CZ Shadow 2 Magazines

The CZ Shadow 2 is known as one of the best competition pistols on the market. The pistol features excellent ergonomics and a smooth trigger. This is a top-notch choice for USPSA or just spending afternoons at the range.

But even a pistol of that kind of reputation requires a quality magazine. A quality CZ Shadow 2 mag ensures the pistol works as it is supposed to. The good news is that the Shadow 2 benefits from decades of CZ-75 magazine development. The CZ Shadow 2 is compatible with the larger CZ-75 family, offering access to factory and aftermarket options in a wide range of capacities.

Factory magazines are still very popular, particularly among competitive shooters who demand total reliability of their gear. Meanwhile, big names such as Mec-Gar have earned a great reputation for producing some of the best magazines available for the platform.

CZ Shadow 2 vs CZ Shadow 2 Compact Magazines

The launch of the Shadow 2 Compact caused a bit of confusion. The standard Shadow 2 is similar to the compact version, but magazine selection may vary depending on the pistol and its intended use.

The full-size Shadow 2 is based on standard CZ-75 pattern magazines. The 16, 17, 19, and 20-round magazines fit perfectly and are the favorite choice among competition shooters.

The CZ Shadow 2 compact magazine is a bit different, though. Because of the shorter grip frame, flush-fitting magazines for the compact model may not always match the dimensions of the full-size pistol. Many of the larger CZ-75 magazines can still be used in the compact model, but they may extend below the grip.

That’s where CZ Shadow 2 compact magazine compatibility becomes important. Verify your model via our product descriptions before ordering. Some magazines are made for the compact version, and others are for the full-size pistol.

Types of CZ Shadow 2 Magazines

You’ll find a myriad of CZ Shadow 2 mags available, making it possible to customize the pistol for almost any use.

Factory CZ magazines continue to set the standard. They offer excellent reliability and durable steel construction. Many competitive shooters trust them for match use because they simply work.

Mec-Gar magazines deserve equal attention. Mec-Gar has long been one of the top magazine makers in the industry, and their extended magazines have been very popular among Shadow 2 owners. The 17-round and 19-round magazines provide extra capacity and excellent reliability. The longer 19-round magazines with aluminum baseplates are especially popular for competition applications.

For those who just want to get the most out of their time on the range, ProMag has some great options, such as extended magazines and even drum magazines for the budget-conscious shooter.

Specialty options are also available. The Kadet magazine is suitable for .22 LR training, and .40 S&W magazines are still available for shooters running those chamberings.

Magazine Capacities

One of the reasons the Shadow 2 platform is so attractive is its capacity. The standard-capacity magazines hold 16 to 19 rounds of 9mm ammo. These capacities strike a great balance between size, reliability, and reload frequency.

10-round magazines are perfect for use in states with magazine restrictions. They are also suitable for training and competition divisions with capacity limits.

Extended magazines provide additional options. The 19-round magazines offered by Mec-Gar are popular among competitive shooters because they offer more capacity without making the magazine overly bulky. 20-round mags provide even more ammunition before reloading is required.

For shooters looking strictly for range fun, larger options exist as well. The 32-round extended magazines and 50-round drum magazines definitely attract attention. They might not be the best for competition or defensive purposes, but they can definitely make range sessions more fun.