I'm starting to find the plain jane models popping up on line for about $7-800 which is cheaper than Shadow Systems. Anyone have any recent range time with one?

I have an OZ9c V1. What do you want to know?

If you're interested in Shadow Systems, lately I've frequently seen them new and lightly used priced around the same as Glocks, i.e., around $500-650.

I've heard a lot of bad things in regard to quality control and wondered if things have cleared up. I've seen the G45 versions down to about $800 and Zev slides do have one of the deepest RMR cuts on the market.

I've also been looking at used XR920s and the temptation of getting one and throwning a Radian Ramjet is also high.

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:
I have an OZ9c V1. What do you want to know?

If you're interested in Shadow Systems, lately I've frequently seen them new and lightly used priced around the same as Glocks, i.e., around $500-650.

New LGS near my house has them [Shadow NIB] for 7-800 IIRC.
I was surprised, because I was expecting a higher price for them.

I have a couple S.S. guns and they have been nothing but reliable and problem free. I have a M920 Foundation and CR920 Warrior Poet that have about 5-600 rounds through them and eat every type of ammo I throw at them. Never had an issue but I just got them recently.

The CR920 I got in a trade and the prior owner had about 3-400 rounds through it. The Foundation I bought nib.The options that come with it you can't beat- optic ready, under cuts on the trigger guard, flat trigger and ergonomic grip with beaver tail.

I also had a couple ZEV complete slides on a couple pistols a little while back and they all functioned perfectly. I have not tried the newer OZ9 pistols but ZEV makes some good stuff.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: patw,

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:
I've heard a lot of bad things in regard to quality control and wondered if things have cleared up.

The aftermarket for Glocks has possibly surpassed the aftermarket for 1911s. Some of the QC problems are explained by owners mixing & matching parts from too many different manufacturers. Zev designs their guns & parts to fit tightly and consequently sometimes don't play well w/ other brands. This is the same issue owners have w/ 1911s and ARs. We had a thread recently about 'This Glock isn't drop-safe' that demonstrates that.

If you buy a complete Zev gun, they recommend ~500 rounds break-in. Shadow Systems does too. This is same thing high end 1911 manufacturers recommend. The break-in period is often a source of QC complaints by users who didn't read the manual. I have gripes about 'break-in periods' and manufacturing tolerances; however, that's considered part of the 'price of admission' for many high-end guns.

The most common complaint I've seen regarding Zev Glocks is 'Failure to feed/extract'. This is often resolved by using an OEM Glock extractor instead of Zev's. In two of my three Zev slides, I run Glock extractors.

quote:

Zev slides do have one of the deepest RMR cuts on the market.

If you're committed to the RMR footprint and don't care about switching to other footprints, Zev arguably has the best RMR cut on the market. They do what have come to be known as Zev posts. The posts extend up from the slide through the mounting holes in your optic. This takes stress off the screws, so the screws won't shear.

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I've also been looking at used XR920s and the temptation of getting one and throwning a Radian Ramjet is also high.

I owned an MR920 Elite and shot other Shadow Systems models. To me, they didn't do anything better than my stock Glocks, so I didn't see them as an upgrade.

I own 2.5 Zevs: an OZ9c, a complete G19.3 build (everything besides the frame is Zev), and a compact slide that I can throw on any Gen5 G19/45/47/49 lower. I only consider a handful of aftermarket brands to improve on OEM Glock, and Zev is one of them.

As with 1911s, tighter fit & tighter-shooting groups can come at a cost of reduced reliability. You have to shoot several hundred rounds and possibly spend some time tuning (changing spring weights & small parts) before you decide the gun is where you want it and if you feel confident about relying your life on it.

Secure Transport is breaking them really regularly. They are not high round count guns apparently.

I have been shooting Shadow Systems models for the past couple of years, and unfortunately, I have had issues with a few of them.

I was going to look at an OZ9, but recently decided to get rid of the Shadows and go with Glocks from now on—no more Glock clones for me.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
Secure Transport is breaking them really regularly. They are not high round count guns apparently.

jljones - are they using a ZEV pistol or Shadow Systems pistol?

Do you have any information on what specific parts are breaking regularly?

Thank you!

They are - or possibly were - using Zev OZ9 Combats. Back in 2022 when the selection announcement was made, there was quite a bit of criticism on why federal agents felt they warranted the need for Gucci Glock clones.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com...ts-zev-oz-9-x-combat