Shadow Systems’ XR920P – Part 1

Normally, when “we” (gun writers) start to review a firearm, it’s from the perspective of what the writer learned about that one gun. Knowledge of the company comes into play as well. This one will be a bit different.

The Shadow Systems’ XR920P that I am reviewing is my third major exposure to Shadow System products. I have been seeing lone Shadow System pistols come through Gunsite classes starting in 2020 – though not with enough frequency to form an opinion on that alone.

What has been interesting is teaching two one-week sessions to the employees of a sales rep ground that covers several well-known brands. Two of those are Shadow Systems and Holosun. The owner has brought his reps to Gunsite for a closed 250 Defensive Pistol with Optics class on two occasions; once in 2021 and then again this spring. Being the lead instructor for both sessions, as well as having this XR920P pistol for review, have given me a very solid foundation for the opinion I’ll give at the end.

The Company

Shadow Systems is one of several companies producing what could best be described as a product-improved Glock-like pistol. Based in Plano, Texas, they have been producing an American-made (molded, machined, assembled) product since 2016. That means their slides, barrels, frames, internals, triggers, and the like are all made here.

Briefly, one marketing quote that I really like – “a 4 lbs. bang always beats a 3 lbs. light strike” – emphasizes their design philosophy.

 

The Gun

For this review, Shadow Systems sent an XR-920P. That’s a compensated 9mm pistol similar in size to a Glock 17. Included in the nylon case were 17 round PMags, a cable lock, instruction manuals (one for their platform and a second specific to the comp’d models), different-sized backstraps, a cover for the mounting area, and extra optic mounting screws. This pistol also has a magazine well.

The Frame

The frame has molded stippling rather than checkered or raised dots. It is grippy enough. I have not carried this concealed, so I cannot comment on its feel against bare skin.

While there is no ambidextrous slide stop (the original terminology from Austria), the magazine release is reversible.

The trigger’s design follows that of its predecessor, with the safety in the center of the trigger. And it appears to work in the same way.

One other design feature that stands out is the grip angle. Compare it side-by-side with a fifth-generation Glock 45 and look at the whole length of the backstrap. Without the bump at the bottom of the frame, that angle is more consistent with other handguns.

The Slide

The slide is machined, both atop and on the sides of the slide. There are windows on each side just ahead of the chamber. The back-up sights are just barely usable with the Trijicon RCR that is on this pistol. The rear sight is serrated and matte black, while the front comes with a tritium insert from my friends at Night Fision. That insert is surrounded by a bright yellow ring.  Inside the slide is a bronze-coated barrel.

As mentioned, this model has a single port compensator, which is relatively low profile. While I cannot opine on its effectiveness, it did not cause any reliability issues. Given my experiences with comps on other makes and models, that alone is huge. With the slide being the same length as a Glock 45, the compensator only extends it to the length of a G17.

Magpul PMag Magazines

Their pistols ship with MagPul’s Glock-pattern PMag magazines. These have been around for nearly a decade. The capacities range from 10 and 27 rounds in a traditional magazine and you can get a 50 round drum.

I carried a Glock 17 on duty for over three years last decade. During the last year, I used the 21-round PMag models as my on-duty spares. I vetted several of them in a Dave Spaulding / Handgun Combatives pistol class held in a sand pit. Neither during the class nor afterward, did I experience issues with the PMags. Some in the end-user community have different opinions.

I’m sharing the following from my notes about the two closed classes I taught:

In the 2021 class, all the Shadow System guns had magazine wells. There were no issues I could directly attribute to the magazines. However, several magazines did depart the guns for Mother Earth while being fired. There were several instances of rounds not being chambered. Could that have been from magazines not being completely seated? Possible. Was that exacerbated by magazine well issues?

What about the 2024 class? I did not see the above problems repeat themselves. When I queried the class about their magazines, two shooters noted they had experienced stuck followers during the week. One experienced a broken magazine spring. None were shooting new guns and magazines. This year’s class had at least 32 magazines – four per shooter – and, frankly, probably many more.

Regardless of what anyone else tells you, it is best to vet your magazines with your firearm whenever possible.

Based on those classes and my experiences with the PMags, I do not have concerns about carrying them for defensive purposes, whether on or off duty.

Their Optics Mounting System

One of the things I was interested in with Shadow Systems is their optics mounting system. The slide-cut features drilled and tapped holes for various mounting footprints. From the pistols I have seen and the optic mounting I did, these work as designed. Others would do well to consider similar approaches.

I installed a Trijicon RCR enclosed emitter optic on this gun – you’ll see that article later in the summer. Even considering the cap-stan screws, there were no issues with installation or use.

Interim Thought

So far, so good! Part II to follow.

 

RESOURCES

Shadow Systems

Magpul PMags for pistols

Night Fision Sights