Tanfoglio Witness or RIA 1911 Tactical

[JLaScala]

I recently unloaded a guitar I was no longer playing and now have the funds to get a new firearm. At this point I have narrowed it down to 2. The Tanfoglio Witness 9mm Fullsized for the ability to change calibers, and lower cost of ammo, really like the look and feel of them too. Or the RIA Tactical, killer deal for a gun that gets rave reviews, always wanted a 1911 style, parts are plentiful/interchangeable with other 1911's. Here is the rub, I already have a Springfield XD45acp so I have that caliber covered. What are your experiences with each of my choices. Are there any other firearms you could suggest in the 400-550 price range? Or just leave an opinion. Oh, and I dont need any more polymer. Thanks

 

[devildog4329]

+1 on the RIA tactical. I have mine for about a year with around 700 rounds through it. It has feed all types JHP and so far the only HP ive feed it was Honrady TAP. They all worked fine with no problems as of yet. IMHO they are the best buy for your money.

 

[lexjj]

I've got a RIA Tactical, and love it. But I also would like a CZ or Tangfolio.

I don't think you could go wrong either way. If you like each platform equally, then in my mind the customer service/warranty would be the tie breaker. Rock Island's customer service is renowned. Consensus on EAA is that it is poor. I have not experienced customer service from either company.

Good luck.

 

[loop]

The CZ or Tanfoglio are better guns. They are more accurate and more reliable than the RIA.

If you know about a company's "customer service" stay away from that company. It means too many people found it necessary to seek out "customer service."

 

[Gunfighter123]

Do a search here on the EAA Witness Match Elite ----- heads and heels better then any RIA 1911 --------- I say this and own hi-dollar custom 1911s from Jim Clark Sr. , Bill Wilson , Steve Nastoff etc.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I tend to agree with the poster above. I bought a witness match and was shocked at how nicely fitted it was. Exceptionally accurate and reliable. While it was not a 210 or a Les Baer level of quality, it was certainly a lot better then the price would lead you to believe.

 

[powwowell]

I have both. I don't think you will regret owning either one. You said you already have a .45, so get the Witness.

My Witness is the full size, steel model. This is the best shooting pistol I own. Good luck with your choice.

 

[wbwanzer]

I don't know anything about RIA so I won't knock it, but I do have a Witness that I love. It's pleasant shooting and the most accurate of the 9mm that I've owned. Pretty nice SA trigger also.

 

[3leggeddog]

wbwanzer: Is that a Witness Match,are them the sights that came stock with it ? Have you got a lot or rounds threw it,any other imfo can you give. Thanks

 

[wbwanzer]

3leg, It is a Witness Elite Match in 9mm. The fiber optic front sight was an add on by the previous owner. But I would have done that to it anyway as I really like FO.

I took a chance when I bought it over the internet becuase I had never held or manipulated one. There just aren't any around here. I figured it would feel similar to a full size CZ 75. It is a fine pistol in my opinion. Some people use them in competition. I believe they're more popular in Europe as a competition gun. As I said, the SA trigger is really nice. Tanfoglio alo makes some flat out competition guns.
At the time I bought this gun I had actually been looking at getting a 1911 in 9mm. In the end, I decided to get the Witness instead. Gunfighter123 (who posted above) helped influence me. He's speaks from experience with some high dollar 1911s.

Let's just say that I'm happy with my Witness.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Pics of my two Witness Elite Match pistols --- one is a .40S&W that I have had a extra 10mm brl for , and the other is a 9mm that I've had a extra .38 Super brl --- two great pistols in 4 different calibers. The grips on both look " funny" because I belt sanded them before there were "slimmer" grips being sold. ALso , the rear sights on both are the older "Super Sight" that EAA used to put on them.


And a photo of the very first "group" I fired with the first mag out of the gun;



WBwanzer ---- we talked a few times before you bought your Match Elite and I was/am so very glad to still hear how happy you are with it. As you know , I DO NOT recommend a firearm lightly --- I'm a old "blue collar" guy and know how much a dollar is to a lot of folks. With 25+ years of mainly Action Shooting , I own more then my fair share {ask my wife} of hi-dollar "gamer guns" ----- the Elite Match autos are a Best Buy and WAY BETTER then a RIA 1911 , IMHO.


EDIT --- in the top photo , the bottom gun has been custom converted to Double Action for the USPSA Production class ---- I don't want to confuse anyone with my photos. The Elite Matches are Single Action Only but can be converted to D.A. for under a $100 .

 

[wbwanzer]

Gunfighter, yes we did talk a few times and you were very instrumental in my ending up with the Witness. I've got no regrets. Thanks again.

 

[browningguy]

I have to agree with most of the other posters, nothing even close in price will equal the Witness Elite Match for accuracy. I've had mine in .40 since they first came out, with several thousand rounds through it, and never a failure. I did add the EAA FO front sight to mine also.

 

[JLaScala]

Well, in an overwhelming upset it looks like the witness will be the winner! Thanks a lot for all of your responses and pics, damn those matches are sexy. Can't wait to get mine!

 

[Deanimator]

I'd pick the M1911.

I don't like real double action in an auto and the D/A trigger reach on the CZ type guns is usually too long for me.

 

[Gunfighter123]

I don't like real double action in an auto and the D/A trigger reach on the CZ type guns is usually too long for me.

The Witness ELITE MATCH is single action ONLY !!! Both mine came with a trigger pull as nice as on both my Colt Gold Cups.

 

[FoMoGo]

I have the RIA tactical... it eats anything I put in it and has never hiccuped.
For all of them that have been sold, very few have problems.
When they do, they are handled professionally and quickly.
I WILL be buying a witness in .45 tho, they feel as good in my hand as a 1911 does.


Jim

 

[hardluk1]

Another for the witness match. Mine was bought as a 40cal and added the 9mm conversion. I have run several thousand rounds through it with never a problem and they can be bought for around 500 bucks.

 

[Strahley]

You already have some .45 ammo and you want a 1911. Go with the Rock

 

[JLaScala]

Update!!!

After comparing them both side by side, and then shooting each of the rentals on hand, I decided on the RIA Tactical. The one they ordered in for me was superb. All of the guys at the shop couldn't believe the fit and finish. I took it home and threw a hogue grip on, cleaned off the oil, and picked up 200rnds of pmc for the range. First full mag I unloaded on a target at 20ft with the end result being a 2inch grouping! I was so psyched! After that I comenced feeding that thing untill all 200rnds were gone. Accurate without a single hiccup. The real suprise was the trigger. It felt like something that would be on a higher end Springfield or Kimber. Needless to say I am very happy with my choice. Now my only problem is I want another one

 

[cobblestone]

Id say good choice on the RIA, i have a 9mm witness in the wonder finish...ftf after ftf with EAA mags and mec gar mags....customer service is awful and rude. when it does fire its nice and accurate. I have a RIA tactical on the way

 

[chris in va]

Very nice...probably my choice if I ever get a 1911.