So I still haven't taken the new Witness to the range. I'm "getting it ready" though. I bought a 13lbs hammer spring, a new firing pin spring, and hogue grips. I also bought a 22lbs Wolff recoil spring, the problems is I find it a bit stout to rack the slide and know my wife could never do it. So my questions are:
- Is the 22lbs spring necessary if I plan to fire mostly standard low pressure practice rounds but carry full load (Atomic 180 gr JHPs, Winchester STHP) 10mm with an occasional grouping of that to ensure I know where those rounds would hit? Is the stock spring sufficient under those circumstances?
- What other recommended upgrades should I do to it?
I would go the other direction with the hammer spring. This is the first place where the intertia of the fired round gets eaten up. I know, on double action it will increase the trigger pull, but for full power loads, a heavy hammer spring eats up recoil energy without the downsides associated with a heavier mainspring, such as difficulty in working the action and frame abuse when the slide returns to battery.
I would return the factory 16 lb hammer spring, get the Hennings flat bottom firing pin stop and go with a 16-18 lbs recoil spring. Then give the firing mechanism a good fluff and buff (http://www.savvysurvivor.com/tanfoglio_witness_gunsmithing.htm). You will probably end up with a similar trigger feel if not measured weight by all the polishing, a better set up for dealing will full power loads, and an action you can operate without vice grips.
Thanks for the suggestions. What about a slightly heavier firing pin spring? Good idea or bad? I was looking around Hennings for the Hennings flat bottom firing pin stop but don't see it. Is there a direct link or am I missing it?
You might have to call him. I have flat bottom stops in all my 1911's but haven't gotten around to one in my Witness guns yet. Intercooler used to have details and I think was one of the guys that convinced Henning to start making them.
Firing-pin spring I think is fine in it's stock form.
For sure get the firing pin block for a Witness pistol. While placing the order get the cone guide-rod too. Well worth it!
I have gone to just the Wollf 20 pound recoil springs in my 2 EAA Witness 10MM. It worked great, the racking is a little stiffer, but the brass only flies about 4 feet away it also softens the felt recoil.
Quote from: sqlbullet on January 10 2013 08:09:05 AM MST
[...], get the Hennings flat bottom firing pin stop and [...]
Do you prefer the Henning's fbfps to the EGW fbfps, and if so, why?
EGW never did an EAA piece unless it's something new. I begged Henning to make these.
Yeah...Like IC said, if you want one for a Witness, Hennings is the only game...Unless you are patient with a file.
Quote from: sqlbullet on March 29 2013 11:15:43 AM MDT
Yeah...Like IC said, if you want one for a Witness, Hennings is the only game...Unless you are patient with a file.
OK, I thought you preferred them in general (including, for 1911's). Does Henning also make one for a 1911 (Series II)? If so, does he put the small radius on it, or is the bottom flat (and left to the installer to radius)? The fps (an EGW "oversized") that my gunsmith installed on my Kimber Eclipse (which came flat, and was radiused by my gunsmith) seems to be a bit thicker that the standard fps ... a bit less of the firing pin protrudes aft of the fps.
Henning's are a direct-fit. I didn't have to touch a thing other than installing it with no filing, etc...
Pics
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Should for sure order the Cone rod too while ordering. Makes the Witness even more of a tank and if you read Henning's real life experience and look at the part it will be crystal clear.
(http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/552743_416414341729937_1836631395_n.jpg)
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