Stafford

OK, the slide gets stuck half-way and the next round is nosed up. Looks like a double feed, but there is not a round chambered. Just the next round angled up, locking the slide.

Ordered two complete kits, TTI basepads, mags and Grams Spring and Follower to get to 23+1 for my Shadow 2. One works but the other malfunctions - failure to feed. Locks up the pistol requiring that I drop the mag to clear. Is there something I need to do to get this mag working? Sand an edge somewhere or something? I have no experience troubleshooting or tuning mags.

OK, lots of good info here. Seems like the 870 Express could be my starter? I really don’t want to spend $8-900 on an entry level auto when I’ll end up dropping a lot more on a quality O/U later on. Other folks I’ve spoken to have mentioned that they do shoot clays with their 870.

Feb. - May is a down time for me with USPSA. I have weekend commitments that won't allow me to shoot pistol during that time. However, the public range is near my workplace and I can go over and practice pistol or clays maybe once per week. Shotgun shells seem plentiful while 9mm is not.

Thinking about getting started. I’m close to a nice public range. Shot skeet once 30 or so years ago and it was fun. Used someone else’s gun. And I haven’t shot another shotgun since then. What type of shotgun is recommended? Is there a decent starter gun, or just go ahead and get something that I will eventually end up with anyway? Equipment needed - pouch? What would I really be getting into as far as time and expense? Already shooting USPSA. Talk me into it or out of it.

I also really like the look of the blue aluminum grips on my S2, and the blue LOK grips are more of a plain royal blue. However, with shooting, dry firing and competing, my shiny blue grips have lost some of their luster and gotten a bit nicked up. But, hey, that’s what the gun is for. I’ll probably just get black grips when I order the LOK thin bogies.

I also like the factory grips. I’ve got smaller hands so the thin aluminum works well. But, I’m probably going to give the LOK thin Bogies a try and see how the feel.

Currently using the 13lb hammer spring with whatever ammo I can find.

I know it's an old post, but... there were several who recommended the 11.5 lb. Anyone running the 11.5lb hammer spring with the factory firing pin? If so, will it set off factory ammo?

Started in carry optics a few months ago and used a dovetail mount from EGW to mount a Holosun on my Shadow 2. The idea was that I was going to try a red dot for a few months and see if I liked it (I do). And then, get the slide cut for the optic. However, at this point, the dot has remained secure and has held accuracy. I'm not sure if I should get it cut or just keep running it on the EGW mount. It seems to work just fine as is. Yeah, it does sit up a bit high, but I'm not sure that this has any effect on my shooting or not. Since this is my first red dot, I have nothing to compare to, and it is what I've become accustomed to. Aesthetically, it would probably look better mounted lower. So, I'm sticking with CO. Are there good reasons to get it cut that will make a difference in my shooting?

O.K. Thanks for those replies. I’m estimating that I’ve put around 5,000 rounds on the S2 with the CGW 13# springs.

How many rounds before changing out the hammer spring and recoil spring on a Shadow 2? Switched out the factory hammer spring and recoil spring for 13# springs from CGW.

Thin Bogies sound perfect for me!

So, how good are the triggers on these? Good to go out of the box? Or do most competitors polish them, and fiddle with the springs or just drop in a different trigger?

Anyone run the thin Bogies? I actually like the thin grip on my Shadow 2 so I wouldn't go for the palm swell. How close in size are the thin bogies to the factory aluminum grips?

I know there’s value, but it’s just not something I’m interested in doing. At least for now.

Which ones work? If I’m buying 147 for competition, I’m probably looking for Federal Syntech. If it ever comes back in stock. I have some 124 grain Syntech and ran one box without issue.

Which 147’s run in the S2’s that you’ve shot? The only issue I ever had with mine was Freedom Munitions 124 grain. Ammo ran fine at the range to slide lock. But in matches, it didn’t want to extract at show clear. Locked up the pistol for a bit before finally extracting. Happened 2-3 times at a match this summer. Did the plunk test and found that it wouldn’t drop free.

Guy in my squad had multiple failures with his Shadow 2 in his first stage. After that first stage, it ran without issue. I asked what happened and he said the problem was ammo. He was running 147 and switched to 125 and it ran perfectly. He said he had heard that S2’s didn’t do well with heavier weight ammo. He also said he had just gotten the S2 and it was his first time shooting it in a match, so I’m guessing he hadn’t done any changes. I’ve never ran anything but 124 and 115 grain in my S2. But I was planning to pick up some 147 competition loads when ammo becomes available again. But now, I’m thinking I should probably stick with 124. I’m running a 13# hammer spring and 13# recoil spring. Has anyone else has problems with 147 grain ammo in a Shadow 2?

How about a new shooter who also starts competition? Sends the gun off for trigger work and gets the full super light trigger weight package. Has no idea about the internal workings of the gun, the terminology, or any understanding of how the various parts work with each other. Only knows that now the trigger is lighter and easier to shoot. Is that person negligent?

There are a fair number of people using the Shadow 2 for Production or CO. I've only shot local matches, but it's fairly common to see this model. I'm running a 13# hammer spring with the original firing pin. But you have no way of knowing if a competitor has the extended pin unless you ask them. I'm more worried about the turn and draw stages where there is a chance of sweeping everyone up range.

Same here, where is the other thread?

Just to be clear, he wasn’t asking me. He would go to whoever was running the tablet and ask for my score? I agree it’s all fun, but I didn’t know the guy. It seemed strange, but it was probably motivating him to try and beat me. I was watching the A CO shooter in our squad, and trying to pick up tips from what he was doing.

Shot a local indoor match and after the first stage a guy walked up and said I guess it’s me and you... We were both in CO and I guess he had evaluated the top shooters and determined that we were fighting it out for who would finish at the bottom of CO. Of course, that leaves out other squads. I’m a C level in Production that recently switched to Carry Optics. Since I hadn’t seen him before, I assume he’s new to USPSA. It’s common for some of the guys who’ve been squadding together to have friendly banter and competition among themselves. But this was a bit weird. After each stage, he went and asked what my Hit Factor was. It’s human nature to compare yourself to others in your squad. But no sooner than I had seen my score, he would walk up and ask to see it. In any event, he was a nice guy and I talked with him a bit. Hopefully, he’ll continue to come out. Has anyone else ever encountered someone “competing” like that within a squad.

LOL. Most likely to justify buying a different firearm or accessory in order to try a different division.