Posted: 8/6/2006 3:18:50 PM EDT
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Guys, I have been turned onto the EAA Witness after getting pimp slapped by the 1911 crowd. I'd like to get a reliable, accurate, dependable full-size .45 for range use and, hopefully, some CCW in the future. The CZ97B is gigantic, and I'm not sure I could ever conceal it. The CZ75BD I have right now is pushing the limit of concealability. So, how is the Witness .45? Any bigger than a 75? Reliability? Accuracy? Aftermarket? Price check? I'd like to stay at or under $400, if at all possible. ETA: No polymer pistols. I like steel. |
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The .45 witness is a superb pistol. It is bigger than your 75 but not as big as the 97 but they do make a compact in steel and you should have no problems finding one under $400. You can get custom grips from several places. Just curious? How did you get pimp slapped by the 1911 crowd? 
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22LR, thanks for the advice on the conversion kit, but I already have a Ruger MKIII. I've put at least 5,000 rounds through that sucker, so I'm in no mood to spend more money on .22LR.  And as for the 1911 pimp smacking, 1911 Smackdown The jist of what I gathered, both from the thread and PMs, was that I'd be better off spending at least $500 on a .45, and realistically more than $650. I simply don't believe I need to pay that much for a quality handgun, both for range use and CCW. I'd love to have a 1911, but not when my wallet demands otherwise. And, since I'm not particularly fond of polymer handguns, a Glock/XD is out of the question as well. Thank you so far for the comments on the Witness. I'd love to hear others. ETA: How well do they feed JHPs? I hear *most* 97B's will require a feed ramp polishing. Is this true with EAA? |
LOL Those guys are jerks. They do not have to answere or even read the thread if they do not want to.  The EAA Witness should need no feed ramp polishing. The 97 only needs it with certain HPs it depends on the particular gun and ammo. I have owned both and prefer the 97B and it is more accurate but I still would have no problem getting a Witness .45. You also might want to look at babey eagles and they also make a compact. Most people prefer the wonder finish on the witness pistols.
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| Comparing the ones I have the 97B is actually very notcably more accurate. The grip is slightly different sights are esier to get for it and the fit and finish and estetics are nicer to me. The great thing about them is if you have both they use the same mags. I do not have my .45 Witness anymore but do have a steel framed 10mm and wish I did have my steel framed .45. The Witness on the other hand is more relaible with various HPs out of the box than the 97B but the 97B can be made to feed the HPs and have never heard of one that could not find at least one brand that was available that would work but with ball they are 100% almost every time anyway. Is it worth it to mess with a pistol and get it where you want it. It is for me but maybe not for everybody. I figure if someguy can spend a $1000 on a 1911 and work on it to make it what he wants then $500 on a CZ97B and $20 on springs and some research or even sending the barrel to Mossini gunworks or somebody to change the ramp is no problem and I am still $$$ ahead and have a pistol I like better. CZs and XDs are my favorite pistols hands down FOR ME but not for every body. |
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as far as the 22 goes, i was speaking of the combo kit available with the 45 if you find one. you can buy them separately too. i havent shot any HPs thru my EAA. however, i did fire a coulple of boxes thru my 97b and it ate them all. if you want an all metal 45, have you looked at the LLamas? i havent shot one, but ive seen them around. maybe others can attest to their function. Star made some 45s also but they werent lightwieght either. my friend had a commander he carried and it was an all steel 45 that was reliable and accurate. you can look for some used 45s. i thought that SA 45s were suppose to be around the 500 or less range? |
| Most people I have met the paid for Lamas regeret it but not all. The SA G.I. and Milspecs are around $500 and are nice pistols. I have the G.I. and it has been a great pistol. The Milspec which is a little more has the opened up ejection port and 3dot sights but do not have the wood U.S. grips I like. I still prefer my 97B even to the 1911. |
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Okay, so I handled a CZ97B at a gunstore today, unfortunately they had no Witnesses. It felt pretty good in my hands, almost exactly like the 75, just a bit bigger. I wasn't able to reach the mag release with my thumb without changing my grip on the pistol, but that's not a deal breaker. Also, the mags would not drop free. I'd assume this is simple to fix, no? The price was $525 NIB. How does this fare against market value? As an aside, I also handled an SP-01 Tactical. Really, really neat pistol. Also had the skull cracker and bayo attachments. Felt exactly the same as the 75 but with a heavier front end. Also had night sights. Almost too similar to my 75 to justify my purchasing it...for now. |
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SoM - Check out this link for more info on CZ pistols & clones. http://p201.ezboard.com/bczechpistols82792 Do you really feel you need a .45? What about a CZ75B in .40 S&W? Another possibility is keeping your eyes open for a Witness Match. These are high-end pistols made in Tanfoglio's custom shop. I found one for $420 on Auction Arms. They are SA only and do have adjustable sights though, which you may not want. Check out the CZ Clone section on the link I gave you for more info. |
