Breaking in Shadow Systems MR920

June 13, 2022, 04:29 PM

dking271

I have been running a new MR920 at the range and attempting to get it broken in over the past few weeks. SS says a 200 round break in should be expected. I am currently up to 365 rounds through the gun and had about a half dozen FTFs in the last 165 rounds. A quick tap to the back of the slide returns it to battery. I really like shooting this gun(points more naturally), though IMO my Gen 5 Glocks have a better triggers out of the box. All the ammo run through this gun has been Blazer brass 115gr with the exception of 50 rounds of Blazer brass 124gr. The fit is incredibly tight so I’m not overly concerned yet about reliability especially since the the CCI Blazer isn’t the best ammo in the world. My plan from here is to run the next 300 rounds using Winchester 124gr NATO ammo. I’m hoping the added power of the NATO rounds produces the reliability I expect from this platform. I was all set to add another SS gun to my collection but the issues breaking in this gun has now given me pause. Anyone else have one of these that took more than 200 rounds to get functioning? Any other suggestions to get this gun functioning are welcome.

DK

June 13, 2022, 05:38 PM

Ox190

quote:
Originally posted by dking271:
I have been running a new MR920 at the range and attempting to get it broken in over the past few weeks. SS says a 200 round break in should be expected. I am currently up to 365 rounds through the gun and had about a half dozen FTFs in the last 165 rounds. A quick tap to the back of the slide returns it to battery. I really like shooting this gun(points more naturally), though IMO my Gen 5 Glocks have a better triggers out of the box. All the ammo run through this gun has been Blazer brass 115gr with the exception of 50 rounds of Blazer brass 124gr. The fit is incredibly tight so I’m not overly concerned yet about reliability especially since the the CCI Blazer isn’t the best ammo in the world. My plan from here is to run the next 300 rounds using Winchester 124gr NATO ammo. I’m hoping the added power of the NATO rounds produces the reliability I expect from this platform. I was all set to add another SS gun to my collection but the issues breaking in this gun has now given me pause. Anyone else have one of these that took more than 200 rounds to get functioning? Any other suggestions to get this gun functioning are welcome.

DK

I'd reach out to Shadow Systems directly. I've heard of other people having issues and they like to address them.

June 13, 2022, 09:45 PM

hessy2000

I shot recommended amount of rounds through MR920 and could never get through a single mag without stovepipes. Disassembly was a chore, and the gun felt weird in my hands, totally lacked any beveling. I have 2 Glocks Gen 5, and felt this was an ugly duckling. After calling the company several times (no one responding) and emailing, got a very dumb response in 3 weeks saying describe what problems you are having. Duh, I described everything in my previous emails. Sold the thing then and there.

June 13, 2022, 10:00 PM

bubbatime

Lots of terrible reviews for this gun. It’s not ready for prime time.

June 13, 2022, 10:27 PM

sigarms229

My MR920 has been perfect. I've owned it less than a year. I've had 3 range sessions with it, and my brother has had a single range session with it. Around 600-700rds total with zero malfunctions, and frankly it shoots much better than my Gen5 Glock 19.

June 14, 2022, 12:20 AM

ArtOfTheSamurai

Sorry to hear about your issues. Before I fire a new gun, I clean and lube it. That way I’m starting the break in on a “blank canvas”.

I used 124 grain NATO for the 200 round break in as it runs a little hotter than run of the mill ammo and I stock it deep.

Not one hiccup. I used a mix of PMAGs and different Glock mags (15rd, 17rd & 24rd). I am using strictly Glock mags in it now out of an abundance of caution and I have lots of them.

I think you need hotter ammo. Also keep track of which mags this occurs in. Like some have indicated, a talk with SS might be helpful. Best wishes in resolving the issue.

June 14, 2022, 06:24 AM

dking271

Thanks for the replies, here is some additional information. I clean, lube, and inspect every new gun before I take it to the range. I only use Glock Gen 5 mags in this gun and the rest of my Glock guns. I shoot this gun better than my Glocks and about as well as my p320s. I’m leaning toward the ammo being the issue combined with a very tight lock up. I’ve had tight 1911s that were similar through the first 500 rounds that now run perfectly. My plan is to run 300 rounds of NATO ammo through it and see where I’m at. I had worse issues with a Gen 4 Glock getting it to run, so not giving up just yet. As a side note, almost all of my shooting with this gun has been draw and fire drills, so I have used these “failures to return to battery” as a training opportunity.

June 14, 2022, 07:08 AM

Nframe

I have 3 SS 920’s. An XR920 elite, an MR920 combat and just picked up a DR920c (comp)
They have all been tighter than my Glocks initially but have smoothed out and function perfectly. Now I do have well over 1000 rounds though the first two and about 300 rounds of 124 and 115 ball through the MR920c. All function excellent. The comp gun is fantastic for playing on the range.
So far I am a big fan. I use the Lucas lube and have only cleaned each of the first two guns twice.

I haven’t shot any of my Glocks this year since getting the 920’s.

June 14, 2022, 07:10 AM

myrottiety

Maybe run a box of +P JHP through it. See if that helps?

June 14, 2022, 07:44 AM

DaBigBR

Do you have a light on the gun? If so, which one?

The Gen 3 Glocks, which I believe the Shadow Systems guns are based on, often had reliability issues with weapon mounted lights. It was most prevalent in .40 and with lights with a metal clamp system like the TLR-1, but not unheard of in 9mm. Part of the fix was the 11 coil magazine spring.

June 14, 2022, 08:44 AM

dking271

No light on the weapon and I too use Lucas oil on the gun.

June 14, 2022, 09:18 AM

cslinger

Not speaking specifically to the Shadow Systems guns as I have no experience here but maybe try the following.

-Leave the mags loaded.
-work the gun via dry fire and full slide movement whenever and however much you can. (Sit in front of the tv and work the slide etc. )
-when you put the gun away leave it locked back.
-Run it fairly wet.
-Make sure you have a light coat of oil on the …. The…. Gah this is the one gun part I always draw a blank on (the long stainless rail in the center of the inside of the slide that pushes rounds out of the magazine.). The silver thingamapusher I think that is the technical term.

-run +p and or heavy for caliber stuff through it for a box or three.

June 15, 2022, 01:43 AM

monoblok

I think I would also try using the PMAGs that are normally OEM-supplied by SS to see if they perform any differently. There could be the possibility that the tolerances of this not-quite-Glock is such that the original Gen5 Glock mags aren't "in spec" with your pistol.

June 15, 2022, 08:09 AM

venenoindy

If issues continue I would try to send it back, I had a DR920 that I put about 400 rds through without a malfunction. The concept is great but I tried some trigger mods and it didn't work out, I really liked the ergonomics and how light it is but I didn't feel comfortable with the trigger not been as versatile as Glock. So back to Glock for me.

June 15, 2022, 01:35 PM

dave7378

I had similar problems with a brand new MR920 last week. Couldn't get through a single mag without a failure to battery. After about 300 rounds, the problem seemed to correct. No issues last 4 or 5 mags. Cleaned, lubed and taking out again this week or next. Will report back.

June 15, 2022, 01:44 PM

Loswsmith

I have a DR920p and a MR920L. Both have been flawless for me, and fit me much nicer than a stock Glock. I echo the "use G3 mag/Pmag" advice as the G5 Glock is just that slightly different enough that might be causing this.

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June 15, 2022, 05:31 PM

dry-fly

Shadow Systems handguns have been excellent for me, I have three.. MR920, MR920L and a CR920. One or two hiccups in the first few rounds for two of them and then smooth sailing. I’m not a Glock fan and was hesitant to try one but I’m sold now. There are enough small changes that “remove” what I disliked about Glocks.

Also as mentioned, stop using Glock mags. SS has a YouTube channel that they put up videos on, Tuesday’s I think. One of them mentions this.

June 16, 2022, 04:10 PM

cslinger

Seems odd that they would release, essentially, a Glock clone that won’t run reliably with factory Glock mags. I would have assumed part of the draw would have been the ubiquitous nature of Glock magazine in a pistol that negates some of the Glock down sides. I have NO shadow systems experience so I might be way off base here.

June 16, 2022, 05:21 PM

dking271

quote:
Originally posted by cslinger:
Seems odd that they would release, essentially, a Glock clone that won’t run reliably with factory Glock mags. I would have assumed part of the draw would have been the ubiquitous nature of Glock magazine in a pistol that negates some of the Glock down sides. I have NO shadow systems experience so I might be way off base here.

They use Magpul mags for two reasons according to SS. The thicker base pad is easily grabbed with the magwell installed, and the base pad is easier to remove for maintenance than Glock mags. The Glock magazines work absolutely fine in the SS guns. The gun is sprung tight, with tight tolerances and the issue is most likely weak ammo not sending the slide far enough back to reliably grab the next round. In fact, the slide is picking up the round between the rim and the case. Blazer ammo is notoriously weak and something I wouldn’t have used pre-pandemic. I will try hotter nato ammo this weekend and try a slightly weaker recoil spring if the better ammo doesn’t resolve the issue.

June 17, 2022, 11:35 AM

hessy2000

Lawman 115 gr worked for me in MR920 with standard Glock mags, but up to a point where ejected casings started to reliably hit me in the face, LOL.

This gun has the same problem the Gen 4 G19 had. Plus, the slide sits too tight on the rails, plus the springs are all over the optimum, so as a result it needs a long break-in. I quickly decided why bother and reverted to G19 Gen 5, lived happily ever after.