sell me on a shadow upper

[10mmdude]

im not trying to "debunk" the shadow upper i would just really like to know what are the huge benefits to swapping out to this upper level upper?

i currently have a 9mm SA I'm building,
czc hammer
czc flat trigger
czc AL thin grips
15# hammer spring
FPB deleted
FPB spacer
*soon* front fo, rear comp sight

so the question is, since i have the FPB deleted, what other advantages will i gain other than having a slightly larger dia barrel? I'm not asking this in a "what a waste of money" kinda way more like am i wasting my money kinda way lol? am i missing something? id really like to know what i don't know about the shadow upper

[Stuart]

Doing what you're doing you gain the benefits of what the Shadow upper offers.
 Couple of things I like about the Shadow upper. Exit hole for guide rod, no hole in slide for taking the block out, I  like having  a stop plate to retain the fp instead of the retaining pin, and I like the shadow rear sight cut better than the 75 sight cut.
But all that is mostly personal preferences.

[gdawgs56]

I think it might have the Extended firing pin and reduced power firing pin spring installed also. But that's only ~$25


-Jason

[Stuart]

I think it might have the Extended firing pin and reduced power firing pin spring installed also. But that's only ~$25


-Jason

Will depend on which on you are looking at.

[danno_man]

Instead of a FPB spacer, I used a Pre-B sear. 

My SA is fairly similar.
Modded hammer
Pre-B sear
13# mainspring
FPB removed.
Flat trigger



Using the B sear and FPB installed, it only raises the weight a few ounces, but more take-up/pre-travel.

With that said, I'm eyeing the Accu upper or Shadow top end from CZC.

[10mmdude]

Doing what you're doing you gain the benefits of what the Shadow upper offers.
 Couple of things I like about the Shadow upper. Exit hole for guide rod, no hole in slide for taking the block out, I  like having  a stop plate to retain the fp instead of the retaining pin, and I like the shadow rear sight cut better than the 75 sight cut.
But all that is mostly personal preferences.

i like the stop plate as well, it has a nice radius on it and you don't have to work a nice radius onto the "b" slide like i did on mine, if you could ever measure a reduced muzzle flip lol, who knows in my brain it makes a difference haha

i mean i guess other than having a larger barrel dia and more barrel choices down the road I'm not really gaining much.. i would look at the shadow upper as a chevy crate engine and what i did with my upper as a "motor build in my garage", i was always a full dust cover guy and now having my SA I'm in love!! i never imaged what a few ounces here and there could do for the balance of a pistol!! i don't wanna mess with that balance it feels too good and the shadow upper seems like a little more weight up front that i don't want..

which brings me to my next question and stuart I'm sure you have an answer cuz you do cool stuff that i say "why didn't i ever think of that" lol, have you ever bored a standard barrel bushing to accept an sp01 barrel? id love to stuff that ausie barrel in my SA id just hate to ruin a barrel bushing on my lathe (crap i don't even wanna take it out lol) if i know there is no way!!

[1SOW]

Like Stuart said,  it depends on your personal preferences.
The Shadow upper is heavier in the front due to the bigger barrel, full length guide rod and the tac rail.  These change the balance and the response to recoil.  The Shadow is without unnecessary cuts and holes as it's made for what you're building. 
These are important to some and not so much to others.   Shooters' preferences.

[10mmdude]

Instead of a FPB spacer, I used a Pre-B sear. 

My SA is fairly similar.
Modded hammer
Pre-B sear
13# mainspring
FPB removed.
Flat trigger





Using the B sear and FPB installed, it only raises the weight a few ounces, but more take-up/pre-travel.

With that said, I'm eyeing the Accu upper or Shadow top end from CZC.

nice!! same gun different grips and sights! I'm avg 1lb 8oz with a 15lb spring.. it makes it a little crisper being SA only

i only ditch the FPB for reset reasons i wouldn't care if it upped the pull weight getting rid of it that would be a fair trade to shorten the reset as much as they do!