I understand then yes, you compress the spring with the plunger and then insert the tail and then the pin to hold everything in place.  There are several YouTube videos on re-assembling which show better that I can explain.

[tdogg]

Honestly if you don't want a brake function then I'd just clip off the tail.  It serves not other purpose in my mind.

Cheers,
Toby