Lookin' at inexpensive .45's: Ruger vs. Witness

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I am looking to jump in to the .45 market, and can't afford the Sig that I really want right now. And, I'm not totally sold on the 1911(I'll get one sooner or later, because I think that all collections should have one).

I am looking in the $350-$400 range, and both the Ruger's and the EAA Witness fall into thise price range. Taurus's do also, but I don't like the DAO PT-145.

I know the Rugers are big, bulky and heavy, but size isn't much of an issue, as this would primarily be a tool for backing up my trusty Ted Williams Model 300 as a home defence weapon.

I have also read mostly positive things about the Witness's, in both 10mm and .45. Not being a reloader yet, I would be going with the .45ACP.

Are their any other guns in this price range I have missed? I'm open minded, my only 'Heck No!' being the Llama line of .45's....

Thanks for the help!

Greg
 
I'd also go with the Ruger. Some people complain about their triggers, so you might want to test fire the gun first if possible. Also, I don't know about the Witness, but Ruger hi-caps are readily available and cheap.
 
I've owned and used both, and recommend both. The Ruger is very tough, but very bulky, and of course is limited to 8 rounds in the magazine (P97). The Witness is less bulky, never let me down, and has 10-round magazines. If I were buying another one today, I'd buy the Witness.

You might also want to look at the CZ-97 - the (street) price is a bit more expensive, but it's a very fine weapon, IMHO, and worth the money. As a matter of fact, there's one for sale right now on our "Trading Post"... see
this thread. (And no, I'm not being paid a commission to advertise! :D )
 
The Ruger 90 and 97 often pop up in comparison articles with Sig 220s and the like. The author often seems to like the Ruger more than it's expensive competition.

The Witness is really great, though. The Carry-Comp version I had was compact for a 10 rounder, had a great Tennifer finish (Wonder), and was one of the most accurate factory pistols I've fired. Nice trigger, too. All that cost around $300 or so.

Witness downsides are a really tight chamber (good for accuracy, bad for handloads), and the occasional lemmon. It seems like 9 out of 10 Witness pistols are absolutely outstanding, and the other one can't do anything right. But when they're good, they're great. An incredible value in a solid, all steel .45.

The CZ97 is likely better than both, but is priced accordingly. It is also very heavy.

I'd go Ruger if you want a simple, no-brainer kind of .45. The 90 seems more solid, but the 97 is said to have a better trigger. Recommend the decock only versions of both.

If you're willing to take a small chance, you will likely be more pleased with a good Witness .45. They really do everything right.
 
The Rugers I have shot seemed like a great value for the money. I have fired a friends on our qualification course right after my SIG 220 and had no problem qualifiying with the gun. Wiley Clapp wrote a 5 or 10,000 round test of one that did very well. The people I know with them on my department think very highly of them.

The witness get good reports but I've never used one. I believe they are the same basic design as the CZ75 so I'm not surprised when they get good reviews.
 
I've owned and used both, and recommend both.
Click to expand...
Same here. If you have any intent on CCW usage, I'd lean toward the Ruger. Simply put, stainless steel is available and the poly frame is lighter. Ruger is also a tad thinner in the grip frame, which is to say less bulky. You only give up two rounds, as was pointed out. Both are capable of sub-2" accuracy if you do your part.:cool:
 
Another vote for Ruger, I have never had a problem with a P-90 and find it very accurate.
 
You are more likely to like the Witness if it works, but the Ruger is more likely to work. I wouldn't get either one myself. :)
 
P97

Go with the P97, it and the P95 aren't as big and bulky as the other Rugers and are great values compared to the overpriced Euros. Reliable, accurate, affordable, durable and US made.
 
i'll speak from my personal intentions for my family's (don't know if it will be me or my wife that sign the dotted line adn pick it up) next two pistol purchases. a Ruger P97 and a High Standard 1911A1 clone (the GI spec version) both are around the same price (about $400 here in the houston area). so i don't know which will come first. i DO know tht when i take the Texas CHL class i will do so with a P97
 
I like the feel of the CZ or the Witness better and trust them more then the ruger. Plus the extra rounds are nice.
 
Ruger 45's

I own a couple of the Ruger 45's and have had perfect reliability with them. They are a bit boxy but they are also about the most accurate 45's I own. I've bought mine used for around $300 and then put on better grips (Pacs) for me. I have very large hands and they fit my hands pretty well. And with out any tinkering all of my P90's will feed any shape of ammo I feed it. 100%. Spend your money on an American product, the money stays here in the hands of the workers of this country, not over seas. :scrutiny: :) When in doubt always buy American!!! :)
 
I would go for the Witness or the CZ. The Ruger is an OK gun for the money. However, I believe the Witness points better and is more ergonoical. I also don't like Ruger's politics. Yes the money stays in America but it also goes to support a company which is, in my opinion, hostile toward second amendment rights. Bill Ruger supported the assault weapon ban bill and the high capacity ban. His company has gone on record as saying they will not produce any more hicaps civilians (other than police) even if the AWB bill sunsets. So I won't be giving his company any of my money. Which is a shame because I like their little .22 pistols.
Just my $.02
 
The Ruger, IMO, is the better buy of the two. Totalt reliability and superb accuracy. Also if you would need to use a the service department, which is more likely with the EAA, I have heard that EAA is a bear to deal with.
 
G'day priv8ter and et al.,

I can only provide personal reference to the Ruger P97. It is a very good value. It provides consistent and reliable service. Accuracy is quite good right out of the box. It is also the only pistol that I own that has no modifications. Just shoot and maintain it. Factory sites were right on. Got the golf ball, with the 45 acp contact mark on it, sitting on the desk. Use mine for both casual and serious social occations. I stopped counting successful rounds launched when the number was over 7k.

Best of luck in your selection. Cheers!
 
Forty more reasons to go with a Ruger. They are giving a $40 rebate on all P-series pistols starting 01 May (you are already a day late in getting one) thru sometime in September. I kicked myself for missing the rebate the last time they had one, won't miss this opportunity (I too am already a day late, but can be up to $40 short this time). I have already called my friendly neighborhood dealer and told him to get it in gear and get the rebate forms in.

I own two Ruger autos already, a KP95D and a KP944D (9mm plastic and .40cal alloy frame). Both have been excellent in both the reliability and accuracy categories. I really don't think you can go wrong with a Ruger product. This time out I'm getting the P90, like the appearance of the alloy frame and stainless upper.
 
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