Crack in Witness 9 mm Slide

[chuck pullen]

I'm posting this here b/c I have a question re: an all metal Witness 9mm I have, and it is essentially a CZ-75 clone. I bought the gun used and saw much later that it has a hairline crack in the forward-most lower corner of the ejection port. That crack extends through the slide groove to the bottom of the slide. As you know, the bottom part of the slide, including the slide groove on this gun, like the CZ, is fully enclosed by the frame. I have been told by a person on a different forum who has a Witness with the same problem that it is safe to shoot b/c of how the slide is enclosed by the frame.

So I have two questions. What do you think about shooting it as is ? And second, can the crack be economically repaired by welding or some other means. Any suggestions are appreciated. It's a nice, solidly built gun that feels great in my hand, but the crack concerns me. Thanks.

 

[Nick5182]

I'm not sure what you could do to fix it or if it's safe to shoot. I have the elite match in .45 and so far so good, but if the you-know-what hits the fan, you can get a new slide relatively cheap from eaacorp.com.

 

[veyec]

Try posting questions about your witness here:

http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?board=27.0

I have two witness guns and love them.

Now, I would NOT shoot the gun. What I would do is call EAA and let them know about the problem. Have you fired the gun since you bought it? Were you using handloaded or +P ammo? If you did not, they will more than likely repair it for you at little or no cost.

Inquiries:
EAA
P.O. Box 560746
Rockledge, FL 32956-0746

Voice:
Tel. (321) 639-4842
Fax: (321) 639-7006

Service & Repair:
411 Hawk Street.
Rockledge, FL. 32955

Or, if you wish, you could obtain a new slide from Numrich or Reeds Ammo, but I would try EAA first.

 

[Gunfighter123]

EAA will/should repair it --- bummer is , they will make you send them the whole pistol and not just the slide.

 

[Japle]

Judging by the many comments I've read (Google "EAA" and "customer service") the odds are they'll blame the previous owner, the reloaded ammo that was fired in the gun and/or you.

Your best bet is to tell them you're the original owner and you've only fired factory ammo (non +P) in the gun.

Let us know what happens. I'd love to find out that EAA is providing good customer service these days.

 

[chuck pullen]

Thanks for the replies. I e-mailed EAA Corp. this evening. I won't shoot the gun in the meantime. A new slide is $175. I'm very reluctant to spend that on a slide b/c this one cracked. I will keep the forum posted on EAA's response.