EAA Witness
I was looking at getting an eaa witness.
I've heard that the older ones in 9mm or .40 can't be converted to any other calibers, but the newer ones can be.
first is that true and second how can I tell a newer one from an older one?
I've heard that the older ones in 9mm or .40 can't be converted to any other calibers, but the newer ones can be.
first is that true and second how can I tell a newer one from an older one?
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Folks, not looking for alot of BS,just general insight on the most recent manufactored Witness all steel pistols. I like the idea of being able to change slide/barrel and have another caliber. Especially the 22 conversion. Probaly start with a 10mm and buy extra barrel ASAP in 40 S&W. So the question actually is this; WHAT INHERENT PROBLEMS DO THESE PISTOLS HAVE? #2 HOW DIFFICULT IS THE TRIGGER TO CLEAN UP FOR SINGLE ACTION USE? Thanks 0 -
Looks great, feels great, jams like a big dog. Pass.If your gonna be stupid you better be tough! 0 -
My experience with an early Witness in .45 has been totally the opposite of the previous poster. Mine has been totally reliable with factory spec loads. I do think the chamber specs may be tight as some reloads will not readily chamber. Perhaps that was the cause of the malfunctions experienced by the previous poster.The standard magazine capacity on the full-size .45 Witness has always 10 rounds, and I am not aware of any higher capacity aftermarket magazines ever being available. (If anybody knows of any, please identify them.) However, if you can find a factory magazine that had a CPMI +2 extended floor plate attached before 9-13-94, you will have a magazine with a capacity of 12 rounds. Brownells sells replacement extended floor plates, but of course it is against the law to use those replacement parts to assemble a new magazine with a capacity exceeding 10 rounds. As I recall, some modification to the floorplate retention plate (attached to the bottom of the magazine spring) was needed to make the extended floor plate fit and function, but it has been a long time since I installed an extended floor plate on one of my Witness magazines. If buying a new Witness .45, it will probably come with a Tanfoglio magazine that I have never been able to get to hold 10 rounds and lock in the gun. (Maybe my reloads are just too fat, as mentioned above.) However, earlier guns came with Mec-Gar (either marked or unmarked with the Mec-Gar name) magazines and will readily hold 10 rounds of .45. Brownells sells Mec-Gar replacement magazines. Get some if you buy a new pistol with a non-Mec-Gar magazine. I believe ProMag magazines will also easily hold 10 rounds, but they are not the quality of Mec-Gar magazines, but seem to function fine. I seem to recall in looking at the design of the ProMag that I thought little or no modification of the retention plate would be needed to install an extended floor plate, but of course that cannot be done now, and I am not sure ProMag was even in business prior to 9-13-94 (anybody know?).I love the design and feel of the Witness pistols. I have found them to be fine pistols at any price. (I paid well over $400 wholesale for my true stainless .45 and 9x19 Witness pistols. I am looking for a true stainless .38 Super if anyone has one for sale. I have some 18 round .38 Super magazines I would love to be able to use! A Springfield P9 is the same pistol and I would accept one of those as well.) Now that the new price has dropped so much, the Witness is one of the true bargains on the market. I think you would be happy with a Witness .45. I know I am. 0 -
I have owned one for a while and if it jammed on me now it would be the first time. I have a full size blued witness that I bought used. It has an excellent trigger and is very accurate. I would recomend it highly to anyone who wants a nice gun who can't afford nice gun prices. 0 -
I bought a full-size .45 Witness almost exactly one year ago. No problems. Like it a lot. 0 -
Thanks again for the help, everyone. Particularly the "ol' timers" here who consistantly provide such helpful information. Especially when it amounts to positive affirmation for a purchase I already made. I was at a local gun show helping an FFL dealer friend tend his table and this EAA Witness was walking down the isle, full size, black, heavy metal .45 version. I was really looking for a 1911, but the guy had "like new" on it, it really was in excellent condition, with the box and original papers, plus four magazines. The magazines are marked MEC-GAR but two of them have different base plates, I haven't tried to load any ammo in it to see if maybe they are fitted with the extensions. For $325 I now figure I didn't get hurt too bad, considering the lack of sales tax, shipping, and such. Additionally, I kinda like taking advantage of "private sales" while they are still here.Again, thanks for the great information. I'll recommend a raise on your next salary review. 0 -
Same as judgecolt, I have a full size in wonder finish I bought new for 299.00 I have 4 10 rnd mags it has ____never_____jammed on me or any other trbl. It was replaced by a Kimber ultra carry but I still love to shoot it. It is now my hunting and camping gun.I wouldn't mind a compact in 10mm.
Remember,"your woman may not find you handsome, But atleast she'll find ya handy". I love that show..............0 -
I always thought they were cheap junk until the Honorable JudgeColt allowed me to handle his. It feels like quality in your hand and there are many who compete (and win) competitive events with guns that were built with the EAA Witness as a base. 0
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