Join American Rifleman staff on the range to learn about the Shadow Systems MR920. This compact-size, striker-fired handgun takes the polymer pistol concept to a new level, all while maintaining compatibility with a host of available accessories.
There’s no question that the Glock handgun is one of the most influential designs in firearm history, and today, we’ve reached a point where most companies are borrowing some element of the seminal Austrian design. One of the companies that has embraced this concept is Shadow Systems, and its MR920 design works with all existing holsters, magazines and other gear designed for use with the Glock 19. Watch the video above to see the M920 in use on the range.
However, there are some notable differences in the Shadow Systems offering that make this stand out within the polymer-frame pistol market. To start, the polymer frame itself isn’t just any polymer frame. Shadow Systems has extended the beavertail and deepened the trigger-guard undercut to allow the pistol to sit lower in a shooter’s hand, and this helps reduce felt recoil. At the rear of the frame, there are interchangeable backstraps that give shooters the ability to better fit the frame to their hand size and shape. Aggressive texturing on the front, back and sides of the grip frame also aid in controllability and retention.
At the top end of the gun, Shadow Systems incorporates an upgraded slide and barrel that doesn’t just look good. There’s a lot of innovation built in here. Surface-wise, there’s aggressive serrations at the rear, front and top of the slide that make manipulation easy, and the slide width has been reduced in key areas to make it easier to grab. A window cut just forward of the chamber on either side of the slide also aids in optimizing slide weight for reliability. A set of tritium-illuminated sights make it easy to aim in low light and also are high enough to co-witness with a mounted optic.
The real story of the Shadow Systems MR920 slide, though, is in its innovative optics cut. Even though it’s compatible with multiple red-dot optics on the market, this optic cut does not make use of any adapter plates or small, easy-to-lose pins. Instead, a spacer system combined with strategically placed screw holes make this mounting footprint compatible with most of today’s popular optics. And to ensure that optics are mounted solidly, Shadow Systems shortened the extractor spring and plunger, freeing up more real estate inside the slide for deep, well-anchored optics mounting screws.
In terms of controls, Shadow Systems has also built in a few upgrades. The trigger shoe is made from aluminum and features a clean break measuring just under 5 lbs. The push-button magazine release is generously sized and textured, and the fenced-in slide-stop lever is well-protected from being pushed up by a high grip while still being easily accessible. Glock-style takedown tabs make disassembly easy, and the single-slot Picatinny accessory rail is suited for all Glock-compatible lights and lasers. Many handgunners talk about upgrading their Glock handguns, but if you’re looking to skip the work, the Shadow Systems MR920 has pretty much every upgrade you’d ever want built right into the design.
Shadow Systems MR920 Specifications
Manufacturer: Shadow Systems
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 4″
Slide: Nitride-treated stainless steel; optic-ready
Frame: black polymer
Magazine: 15-round detachable box
Sights: black serrated, notch rear; green Tritium dot front
Trigger: 4-lb., 13-oz. pull
Overall Length: 7.125″
Height: 4.75″
Weight: 21.5 ozs.
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