EAA Witness Feeding Problems

[Jeo567]

I bought a Witness Match last winter, and for the most part I've been impressed. For $250 it's really accurate.
I have this nagging feed problem with the gun though. It tends to happen when the clip's fairly full (My local public range has a 3 round limit, never happens there). The cases always eject fine, but the next round will end up sticking straight up out of the ejector port.
The first time i shot the thing it happened more frequently. Since then, i bought one of the newer magazines (red follower) and cleaned the gun properly. It happens less, but it still happens.
What's the problem? Lighter recoil spring? Am I just limp-wristing it?

 

[boogalou]

What caliber is the gun? Other than that, the two basic reasons for a CZ/Clone to FTF is weak mag springs or the extractor not being able to hold the round as it enters the chamber because of problems with the extractor, extractor spring, or breechface roughness. Check to see if the extractor has gunk around it and check the breechface for any burrs that might keep the ammo rim from sliding underneath the extractor.

 

[FEG]

Usually changing the magazine spring will clear that up in a CZ (never owned a Tanfoglio). When the magazine is lightly loaded, the spring exerts enough upward tension, and it works. When the magazine is full, it is under a lot of strain and the tension is fine. I think what happens is with about 12 or so in the magazine, the weight of the cartridges is still very heavy compared to the compression of the spring, and this prevents them from being in position.

I hope that made sense. At any rate, I just change the mag springs, and it has always stopped in my CZs.

 

[sqlbullet]

I have two witness pistols. A full-size Wonder finish in 10mm and an Elite Match in 10mm. The full-size had the problem you describe, the Match didn't.

Here are the changes I have made. 22lb Wolff recoil spring, Wolf +15 mag springs. Polish feed ramp. Store the magazines full. I have 5. It seemed that the ones I didn't keep full and only used for practice at the range had the issue more than the others. Since I went to the +15 springs and started keeping mags full, I have had no issues.

A shooting buddy, who doesn't have a superb grip still has the occasional FTF with the Witness. Limp-wristing should not be discounted.

 

[saturno_v]

Had the same problem with my Witness full size 10 mm Auto.
It improved with new mag and recoil springs and tweaking of the magazine lips but the problem occasionally persisted and the gun was very ammo sensitive.
Got rid of it because the horrible Customer Service from EAA...I may it again with a more reputable company backing.

 

[Lucky Strike]

I've got a Witness Match in .45 and I have the exact same problem (the FTF round sticks straight up).

I never noticed it before but when you mention that yours only gets the problem with a mostly full magazine thinking back that's when I get the issue too. It's on the second or third round on a mag

It probably happens once or twice every 50 rounds.

I'm definitely going to look into changing out the mag spring because other then the FTF stuff the gun is awesome in all other aspects

 

[Jeo567]

Thanks everybody. For the record, the gun is a 9mm.
I'll have to try the changing the spring in the magazine.
Dunno if this means anything, but i noticed that with American Eagle, it's less likely than with Blazer brass. Maybe I should buy hotter ammo?

 

[Snowdog]

It tends to happen when the clip's fairly full (My local public range has a 3 round limit, never happens there).

A three round limit? Sorry, but I'm quite curious what this means.

 

[Jeo567]

They only let you load 3 rounds in a clip at a time. It doesn't matter during the week, but on the weekends the rangers like to hand out tickets.