iamkris
Member
Just picked up my EAA Witness Tactical II in .45 ACP from my local candy store. After filling out the obligatory paperwork, I've had a few minutes to look over the piece and form some initial impressions.
First, for those of you not familiar with the model, Witnesses are Italian clones of the CZ 75/97 line and the Tactical II (geez, is that word overused or what?) is a Tanfoglio Custom Shop special run. Apparently, 100 in .45, 200 in .40 and 200 in 9mm. Then again, I think few of us believe the "special runs" are really exclusive since there always seems to be a followup run. FWIW, I have T11 in the .45 line. The 45s seem to have all but dried up through normal channels. Only a couple on the internet auctions. Here's an example http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=6974929
It is essentially a full-size, Wonder-finish steel frame with a compact slide, 3.75" barrel with 4 ports that exhaust through two oval cut-outs on either side of the front sight. The standard rear sight looks similar to a Novak-type sight on steroids -- e.g., it is tall! (probably about 30% taller than a Novak).
All of my evaluations are in comparison to a Witness-P Compact Wonder Finish .45 I owned early in 2002. It wasn't the best of experiences since it was a jam-o-matic and EAA customer service wasn't able to help through a couple of trips to their shop. Here's my impressions of this weapon:
1) WOW I like the all steel, full size frame. It has "presence" that the combat tupperware doesn't (personal opinion -- your mileage may vary)
2) My Wit-P grip fit my hand well, even with the compact frame. This is a handful, but not ungainly. Vertical serrations in the front and backstrap are a nice touch. Front serrations on the slide are helpful as well. Trigger and standard controls all well within reach and I have medium-sized hands and stubby thumbs (thank you Tanfoglio)
3) I was originally drawn to the model because of the overall appearance - e.g., full size frame with compact slide. It handles and balances well in my hand to boot, sort of like a quick swinging 24-26" O/U shotgun. We'll see if the short barrel is a problem from a sight radius point of view when shooting.
4) Frame to slide lockup is nice and tight like I have come to expect from CZs and clones.
5) Sight acquisition of that tall rear sight is good. Have never cared for 3-dots (learned to shoot before they were in vogue) so I'll probably black them out.
6) DA trigger is better than I expected. Short throw, smooth and relatively light. SA trigger is, um, variable. Quite a bit of gritty takeup then a crisp, light release. My Wit-P was just the opposite -- crappy, heavy DA and crisp, clean SA. Does anyone know if the gritty take-up on the SA will go away with use or if I need to find a trigger smith?
7) My Wit-P trigger used to cut the crap out of my trigger finger with its vertical grooves and sharp edges. This trigger is mercifully smooth with rounded edges.
That's all for now -- hope to get it to the range soon but I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled this Friday so it might be a while (shoulda had that done when I was 18 instead of 37). Will report on my range experience at a later date.
First, for those of you not familiar with the model, Witnesses are Italian clones of the CZ 75/97 line and the Tactical II (geez, is that word overused or what?) is a Tanfoglio Custom Shop special run. Apparently, 100 in .45, 200 in .40 and 200 in 9mm. Then again, I think few of us believe the "special runs" are really exclusive since there always seems to be a followup run. FWIW, I have T11 in the .45 line. The 45s seem to have all but dried up through normal channels. Only a couple on the internet auctions. Here's an example http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=6974929
It is essentially a full-size, Wonder-finish steel frame with a compact slide, 3.75" barrel with 4 ports that exhaust through two oval cut-outs on either side of the front sight. The standard rear sight looks similar to a Novak-type sight on steroids -- e.g., it is tall! (probably about 30% taller than a Novak).
All of my evaluations are in comparison to a Witness-P Compact Wonder Finish .45 I owned early in 2002. It wasn't the best of experiences since it was a jam-o-matic and EAA customer service wasn't able to help through a couple of trips to their shop. Here's my impressions of this weapon:
1) WOW I like the all steel, full size frame. It has "presence" that the combat tupperware doesn't (personal opinion -- your mileage may vary)
2) My Wit-P grip fit my hand well, even with the compact frame. This is a handful, but not ungainly. Vertical serrations in the front and backstrap are a nice touch. Front serrations on the slide are helpful as well. Trigger and standard controls all well within reach and I have medium-sized hands and stubby thumbs (thank you Tanfoglio)
3) I was originally drawn to the model because of the overall appearance - e.g., full size frame with compact slide. It handles and balances well in my hand to boot, sort of like a quick swinging 24-26" O/U shotgun. We'll see if the short barrel is a problem from a sight radius point of view when shooting.
4) Frame to slide lockup is nice and tight like I have come to expect from CZs and clones.
5) Sight acquisition of that tall rear sight is good. Have never cared for 3-dots (learned to shoot before they were in vogue) so I'll probably black them out.
6) DA trigger is better than I expected. Short throw, smooth and relatively light. SA trigger is, um, variable. Quite a bit of gritty takeup then a crisp, light release. My Wit-P was just the opposite -- crappy, heavy DA and crisp, clean SA. Does anyone know if the gritty take-up on the SA will go away with use or if I need to find a trigger smith?
7) My Wit-P trigger used to cut the crap out of my trigger finger with its vertical grooves and sharp edges. This trigger is mercifully smooth with rounded edges.
That's all for now -- hope to get it to the range soon but I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled this Friday so it might be a while (shoulda had that done when I was 18 instead of 37). Will report on my range experience at a later date.
