Poly or Steel

seaswol · November 30 2017 01:44:36 PM MST

I sold off my Glock 29 since my hands do not fit their shape. So I am looking at a Witness Compact 10mm, unfortunately none to see around Pensacola. Would someone give their views of the all steel model (999230) vs the Poly version (999063). This is for occasional daily carry, range practice. I do reload 10mm and have a Witness P Match in 10mm and a EAA9B. I do like to give a gun a fluff and buff with spring change but have never taken apart a Tanfoglio Poly model only the all steel models.
Thank you

Patriot · November 30 2017 03:57:53 PM MST

I'd avoid all witness compact models. However I love my P Carry. Polymer full size frame with the compact slide. So you get the shorter barrel with 14 round capacity. I haven't had much luck with full power loads in it but the Winchester Silvertips 175 gr shoot great in it with no mods.

seaswol · November 30 2017 04:24:56 PM MST

Doesn't the P Carry use the Force style hammer internals?

10mm4ever · November 30 2017 05:00:31 PM MST

I know it's not exactly what you asked about, but a bobbed 10mm Commander length 1911 works well for me ${$default_cheesy_smiley}$

sqlbullet · December 01 2017 08:13:50 AM MST

Quote from: seaswol on November 30 2017 04:24:56 PM MST
Doesn't the P Carry use the Force style hammer internals?

Yes. The entire Witness Poly line is also branded by Tanfoglio as the "Force" or "Force 99". The P-Carry has a full size Force frame with a compact slide.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanfoglio_Force

seaswol · December 01 2017 10:39:52 AM MST

Quote from: Patriot on November 30 2017 03:57:53 PM MST
I'd avoid all witness compact models. However I love my P Carry. Polymer full size frame with the compact slide. So you get the shorter barrel with 14 round capacity. ..

You would stay away because the grip is to small? or is there another concern with all steel compacts

Geeman · December 01 2017 05:44:54 PM MST

My take is the compact magazine is garbage, and causes misfeeding. Sure, the lower slide mass makes it show more, but I wish mec-gar made the compact magazines too.

I'm also not in love with the double spring setup with the compacts. Mine drove me nuts.

Still the best feeling compact in the hand as far as I'm concerned.

Greg

sqlbullet · December 01 2017 07:08:36 PM MST

Getting the compact to run is usually a challenge and then some.

seaswol · December 01 2017 08:35:03 PM MST

I guess its time to look at the P Carry then.

StockIIBoss · December 10 2017 11:46:50 AM MST

If you're handy with tools, you can make the polymer witness compact a great and reliable shooter. Here's a thread about it. It will have a limited market if you want to sell it, though, as most folks won't want modified handguns. This mod is the only way I could get it to run right.

http://10mm-firearms.com/gunsmithing/flat-recoil-spring-in-the-witness-10mm/msg68054/#msg68054

seaswol · December 10 2017 12:05:32 PM MST

Here is part of my introduction earlier this morning...
"Mike (Patriot) suggested a P Carry so I looked into it and planned to get one after the holidays. Patriot sent a PM letting me know a P Carry was available on Gun Broker and a pointer on how to bid. Three days later the gun is mine at a bid I could not imagine would take the auction. So again Thank you Mike and everyone on this site. Just 1 PM sure made a difference."
So StockIIBoss the timing of your post is perfect. It gives me a few days of researching and possibly ordering a few parts.

SA4044 · December 10 2017 04:19:26 PM MST

Quote from: 10mm4ever on November 30 2017 05:00:31 PM MST
I know it's not exactly what you asked about, but a bobbed 10mm Commander length 1911 works well for me ${$default_cheesy_smiley}$

What is it? Post a pic please!

TonyRumore · December 10 2017 07:01:31 PM MST

Quote from: Geeman on December 01 2017 05:44:54 PM MST
My take is the compact magazine is garbage, and causes misfeeding. Sure, the lower slide mass makes it show more, but I wish mec-gar made the compact magazines too.

I'm also not in love with the double spring setup with the compacts. Mine drove me nuts.

Still the best feeling compact in the hand as far as I'm concerned.

Greg

I've never had any problem with my large frame 10mm steel compact or my small frame steel compact either. They both work perfectly.

However, back around 2008 or so, EAA imported some Tanfoglio 10mm magazines that were not made correctly. I had four of them, all full size, and they didn't work at all. The internal width was too wide for 10mm and the rounds would bind up in the tube after 7 rounds or so. If I loaded them with 45 ACP rounds, the stack worked perfectly in the tube. It's like they made a bunch of 45 ACP mags with 10mm feed lips on them.

Tony