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Old December 4, 2012, 05:30 PM   #1
Mrgunsngear
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EAA Witness 9mm Review







I originally purchase the EAA Steel Witness 9mm (also known as the Tanfoglio T95 in some countries) a year or so ago because the I like the CZ75-type platform, the price was right, and it easily converted to 22lr. Here's what I've found so far:

Pros:
-Reliable. When the gun is in its' original 9mm configuration it's extremely reliable (I've personally never had a malfunction but my buddy borrowed the gun for a week and claimed he had one with his reloads).
-Accurate. Most CZC75 variants are very accurate guns and this pistol is no exception.
-Ergonomic. It feels great in the hand and the extended beaver tail allows you to get your hand very high up on the frame.
-Modularity. Current production EAA Witness guns are built on what was formerly known as the 'large frame.' You can purchase a separate slide assembly (40, 45, 22, ect....) and they will all work on the same frame. The frame is the serial numbered parts so there's no need to go though a FFL.
-Many (not all) of the aftermarket parts developed for the CZ75 will also work on the Witness.
-Standard 1913 rail for mounting lights/lasers/bayonets/whatever else tickles your fancy.
-It has a relatively low bore axis for a DA/SA gun due to the way the slide rides in the frame.
-Weight. The all steel version weighs 33oz unloaded which makes it a pleasure to shoot.
-Ability to be carried 'cocked and locked.' For many shooters this is a system we're used to and operating it is second nature.
-Price. I purchased mine for under $400 with the 22lr kit included. They've gone up since then but they're still very affordable.


Cons:
-No decocker.
-Only comes with 1 magazine
-Finish. It's just a paint type finish that wears relatively easily.
-The trigger has a little more overtravel than I'd like. That said, it does break crisply.

Chronograph numbers:
Winchester Ranger 115gr JHP: 1123fps, 322 ft/lbs energy
Federal HST 124gr JHP: 1145fps, 361 ft/lbs energy
Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P: 1253fps, 432 ft/lbs energy

Here's a video with some shooting, disassembly/assembly, a discussion of the pros/cons, and a chronograph test:

EAA WITNESS 9/22 COMBO HD VIDEO REVIEW LINK
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Old December 5, 2012, 08:59 AM   #2
wbw
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Nice writeup. I'm a fan of the Tanfoglio Witness line having a Match Elite and a Compact. They are two of my favorites.

I've had CZs before and am not knocking them, but I like the Witnesses better.
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Old December 5, 2012, 09:56 AM   #3
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For me it just depends on the CZ. The newer CZs have much better triggers than the old school com-bloc ones; at least to me...
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Old December 5, 2012, 11:21 AM   #4
cosmicdingo
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Does it do 10mm also?
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Old December 5, 2012, 03:06 PM   #5
Mrgunsngear
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It can but I'd tread lightly if putting a 10mm slide on it. Google "EAA Steel Witness 10mm Crack" to see why.
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Old December 5, 2012, 03:56 PM   #6
aarondhgraham
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Is this handgun the one you have?

Is this handgun the one you have?

Click here please,,,

Early this year a friend of mine ordered this 9mm/22 LR combo,,,
He and his two young sons shoot it in .22 mode quite a lot.

Thanks for the review,,,
My friend almost never shoots it in 9mm mode,,,
So I was glad to read that yours runs well with centerfire ammo.

I'm considering ordering one when Buds gets them back in stock,,,
So again, thanks for the review.

Aarond

.
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Old December 5, 2012, 06:44 PM   #7
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^^^Yup, that's the one.
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Old December 5, 2012, 10:02 PM   #8
wstein
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I have one with the poly frame. I love, a great shooting gun. It is much more accurate than I am.
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Old December 6, 2012, 09:12 AM   #9
AdrianVall
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I think this may be my next handgun purchase! I love the fact that you can convert it to .22 !! That's awesome..

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy
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Old December 6, 2012, 03:44 PM   #10
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I have the EAA Witness Match in 9mm. Can I also get a .22 conversion kit for this and about how much would this cost?
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Old December 6, 2012, 03:52 PM   #11
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Yes; they'll work in your gun. They run $150-200.
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Old December 6, 2012, 04:02 PM   #12
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Quote:
I have one with the poly frame. I love, a great shooting gun. It is much more accurate than I am.
I have been eying this one as pretty much a first pistol..It and the new version of the S&W SD9...
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