OFFICIAL: 10mm Photo Thread!

[sqlbullet]

Sorry, my full post didn't make it.

My 2

[Rorge Retson]

Here is the quick and dirty of my current 10mm family.

Very nice!!  I have heard of issues with the 10mm version of the EAA Witness - cracked slides and such - how long have you had yours?  Have you had any issues?

The left Witness is the Match (SA only), and the right Witness is DA/SA, correct?  Is the Match any 'tighter' in fit and finish than the DA/SA version?  Have you had trigger work done?

Also, it looks like the weapon on the right is in the Wonder Finish.  How do you like it?  How durable is the finish?  I am thinking about getting an all-steel in WF, then purchasing Match slides for the other calibers...

Sorry for all of the questions....it's just that I see so few Witnesses in the wild....they seem to be hard to come by.

[Vice]

Welcome to the forum Rorge,

Those aren't mine above, however I have an Elite Matchin 10 and 38 Super without issues.

Many times those stories you hear about are due to extreme use and Abuse.



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[sqlbullet]

Ok...Couple things I have learned today.

First, using a "cents" sign in a post will make the post end at that character.

so, finally.

My 2 CENTS on the EAA Witness downsides.  There aren't any in production steel high capacity 10mm's.  Of course there aren't any other steel high capacity production 10mm's

In comparison to my Para P16-40 conversion. The Witness is more comfortable to shoot, has a slightly worse trigger and has a lower round count.  Considering a good 1911 trigger is really a holy grail in pistol triggers being only slightly worse is pretty high praise.  Round count...Well, 15+1 vs 17+1.  What are you gonna get finished with 18 rounds that 16 didn't finish.

Rorge, let me try to address your questions:

I have had the full-size (DA/SA) for about 4 years now, and the Match for about 3.5 years.  I have had no warranty related issues.  The Match has a hairline crack in the frame in the inconsequential steel between the magazine release and the grip frame relief.  It in no way affect pistol function, realiability or appearance as you would have to remove the grip to see it.

Both guns have had the fluff and buff of the firing mechanism.  This is pretty straight forward do-it-yourself type work.

The full-size would hang up with a three-point jam about once a magazine for the first 300 rounds.  During this time I polished the feed ramp (don't waste your time IMHO) and at about 300 rounds I put in a 22 lb recoil spring and +10% magazine springs, and I started storing the magazines full.  I have not had a single jam that was not ammo related since then and the gun has gotta be closing in on 4,000 rounds.  It has jammed once or twice in the hands of new/inexperienced shooters.  I attribute this to limp wristing.

"Was not ammo related".  The full-size does not like full power 205 grain loads.  These are 205 grain WFN hardcast bullets over 14.5 grains of AA#9, COL 1.260".  They should deliver 1250-1300 fps. These will not work reliably in this gun.  I personally believe it is slide velocity related and that a flat bottom firing pin stop would solve the issue, but I have not yet tested this theory since Hennings FB FPS came on the market.

I ordered the Match at the same time I ordered the springs for the full size.  I added a second 22 lb spring to the order as well as enough +10% magazine springs to cover the Match when it arrived.  It was re-sprung before I ever took it to the range.  It has never jammed in my hands or anothers.  It eats the aforementioned 205 grain ammo just fine.

The wonder finish...I wonder if there is a finish?  It's a wonder they can call this a finish!  Well, that isn't fair really.  On the left side of the gun the end of the barrel and frame have rusted lightly.  This occured several years ago while I was at a camp with my son.  For three days the gun was holstered without reprieve.  Body sweat and wonder finish don't play nice I found when I got home and removed the gun from the holster.  I wanted black anyway.  My plan is to sandblast it down, park it, and then spray it with gunkote.  If you don't carry IWB, or if you do and you remove the gun from the holster every night and wipe it down, as well as let the holster air out, it will probably last quite well.  It is better than blueing, but is not really a high durability finish in my experience.

Finally...The Elite series guns are a fabulous value.  My full size has the old style slide that never had cracking issues.  The new ones are hit/miss from the reports.  My recommendation to someone looking is to pony up and get a Match or a Stock.  You will not be sorry.

[uz2bUSMC]

No downsides. I love mine!

Do you know if they have fixed the slide cracking issues on the newer versions of the guns?

[uz2bUSMC]

Oop, nevermind SQLbullet covered it. Thanks for the info brotha, that clears things up.

[sqlbullet]

One additional piece of information about cracked slides.

At first, there were some owners who got the run around about them.  After those first few, it came down from Tanfoglio that a batch of slides were not properly heat treated (too brittle) and EAA started putting up instead of stonewalling.

Most of the fixed guns I saw ended up with Elite series slides on the top.  And I have not heard much press about cracks since those early scalloped slides.

So, I think they have their ducks in a row.  But you are taking your chances.

[Rorge Retson]

Wow, amazing - more info in 5 hours on this board than 3 months of posting on other boards, talking with EAA, etc.

Thanks guys!!   

[uz2bUSMC]

sql, are the frames on the Elite series aluminum or steel??

[pacapcop]

On the mags.The new Mec Gar K10's are awsome.Big diff in quality from the ones with red followers.Spring appears strong and rounds sit tight.I know some have red followers with no problems,but i can tell you those K10's are sweet.Holds 14 as opposed to 15,but hey,ill take that over issues from previous mags.Over time,im guessing one will get the 15th in.They just don't currently make the Compact ones.Hopeing one day they will.

[sqlbullet]

sql, are the frames on the Elite series aluminum or steel??

They are steel.  I understand they come from two different sources.

My understanding is the regular Witness line is built in the Philippines.  I don't know where final assembly occurs before Tanfoglio ships them out.  The Elite series and Hunter are made in Italy.

This is consistent with what I see in my guns.  While visually very, very similar, if you actually start measuring parts, the Elite Match is slightly different than my full size.  This is not just in areas where metal would be removed fitting parts together.  They clearly appear to be made on different equipment.

The Match frame is alternately listed as stainless and as chrome plated.  I believe the latter is accurate for my gun.  The slide is blued carbon steel, and would not stand up well IMHO to daily carry.  If that is your intent for a Match it will need both a melt and a better finish on the slide.

[uz2bUSMC]

sql, are the frames on the Elite series aluminum or steel??

They are steel.  I understand they come from two different sources.

My understanding is the regular Witness line is built in the Philippines.  I don't know where final assembly occurs before Tanfoglio ships them out.  The Elite series and Hunter are made in Italy.

This is consistent with what I see in my guns.  While visually very, very similar, if you actually start measuring parts, the Elite Match is slightly different than my full size.  This is not just in areas where metal would be removed fitting parts together.  They clearly appear to be made on different equipment.

The Match frame is alternately listed as stainless and as chrome plated.  I believe the latter is accurate for my gun.  The slide is blued carbon steel, and would not stand up well IMHO to daily carry.  If that is your intent for a Match it will need both a melt and a better finish on the slide.

Good info bro, preciate it. I would probably not edc with it, have a 29 for that but I love the thought of an all steel 10mm that is inexpensive and is not a 1911. My main concern with these pistols was the QC but you have cleared that up nicely.

[pacapcop]

Ill be carrying in a shoulder rig only.But like you mentioned over time,i would be intrested in getting the slide in chrome.

[sqlbullet]

keep on mind to all the edges on my match are cut your hands sharp.  that is why I mentioned a melt for it. 

as it is it will just chew up holster and clothes.

[Rorge Retson]

My understanding is the regular Witness line is built in the Philippines.  I don't know where final assembly occurs before Tanfoglio ships them out.  The Elite series and Hunter are made in Italy.

This is consistent with what I see in my guns.  While visually very, very similar, if you actually start measuring parts, the Elite Match is slightly different than my full size.  This is not just in areas where metal would be removed fitting parts together.  They clearly appear to be made on different equipment.

The Match frame is alternately listed as stainless and as chrome plated.  I believe the latter is accurate for my gun.  The slide is blued carbon steel, and would not stand up well IMHO to daily carry.  If that is your intent for a Match it will need both a melt and a better finish on the slide.

Hmm.....I wonder if this sinks my idea of getting a regular steel Witness in 9mm, then buying Match/Elite slides for the rest of the calibers....