SHADOW SYSTEMS MR920 ELITE OPTIC READY
Posted May 19, 2023
The Shadow Systems MR920 Elite Optic Ready (MR920) is a popular pistol in the concealed carry market. It has been designed for concealed-carry and home defense applications, and is a good choice for those looking for a reliable, comfortable and concealable firearm.
The MR920 features an alloy-steel slide, as well as a full-length double-stack polymer frame, and the pistol offers a great weight balance. It’s relatively light, weighing in at only 24.9 ounces with magazine, and it has a large magazine capacity of 15 rounds. The MR920 has a 4.5 inch, threaded barrel to enable the attachment of a suppressor as well, making it an attractive option for many concealed-carry enthusiasts.
The MR920 is equipped with a low-profile, three-dot, tritium night sights, adding to the optic-ready version’s appeal for home defense. The tritium sights mean that the pistol is ready for shooting in low-light conditions without needing an upgrade to the sights or optics. The pistol has an ambidextrous slide stop and magazine release, as well as an adjustable backstrap for comfort. The barrel is fitted with a recessed target crown to improve accuracy over time.
In terms of performance, the MR920 is a reliable and accurate performer. There are some reports of rounds not quite seating in the chamber, but this isn’t a major issue, and magazine changes can be done quickly and easily with the ambidextrous releases. Recoil is mild with the 9mm round, and shooters report the gun is very controllable and enjoyable to shoot.
In terms of accuracy, the MR920 does quite well. It’s very easy to stay on target and land two-inch groups at 25 yards with the gun. The gun functions perfectly with all types of ammunition, from lead-nose to other jacketed hollow point rounds. At longer distances, the 5.2 inch barrel helps, but even at distances beyond 25 yards, the gun can keep groups inside 5-7 inches.
The MR920 is operated with double-action, only and this requires a long, heavy trigger pull. The trigger has a 5.5-pound pull weight and is a bit gritty, making it slightly less than ideal for precision shooting, but it’s certainly good enough for casual plinking or defensive work.
When it comes to outfit the gun with an optic, the MR920 Elite Optic Ready is indeed a great choice. The pistol comes with a milled slide and adapter plate for optics, making it ready for mounting. The gun has co-witnessed suppressor-height sights and the optically sighted rounds are dead on target.
The MR920 Elite Optic Ready pistol has a MSRP of $974, but it can be found for nearly 10% less, making it a great value. The gun also has an excellent resale value, so those who choose to upgrade can get their money back relatively easily.
All in all, the Shadow Systems MR920 Elite Optic Ready is an excellent concealed-carry pistol. It’s relatively light, accurate and offers plenty of stopping power. For those looking for a reliable, comfortable, and concealable firearm with reflex optics, the MR920 is worth a look.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-The Shadow Systems MR920 Elite Optic Ready is a full-size, double-stack 9mm pistol.
-It is chambered for 9mm and can accept a variety of magazines for larger capacities.
-It is easy to customize with aftermarket parts and includes an optics-ready slide.
-It has an extended beaver tail grip, flared and undercut trigger guard and extended magazine release for comfort and control.
-The trigger breaks clean and is incredibly crisp.
Cons:
-The pistol is a bit heavy, weighing at 32 ounces.
-It is slightly more expensive than other full-size 9mm pistols.
-The magazine release might be a bit hard to reach for those with smaller hands.
-Some parts like the trigger or recoil rod may need to be replaced to improve performance.
Who Should Buy
The Shadow Systems MR920 Elite Optic Ready is a rugged pistol designed to be easy to disassemble and maintain for competition and personal defense. It is best suited for those looking for a reliable, versatile, and accurate pistol for target shooting, competition, and personal defense. People of all skill levels with some knowledge of the operation and maintenance of handguns will find the MR920 Elite Optic Ready an attractive choice. However, those with less experience should exercise caution when considering the purchase of any firearm. As with any firearm, only those with adequate training and responsible gun ownership habits should purchase the Shadow Systems MR920 Elite Optic Ready.
Comparisons
| Gun | Caliber | Optic Ready | Barrel Length | Trigger Pull | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Systems MR920 Elite | 9mm | Yes | 4.0" | 3-4 lbs | $0.00 |
| Glock 19 Gen5 MOS | 9mm | Yes | 4.02" | 5.5 lbs | $566.00 |
| Sig Sauer P320 XCompact | 9mm | Yes | 3.6" | 5.5-6.5 lbs | $649.00 |
| S&W M&P 2.0 | 9mm | No | 4.0" | 6.5 lbs | $485.00 |
| Ruger Security 9 | 9mm | No | 4.0" | 5.0 lbs | $358.00 |
Features / Specs
• 9mm striker-fired Semi-Automatic Pistol
• 4.5” Stainless Steel Match Grade Barrel
• Threaded 1/2x28 w/ Thread Protector & Fiber Optic Front Sight
• Patent-Pending Modular Optic System (MOS)
• Two Recoil Springs Included, 6 lbs & 8 lbs
• Continuous Optic Base Plate System
• Lifetime Warranty by Shadow Systems
• 17 + 1 Capacity
• Polymer Frame & Grip Module
• Iron Sights & Customizable Back Strap Included
• Steel Alligator-Style Slide & 4.25” Slide Length
• 3-Slot Key Mod Free Float Handguard
• Unrivaled Low-Bore Axis
• Extended Ambidextrous Magazine Release
• Match Grade Fluted Barrel
• Heavy Duty Extractor & Solid Steel Guide Rod
• Enhanced Grip Texturing & Ambidextrous Safety
• High-Strength PVD Coating & Armor-Tuff Finish
Popular Accessories
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The most popular accessories for SHADOW SYSTEMS MR920 ELITE OPTIC READY include an optic cut out slide plate, an optic cut out sight plate, an optic milling jig, an optic cut out mounting plate, a match grade barrel, a magwell, extended base plates, a recoil spring assembly, and a lightened striker.
Accuracy
The SHADOW SYSTEMS MR920 ELITE OPTIC READY is an excellent choice for those looking for premium accuracy and performance out of a handgun. The MR920 ELITE OPTIC READY boasts a match grade, adjustable, integral trigger system that can be adjusted to your particular preferences. Because of this, you can achieve significantly improved accuracy over most handguns. Furthermore, the compensator that comes standard with this gun is designed to reduce felt recoil significantly and improve the accuracy of follow up shots. It also helps to keep the shooter on target when engaging multiple targets quickly. The cold-hammer-forged barrel that comes standard with this pistol, allows for even better accuracy and delivers tight groups down range. In all, the MR920 ELITE OPTIC READY is an excellent choice for those looking for premium accuracy and performance out of a handgun.
