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Shadow Systems CR920X 9mm: Full Review

The Shadow Systems CR920X is a subcompact that shoots with the handling of a service pistol. Here's a full review.

Shadow Systems CR920X 9mm: Full Review
(Photo by Mark Fingar)

Shadow Systems’ CR920, introduced by Keith Wood in Guns & Ammo’s June 2022 issue, has been a huge hit. That was followed by the CR920P, reviewed by Joe Kurtenbach in the July 2023 issue, and now this. As G&A’s Handgun Editor, I had first dibs to evaluate the new CR920X. 

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While it has similar dimensions to a G43X, the CR920X possesses a 15-plus-one-round capacity, has a 5-pound trigger pull, and an optic-ready slide. There is also room for a compact light under the dustcover. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

A brief summary, if you’ve never heard of Shadow Systems: Located in Plano, Texas, the company built a reputation for customizing Glock pistols. Now it is well-­known for producing its own Glock-­style handguns. In many ways, Shadow Systems pistols are superior to “G” factory guns. Every part and piece of a Shadow Systems pistol is made in the U.S.

The naming system is a bit confusing, though. As for the CR920 series, CR stands for “Covert Role,” and this is a 9mm pistol purpose-­built for concealed carry. Think of the original CR920 as a pistol with the dimensions of the micro-­compact Glock 43, but with the capacity of the Glock 26 due to the development of the steel, double-­column magazine. Flush magazines for the CR920 hold 10 rounds, and extended magazines have a 13-round capacity.

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Disassembling the CR920X reveals that the internal workings did not diverge far from popular striker-fired 9mm designs. Where it becomes distinctive is discovering that most parts are bespoke to Shadow Systems’ pistols, featuring premium materials, machine work, fitment and finishes. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

The new-for-2024 Shadow Systems CR920X utilizes the same top end as the CR920, but it has a longer grip frame that accepts flush 15-­round magazines like the G19. In short, the CR920X is a pistol with similar dimensions as the subcompact Glock 43X, but with 50 percent more capacity and better features. While testing the CR920 in the past, I found that I preferred shooting with the extended 13-­round magazine. It allowed me to get my entire hand on the pistol. It’s not rocket science; smaller guns are easier to conceal but harder to shoot. The CR920X, with a flush 15-­round magazine in place, is a quarter-inch taller than the CR920 with the extended 13-­round magazine inserted.

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A Night Fision tritium-filled front sight is framed by a dovetailed and serrated rear notch that lacks flanking dots. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

By the Numbers

Like all of Shadow Systems’ pistols, the CR920X is a polymer-­framed, striker-­fired semiautomatic that’s only available in 9mm. It possesses all the features modern concealed carry users are demanding, too. As I write this, Shadow Systems hasn’t announced this pistol. In fact, there isn’t even advertising for it. So think of G&A’s test guns as early production samples. I presume, like all the other models, the CR920X will be available in two versions: The basic Foundation model, and the fully loaded CR920X Elite, as seen in the accompanying photos. The Elite models have additional slide texturing and ports machined into the slide. All are available either with black barrels finished with a black nitride or a bronze titanium carbon-­nitride (TiCN) finish.

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Shadow System barrels are available with a fluted, bronze TiCN finish. With the slide forward, the flare is tastefully visible through ports on each side of the slide. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

The CR920X has a 3.41-­inch barrel. Overall it is 6.37 inches long and 5.2 inches tall with the flush-size magazine in place. Empty, with magazine inserted, it weighs 19 ounces according to a digital scale. For comparison, the CR920 weighed 17.8 ounces.

The real news is in the width of the gun. The slimline Glock 43X, according to my calipers, is 1.03 inches thick at its widest point. The CR920X, on the other hand, is 1.06 inches thick. My hands can’t tell the difference between 1.03 inches and 1.06 inches. However, while being of similar width, the CR920X holds 15 shots whereas the G43X only holds 10.

This isn’t magic. The G43X is fed by a large, single-­column magazine. There’s room for more ammo inside the grip, but Glock didn’t engineer it that way. Shadow Systems did. Using a steel-bodied magazine with no wasted space, the nickel-Teflon-coated magazines provided had index holes at the rear corresponding to four, six, eight, 10, and 15 rounds. (Shadow Systems indicated that it will offer an extended 17-­round magazine for the CR920X. Of course, all magazines for the CR920X will fit the CR920.)

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The CR920X and CR920XP have optic cuts as a standard feature. The footprint supports the Shield RMS­c and Holosun 507K pattern. When not in use, a coverplate is secured by two screws. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

Shadow Systems is far from the first company to notice the capacity failure of Glock’s single-­stack magazines. Shield Arms makes an all-­metal magazine for the G43X/G48 that increases capacity from 10 to 15 rounds, although you’ll also need to swap out your magazine release to use them in the Glock. Shadow Systems didn’t go with these magazines because they don’t work with the reversible steel magazine release equipped in its guns.

More Than Aesthetics

The CR920X is a very flat gun. Most of the frame and slide measure less than an inch thick. Both the front and rear of the slide sport aggressive, flat-­bottomed, angled serrations, but Elite models have directional, angled serrations on the top of the slide as well, in addition to spiral flutes and ports in the slide. I wouldn’t want ports in the slide of a pistol I was taking to a desert warzone, but for a domestic concealed carry piece that should be cleaned at regular intervals anyway, I don’t see an issue.

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The triggerguard features a unique undercut at the rear for a high grip. Controls, including the slide, were designed to be low profile and serrated. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

One continued disappointment with Glock pistols is the standard sights. They are plastic and feature an improperly sized and positioned dot on the front sight. In contrast, Shadow Systems has always put great sights on its pistols. The day/night sights on the CR920 are steel, made for Shadow Systems by Night Fision. The front sight has a tritium insert, surrounded by a bright green ring. The rear sight is plain black and serrated, the corners bobbed to reduce snagging.

The CR920X Elite is optic-­ready and delivered with a steel plate mounted atop the slide. Remove that and you’ll see the slide is set up for the direct mounting of optics having the Shield RMS­c/Holosun 507K footprint. For accuracy testing, I mounted the new SIG Sauer Romeo-­X Compact. It sat low enough that I could use the iron sights through the window, which was a good thing. When a battery dies, it’ll likely be at the worst possible time.

Recommended


Shadow Systems has spec’d a slightly heavier trigger pull for this gun than the larger models. It’s still lighter than any factory Glock, though. The factory spec for the CR920 is a trigger pull between 41/2 and ­5 pounds. That’s perfectly acceptable for a subcompact defensive pistol. The trigger shoe is polymer with a gently curving flat face, and the expected safety lever in the center.

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Textured touchpoints are above and in front of the triggerguard, places to rest the trigger finger when not in use. The same texture also appears around the grip and on the magazine basepad. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

Slide-­to-­barrel-­to-­frame fit has always been good with Shadow System’s pistols. The slide is machined from 17-­4 stainless steel given a nitride coating. 

The frame of the CR920X sports a number of upgrades, too. The raised texturing on the front, back, and sides of the grip is nicely aggressive. You shouldn’t have any problems with it moving in your hand. There is identical texturing on the front of the triggerguard, as well. You’ll also see texture given to the small lip on either side of the frame above the front of the triggerguard; this is where the thumb of your support hand goes while shooting with a two-­handed grip. It continues the theme of “a little bit of extra control on a small gun.” Just like the CR920, the CR920X does not have interchangeable backstraps.

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The serial number is located at the bottom of the dustcover. Compact lights are ideal for the short rail. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

At the front of the frame is a single slot accessory rail. There’s enough room on the gun for compact tactical lights, which is a nice feature that would be useful if this gun pulls double duty as a home defense tool. 

At the back of the frame, there is a beavertail that is reduced in size. Shadow Systems calls it an “intelligently designed beavertail.” It’s big enough to protect your hand from slide bite, but not so big it makes the gun print.

The magazine well opening in the frame is nicely beveled, and the front of the frame curves out slightly to support your pinkie finger. Unless you’ve got huge hands, you should be able to get all of your fingers on the grip. (Shadow Systems supplies a spare baseplate with a curved fingerhook.)

At the Range

The CR920X proved reliable. Even though it is slightly larger than the CR920, it’s still a small, light gun. 

Recoil was a bit snappy, especially when shooting +P ammunition. I see nothing wrong with choosing a quality standard-pressure defensive load for this pistol. Hits count; the more the better.

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The CR920XP (above, top) features a short, steel compensator to reduce muzzle rise. The single-slot rail under the dustcover is longer on the -XP model to be flush with the compensator. (Photo by Mark Fingar)

This or That?

The CR920 and CR920X are offered with compensators, the CR920P and CR920XP. The steel compensators add about half an inch in length. Compact “carry comps” tend to reduce muzzle rise. Interestingly, the CR920 and CR920P use the same frame. The CR920XP, on the other hand, has a unique, longer frame that reaches to the end of the compensator.

Shadow Systems prices its pistols competitively against Glock offerings. To even compete with the retail price of the CR920X, you’d have to buy a 43X, round up a couple of Shield magazines, purchase a new magazine release — and you’d still have to upgrade the sights and trigger. Glock is famous for giving consumers 90 percent of what they want. With Shadow Systems you get that extra 10 percent — and a lot more. 

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The SureFire XSC micro-compact LED handgun light features a rechargable B12 lithium battery and 350 lumens. MSRP $359 (Photo by Mark Fingar)

Shadow Systems CR920X

  • Type: Recoil operated, striker fired, semi­automatic
  • Cartridge: 9mm
  • Capacity: 15+1 rds.
  • Barrel: 3.41 in., black nitride or bronze TiCN (tested)
  • Overall Length: 6.37 in.
  • Width: 1.06 in.
  • Height: 5.2 in.
  • Weight: 1 lb., 3 oz.
  • Slide: Stainless steel
  • Finish: Nitride (stainless steel)
  • Frame: Textured polymer
  • Sights: Night Fision, tritium, green (front); serrated notch (rear); optic ready
  • Trigger: 5 lbs. (tested)
  • Safety: Trigger lever, plunging striker interrupter
  • MSRP: $940
  • Importer: Shadow Systems, 469-458-6808, shadowsystemscorp.com
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Spare Round: SIG Sauer ROMEO-X Compact

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(Photo by Mark Fingar)

SIG Sauer Romeo-­X Pro and Compact models grew out of the Romeo-­M17 optic, which was ­approved by the U.S. military for the M17/M18 service pistols.

Andy York, president of the SIG Sauer Electro-­Optic Division said, “We wanted to build the ultimate optic for the M17, M18. It has every improvement you could possibly want: Side mount battery; low deck height; bottom mount; fully enclosed argon-purged to several atmospheres; circle or dot emitter; night vision compatible with a separate switch; and it works with standard iron sights. We designed it to be the ultimate purpose-­built red dot.”

All of the tech SIG Sauer invented for the military sight was applied to the new Romeo-­X. Two versions are available, the Compact and the Pro. The Romeo-­X Pro features a DeltaPoint Pro footprint. The Compact has an RMSc footprint. 

Featuring a CNC machined 7075 aluminum housing, the Romeo-X is an open-emitter sight. The Romeo-­X offers three reticles: 6-MOA dot, a 32-MOA circle, and a 2-MOA dot inside the circle. One CR1632 battery mounts to the side of the aluminum housing. The emitter is SIG Sauer’s highly efficient point source LED that has a 20,000-hour of runtime at the medium brightness setting for the dot reticle. There are 15 brightness settings, with three suitable for night vision.

Romeo-X optics feature an integrated fixed rear sight for backup and the MOTAC system that shuts off the reticle when it hasn’t moved in a while. It powers on when motion is sensed.




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