EAA / Girsan

I've had a few EAA pistols in the past (Tanfoglio, Witness) and they've all been worthy. EAA doesn't seem to import junk. Haven't seen a Girsan 1911, but a good buddy picked up the Regard (Beretta 92FS almost-clone) which seems quite accurate and has beenvery reliable through many hundreds of rounds. I don't think you'll find any bad Turkish-made guns being imported these days; the Turks seem to do a great job with their pistols (and have been making great shotguns for years).

I have a EAA Windicator .38Spl./357 Mag.4" revolver I like it shoot's really good.

For many years, EAA had one of the worst customer service reputations in the industry. From what I understand, that was mostly due to the "gunsmith" who handled complaints. If he's left or been replaced, I haven't heard about it.
Top-of-the-line guns received good service, but owners of the standard Witness pistols were treated badly. I have a Witness .45 in the safe that the "gunsmith" refused to even look at. It malfunctions constantly. I can't sell it and shooting it just makes me frustrated.
This situation may have changed in the last few years.

Girson is making waves in the waterfowl world with their auto shotguns.
#3 son has one and loves it.

The Girsan 1911 looks good, nice finish, decent grips. I like it better than the Tisas. I've had 2 come through my hands that I sold and never had a customer complain. I did take one apart and the slide guide rod was plastic. Don't know if they still are, but I would think that you could find an after market if needed. Personally, I like the American Classic, but that is just me.

I have five EAA Tanfoglio Witnesses that are excellent.

My three Turkish pistols have all been very good.

I've not had a Girsan, but I've read good things about them.

I'll probably add a 9mm polymer Girsan MC 28 SA in my collection in the next weeks. It is a retro-engineered S&W M&P9. I have done alot of research and it seems a well made inexpensive sturdy pistol.

I stopped at a local farm and ranch store today. They have a gun dep't. They had the Girsan Regard and the MC 28 SA. I had never heard of the MC so I didn't look too closely. I've seen reviews on Youtube of the Regard. They are pretty good reviews. I don't know if this store was having a sale or just a really good deal, but the Regard was $349. so I just had to get it. Reading 5-shots comments, I wish I had looked closer at the MC. It was priced at $279.

grammontS said:

Anyone have any input on their products? Seen a 1911 .45 on gunbroker that I thought was priced nicely and was curious if it was worth giving it a shot ( no pun intended).

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Bought my wife a officer model size 1911 from girsan. She's put about 300 rounds through it within a week. No issues right out of the box. Adjustable low mount rear sight. Definitely worth the smile on her face. I would pick up another up. Her only complaint was the wood grips. She didn't like the look. I gave her a set of rubber ones I had laying around and she likes the way it looks way better.

I recently picked up a regard six at my local shop. Traded my karh k9 (recently had trouble with my hand making it hard to rack the slide) for it. Ordered two extra mags. The pistol looks great and feels good despite the finger grooved front strap. Now just got to stock up on some 9mm ammo. Can't wait to see how it shoots.

I'll post a review once I can get to the range with it.

I had a girsan 1911 45 for a short time. Everything about it was nice except it hit 6-8” low with everything I put through it. Tried to get a couple Smith’s to send it back and none were willing, said it was too much hassle. Regular individuals apparently are not allowed to send one in for repair and they were not the least bit helpful the one time I was able to get them on the phone.

Sold it with a disclaimer and actually made money on it. Everything I had heard up to that point was positive and have heard very little negative about them since so apparently I got the Friday at 4:45 gun. Tisas and EAA I have had no problems with if that helps. I had a Windicator snubby that ran flawlessly and was very accurate that went with the ex. Really miss that gun.

I had a 10mm Polymer Compact Witness. The gun shot great but I could only load 6 to 7 rounds in the magazines before the follower wouldn't move. I contacted their customer service who informed me that the magazines couldn't have a problem and refused to even discuss it with me. I bought a couple more magazines, which also had problems. They wouldn't help with those either. I sold the gun with full disclosure of the issues and would have a hard time buying another one of their guns.

Well, it's been awhile but finally was able to put a couple mags through my regard six. No hiccups. 100 rounds of ball so far.

I also have a Windicator snubbie. Heavy little beast and very comfortable to shoot with moderate 357 mag loads. The DA&SA trigger feel beat expectations. Cylinder lockup is tight. Shoots well, the factory sight POI is right on, ugly but very functional grips. Good value at the <$300 price point at the time. Also a EAA/Tangfolio 10mm Hunter. Decent autoloader other then the one hole in the frame having ill threads for the side cantilever optic mount.

For a lower cost 1911 I would lean towards RIA simply due to ignorance with the one you are after. RIA is a better product per price then the early 2000's Springfield's IMO. Yes blasphemy. Had three, not going back.

The Turk gunmakers produce one Made in the USA rollmarked 1911 for that Brand, who finishes them with the special touches their customers expect and then charges $1,100. Or you can buy a Turk branded gun under $500 as they are not inflating their price right now to make inroads in the market.

Turkish makers offer models which are NATO certified and which sell to other nations for their Army, including their own. One is owned by an aerospace concern who also makes airframe and engine parts for Boeing, Airbus and Lockheed. Across the board they are considered bargains with Euro level quality, fit and finish. I would put some of them on the same level as SIG. When you consider that almost all the worlds pistols use cold hammer forging, MIM parts, and FRN grips, the technology isn't dumbed down much when it all costs the same. What cost of living/overhead you control has a bigger effect on the bottom line. I'd rather buy Turk than Chinese.

Keep in mind Turks were recruited in the 1960's to work the MB and Volkswagen lines, they were considered better workers.

A friend has the Regard and it's been a great gun. It seems to be at least equal to a recent Beretta 92FS I had a while back and still regret selling.

I have 2 witness p's, 9mm and 10mm, nothing but praise for both of them! Eats everything I have fed them so far. Very accurate pistols!

EAA’s customer service has a long track record of absolutely horrible service. Which I did experience. They are an importer , they make nothing . The brands they import get pulled down with them . I will never buy anything that comes through them , and a lot of people feel the same way . The brands that use them ( which do make some good products ) , need to cut that cancer out and watch their sales go up . I have been reading about EAA’s horrible customer service for over 15 years .

The last couple of times I dealt with EAA, buying some spare parts, it was very pleasant.