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EAA Witness Compact
kc5gxc
Member Posts: 177 ✭✭✭
Howdy. I am looking at a EAA Witness Compact polymer 9mm. Can anyone say if they know these firearms are ok...or know any bad info about them ? Any input appreciated. Thank you, Pete
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As stated, the EAA Witness, is made by Tanfoglio, In Italy. There have been a couple different size frame versions as well as polymer, andmetal framed versions.
You can't go wrong with either one.
Best
Howdy. I am looking at a EAA Witness Compact polymer 9mm. Can anyone say if they know these firearms are ok...or know any bad info about them ? Any input appreciated. Thank you, Pete
They're Italian made CZ-75 design copies. The older design, coupled with "lesser" name means you can sometimes find these at nice prices. . .that's a plus.
Almost by definiton, compact polymer framed guns are intended for concealed carry (not target shooting. . .not sport shooting, etc). So for something like that, you don't "need" the ability to convert calibers. . .although I think you may still be able to with the polymer guns anyway. If this isn't for concealed carry, then a full sized all steel version could be a better alternative.
Most people who want to carry compact polymer guns nowadays want "striker" type actions with no external safety or hammer like Glocks or XD-45. These guns have a more traditional DA/SA design with external hammer and safety. Some people like that. . .some don't. . .that's subjective.
The point is, unlike a Glock, you can carry a Witness either hammer down for double-action first pull, *OR* "cocked and locked" like a 1911, if you want to. Note that because these guns lack an external decocker if you want to carry with hammer down, you have to MANUALLY decock the gun. That means dropping the hammer on a live round controlling the hammer with your thumb. . .BE CAREFUL!!!!
Note that the Witness guns are not exact "clones" of the CZ-75, but rather a sort of "evolution" of the original design. Most parts will NOT interchange, and the Witness has a different firing pin block safety compared to the current manufacture CZ-75B. (Arguably the Witness one is better than the CZ-75B because its a "dead man" type plunger that works with the trigger pull, rather than against it).
In terms of quality, the Tanfoglio built guns are perfectly fine, and I have nothing "bad" to say about these at all, except maybe that the blued finish is sort of matte black and fairly bland.
I've put at least 1000 rounds though my all steel Witness with only one issue. At one point the firing pin bound in the channel. That was probably dirt. . .I cleaned it out, hit the firing pin hole with some emery paper to ensure it was smooth, and haven't had an issue since.
I personally wouldn't not hesitate to buy OR carry this gun if I otherwise liked it (and in fact, I have used my steel one for concealed carry a few times. . .though IMO its a bit heavy for that, and polymer is probably nicer to carry).
The quality of the polymer guns was my main concern. Thanks, Pete
It can have a large capacity mag(16-18) of more effective rounds than the relatively wimpy 9mm version.
Jon