Help with New Springs on an EAA Witness

[Acera]

Good Evening All,

I just got the Wolf 22 lb spring set for a full size EAA Witness 10mm. The purchase was made because of the full power Double Tap loads that I will be shooting (thanks to everyone here for the advice on those btw).

When the package was opened, I was surprised to find two springs. The main spring that goes around the guide rod was easy to identify, but what is the smaller one for? The closest I can figure out is it replaces the factory firing pin spring. I don't know why it was sent in the same plastic bag as the bigger spring if it was not a necessity. I have not taken the slide apart to check this, and was hoping that someone here would have an idea before I did this. If I need to replace that spring, maybe to prevent a slam-fire due to the stronger movement of the slide into battery, I would like to know before my next trip to the range.

Thanks, as always, for the help.


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[wally]

According to EAA you've voided you warranty.

The smaller spring is for the firing pin, if you don't put it in, in theory you could have "slam fires" in practice you'll probably only get "drag marks" on the primer from the firing pin not retracting quickly enough with the hot loads. The EAA factory spring for the 10mm seemed about the same as what they used in the .45ACP conversion kit, which is hard to believe would be right for even light factory 10mm, although it does make it easy to rack the slide.

I didn't like the way my gun handled with the 22lb spring, so I went with the 20lb and did change out the fp spring.

--wally.

 

[Acera]

Thanks Wally, I will see if there is a problem with marks on the primer before firing the round. If so, I will replace the spring, if not....I have a spare.

About the warranty, did you find out about this with the cracked slide on your 10mm? If there is a problem, I will just put the original spring in as I send it back. At least I hope that will work. You are correct, it is a pain to rack the slide with the 22# spring, but I hope it helps with the recoil.

 

[wally]

No, other folks have posted about EAA claiming the gun was damaged by "reloads" and they consider DT and Georgia Arms to be "reloads".

My compact has shot nothing but the last of my Remington Green box and CCI Blazer. Well under 300 rounds. Don't have an accurate count as I was swapping guns and mags trying to resolve the magazine issues -- which so far seems to be solved. I was using the cheapest ammo I could find, and with the brass launching into near orbit these guns were not ready for reloads. Probably got two or three times the rounds thru the full sized.

I really have a hard time believeing the light (17lb maybe?) recoil spring that came in the compact was right. While working the mag issues since changing springs in the full size didn't make much difference I left the Compact stock. I did buy a 20 lb spring in anticipation of eventually working the orbiting brass issue.

If you don't change the firing pin spring, I'd load only two rounds the first couple of times just in case you get a slam fire.

If you do change it, pay close attension to how the firing pin and block come out. It comes apart a lot easier than it goes back together.

--wally.

 

[Acera]

Thanks for the advice. I had not thought about the two round practice, but I will do that. I generally go to the range with some minor tools, and should be able to change the spring there if needed.

Next thing, I have noticed a number of threads on the poor magazine performance. Even one thread where a gentleman uses JB weld to fill in spaces on his magazines to hold the slide back. My minor experience is that the two piece magazines are more problematic than the single piece. All three I have ordered from EAA in the past couple of months have worked fine, with their red (or is it orange) followers.

I guess if I am a Carters and see someone else shooting a 10mm Witness, I will introduce myself to you.

 

[wally]

I shoot at PSC, way south of Carter's Country

I believe that was me building up the followers with JB Weld, I had to squeeze the feed lips together to get the mags to keep control of the rounds -- was very often getting nose up jams when four or fewer rounds remained in the magazine. Of course once I squeezed the feed lips together the followers wouldn't come up high enough to lock back.

Looking at the followers I wouldn't be surprised to learn that EAA just used .45 followers in the 10mm mags and then opened up the feed lips enough to make the slide lock back. :banghead:

--wally.

 

[mpmarty]

I don't know how old your compact 10mm steel witness is but mine has a factory two spring setup, one within the other and Wolf has no clue what springs it takes. That said, I only called Wolf out of curiosity as the springs in the gun from the factory are plenty strong and have a very progressive spring weight that stacks quickly at about half cycle. To ease racking the slide, cock the hammer first. The underside of the firing pin retainer is square cut on Tanfoglio guns to help hold the slide closed as opposed to the radiused plates on 1911 type guns. This makes the initial movement of the slide on a hammer down condition very hard.