New Witness Compact range report

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wbwanzer

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A few days ago I posted pictures of my new Witness Compact in 9mm. I made it to the range today so I'm reporting in because a few folks were interested.

First, I cleaned and lubed the pistol. There was no packing grease that I could see. Easy take down and reassembly once you get the slide stop out. So I lubed her up and was ready for today's session.

It was a beautiful day. Mid 80s with a nice breeze. I was the only one on the pistol range (outdoor range) the whole time I was there. That was fine by me as I can then go check my targets whenever I want. Don't need buyin from other shooters.

I'll start by saying that I really like this pistol. For a compact, it's got some weight. It's a nice shooter. Very comfortable with the rubber grips. The only problems I experienced through 100 rounds were two failures to lock the slide back after the last round. Other than that, no problemo.

I put 50 rounds into one of those zombie type shoot-n-see targets first. Then I put 50 more into two targets that are pictured below. The first target has 10 rounds in it and I was trying a little harder. The second picture has 40 rounds. All were fired at 10 yards, unsupported, firing about every 1 to 1.5 seconds I would guess. It's not great shooting, but it's good enough.

After putting those 100 rounds through the Witness, I got out my S&W 3913 which was my go to pistol for carrying, when I can carry (which is not often).
So the last picture is 25 rounds from the 3913 at the same 10 yards. Not nearly as good. And I've shot this gun before. It felt a little snappy after shooting the Witness. So apparently I shoot better with the Witness than the 3913 (which is a well respected pistol) and it holds more ammo (13). The downside of course is it's size and weight. But I'm going to work with it as far as carrying it because I like it better.

So in summary, this is a real nice shooter in my opinion. I didn't want to stop shooting it when I went to the 3913. The Witness Compact is definately a keeper. :D

Ten rounds from Witness Compact
Witnesstargets002.jpg

Forty rounds from Witness Compact
Witnesstargets003.jpg

Twenty-five rounds from S&W 3913
Witnesstargets001.jpg

The Witness
Witnesscompact002.jpg
 
Tanfoglio pistols really are great. Their one mistake was not establishing themselves in the US in the same way Beretta did. Tanfoglio Force pistols, on their own merit, would earn more respect than EAA Witness pistols. Tanfoglio is a strong company and their products are well respected across the world.

I discovered I shot best with CZ-platform pistols as well, and in my opinion, Tanfoglio's improvements to the design make a better pistol. Blasphemy, I know, and I own numerous CZ's that I would never part with. But I own more Tans than CZ's (interestingly enough, I own only one EAA, the rest are made by the other guys with Tanfoglio parts).

The telling moment for me about which pistol I felt best with was after Katrina. We didn't know what was going on with the outside world as ours was pretty well trashed. No power for weeks, no TV, and only reports on the radio. The eye wall passed right over us in South Mississippi, as opposed to the glance that New Orleans got. I guess we didn't consider Lord of the Flies to be a doctrinal book even though our damage was more catastrophic.

In any case, when my family crawled out among the downed trees and surveyed the damage, I didn't know what to expect from my town, but having lived through hurricanes in Mobile, I knew that looting could happen. We had food and fuel - ideal looters' fare. I figured I would strap on my CZ-75 while I got to work with the chainsaw. When push came to shove, I found myself picking up my 45acp Tanfoglio. I knew both pistols well, knew their reliability, knew I could trust both of them. But in my heart of hearts, knew I wanted a 45 on my side and so for Storm Day +1, I carried that Witness. Today, I have four CZ75-based pistols (none of which has ever given me a problem) and five Tanfoglio-pattern pistols (ironically, one of the CZ pattern pistols is made by ITM Switzerland, while one of the Tanfoglio pistols is also made by ITM Switzerland).

Yours uses the slide developed in Israel by Bul Transmark. In 9mm, that model has been stellar.
 
Ash "I discovered I shot best with CZ-platform pistols as well, and in my opinion, Tanfoglio's improvements to the design make a better pistol."

I also have a Witness Elite Match that I shoot better than any of my other semi-auto pistols. This Compact seems to be close behind. Strangely enough, I've owned two CZs (P01 and 75B) and couldn't shoot well with either. I guess I need Tanfoglio has to massage the CZ platform in order for me to perform. ;)
 
wbwanzer

Nice looking Witness Compact; I like the blued accents in contrast to the matte chrome finish. Seems to do just fine in the accuracy department as well. Thanks for the review and range report.
 
bannockburn said:
wbwanzer

Nice looking Witness Compact; I like the blued accents in contrast to the matte chrome finish. Seems to do just fine in the accuracy department as well. Thanks for the review and range report.
Click to expand...
Thanks. My pleasure.
 
What caliber? They are pretty amazing and I love mine. Also shoot them better than anything else!

Don't let the Cat out of the bag too much. Their prices are going up!
 
My only Witness now is a Elite Match, but even the older polymer version 9mm carry gun I had was extremely accurate. I think they are the best thing going anywhere near their price.
 
intercooler it's a 9mm.

browningguy I've got an Elite Match also. I am more accurate with that gun than anything else that I own. That is a real sweet pistol. I can't imagine what the higher end Witnesses (Gold Team or Limited) are like.

This Compact is no Elite Match, but it's not far off, esecially considering that it's shorter in length.
 
The Elite Match uses the same frame as the standard Witness but with more carefully assembled parts. The top-end is specific to the Match.
 
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