Shadow Systems

Upgrading the Glock 19 | Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide

The Glock 19 is one of the most popular modern pistols on the market. And for good reason. It’s simple design, cost to own, reliability, ease of maintenance and accuracy make it a no-brainer for thousands of owners and agencies alike. Although the pros outweigh the cons, the one thing a Glock isn’t is sexy. But who really cares, it was designed to do a job and do it well. For me, I like a little individuality. I add personal touches to my vehicles, so why not my firearms? There’s no reason the Glock 19 can’t be both functional AND sexy, right? This Texas based company can take your Glock from mundane to whatever your heart desires in no time with the Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide.

The Gen 4 Glock 19 is also one of my two daily carry pistols. No, I don’t carry two pistols at the same time. In the cooler months, I’ll wear my G19 in a Bravo Concealment holster outside the waist belt and under a coat. In the summer months, I typically carry the slimmer fitting Sig P365. One of my only dislikes about the Glock pistols are the lack of front slide serrations. Shadow Systems offers several custom slides for the Glock 19 and 17 variations, from mild to wild. And all have front serrations which checked one of my boxes. So I decided to go with the Optics Ready Slide with RMR Cut. Shadow Systems Slides are 100% Made in the USA from U.S. sourced materials which checks another box.

This beauty is DLC coated for durability and offers several desirable features. Most noticeable are the two window cuts on the sides and pocket cuts atop the slide. Drastically reducing the weight of this 17-4 stainless steel sculpture by more than 2 ounces over the factory slide. Also of note are the aggressive serrations on the sides of the Optic Ready Slide. Precisely milled at a slight angle to help reduce draw friction from a holster, these serrations retain a cheese grater type profile. Offering the shooter exceptional traction on both the front and rear of the pistol during high-speed operation. Atop the Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide is a cut out for the Trijicon RMR. While I use an RMR on my competition Glock 34, I may try it out on the Glock 19. But when not in use, Shadow Systems offers a matching slide plate to fill the cutout.

Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide Includes:

Choose Gen3 or Gen4 compatible slide
Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) finish
Optic cut for Trijicon RMR
17-4 Stainless Steel Slide
Screws included
The slide is completely stripped and does not include Channel Liner
Compatible Gun Models: Gen 3 Glock 19, Gen 4 Glock 19
MSRP: ~~$469~~ $418

Shadow Systems offers a full line up of Glock related parts. From complete guns to the smallest of internal parts. As I work my way through modifying my Glock 19, Shadow Systems components will be a large part of the equation. I’ve already tested and reviewed their Match Barrel. The TiN coated barrel really looks sharp through the window cuts on the Optics Ready Slide. I also plan to try their Elite Trigger on this build. One thing to keep in mind that all the custom slides from Shadow Systems are stripped. So make sure to pick up a Slide Completion Kit. Up next will be an article on Glock frame modification so stay tuned.

*Images courtesy of the author

Upgrading the Glock 19: Shadow Systems Match Barrel

The Glock 19 may be one of the most popular carry pistols in the world. It’s capacity, reliability, dimensions and cost are all contributing factors that make the Glock 19 so popular. It remains my choice to carry 75% of the time as well. Splitting duties with my Glock 43 when I need deeper concealment. While there are many aftermarket parts that claim to improve the functionality or accuracy of this already excellent piece. The barrel, sights and trigger are the first I typically address. Shadow Systems, an American company heavily laden with military leadership and employees, produces high quality match barrels, Glock accessories in addition to complete modified Glock pistols.

Shadow Systems was kind enough to send me one of their Match Barrels for the Glock 19. Additionally, this beautiful barrel is fluted, threaded and coated in that sexy gold Titanium Nitride (TiN). These barrels are an easy upgrade as they just drop in like the factory barrel. Because this is a threaded barrel, it comes with the advantage of measuring an additional 11mm over the stock barrel. My first assumption with the additional length would be additional weight. But a quick measurement with my postal scale shows 104g. Oddly, the shorter original Glock barrel also weighs exactly 104g too. Obviously, the strategic sculpting of material and fluting of the barrel is what offset the additional length of the match barrel.

Glock barrel: 102mm, 104g | Shadow Systems barrel: 113mm, 104g

Staying true to their roots, Shadow Systems match barrels and are designed and manufactured here in America. Precision machined and engineered from U.S. sourced 416R Stainless Steel, the match barrel fits tighter in the critical lock-up areas than the original barrel further enhancing accuracy. I recently had a chance to get out to my range to shoot this barrel. First, I took a magazine worth of slow aimed shots with the factory barrel to see what the pattern looked like at 10 meters. Followed by a magazine with the match barrel from the same distance, same Team Never Quit 100 Gr Frangible 9mm training ammunition.

Match Barrel specs courtesy of shadowsystemscorp.com

Glock 19 Compatible (all generations)
416R Stainless Steel, 1/10″ Broach Cut Rifling
TiN (Titanium Nitride) Finish
1/2X28 Threaded
Thread Protector Included
Made in the USA
MSRP ~~$249~~ Sale $219.45

Although the results are fairly clear to see, this was in no way a scientific measure of accuracy. But since no one realistically fires their carry pistol from a pistol vice, it does show what results you can expect as a practical shooter. One thing I would love to add to my carry G19 is one of Shadow Systems custom slides. Take a look at the Shadow Systems website for all of your Glock related parts.

Shadow Systems Commits to Donating $7,500 to Law Enforcement Charities

Plano, TX (October, 2018) – Shadow Systems, a US-based manufacturer of Glock compatible firearms, parts, and accessories, is proud to announce the release of 5 Limited Edition Thin Blue Line Pistols, to support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. 100% of the $1,500 purchase price of each limited edition pistol will be donated to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund or another law enforcement charity of the customer’s choice.

The Shadow Systems team is made up of former law enforcement officers and military veterans, and has been a supporter of military and law enforcement groups since the company’s founding. Considerations from using weapons in the field as LEOs and in military combat have been what fuels the engineering behind the Shadow Systems product line; the company has even created custom offerings at the request of law enforcement agencies.

The Thin Blue Line Limited Edition pistols were created to show pride for law enforcement and the company has decided to take that pride one step further by donating 100% of the purchase price of each pistol to a law enforcement charity.

“Our team has the utmost respect for our law enforcement community. We acknowledge how difficult their job is and are happy to have the opportunity to support their community with the release of this pistol. I am hopeful that our modest donation will find its way to provide some small relief to the families of those heroes who have fallen in the line of duty.”
– Trevor Roe, General Manager

The Thin Blue Line Pistol features the Optics Ready Window Cut Slide, which accomodates a Trijicon RMR or Holosun red dot optic. The window cut on the slide allows a blue-lined Threaded Fluted DLC Barrel to peek through. The Glock frame of the pistol has been modified with a hand-done Enhanced Traction stippled grip job featuring a double undercut, scalloping around the magazine button, and the addition of index pads to each side of the frame; these modifications allow the gun to sit more comfortably in the hand and provide enhanced controllability without feeling too rough to carry daily. Machined from hardened 17-4 stainless steel and coated in cutting edge hard-use DLC, the slide features aggressively raked front and rear serrations and precisely executed chamfers and radiuses throughout. The Thin Blue Line Pistol also features the Shadow Systems Elite Flat-Faced Aluminum Trigger, with a blue coating along with a tuned 4-4.5lb pull weight trigger pack.

About Shadow Systems
Shadow Systems Corp. is a privately held, Plano, Texas-based manufacturer of premium custom firearms and firearms parts. Each product is designed and manufactured in the USA by a team of Veterans and former Law Enforcement Officers. Everything we create is engineered to be used and abused, as real hard-use tools should be.

Shadow Systems is a portfolio company of Catalyst Holdings. Visit http://www.shadowsystemscorp.com/; engage on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ShadowSystemsCorp; follow on Instagram at http://instagram.com/shadowsystemscorp.

Shadow Systems TOR Pistol | Dirt and Debris Torture Test

Is there a trade-off between tightly fit “precision” and a loss in reliability? We don’t think there has to be. If a gun doesn’t run, it’s usually because something has been built incorrectly, NOT because the gun is “too precise” or “too tightly fit.”

In this video, we use our TOR pistol to demostrate that even when filled with dirt and debris, the gun will function reliably. We are using factory ammunition and high-quality magazines. More torture testing to come. Enjoy!

Visit Shadow Systems today for your match grade pistol

Shadow Systems | Introducing the LFT Hybrid Grip Slide

Designed in partnership with Dan Brokos of Lead Faucet Tactical. After 25 years in the Army Special Forces, this former NCO in Charge of Range 37 at Fort Bragg has retired from service but continues to train top Law Enforcement organizations as well as civilians.

From this experience, came the LFT Hybrid Grip Slide, which solves some of the key problems Dan has seen with pistol slides in training and combat.

-All-weather traction

-Excellent performance in muddy, wet conditions, and extreme cold

-Best-in-class grip surface when operating in gloves

-Commercial adhesive backed grip tape stays where you put it

-Optics-ready with a Trijicon RMR cut