Bad guys gonna be like, “you can’t shoot me with that! It’s a competition gun!” 😂

I’m not a competitor but I love shooting my CZ Shadow 2. I have the full size 4.5 polymer PDP and I still can’t shoot it nearly as good as my Shadow.

I was between these two guns last month... For me as an ipsc shooter the Walther is the better option, because i can shoot it in standard, production and production optics. Both guns are high quality, solid guns with great ergonomics, but I liked the ergos of the PDP better. Great review!

Solid information. Thank you for taking the time to do this video.

Great review, I wish more pistol reviews were like this one.

I have about 7K through my PDP pro. Took me 1.5 years to go through that ammo wisely, closer to normie than comp. I guess I should order some parts. Good info.

I am not a competitor but my PDP pro with a comp that I train with also sits beside my bed. I like cool guns. I represent most of the people probably watching your videos. Just a data point.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Same issue with Lok Palm Swell grips . Luckily i found sone thst fit the best which were Veloce Palm Swell Target . I run CGW SAO Conversion. It has 1.8# trigger , SS Guide Rod with 10# Spring and EXTENDED / Oversized left side Safety. For me with my CZ SP01 coming out of the holster has to be almost perfect compared to my 2011 or X5 LEGION. The X5 and 2011 are definitely less forgiving. I had a rack of issues with OAL Cartrige length . I tweaked my hand loads and GTG . I love pistols way too much to just stick with one . I have a lot of respect for the dudes who can do that . Im slowly phasing out my X5 for the CZ and 2011 .

thank you for mentioning the Sprinco springs in the Walther DPT trigger. that combo is BY FAR the best trigger I've ever felt, even better than my staccatos. Not only is the pull very light, but the break is super clean. It makes a P365 trigger feel like a dog shlt glock trigger.

Great comparison!

Great video with high level of detail 👌

Did u put the short reset disconnector in the shadow2? Looks like a long stock single action reset.

I own 2 Shadow 2s, one for training&dry fire and other one just for matches, lets me to be more lenient with maintenance. I broke one trigger return spring at about 5k, then the new one is running strong for 20k(dry fire reps included). Slide stop in training one still going for more then 20k. I ve been running Eeeman tech recoil springs, i do run 8lbs so significantly lower weight then you but i ve used one for 10k before replacing it just as preventive measure, i didnt notice any noticable wear. As for the issue you mentioned with trigger return, you need to lube the trigger bar both on the sides where it might rub on the frame and underneath it where trigger bar spring sits. Usually just spraying oil all over it does the job for a long time(say 5k+ without cleaning) but i find it best to dissasamble the gun completely, polish the sides of trigger bar and area where the trigger bar spring touches underneath it and then put actual grease/lube in those grooves. Dont remember having this issue after doing that and i ve gone over 10k rounds since then for sure.

Do you buy your ammunition or is it supplied? If not how do you afford it Id love to be able to shoot tons of ammunition. Please tell me your secret.

@TonyMazza Why dont you record your video horizontally? It sucks that way!

Would you say the shadow 2 compact is good for carry?

Dude, great review. I’m a long time Shadow shooter and bought a PDP SF to compare them for myself. My experience was: S2- cost was $1400 plus $525 for Cajun gun works PRO package DA pull 4lb 8oz SA 2lb 4oz. 11.5 hammer spring 11lb recoil spring. Lokjaws palm swell aluminum grips, shooting sports innovations tungsten guide rod, Tevo sports slide lock thumbrest. PDP $1835, just like yours, 15lb ZR tactical standard guide rod and spring, sprinco trigger return and safety plunger spring. I polished the plunger and top of the trigger bar. The trigger pull is 2lb 11oz. Lok grips in the mail though. Henning modified their basepads but the still didn’t fit right. So I filed the frame hump and they work great. My first thought is if someone is on a polymer striker gun the PDP SF is a definite must get. Minimal training difference and a huge ceiling. Likewise if they’re looking to get into practical shooting, it’s a no brainer. It’s already set up to go. My hot take is if you’re like me and accustomed to the CZ it’s not worth the swap. I shot 3 matches and did practice sessions and was noticeably less stellar than with the CZ. The dot tracking is great up and down but much more noticeable making shot calling more difficult even with 147gr ammo. The PDP is around 12-14 oz lighter than my S2, but it didn’t translate to faster transitions. Only a couple hundredths over the average. What was really killing me was believe it or not, the trigger. A lot of draws to small steel first shot misses due to going off before I wanted it to. That’s definitely a training fix but still a deficit for me. S2 maintenance wise recoil spring 5k hammer spring and firing pin spring 10k is what I do. Trigger return I would do yearly but I have a new philosophy on that based on last season. I experienced one failure with my S2. I was getting light strikes and didn’t know why. I sent a video to Cajun gun works and the sear and disconnector were out of time. Why? I had a little over 52k rounds on it last year and over 74k on it since I bought it in Aug 2022. Sent it back and they replaced and returned it. Their parts have a lifetime warranty. Had it completely serviced and resprung and barrel gauged etc. Now I’ll buy a third gun. A practice/dry fire gun. Then I’ll have a match gun and a back up gun. The PDP doesn’t have those issues is why I was curious about it. I like striker guns also. Had Glock for years had a polymer PDP back in 2020. Great guns. All in all I love the PDP but it’s not for me. I’m staying with my S2’s because they’ve gotten me where I am now and I know them like the back of my hand. It’s been fun taking a deep dive into the PDP and seeing the difference and how far they’ve come. I wouldn’t hesitate and have recommended them to people already that ask about it. Even over a Shadow, and especially if they are very experienced with a striker gun. At the end of the day like you said, if you can shoot both, and even better if you can shoot a match or some stages with both let that help you decide. It definitely won’t hurt.

Thank you for this video!!! I am looking towards purchasing one of these two in the upcoming future. I already own the polymer PDP Pro SD and really enjoy it. I have also shot my friend's CZ Shadow 2 OR. I love the CZ trigger a little more, but feel the ergos and overall grip feel are better on the PDP - I think the extra weight of the steel frame should make it damn near perfect for me. I also think the PDP while more expensive up front will be much cheaper to maintain long term. Please do some updates. How have your scores compared between the two?

One thing for some to consider is that the PDP Steel Frame can be used for IDPA SSP, and is in the process of approval for USPSA Production. The Shadow 2 is too heavy for IDPA.

Knowing what you know about to two platforms, which would you rather carry, a Walther Q4 SF Match Optic Ready or CZ Compact.

Great info, thanks. I'm a CZ, Walther and 2011 fan boy. Quick question. Have you shot the Q5 SF? I'm wondering if there's a difference in the shape of grips between the Q5 and PDP. I ask because I recently took my Q4sf and Q5sf out to the range for the first time in a long time. I've been shooting CZs and 2011s exclusively for about a year. Much to my surprise, I found I didn't much like the Walthers' grip ergonomics anymore. I felt like I couldn't easily get high up under the beaver tail like I can with my CZs and 2011s. Maybe it's just because I'm used to using my thumb on the safeties of the hammer guns to help get a high grip, I dunno. So, I'm wondering if the PDP grip ergos are a bit "better" than the Q series. I'd love to get back to shooting a Walther SF. As it stands now, I'm probably going to find new homes for the Q SFs. I can either put that money towards a PDP SF or another 2011. Tough call.

What’s you’re gram handle so I can follow you along this PDP SF journey. I shoot G17’s in matches but am super curious about the SF. The thing I’m most curious about is if the recoil impulse is sluggish like a G34? I’m also curious about their 4.5 inch model and swapping out the trigger for their performance one. That’s if the 5” feels like a G34. Great video, very informative.

Good video man!!

You should try filming in landscape mode. it's pretty cool.

What is the measured trigger reach for each of these guns? I have small hands and am trying to decide between these two but can’t find ones to actually hold and see how it fits my hands.

Good vid thanks. I have a shadow 2 coming. Seems you like the trijicon sro. Is that the way to go for competition? I was considering the holosun 507comp

Can you tell us which one you prefer?

Great video and thanks! Here’s my question…I shoot almost exclusively striker fired pistols with no safety. My carry guns and the full sized pistols I use in some of the classes I take are all striker fired, no safety. I have a Shadow 2 and love shooting it but…it has a safety. When you are in competition how do you shoot the hammer fired pistol and how does it compare to the striker fired pistol? For the first shot out of the holster do you have the hammer back and use the safety or do you use the double action? How does that compare to the striker fired pistol?

Good stuff Tony!

Excellent Video! Thank You! 🇺🇲😎✌️🗽

The pdp steel frame does not seem like that much different from walther q5 steel frame. Would like to see a comparison on the canik rival steel frame to see if the pdp is worth the extra cash. Will keep running shadow 2 its best in its price range.

Fantastic review. I’ve been looking to upgrade my current CO setup (PDP 5 inch) with either the CZ or the PDP Steel Frame. I’ve run my friend’s CZ but I’ve yet to get my hands a PDP steel frame. Keep up the great content!

Bro spent $50k in ammo. Fuggg.

Man, its great to not see another review of a garbabe pistol geared towards a new shooter that buys because they saw a video. Ran my AccuShadow2 for years and with a truckload of rounds through it I can count malfunctuons on one hand. As anyone knows, when chasing power factors with handloads malfunctions happen. Ammo related, not pistol! Ive never had an issue with good factory ammo. CZ got it right many years ago....so did Virgil Tripp. Those that know, know who Virgil Tripp is.

PDP Gang for LIFE !

Custom 3D printed palm grips should be a thing. Technically possible today, business model may be a nightmare and costs, but I would pay for that.

Great video . I’ve been shooting a polymer match and thinking about upgrading to one of these . Still on the fence

wonder your thoughts on shadow 2 compact vs plastic pdp for carry / competition

Nice video buddy… I love my shadow 2 would love to shoot the PDP for comparison… in general a 147grain bullet will give you more muzzle flip… try a 124-125gr bullet and see how the DOT reacts… I noticed less DOT rise but with a more snappier feeling which is ok for me

Thoughts on the PDP-F vs the PDP compact for carry?

Nice video

Awesome video. You need more subs. Regarding holsters, other than outstanding looks, I wonder why Walther opted to use the Q5 design with the frame instead of creating a direct translation from the PDP. We only shoot local matches, strictly for fun, and we were hoping to try our SF and Pro SD this summer, but we need to buy two separate holsters, as the SF frame is so different. My Ghost Hydra P accommodates all my P320 variants, even with gas pedals, so I was hoping for the same with the PDP series, but so far, no dice. Maybe the next version of the PDP SF will be a PDP, without the Q5 frontend. However, it will probably still be a little thicker, and still not work with a standard PDP holster. Wishful thinking. Either way, great info. Look forward to your thoughts on the ZRTS Long stroke guide rod.

Steel frames ppq were used by swat before i dont see why a pdp steel frame couldnt be used the same i dont think it would be disingenuous😊

Why not use the walther tungsten guide Rod ?

Get a second slide stop and only use that for matches and another one for training till it breaks. Then get another one and degrade the match one to the training spot.

Very good review. Shared already with my shooting buddies.

the DPT triggers with sprinco springs simply can't be beat without spending twice as much imo

Ferrari vs Lambo. ! Both Awesome !

I love all my competition pistols, and i shoot them all the time. I'm not a competitive shooter, but I think they help people fall in love with shooting because they handle the recoil so well, and they make you look like a better shooter.

I disagree with your comment about only buying those 2 firearms if you compete. I enjoy my S2, my Staccato XC, my Prodigy DS and many more nice guns. I enjoy my range sessions.

Try the long stroke. I have one in my plastic 5” full-size. It’s sorcery. I promise you. That’s a game changer. I’ve got video I can send you as well.

I love my CZ shadow 2 though 😊

I did shoot both personally I like to use in my competition production line shadow 2 batter

He said 2000 rounds in 2 weeks .. boy you are not playing no games ✊🏽🔥😎

I use mine for home defense!

Shadow 2 is a maintenance Martha.

Are you nervous I bet you racked the slide about 1000 times.😂

lol a “VS” video without telling us which you like more…. Which one can you run faster?

Not sure how wanting to have one or both of these as a carry option is being “dissingenuine” to yourself. Quite a few well known and respected shooters and instructors carrying both. Rad comparison non the less but… a bit pigeon holed in saying they’re strictly for competition.

CZ shadow for me

Vertical video... eww

Why are barrels so long for competition with red dots you don’t need it anyway I’m a Walther guy and I would still take the CZ for competition!🧠🤯🔫

CZ SUCKS. Nothing wrong with the gun, but the division rules are such that they make you start hammer down rather than cocked and safety on. This is inherently biased toward single action only striker guns like the Walthers, the VP9 and to a lesser extent the semi-single action ones like Glocks. The rule needs to change, but until then there is no way I'll shoot a CZ or any hammer gun in SSP, ESP or CO. Making the first shot in DA is a huge handicap in accuracy; making that first shot by cocking the hammer first is simply slow.

The Shadow 2 is tried and true and proven itself for years and years, Superior ergonomics and a DA/SA trigger,, Walther is just meh..... Horrible ergos