CZ just wrapped up SHOT Show 2026 with a bang—literally—cementing their status as a powerhouse in the firearms world by unveiling the CZ 75 Legend and CZ 457 Target, while proudly displaying the German Army’s adoption of the CZ P13 as their new standard sidearm. The CZ Shadow 2 Target 6-inch stealing the Ballistics Best Award for Best New Race Handgun? That’s not just hardware flexing; it’s a masterclass in precision engineering that screams competition dominance. For the uninitiated, the CZ 75 lineage has been a 2A staple since the Cold War era, blending ergonomic perfection with unmatched reliability, and the Legend variant looks poised to refresh that legacy with modern upgrades for shooters who demand both heritage and innovation.

Diving deeper, the CZ 457 Target’s debut signals CZ’s laser focus on rimfire excellence, perfect for training, plinking, or NRL22 competitions—essential for building skills without breaking the bank on centerfire ammo. But the real eyebrow-raiser is the P13’s military nod from Germany, a country notoriously gun-shy on armed forces kit. This isn’t just a contract win; it’s geopolitical validation that CZ’s striker-fired platform outperforms in reliability tests that make American LE and civilian standards look like a cakewalk. Implications for us 2A folks? Expect trickle-down tech: more durable, modular pistols hitting shelves soon, potentially pressuring competitors like Sig and Glock to up their game. The Shadow 2’s award underscores CZ’s edge in the race gun arena, where sub-1-inch groups at 25 yards aren’t hype—they’re the new baseline for serious competitors.

In a market flooded with gimmicks, CZ’s SHOT Show haul reminds us why they’re the people’s choice: battle-tested designs evolving for tomorrow’s threats and ranges. If you’re a defender, hunter, or bullseye chaser, keep eyes on these releases—they’re not just guns; they’re the next chapter in Second Amendment firepower, proving quality trumps quantity every time. CZ isn’t resting; they’re reloading.