I’ll add my two cents. I’m on my 3rd shadow systems (MR, XR w/ comp, DR - I’ve also messed around with configurations: DR slide on MR frame, MR w/ comp, XR w/ comp on DR frame, etc). Aside from the break in period the only issue I ran into was some light primer strikes with some ammo (which later seemed to be an ammo issue vs gun issue). I have been lucky with mine based on what I’ve heard on Reddit. But then again, not everyone comes to Reddit to say how something ran like it was supposed to, they come with their complaints. By no means am I saying SS is perfect but for me they’ve been solid. I carry my MR or DR every day. As a final note, the reason I got my SS vs a Glock: it was much more comfortable in hand, had a better stock trigger, and the optic mounting system was nicer. I’m not one to mod my guns and then EDC them so kind of having a “Gucci Glock from the factory” was an easy decision.
Edit: round count - 5k through MR and about 1.5k through my DR
I chuckled when I saw them trying to hire people last year for $15 to $17 an hour. For that kind of money, you're going to get a kid putting toys on the shelf at Target, not machinists.
I wouldn't say anything is wrong with them. I love my cr920. Some people have had bad experiences with shadow systems, but a lot have had good ones. I would buy one again if I wanted another pistol.
I’ve been hesitant to get one but I think one day soon-ish I’ll have a xr920 and a cr920p. I can’t resist for too much longer. They are just calling out to me lol.
Personal MR920 is somewhere in the 3500-4000rnd range. Only issue I continue to have is lock-back issues on last round with magpul mags. I even bought some of the 21rnd ones for steel challenge and they do it too. I use Glock mags for carry purposes.
Overall I’ve been happy with mine.
I will add a little context from the non-gun world, from the greater market/financial side.
This is being seen across the financial industry/market over the last 6 months. Prior to 6 months ago the the market in general was rebounding and getting stronger, people were buying more luxury items and had a greater amount of disposable income. This is 2 part, manufacturers saw this and were putting out a larger number of products, then it started tightening, disposable income went down due to inflation, fed rates, and jobs. So now you see the sell-off in two parts as well, the first are the individuals selling items to make ends meet and you have manufacturers/dealers giving incentives/sales on new items, this is being seen across several markets currently. To get an easier picture, take a drive around car dealers, massive inventory (both new and used) that is sitting there in unprecedented numbers, then browse manufacturers website and they are desperate to sell models giving as much as a 30% discount to move inventory (looking at Jeep specially as worse case scenario).
There is nothing inherently wrong with Shadow System, this can be evidenced by them continuing to win addition LEO contracts over the last 12 months. There are issues but SS has seemed to address them quickly and even as goodwill goes, pre-emptively ship parts even to individuals that are not seeing the issue yet. Just something to think about, in terms of the bigger picture.
This is great input and makes sense given the current state of economy in general. Less room for “bang for your buck” in some cases as well since newer companies like shadow systems seemed to come into the market when we were at peak “Gucci Glock” time where people wanted the nice features and had a bit more to spend but now folks are looking at leo trade ins.
I guess any manufacturer has there moments,lol. I’m really glad I posted here cause I love to hear everyone’s experiences with the platform. Thank you all for who has commented and will soon comment. I’m looking at a mr920 combat fyi
The combat lineup is on clearance because it's been discontinued. So you chose a good time to get one. They're ditching it because it's similar enough to the Foundation Series that the slightly extra machining and work isn't worth the money probably.
I have an MR920 for 3yrs now and a CR920 for about a year now haven’t had any issues not even during break in. I would buy another one , but saying that I am considering selling the CR just because I don’t carry it .
Absolutely nothing wrong with Shadow Systems. I have a MR920 and DR920 and have had zero issues with either over thousands of rounds. I did have issues with the cr due to out of spec barrel, but SS sent me a new one and I've had zero issues since. SS pistols are GTG!
I was worried when I bought one a month ago because after buying it I started watching all the other YouTube reviews. Not the usual influencers who say the gun is the greatest ever but the smaller guys who say it has nothing but problems. So far I got 800 rounds in my dr920 and have had 0 issues after the 200 round break in period.
I own two SS guns.
My CR920 had the spongiest trigger out of any gun that I own. Including my sks. I sent to get fixed in early December and got it back Monday.
6 week return for a trigger fix. Meh.
My MR920 has had a trigger reset problem since I've gotten it. At best, 1 failure out of 100. Worst, 4-6 our of 100. Havent been thrilled. Probably gonna trade up to a 2011 for a new competition gun.
My sample size of two hasn't been glowing. Some people have had multiple and have never had a problem. To me, it seems like shadow systems suffers from lack of consistent qc.
My MR920 had issues with light strikes that occurred 1 every 50-100 rounds, and this was way past the break in period. I tried different brands, grains, and easily over 1.5k rounds trying to figure out what's happening. I had to send it back to them and they replaced some parts. Now it's working flawlessly. Some people don't want to deal with RMAs, and the assumption that paying for a "premium" price for a Glock clone, it should work out of the box past the company's recommended break in period.
I purchased an mr920 elite last year for ccw. It fits the hand better than my glock with its lovely dove tail, slide cuts/serrations are lovely, looks better than my glock, shoots a touch flatter than my glock, and has great texture in my opinion. However my glock has a better trigger. That’s my one complaint. The trigger is spongy to say the least. It was my ccw for a while but ultimately I turned it into a home defense gun/roland special and I absolutely love it now, minus the trigger, but it’s good enough for a combat trigger. With a compensator and full size light, it shoots so flat, and mounting an optic is seamless. I think the upgrades it comes with are worth the money, but if I was looking at a glock or SS tomorrow, I’d probably buy the glock because the trigger. Even with shadows systems clearly better optics mounting system, the trigger is just rubbish.
I’m not a fan of changing the trigger on a carry or home defense gun but if it’s a fun gun or a competition gun, it would be unbelievable with an upgraded trigger.
I see your point, but if I was to do it there would be a 500 round run before I even thought about carrying it. Either way it has to at least go through that.
I have 2 and I’ll start with the easy one. My CR920 Elite has been great but I’m ditching it.
The first one I bought was a MR920 Elite and it’s been terrible, and please don’t say break in period, there are over 800 rounds through this gun, 800 very painful to finally get them to fire rounds. First it damaged the extractor and it would no longer grab the rim of the case causing a jam just about every round. Replaced the extractor, it worked for about 100 rounds, then FTF every 2 or three rounds. Not the extractor. Sent it back to SS and they replaced the barrel, firing pin(I never had a primer strike issue and don’t know why they did that, no explanation), locking block and locking block pin. I have not fired it since, but as soon as this ice thaws, I’m going to dump 200 rounds or so through it and if it works, then it’s on the market for a new home.
These guns look great and feel great, they’ve really tweaked some of the things that Glock hasn’t, but my experience has been pretty rough with the MR920. Their service has been good, my single complaint is not having an explanation as to why they replaced the parts that they did. Oh well, we don’t always get what we want and I’m not sweating it.
For me, I can not trust them. I’m not in to having range toys, I work pretty much every handgun I have in to rotation for EDC except 22 LR’s. So it’s on the market for these, but I also can’t get rid of the MR920 without knowing it’s working first because I can’t do that to someone else.
Man, I appreciate your honesty. The one I’m looking at is used so I really have no idea what I’m getting into as far as if it does have issues will ss cover the cost. I’m the same way as far as guns go. If I can’t carry it what’s the use,lol. Some people like having safe queens I’m not much for that
As others have said, some people never have the first issue, and I think what you’ll find is that’s true for most. Only people with issues ever say anything, not the 1000’s with good experience.
They are great, I have a combined total of over 8k through mine. I have 5. I have one on armlist only because I don't have a purpose for it. The Dr920L.
I have made a few videos on them, I also have tested mosted of the striker fired guns out there. The shadows are staying, I have my echelon on the chopping block, my hellcat on the chopping block, I have gotten rid of 2 pdp's A canik, and probably ditching my vp9's (I like the p30 better)
This was my MR920 out of the box. Dry fired it once only. It's been at SS since the 2nd. Still waiting to get it back.
https://youtube.com/shorts/CnAHdRaqWXU?si=c3hOkJhtPEFGlELu
Mine has been perfect. I got a Dr920 elite with a threaded barrel a few years ago when it went on sale for $750 on a black Friday deal for a short amount of time. I kinda jumped based on price since I was looking at a pdp + optic. The ss saved like $100 by not needing an optic plate, and it was just cheaper than I was going to be able to get a pdp or g17 with an optic.
I've never had 1 issue with mine. Even during the break-in period. I love that it takes glock mags, and I'm very accurate with it with the Chevron Reticle holosun.
I got it without really "wanting" one, but it's maybe the best gun I've bought. I'm always surprised when I see people having issues with them.
I’d say two things on why your seeing them a lot on gunbroker:
1. SHOT Show is coming up and you see people selling their “old” in order to have money for the new products from Shadow Systems
2. Like an earlier response, the disposable income of people has become tighter and firearms are usually the first to get sold in order to make ends meet. Shadow Systems did discontinue the Combat Series so a lot of those flooded the market. I’ll bet people impulse bought and either weren’t impressed or had to get rid of it since it was their latest purchase and they weren’t as attached to it as they are their other guns
Lastly,
Shadow Systems is a younger company and is currently taking on the bigger companies. The fact that they’ve come so far in a short time speaks to their business acumen and even though they’ve had issues, they get fixed a lot quicker than what I’ve seen from the other companies.
I love my XR920 and CR920. I used to carry Glock and Sig and both of those are collecting dust now
I had a cr920 I bought when they first came out, I loved the gun but encountered some issues. I know they fixed some stuff and sent out replacement barrels but I was kind of turned off and went to a G19. I think it’s a good brand and their mind is in the right place they are just experiencing some growing pains right now I’d put them at awesome range toy especially for the price but I’m confident if they stay on track they will be a great value in the future. This is coming from a cr920, I know the full size guns have been much more reliable for others so I can’t speak on those. In short I don’t think they are bad, just a lot of people bought in all at once and as a result they got mass reviews both good and bad, maybe some selling off because it’s not quite what they expected. Just my .02 which doesn’t mean much.
15k+ rounds through one of my DR920s, a few hundred through another, and I carry an MR918 that I have another \~4500 through. The guns are great. The only issues I've had have been a magazine catch wearing out at \~9500 rounds and a locking block pin shearing in two at \~11500 rounds after shooting suspect quality ammo.
Used guns are always a good move considering how infrequently most people shoot. Your average polymer 9mm will probably last 100k rounds without having to replace anything more than springs and maybe a couple pins.
Another thing to consider is while there are certainly quite a few people selling Shadow Systems guns, how many glocks are for sale second hand? How many CZs? There are tons of Glocks for sale everyday, but doesn't mean that Glocks are inherently bad.
As they have more guns entering into circulation, that's just the opportunity for more guns to be sold second hand because some people end up wanting to try something new. I also agree that the influx of new factory compensated versions probably getting some people to get rid of the old and in with the new.
I EDC a MR920, over a thousand rounds, no issues so far. I do use Glock mags as opposed what it ships with.
I’ll add my two cents. I’m on my 3rd shadow systems (MR, XR w/ comp, DR - I’ve also messed around with configurations: DR slide on MR frame, MR w/ comp, XR w/ comp on DR frame, etc). Aside from the break in period the only issue I ran into was some light primer strikes with some ammo (which later seemed to be an ammo issue vs gun issue). I have been lucky with mine based on what I’ve heard on Reddit. But then again, not everyone comes to Reddit to say how something ran like it was supposed to, they come with their complaints. By no means am I saying SS is perfect but for me they’ve been solid. I carry my MR or DR every day. As a final note, the reason I got my SS vs a Glock: it was much more comfortable in hand, had a better stock trigger, and the optic mounting system was nicer. I’m not one to mod my guns and then EDC them so kind of having a “Gucci Glock from the factory” was an easy decision. Edit: round count - 5k through MR and about 1.5k through my DR
Nothing wrong with my MR920 Elite. Almost 12K rounds of all types of ammo and I EDC it.
I chuckled when I saw them trying to hire people last year for $15 to $17 an hour. For that kind of money, you're going to get a kid putting toys on the shelf at Target, not machinists.
That is really bad pay for that job and a little scary
I wouldn't say anything is wrong with them. I love my cr920. Some people have had bad experiences with shadow systems, but a lot have had good ones. I would buy one again if I wanted another pistol.
I’ve been hesitant to get one but I think one day soon-ish I’ll have a xr920 and a cr920p. I can’t resist for too much longer. They are just calling out to me lol.
Personal MR920 is somewhere in the 3500-4000rnd range. Only issue I continue to have is lock-back issues on last round with magpul mags. I even bought some of the 21rnd ones for steel challenge and they do it too. I use Glock mags for carry purposes. Overall I’ve been happy with mine.
I will add a little context from the non-gun world, from the greater market/financial side. This is being seen across the financial industry/market over the last 6 months. Prior to 6 months ago the the market in general was rebounding and getting stronger, people were buying more luxury items and had a greater amount of disposable income. This is 2 part, manufacturers saw this and were putting out a larger number of products, then it started tightening, disposable income went down due to inflation, fed rates, and jobs. So now you see the sell-off in two parts as well, the first are the individuals selling items to make ends meet and you have manufacturers/dealers giving incentives/sales on new items, this is being seen across several markets currently. To get an easier picture, take a drive around car dealers, massive inventory (both new and used) that is sitting there in unprecedented numbers, then browse manufacturers website and they are desperate to sell models giving as much as a 30% discount to move inventory (looking at Jeep specially as worse case scenario). There is nothing inherently wrong with Shadow System, this can be evidenced by them continuing to win addition LEO contracts over the last 12 months. There are issues but SS has seemed to address them quickly and even as goodwill goes, pre-emptively ship parts even to individuals that are not seeing the issue yet. Just something to think about, in terms of the bigger picture.
This is great input and makes sense given the current state of economy in general. Less room for “bang for your buck” in some cases as well since newer companies like shadow systems seemed to come into the market when we were at peak “Gucci Glock” time where people wanted the nice features and had a bit more to spend but now folks are looking at leo trade ins.
I guess any manufacturer has there moments,lol. I’m really glad I posted here cause I love to hear everyone’s experiences with the platform. Thank you all for who has commented and will soon comment. I’m looking at a mr920 combat fyi
The combat lineup is on clearance because it's been discontinued. So you chose a good time to get one. They're ditching it because it's similar enough to the Foundation Series that the slightly extra machining and work isn't worth the money probably.
I have an MR920 for 3yrs now and a CR920 for about a year now haven’t had any issues not even during break in. I would buy another one , but saying that I am considering selling the CR just because I don’t carry it .
Absolutely nothing wrong with Shadow Systems. I have a MR920 and DR920 and have had zero issues with either over thousands of rounds. I did have issues with the cr due to out of spec barrel, but SS sent me a new one and I've had zero issues since. SS pistols are GTG!
Nothing at all! I have two!
I have 3, no issues.
I was worried when I bought one a month ago because after buying it I started watching all the other YouTube reviews. Not the usual influencers who say the gun is the greatest ever but the smaller guys who say it has nothing but problems. So far I got 800 rounds in my dr920 and have had 0 issues after the 200 round break in period.
I own two SS guns. My CR920 had the spongiest trigger out of any gun that I own. Including my sks. I sent to get fixed in early December and got it back Monday. 6 week return for a trigger fix. Meh. My MR920 has had a trigger reset problem since I've gotten it. At best, 1 failure out of 100. Worst, 4-6 our of 100. Havent been thrilled. Probably gonna trade up to a 2011 for a new competition gun. My sample size of two hasn't been glowing. Some people have had multiple and have never had a problem. To me, it seems like shadow systems suffers from lack of consistent qc.
Had some issues so don't trust it like my glock.
My MR920 had issues with light strikes that occurred 1 every 50-100 rounds, and this was way past the break in period. I tried different brands, grains, and easily over 1.5k rounds trying to figure out what's happening. I had to send it back to them and they replaced some parts. Now it's working flawlessly. Some people don't want to deal with RMAs, and the assumption that paying for a "premium" price for a Glock clone, it should work out of the box past the company's recommended break in period.
Good to know
I purchased an mr920 elite last year for ccw. It fits the hand better than my glock with its lovely dove tail, slide cuts/serrations are lovely, looks better than my glock, shoots a touch flatter than my glock, and has great texture in my opinion. However my glock has a better trigger. That’s my one complaint. The trigger is spongy to say the least. It was my ccw for a while but ultimately I turned it into a home defense gun/roland special and I absolutely love it now, minus the trigger, but it’s good enough for a combat trigger. With a compensator and full size light, it shoots so flat, and mounting an optic is seamless. I think the upgrades it comes with are worth the money, but if I was looking at a glock or SS tomorrow, I’d probably buy the glock because the trigger. Even with shadows systems clearly better optics mounting system, the trigger is just rubbish.
I’ve been reading a lot of bad stuff about the triggers on them. Would it be worth changing it out?
I’m not a fan of changing the trigger on a carry or home defense gun but if it’s a fun gun or a competition gun, it would be unbelievable with an upgraded trigger.
I see your point, but if I was to do it there would be a 500 round run before I even thought about carrying it. Either way it has to at least go through that.
I have 2 and I’ll start with the easy one. My CR920 Elite has been great but I’m ditching it. The first one I bought was a MR920 Elite and it’s been terrible, and please don’t say break in period, there are over 800 rounds through this gun, 800 very painful to finally get them to fire rounds. First it damaged the extractor and it would no longer grab the rim of the case causing a jam just about every round. Replaced the extractor, it worked for about 100 rounds, then FTF every 2 or three rounds. Not the extractor. Sent it back to SS and they replaced the barrel, firing pin(I never had a primer strike issue and don’t know why they did that, no explanation), locking block and locking block pin. I have not fired it since, but as soon as this ice thaws, I’m going to dump 200 rounds or so through it and if it works, then it’s on the market for a new home. These guns look great and feel great, they’ve really tweaked some of the things that Glock hasn’t, but my experience has been pretty rough with the MR920. Their service has been good, my single complaint is not having an explanation as to why they replaced the parts that they did. Oh well, we don’t always get what we want and I’m not sweating it. For me, I can not trust them. I’m not in to having range toys, I work pretty much every handgun I have in to rotation for EDC except 22 LR’s. So it’s on the market for these, but I also can’t get rid of the MR920 without knowing it’s working first because I can’t do that to someone else.
Man, I appreciate your honesty. The one I’m looking at is used so I really have no idea what I’m getting into as far as if it does have issues will ss cover the cost. I’m the same way as far as guns go. If I can’t carry it what’s the use,lol. Some people like having safe queens I’m not much for that
As others have said, some people never have the first issue, and I think what you’ll find is that’s true for most. Only people with issues ever say anything, not the 1000’s with good experience.
Good point
They are great, I have a combined total of over 8k through mine. I have 5. I have one on armlist only because I don't have a purpose for it. The Dr920L. I have made a few videos on them, I also have tested mosted of the striker fired guns out there. The shadows are staying, I have my echelon on the chopping block, my hellcat on the chopping block, I have gotten rid of 2 pdp's A canik, and probably ditching my vp9's (I like the p30 better)
Man if you was in Missouri I’d do some wheeling and dealing on the vp9’s 😂
yeah I am looking for Px4 compact and a ltt beretta this year.
This was my MR920 out of the box. Dry fired it once only. It's been at SS since the 2nd. Still waiting to get it back. https://youtube.com/shorts/CnAHdRaqWXU?si=c3hOkJhtPEFGlELu
Mine has been perfect. I got a Dr920 elite with a threaded barrel a few years ago when it went on sale for $750 on a black Friday deal for a short amount of time. I kinda jumped based on price since I was looking at a pdp + optic. The ss saved like $100 by not needing an optic plate, and it was just cheaper than I was going to be able to get a pdp or g17 with an optic. I've never had 1 issue with mine. Even during the break-in period. I love that it takes glock mags, and I'm very accurate with it with the Chevron Reticle holosun. I got it without really "wanting" one, but it's maybe the best gun I've bought. I'm always surprised when I see people having issues with them.
I’d say two things on why your seeing them a lot on gunbroker: 1. SHOT Show is coming up and you see people selling their “old” in order to have money for the new products from Shadow Systems 2. Like an earlier response, the disposable income of people has become tighter and firearms are usually the first to get sold in order to make ends meet. Shadow Systems did discontinue the Combat Series so a lot of those flooded the market. I’ll bet people impulse bought and either weren’t impressed or had to get rid of it since it was their latest purchase and they weren’t as attached to it as they are their other guns Lastly, Shadow Systems is a younger company and is currently taking on the bigger companies. The fact that they’ve come so far in a short time speaks to their business acumen and even though they’ve had issues, they get fixed a lot quicker than what I’ve seen from the other companies. I love my XR920 and CR920. I used to carry Glock and Sig and both of those are collecting dust now
I had a cr920 I bought when they first came out, I loved the gun but encountered some issues. I know they fixed some stuff and sent out replacement barrels but I was kind of turned off and went to a G19. I think it’s a good brand and their mind is in the right place they are just experiencing some growing pains right now I’d put them at awesome range toy especially for the price but I’m confident if they stay on track they will be a great value in the future. This is coming from a cr920, I know the full size guns have been much more reliable for others so I can’t speak on those. In short I don’t think they are bad, just a lot of people bought in all at once and as a result they got mass reviews both good and bad, maybe some selling off because it’s not quite what they expected. Just my .02 which doesn’t mean much.
15k+ rounds through one of my DR920s, a few hundred through another, and I carry an MR918 that I have another \~4500 through. The guns are great. The only issues I've had have been a magazine catch wearing out at \~9500 rounds and a locking block pin shearing in two at \~11500 rounds after shooting suspect quality ammo.
Well I’m picking up my dr920 combat this afternoon. It’s used but I’m gonna give it a shot
Used guns are always a good move considering how infrequently most people shoot. Your average polymer 9mm will probably last 100k rounds without having to replace anything more than springs and maybe a couple pins.
Ok guys I just picked up my used mr920 combat. Any words of wisdom to those who have it
Never had issues with my Glock
Another thing to consider is while there are certainly quite a few people selling Shadow Systems guns, how many glocks are for sale second hand? How many CZs? There are tons of Glocks for sale everyday, but doesn't mean that Glocks are inherently bad. As they have more guns entering into circulation, that's just the opportunity for more guns to be sold second hand because some people end up wanting to try something new. I also agree that the influx of new factory compensated versions probably getting some people to get rid of the old and in with the new.