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Photos of Shadow Systems Elite vs Customized Glocks
I was fortunate to acquire a Shadow Systems Elite MR918 on Monday from Bass Pro, which is selling it for $100 less than the Shadow Systems’ own website. With taxes, it came to $1039- DEAL! I echo previous comments regarding the quality of this pistol. I have not shot it yet but can attest to the build quality. I replaced two parts; the trigger (more on that later) and the Slide lock. Otherwise, the gun is perfect.
Here are some photos of the pistol quality, and some comparisons with my other customized Glocks.
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Notice how low the RMR sits on the Shadow slide compared to the other milled slides. I can see the regular sights over the lower placed RMR and do not need Suppressor BUIS. I attached the smallest backstrap in the photo, which makes the grip angle like a 1911. I wear small gloves for comparison. I do not have to adjust my grip to activate the magazine release.
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Trigger Issues with the Shadow Systems MR918
When I bought the MR918 from Bass Pro, I could not evaluate the trigger because of their refusal to remove the trigger guard lock. Evaluating the pistol at home, I realized that the trigger required immediate remediation before use.
The OEM trigger of the MR918 is an aluminum flat faced trigger with a 4-4.5 lb pull. This was not the issue. What was problematic was the tendency of the trigger to lock unless your finger pad is placed exactly flat on the safety hinge. Any other variation (finger rides high or finger curved around the trigger rather than flat), and the trigger tends to lock.
In the photo, you can see that there is a long vertical face on the MR918 trigger before the safety hinge is reached. Compare that to the Overwatch Trigger (OT), in which the vertical face is much shorter.
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In classes where I have done close retention shooting (shooting during grappling or high pectoral index shooting), my index finger can ride high on the trigger face depending on my body position while drawing the pistol. I wear a small glove and the width of my index finger is 15.3 mm. If I ride high on the MR918 trigger, then I cannot activate the safety hinge and the trigger locks as it should. If I ride high on the OT, then part of my finger can still depress the safety hinge and the pistol will fire. If I curl my finger around the trigger and am not exactly flat on the safety hinge, then the MR918 will not fire. This is unacceptable.
On one hand, this makes the pistol safer in that your finger must be placed a specific way for the trigger to activate. On the other hand, this makes the pistol useless in close quarters shooting if you are wrestling with an opponent and cannot place your finger on the trigger in a certain way. My VP9 trigger is the same way. It has a tall vertical face before the safety hinge is reached and the trigger locks in close retention shooting. I have relegated my VP9 to the safe and do not carry it.
I would still purchase the MR918 knowing that the trigger needs to be replaced. If you have larger fingers, then perhaps you may still be able to activate the safety hinge. I don’t know. I do know that for shooters with smaller hands, the trigger will be an issue.