Remington R1 Hunter or Eaa Witness Hunter

[Trubiltman]

Hello everyone.  I am new here and I'm looking to get a new 10mm longslide.  I have narrowed my choices down to the Remington R1 Hunter or the EAA Witness Hunter. Any imput or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you

[Kenk]

Welcome Trubiltman!

[Trapper6L]

Welcome. A Remington R1 owner here. I've had mine over a year now. While the gun has never failed me in any way, I have had to make some changes to it. Shooting factory or handloads, it'll throw brass into the next county, realistically 50+feet. It now has the strongest recoil spring Wolff makes but what really brought the gun into something I didn't expect was a flat bottom firing pin stop and a 25lbs hammer spring. The last two things are what really tamed the gun in ways that has be experienced. The 10mm is a violent cartridge as are most of the bigger bore pistols. Since changing of the parts, it's more comfortable to shoot than my 40SW Baby Eagle semi compact all steel. It tamed the gun is all I can say as it really has to be experienced. It was not something I expected. It can still throw brass but not near as far. Because of my old school ways, me and the front red optic crap....er, sight I've also changed. I just can't see the front plastic trash and the sights are setup that the front sight is supposed to be held half way in the rear sight. Kinda hard when you can't see it. I tried to black it out but ended up just buying a new front sight. Now the sights will adjust so that I'm looking at the sights level across the top and bullet impact right on top of the front sight. Sure makes for better groups, at least for me. Trigger, most folks love it but I'm accustomed to a real light trigger. I'm guessing here but it's probably a very crisp 5lbs. No creep, no drag, when it moves, it's gone off. I would prefer it to be more around 3lbs. I think the biggest problem I've had with it is that I can't stop shooting it. Literally love the gun now. Factory grips are great, no slipping around in the hands. Accuracy. Let me say it this way. I was at the country range and had a young guy shooting in the 25 yard station with me. He's a LEO and he shoots a lot and also in competition. He was considering a 10mm so I handed him mine with a full mag. He had setup some shotgun clays at 25 yds along with a paper target. He fired twice at the paper target. Then went into full competition one handed stance and firing the 6 rounds in less than 5 seconds broke every clay. He asked if it were for sale. Obviously, not on yer life. It shoots pretty good. I've shot under 1" groups at 25 yds with it from bags. I can offhand a 2" group taking my time. At 72 years old I'm not near as good as I used to be. But then it's a lot like I tell my older but little brother, "The older we get the better we were". As you are probably aware the R1 is nothing more than a Para with Remingtons name on it. So any parts you think you would want will be Para parts, not Remington. I have no regrets buying the R1. I have a few Kimbers I wish I could give back though but they're not 10mms but it makes a comparison for you.

My little brother had a Witness Hunter back, seems like it was in the 90's. I don't recall the issue with the gun but the company out of Florida that was bringing the pistols in really didn't give a squat about fixing his gun. So there were no parts to fix it. I know he got rid of it but where it went from there I have no clue. But his carry piece is a 40SW Witness so apparently he got over the issue with EAA.

In making your decision about which to buy. You can do it like my brother buys guns. Put yer money down on the table, walk away with the gun you like best. Worked for him for years. I don't really think there's much difference between the two but then I haven't shot a new EAA Hunter lately. It may be a the best pistol out there for the money. It might be a much better boat anchor. Either way, if this is your first 10mm, life is about to change for the better. It's a real hoot to be able to shoot 135grHP at the speed of light and follow that up with a 220gr bullet. !0mm is probably the most versatile cartridge invented yet. Best of luck on your search.

[Paul James]

Want 8 or 15 rounds in the stock magazine?  I just got a Glock 40 and love the thing. Not very pretty gun but, it shoots well and well its a Glock...I also have a Ruger SR 1911 10mm did some work on it like undercut trigger guard, front night sight, trigger job, and silicon carbide front strap. Want an EAA hunter bad just fits the hand so well. I think EAA has come a long way since the 90's and would give them a shot.

[jbaker30]

I have the Remington,and the Witness, and G-40 Glock, and Kimber target longslide. With open sights the Kimber is the most accurate (and well built), but with a red dot on the Glock it will out shoot all the others. The witness is built like a tank, very nice gun, tight and nicely finished, I just don't shoot it that well. The remington surprised me. it was the second most accurate with open sights, tough call between it and the Kimber. The Kimber is tighter and finished a little better. Just to let you know I shot all the pistols on a pistol rest. Between the two you listed I would choose the Remington to hunt with as I shoot that platform better, and the witness for woods carry because of capacity.
JB

[Ramjet]

I have an R1 love it is accurate and reliable. I am fan of the 1911 platform. I think it comes down to your preference and how those guns feel to you...

[Kenk]

I don't own the R1 Hunter, but am liking everyone's reviews. The closest thing I have to the Hunter in a 1911 / 10mm platform is the RIA Ultra FS / HC, not that there is any comparison. I will say this, for a hunting pistol, the 1911 platform works best for me also. If this was for woods carry in brown bear county, I would likely carry the Witness and a badass  high cap slug gun

Ken

[Trubiltman]

Thank you all for the replies. 

[DenStinett]

Welcome to the Forum Trubiltman
Another vote for the 10mm SR1911
You'll get a lot of Pistol for the money

[Bluefish]

Welcome to the forum. I owned a hunter for three years|1200 rounds and I loved it.
   Still run a limited pro from eaa and it didnt take much to make it one of my favorite pistols.
I fired the Remington in its previous incarnation, and it was a riot, it did chuck brass though.

   Russ

[Bongo Boy]

I don' have the Remington, but do have the Hunter and have owned it for maybe 5 or 6 years, I guess.  I think the quality of the manufacture is first-rate--fit and finish are both excellent and maybe second only to my Smith Model 41. It is by far the most comfortable grip of any 10mm I have, but that is limited to the G20 (worst), G29 (second worst), RIA Ultra HC (3rd best), SA Xdm 10 (2nd best).  Those are MY 'worst' and 'best' only, not making a general statement, but a personal preference. I measured the EAA Hunter grip width and I think I came up with it being less than 1/8" wider than a single-stack 1911.  It is NICE.

I would rate the trigger as 'very good' to 'excellent' as far as actually USING the gun...the practical in-use feel. I find it very 'goofy' as far as aesthetics--it looks weird and it wobbles side-to-side--although parts are available to tighten that up, as are replacement triggers.  I have done neither because it's not a 'practical' matter to me...it's only an aesthetic one.  I don't care or the squared shape of the trigger guard, either, but again--aesthetics.  Assuming it's intended to convey the notion of 'roominess' for shooting with a glove--I guess it does that.

It's been at least 3 years since I've had it to the range, but what I remember was that I had to tighten up the rear adjustable sight a couple of times.  A micro-drop of thread locker would have solved this the first time.  I'm too lazy to find my thread locker.

Also putting a lot of faith in my memory, I believe I have had some frustration with having the thumb safety engage enough during shooting to prevent firing the gun (until I reach the thumb up and pull the lever down tight).  It seems that, during recoil, my thumb hits it hard enough to eventually engage it--if not fully engaged to the detent, then engaged far enough to provide an unexpected 'flinch test'.  This may be unique to me--it's definitely not due to wear on anything--I never use the safety at all.

So, overall, for a long slide double stack 10, I'd give it very high marks.  You have to be okay with it being from Italy and not having 'standard' parts, etc. It is interesting that shortly after I bough mine, it seemed they really dried up and saw very few at gb, for example. Now, many years later, it looks like EAA has flooded the system with a wide variety of Witness pistols, and I see a good number of Hunters for sale. As for customer service, I contacted EAA customer service on a minor spring guide issue, and they sent me an entire new spring guide immediately.  This is the only time I've ever contacted a firearm manufacturer's customer service, and wasn't expecting to even get a reply--i felt their response was 'full service' and immediate, with no questions asked, quite literally.

I wish every 10mm double stack handgun would simply copy the Witness grip geometry--for me, at least, there can't possibly be any better a design. That any double stack 10 has to be fatter and less comfy than this one is just a little frustrating...but maybe everyone on the planet doesn't agree with me.  I have statistically medium hands.

[Popeye212]

Don't know if it helps but a guy at the range had the Hunter with Burris Reflex.  Said he killed a deer at 100yds with it.  He was very happy with the gun.

[Kenk]

Afternoon Popeye,
That's a long way out but but realistic from what I understand. I have been looking at optics's such as this for awhile, but so far, my irons have served me well...normally 15 - 25 yard shots at max. I do think the Fastfire 3 or nicer would be helpful with my less than awesome vision : )

Ken

[Popeye212]

Afternoon Popeye,
That's a long way out but but realistic from what I understand. I have been looking at optics's such as this for awhile, but so far, my irons have served me well...normally 15 - 25 yard shots at max. I do think the Fastfire 3 or nicer would be helpful with my less than awesome vision : )

Ken

Feel your pain.  Have a Fastfire III coming tomorrow and the mount Tuesday.  Check the cams today got hogs coming in regular now.  Planning on a late night date with em.

[Gzig5]

I have the hunter and think it is a lot of gun for the money. Beautiful workmanship on the metal, finish is great and the single action trigger is very very good. Mine is very accurate and I'm looking forward to getting an optic on top to really wring it out