Specific EAA Witness questions

[PlayMaker]

I'm getting conflicting info on the "wonder" finish. On a review on youtube called Eaa Witness compact 9mm review, the gentleman has a gorgeous grayish-tan drab colored looking piece, which he states as the "wonder" finish. Yet when I google "9mm eaa witness compact wonder" I get stainless looking pieces with serrations on the fore end, which the gun in the review did not have the same two features. I also found a witness on gunsamerica that had a similar if not the same tone of color but the lister calls it blued, if it is then it certinly is a shade of blue I have never seen.

Just so we are on the same page can y'all check out that review and let me know what finish that is, and explain the serrations or lack there-of? Or if you have some photos of what I'm referring to please show me the difference.

Any and all input is welcomed and appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[floydster]

If you are thinking of getting a Witness pistol, the Elite Match is the way to go. It is a little more $$ then the standard Witness but man oh man what great guns they are.
I have a Witness Match in 45 ACP and 38 Super, triggers are great and more accurate then I can shoot.
I shoot with guys that have $1500 1911's, they don't show me anything.

 

[ReloaderFred]

The Wonder Finish looks like a matte stainless steel, but is more on the order of a hard chrome application. Tanfoglio doesn't really tell you what it is, but it is durable. The only one I've seen that was pitted was left under the seat of an ocean going commercial fishing boat for over a year. It had no rust preventative on it before being stashed, and the salt air did get to it, but that's an extreme example.

I have a couple of Wonder Finish Witnesses, and numerous blue ones. The Wonder Finish isn't flashy, but rather subdued. There were some pictures posted on the CZClone Forum of one that had been polished a couple of years ago, but it wasn't something I would do.

As for the forward serrations, it depends on when the gun was manufactured. Some of the newer ones have serrations front and rear. The older ones didn't.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[CZF]

Wonder finish is wonderful but not as durable as one might think.
Mine was banged up a bit when my old GF dropped it on some rocks by mistake.

Now it has a couple spots of Aluma-hyde on it.

Gun still shoots good as ever.

Do you guys think the new style slides will hold up to
38 Super factory loads, or will they crack like the
new 10mm slides?

 

[wally]

+1 to spend the extra ~$150 to get the Elite Match.

--wally.

 

[PlayMaker]

If you are thinking of getting a Witness pistol, the Elite Match is the way to go. It is a little more $$ then the standard Witness but man oh man what great guns they are.

Does the elite match come ina compact size?

Still wondering about that grayish-tan finish...

 

[Ash]

No, it does not.

I own both, and I like the Match - it is a really fine pistol for only a little bit more.

But, the match is SA only. It also has a blued long slide which is can rust easily. It is not meant for concealed carry but for sport. The Elite Match is the better pistol, when compared to the full size Witness, but I find that I carry my full-size more (open carry) because it has a fully durable finish. I also don't need adjustable sights on a combat weapon. I carry for animals (kayaking and exploring - literally - dark swamps.

I have also owned the compact model and it was a great pistol. I regret selling it. In any case, the photo you have seen with the front serrations is an older iteration of the Witness slide. Call it Gen I for a Witness. It was followed by a simpler, Browning High Power -looking stepped front, call it Gen II. They now have a third, rounded, slide that is also used on the BUL Cherokees.

Wonderfinish is durable but it can be damaged and it can stain if abused. It is a kind of chrome finish (and I assume the moniker is made up by the cheese-o-matic advertising department at EAA) that looks similar to the electroless nickel used on Colts.

Ash

 

[PlayMaker]

Alright fellas, I've made it easier for you to help me out. Hopefully you will see why I'm so confused as to which the "wonder" finish actuially is. *NOTE* I want the finish of the first picture.


This is the Witness I was referring to on youtube. This is the finish I'm want. It is said to have a "wonder" finish? *NOTE* It has a different rounder slide(maybe it's the angle of the photo)?


This Witness also has a "wonder" finish as stated on ImpactGuns. *NOTE* the lighter color almost stainless finish compared to the previous pic and the front of the slide looks almost like a Beretta's.


This Witness also has a "wonder" finish as stated by BudsGuns. *NOTE* the definate stainless look and serrations on fore end of slide.



This is a Witness decocker I found on Gunsamerica. I recall the lister stating that it was a "blued" finish. *NOTE* the different trigger guard (also like a berettas/Taurus) and grips? The finish is a little darker, almost olive drab but is still desireable.

 

[rbernie]

Some of the issues with these photos is due to differences in lighting and cameras. But the 'old' WonderFinish had a definite warm tone to it that the latest units that I've seen (specifically the Match units) do not have.

 

[ReloaderFred]

If you'll go to EAA's site, there are pictures there for you to look at that will give you a better idea of the true color. Here's the link: http://www.eaacorp.com/handguns-witness-steel-description.html

Hope this helps.

Fred

PS: I've never seen a golden colored Wonder Finish Witness.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Double post due to website problem.

 

[Lamont]

What are your oppinions on the witness in 10mm?

 

[Ash]

Current color is something of a steel grey, a bit towards pewter. Here they are...

 

[mm6mm6]

I believe it's more the photography than anything that is showing the color difference.

I will say that I bought a blue (really a matte black) finish, full size steel, .38 Super Witness and it's fantastic. Never jams. Ever. Dead on center tight groups right out of the box. Superb ergonomics. I bought the conversion kit upper slide/barrel/recoil spring in .22 and 9mm and .40 S&W calibers from www.reedsammo.com and I now have an extremely versatile weapon system.

I also bought gorgeous birdseye maple grips from www.czgrips.us and Sam does phenomenal work!

 

[PlayMaker]

Hey Ash,

I noticed yours have a rounder slide. Is that a gen 3 slide? Do they all come liken that or are the other slide variations still available?

 

[bdb benzino]

My wonder finish looks like the ones on Ash's post. Some people say their wonder finish was uneven, but mine is perfectly even. Have any of you experienced the uneven finish??

 

[ReloaderFred]

Mine are both smooth in texture. I also have an extra slide in Wonder Finish and it's also smooth in texture and color.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Ash]

The current production is the round top, which first appeared on the BUL Charles Daly DDA's. That's Israeli-made from Tanfoglio parts. The CZ-75 and Tanfoglio-based pistols (Tanfoglio, CZ, IMI/IWI, and BUL-Transmark) are wildly popular over there (the Turkish army adopted the design, too). The squared-topped Witnesses are all secondary market these days, though there are many, many older ones that are available NIB.

Ash

 

[wally]

The current production is the round top,

When my 10mm Compact round top slide cracked they replaced it with the older square top which has held up fine so far.

--wally.

 

[Ash]

The square tops have never had problems with the high-powered rounds. I would always feel comfortable with a square-topped Witness.

Ash

 

[joeoim]

Wonder Finish

PlayMaker

I have owned 2. Both 45 full sized in wonder finish.
The second I bought because it had the foreword serrations.
I later sold it and kept the other as I found the foreword serrations to be worthless. I never used them, and they were cut finer and weren't as easy to grip as the heavy cut on other pistol.

What I've found on the finish is it's tough, and durable. The roll pins, and grip screws, have rusted, but not the Wonder Finish. I will agree with the guys that claim it's more scratch resistant than stainless steel. Evidently it's a pickling process, and uses chemicals outlawed, or unavailable in this country. At any rate I couldn't find anyone with knowledge of it being done here. I emailed Tanfoglio wanting to get one beveled and have it refinished. They emailed right back, but in the translations we couldn't seem to get on the same page so I gave up.

Both pistols I've owned would shoot about anything.

My first I didn't clean, and it shot until I was too embarrassed to carry it. No problems. When they get too dry and dirty they tend to chamber a round slower.

I've seen them in pictures with the slight greenish tint (lighting, and oil on pistol?) in your top picture, and white as in your lower (file photo?) but mine have been more the color of your middle picture, or those in Ash's post.

The ported ones tend to be very loud, and you will get hot stuff back in your face on occasion, especially if it's windy. Replacing the barrel is a good fix for that.

They are big and heavy, but a close encounter with a black bear and cubs left me with a greater comfort factor in 11 rounds of 45 apc, over 6 rounds of .357 magnum.

After reading Ash's experience with the new rounded slide, I wouldn't buy one of those yet

Joe.

 

[Ash]

The rounds slides have only had issues with 10mm rounds - there are no reports that I know of about other chamberings cracking. The issue, I believe, is the total reduction in metal around the locking lugs. If I were a 9mm kind of guy and wanted to get a Witness, I would not hesitate at all.

But, if you don't mind single action only, the Witness Match really is a fine pistol, better than virtually all 1911's in the same price range.

Ash

 

[PlayMaker]

ut, if you don't mind single action only, the Witness Match really is a fine pistol, better than virtually all 1911's in the same price range.

I looked into the Match but it only comes in full size and I already have a full size Taurus 92 already and love it so that niche is filled but it's a bit on the large size to carry comfortably. I'm looking at a Taurus 92 compact or the Witness compact because I like the option of cocked and locked with DA.

 

[LancerMW]

I had an a Match in 9mm, fantastic shooter!, problem was it jammed(due to magazines) and their customer support was terrible. but on the bright side i heard they fixxed their mag problems!

 

[bdb benzino]

I have rcently purchased the Witness 40. cal compact in the wonder finish, and although it is still heavy it is one of my favorite carry pieces. When I got it I quickly put 350-400 rounds through it to make sure I could trust it for a ccw. It is accurate for a short pistol, the finish is crazy tough,and 13 rounds of 40 is pretty dang good for a compact, also I have really been liking my 1911's and being that the controls are the same on the new Witness I dont have to adjust my method of draw, safety off, shoot.