New For 2023: CZ Shadow 2 Compact

by
posted on October 7, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Cz Shadow 2 Compact New For 2
Images courtesy of CZ-USA.

CZ-USA introduced an affordable, yet competition-ready CZ-75 type pistol, with its Shadow 2 line-up. Designed for “production” classes of action-shooting competitions, the company expanded its Shadow 2 offerings over the years, to include everything from optics-ready to single-action-only models. For 2023, CZ-USA is introducing the Shadow 2 Compact, what the company calls a “smaller, lighter, optics-ready DA/SA competition pistol”. 

Left side of the CZ Shadow 2 Compact pistol.The Shadow 2 Compact is a smaller and lighter version of the full-size, steel-frame CZ Shadow 2 pistol.

The Shadow 2 Compact has many of the features of the Shadow 2 upgrades to the CZ-75. This includes an extended frame dust cover that has an M1913 Picatinny rail machined into it, a higher beavertail, undercut trigger guard and checkered front and back straps. The manual safety lever is bilateral, and the magazine release can be placed on either the right or left side. The trigger is lightened with a shorter reset. Grips are machined out of aluminum. Sights are a front post with fiber-optic insert combined with a click-adjustable for elevation and drift-adjustable for windage rear that uses a serrated notched blade. The Shadow 2 Compact uses the same optics mounting plate system as the full-size Shadow 2.  

Top view of the CZ Shadow 2 Compact pistol.The Shadow 2 Compact uses the same optics plate mounting system as the full-size Shadow 2.

While the original Shadow 2 had a longer slide and barrel than a standard CZ-75, the Shadow 2 Compact goes in the opposite direction. The cold hammer-forged barrel is shortened by 0.89” to 4.00”. The overall height shrinks from 6.18” to 5.40”. Capacity is 15 rounds. At 30.69 ozs., the forged 7075 aluminum frame Compact model weighs a full pound less than the the full-size, steel-frame Shadow 2.  

The CZ Shadow 2 Compact has an MSRP of $1,299. For more information, visit cz-usa.com.

Latest

Hk G36 22Lr 1
Hk G36 22Lr 1

Gun of the Week: Heckler & Koch G36 .22 LR

Due to Germany's strict firearm-export laws, along with U.S. firearm import laws, the closest any HK fan could get to owning a real G36 was in the form of the HK SL8. Now, though, Heckler & Koch has introduced its G36 .22 LR, which, profile-wise, is a G36 in all but chambering.

The Armed Citizen® July 17, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

A Visit to the New Smith & Wesson Academy

Let the training (re)commence at Smith & Wesson's new Academy in Tennessee.

New for 2026: Leupold LCO Pro F2 Red-Dot Sight

The optic giant has updated its flagship red-dot sight with a host of upgraded features.

Rifleman Review: Heckler & Koch CC9

When Heckler & Koch USA launched its micro-compact CC9, it proved to be one of the most robustly built micro-compact handguns yet made.

Beyond the Headlines on Armed Citizen Stories

Concealed carriers in the U.S. commit almost no crimes with their lawfully owned firearms. Armed citizens do, however, stop a lot of crimes.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.