Aftermarket mag pads are one of the most common enhancements of CZ Shadow 2. There are several reasons for them [main ones listed below], and sometimes getting another mag pads is simply a must - such as when you decide to get a magwell for your CZ Shadow 2.
Except of all the practical reasons though, nice mag pads simply make your CZ Shadow 2 look even more amazing and it is a way how to make your CZ stand out.
So if you just like to keep your CZ nice, you may consider getting a mag pad as well.
Main advantages of mag pad
There are more advantages to consider and not all of them necessarily apply to all types of the mag pads: if you get a polymer mag pad, it will not add too much additional weight.
Similarly if you get a mag pad that does not extend the capacity (we have such listed as "+0rnd"), you will not enjoy the extra capacity advantage.
In each case, below you can find the most important advantages of mag pads.
Extra weight & better drop
The advantage coming out from extra weight of the magazine is dual - first of, the magazine is easier to drop. Based on the type of mag pad, the extra weight added to the bottom of magazine can be quite large compared to the weight of the rest of the magazine (especially so for brass mag pads). Adding extra weight will ensure that the magazine will fall out upon release fast and free.
Another point is that with heavier metal mag pad the magazine will also much more likely drop on the mag pad. Thanks to that you do not have to be dealing so much with potential damages of the magazines, since they will drop on the metalic bottom.
Additional capacity
This comes to the type of mag pad that you choose. The mag pads can be adding zero rounds but it can be also adding up to 8 rounds to the factory magazine.
In case you live in a country where your magazine capacity is limited, worry not. As long as the magazine is pinned, the actual capacity will not be larger. If you own magazine that is normally 17rnd and is pinned to 10rnd, adding mag pad that is +3rnd size will not make the capacity any larger - it will still be 10 rounds magazine, since its pinned from the top.
Enhanced durability
Metalic mag pad will simply last longer. When the magazine falls on ground, the factory polymer mag pad can get some heavy scratches over time. With metalic mag pads, this risk is not there. It simply lasts longer.
Better grip for reloading
Another advantage to consider is easier handling of the magazine. You can achieve much faster reload if you have a mag pad that fits well into your hand.
Magwell compatibility
One of the main reasons why shooters go for mag pads, except of all the advantages listed above, is magwell compatibility.
Factory mag pads are almost on all CZs not compatible with magwell (except of TS 2 models which already come from factory with magwell). When you do not need a magwell, it is not a problem - the mag pad is nicely flush with the grip.
However, when you decide to install a magwell on your CZ Shadow 2, you will find out that the factory mag pad that is flush with the grip in the front is also interfering with the magwell in the front.
For that reason, once you decide to go for a magwell, you will also need to get a magwell compatible mag pads. Those are made shorter in the front, thus not colliding with the magwell there.