EAA Witneaa

[rawhidekid]

While at the gun show in Tucson, AZ yesterday, came across a EAA Witness in 38 Super.  While cheking it out I noticed it had a fully supported feed ramp.  Safer with use of highend ammo and it can be carried loaded with the hammer down and safety on.  It had their "Wonder Cote" finish,(similer to dull stainless in appearance).  The price was only $450.00, anyone have experiance with these?

[Mikey]

Rawhidekid - I have only heard about them and read reviews and comments from others and all have been positive.  The fully supported barrel provides for a much stronger platform and I have not heard anyone complain about the EAA firearms.  HTH.

[rawhidekid]

The Taurus I had was an unsupported feed ramp.  With warm loads I could see a bulge at that point on the empty case.  So I traded for the Witness.  The first thing I found was the mag on the Witness is picky on overall length.  Some bullets are 1.280 as recommended.  The Witness mag wants 1.275 or less.  All in all I think I made the right choice, time will tell.  I paid $504 for the Taurus, he wanted $450 for the Witness and I traded evan up.  I have seen the Taurus for as much as $730, and I didn't mention what I paid for it. I did notice he was trying to resell it at $520 and he will probubly get it.  Thanks for the input Mikey

[Savage]

I bought one of the early 10mm Witness pistols about 8 years ago. Probably the best value for the money out there for a gun of this type. Liked it well enough that I currently own it in 9mm and .45, as well as a .40 barrel for the 10mm. I installed the 20# recoil spring and the +power firing pin springs from Wolf Gun Springs, along with shortening the ejector a bit. Now my 10mm spent brass lands within walking distance of my shooting point. Although I own a few dozen more expensive and better known makes of pistol, it's my go to for ESP class IDPA, and Production class USPSA. Yeah, I'm a fan.
Savage

[rawhidekid]

Savage: I also have owned the 10 mil and 45 witness in the past.  I had trouble with the mags back then and the 45 was battering the frame some so they got traded.  I have often regretted it as they had the best feeling grips of any I have owned.  Once I shortened my OAL to 1.275 the mag problems disapeared on this gun, I now know what it likes and will load accordingly.  The owners manual states "use of +p rounds factory or reload voids the warranty."  Since all 38 Super rounds are +P I guess I have no warranty???!!!

[mauser98us]

Have six of them. I think they are the best bargain out there.The 1911 does not fit me very well/ The CZ type fits my hand like a glove. If your into 10 MM like I am,it,s the best autoloader,next to the Star Megastar out there.

[rawhidekid]

There is no doubting the Star Megastar is a great gun, but if you like it you must have big hands.   As I have stated, I miss the Witness 10 mm but actually not the .45 ACP.  I was early into reloading then and perhaps the case lengths was what was causing my mag problems back then.  I have arthritice, and should probly stay away from the 10mm now.  The 38 Super suites me just fine. In fact I have aranged to get 800 brass, then I'll have as much as my .45 Colt.

[Savage]

Kid,
No problems with frame battering here. Yeah, the earlier magazines were problematic. In recent years, I have bought my Tanfoglio magazines from "Reed's Custon Ammo". I believe he's a sponsor on this site. I did have to go to the +power mag springs on the 10 mm to get the timing right, but other than that, mine have been flawless. I shoot the Tanfoglio pistols better than my 1911s/Hi Powers-(Waiting for lightning strike!) The ergonomics are better than any other pistol I own. My next one will be the SA Target Elite in .40 S&W for an USPSA Limited gun.
Savage

[rawhidekid]

I always found the Hi Power nine to be muzzle flippy.  The 40 S&W Hi Power, with Hogue finger groove grips pointed like a finger.  I actually took a first in my second IDPA event using one.  It too went by the wayside, as I am a poor boy and usually have to trade to get the current "I want" handgun.  

[Savage]

Over the years I have let a few guns get away. I have usually mourned their passing. Guess that explains why I have a few guns. Over the years I've had my favorites, the 1911s and Hi Powers were way up there. In the last 10 years or so I've played with many other platforms. The CZ /Tanfoglio pistols are my current favorites. They make me look like a better shooter than I am! 
Savage

[Arizona Jake]

I also have problems with 1911 frames/grips fitting in my large, skinny hand and prefer the countours of the Browning HP and CZ/TZ semi-autos. My .45 ACP Tanfoglio is the Springfield P9 (same as the EAA Witness). I also solved the battering/throwing of emties a mile away by replacing the factory recoil spring with a Wolff extra power spring. As for magazines, I use 3 10-rd. mags made by Mec-Gar and have had ZERO problems during the 17+ years I've owned this pistol.

Regards,

[rawhidekid]

Thanks for the info guys, today I was out continuing the break in on my witness 38 Super.  At round 110 of the breakin the trigger started sticking back with each round fired.   I didn't have any oil with me so I continued shooting using my left thumbnail to pop the trigger forward after each shot,(I did another 90 rounds like this).  When I got home and cleaned the gun, I oiled the trigger spring and plunger.  Trigger is working again.   Tomorrow I will run another 50 rounds through it to ensure that fixed it.  The accuracy was great, I am just keeping my fingers crossed the trigger stays fixed.

[williamlayton]

The Hi-Power has an arched back--some don't like it.
I do--though the traditional flat spring is OK and in some ways better. It promotes a more natural point, I think.
The arched back make a better grip for my feeling and I seem to have an easier grip with it.
You give something to get something.
Blessings

[rawhidekid]

William:  I always felt the arched back filled the natural palmswell of the hand.  When I grip the flat main spring and look at my hand there seems to be a gap.  Course that could just be me.   The EAA arches in the back filling the hand, a very ergonomic grip. :DJMHO

[rawhidekid]

Here is a picture:

[rawhidekid]

OK, went to the range and everything OK.  A little oil in the right spot does wonders.  Before starting the breakin, I had cleaned the gun and greased the rails and barrel lugs, I usually keep oil to springs and plungers to a min so as not to atract spent powder and cause fouling.  With this gun I will have to not be so stingy.   Oh, by the way, I use automotive bearing grease on the slide rails and lugs, who taught me that?  Ruger tech reps!  I used to use lithium grease but with 100+ temps I called Ruger and was advised to use auto bearing grease.  Just thought I would pass that on. Happy New Year to all.