Shadow Systems makes great guns. With a reputation for “Gucci Glocks,” the company produces some high-end Glock clone pistols. This year, however, they have made some improvements that put them in a class of their own.
During TriggrCon 2024, it became clear that handgun compensators are the newest rage. Sure, they’ve been around for a long time, but not like this. Compact, easy-to-attach compensators were the most notable feature of the show.
Shadow Systems didn’t just add a compensator however, they also changed the magazine size on their newest model, the CR920X. Here’s a quick rundown of this newest model from Shadow Systems. And be sure to check out the video below to see how the compensator attaches.
CR920X: Shadow Systems newest offering
Shadow Systems newest model is the CR920X and it comes with a few different options. First, you can choose between compensated (CR920XP) or non-compensated. Second, this newest model uses proprietary mags that hold more ammo than a standard Glock or Glock clone.
The CR920 is Shadow Systems’ version of the Glock 43. Of course, the CR920X is their version of the Glock 43X, but it holds more rounds. Because of their proprietary nickel Teflon all-coated magazine, it holds 15+1 rounds. That’s an impressive amount of ammo for such a compact gun.
Besides these new features, the CR920X has the same high-end finish, serrations, and slide design that make Shadow Systems guns stand out.
It comes optics-ready for those who want to mount a red dot, and the Picatinny rail makes room for your favorite light.
For these newest models, Shadow Systems offers a few options with slide machining depending on how much you want to spend. Their top-tier guns are called the “Elite” series which have more machining on the slides and come standard with Tritium sights.
The Foundation series has a simpler slide pattern with standard metal front sights.
CR920XP: Integrated Compensator
The CR920XP is the same gun as the standard CR920X but with the addition of a small compensator that is integrated into the gun. This means you get a complete-looking gun without a bulky compensator sticking off the end of it, which is one reason I don’t use a compensator on many of my guns.
The patented design makes it easy to remove the compensator for cleaning, without any tools. That’s right, nothing is threaded so you don’t have to unscrew the compensator. This also means it cannot come loose while shooting.
Take a look at how it works in this video:
Removing it adds just a couple of seconds to the field strip process, which is pretty cool. A small locking lever pivots to the side allowing the compensator to come off. This allows the compensator to be very small.
MR920X: Full-size with compensator
In the past, adding a compensator meant you had holster problems. This is because holsters are made for the length of the gun and a compensator adds to that length. Shadow Systems however adjusted the barrel length for their compensated guns so that the overall length of the gun is “standard” length with the compensator added. Because it’s integrated into the barrel, slide and frame, it fits standard G17 holsters.
The compensator fits so great on both the MR and CR920Ps that it’s hard to even notice they are compensated until you look at them closely.
Is a compensator worth it?
According to Shadow Systems, their compensators account for a 40%-50% reduction in muzzle rise. This is a significant decrease for such a small compensator. Of course, everyone showcasing a compensator at TriggrCon had various claims to muzzle reduction. Being from the Show-Me state, I wanted to see this for myself.
On range day, I was able to shoot both the compensated and non-compensated CR920 pistols. I fired the CR920 first (non-compensated) and then the CR920P. I must admit, there was a noticeable difference in muzzle rise. Were the percentages accurate with their claims? It was close enough I’m not going to argue.
The compensated CR920P kicked directly back into my hand with very little upward movement of the barrel. This made the gun easy to shoot fast and stay on target.
I also fired their full-size MR920P, and the reduction in muzzle rise was extremely noticeable on it as well. For the price, this has got to be one of the better Glock-style handguns you can find.
What’s the price?
When it comes to price, you really get a bang for your buck. Because Shadow Systems offers two series of handguns for each model, it allows you to choose a “Gucci” version or a simpler version. Even the simple version, however, is flashier than a basic Glock.
According to Shadow Systems, the basic CR920X starts at $599 and other models go all the way up to $1,000 for a complete pistol. Here are some quick prices of the new CR920X and XP pistols:
- CR920X Elite: $799
- CR920XP: $889
- CR920X Foundation: $599
When you consider how much handguns have increased over the past few years, these prices are affordable for the upgrades you get with them.
Are you ready to compensate?
I’ve been a fan of Shadow Systems for some time now and these newest models are exciting to see. I like their direction with this, and I may just have to make a compensated pistol my next project.
Everything in the gun industry moves in waves, and compensators are the new trend. If you want a compensated gun that doesn’t have a bulky, awkward-looking attachment on the end of it, check out Shadlow Systems‘ new compensated handguns and see what you think.
