EAA Witness Caliber Conversions?

[DougB]

I want an EAA Witness 10mm, but since I live in California, I can only get the gun in .45 ACP (or .40 for the small frame). I'm thinking seriously of getting the .45 and then ordering a 10mm conversion kit for it (which is legal here). I may also get one of the .22 conversions. I would much appreciate hearing of your expreiences with the EAA conversion kits (do they work reliably, require fitting, etc.).

I'm also a little undecided about whether I'd get the full-sized or compact 10mm conversion (or maybe one of each). I think they are also available ported, with compensators, with various sights, etc. Any recommendations (for or against) on these options would be appreciated.

Finally, if I could I think I'd get everything in the "wonderfinish" - but here in CA matte black is the only option. I want this to be corrosion resisant and require little maintenence - so I'm thinking of sending in my frame to have it hard chromed, and then ordering the 10mm conversion in wonderfinish. I'm sure they wouldn't match exactly, but how do you think this would look? Any functional/practical issues with a combination like this? Maybe a black chrome would look better on the frame to contrast with the wonderfinish slide. Or, if wonderfinish isn't so great, maybe I should just get the whole gun chromed. Again, thanks for your advice.

Doug

 

[Black Snowman]

The matte black looks just like the Wonder Finish except black instead of silver. I'd bet that unless you take it swimming with you in the Pacific regularly unoiled and then not clean it afterword, you're really not going to notice any differance in the finishes longevity. Save the money for refinishing until you actually see some surface rust. I bet it won't ever come up.

I haven't used the conversions but there is some talk on them over at czForum.com in their "clone" forum. Basily it's a new upper and magazine, no fitting, basicly just like having another gun from what I've read. Go ahead and get the Wonder Finish conversion for the nifty two tone look

 

[DougB]

Black Snowman,

Thanks for the info. It hadn't ocurred to me that the black finish might be just as durable as the wonderfinish. I had assumed that the blued EAAs just had the standard blued finish that would wear off at the high points and rust if it gets wet. I understand that wonderfinish is similar to Glock's tennifer finish that is apparently some sort of heat/chemical treatment to to the steel that gives it a very durable outer surface. If the EAA "blued" guns actually have a finish as durable as I've heard wonderfinish is, that would be fine with me. Your recommendation that I wait until the original finish gives me a problem probably makes sense. (FYI - I plan to take this gun camping, canoing, etc. where I won't have to carry it much, but it may be exposed to water - and generally won't get much care).

Doug

 

[Black Snowman]

I've heard stories of people draining water out of the holsters on their blued guns but as long as they dried them before putting them away. A good moisture repelling oil might be a good investment too. I hear FP-10 is a great option and I'm starting to use it myself. I don't really put my guns in harsh enough conditions to do a comparison.

 

[DougB]

So, does anyone use the Witness caliber conversions? Since 95% of my reason for getting the .45 is to convert it to 10mm, I'd like to hear that this works well before I take the plunge. Thanks.

Doug

 

[HardCOR]

I'm curious about these conversions too. How strong are these guns, can they take alot of full power 10mm loads?

 

[NordicG3K]

I picked up one of the .45/.22 combo kits and then got a 10mm conversion kit from Alex at Savvysurvivor.com. The .22 unit has been pretty finiky and I'm still searching for a load it likes, but the .45 and 10mm uppers have been fantastic. The .45 upper is stock with fixed sights while the 10mm upper is in Wonderfinish with the adjustable rear Supersight. In the 10mm upper I've upgraded the recoil spring with a 22lb Wolff and got three preban 15-round .40 S&W conversion kit mags for the full-size frame. Makes quite a package!

 

[DougB]

NordicG3K,

Thank you for the report - it looks like you've got exactly the setup I'm considering. It looks nice. It also looks like you've got a lot of experience with 10mm handguns (this will be my first), so I'm happy to hear that you are pleased with the EAA/Tanfoglio pistol and conversion. This was just the kind of report I was hoping to see. Thanks again for taking the time to post your comments and the photo.

Doug

 

[Mike Irwin]

I've been seriously considering a .38 Super upper for my 10mm Witness.