10mm-Auto

Firearms => 10mm semi-auto handguns => Topic started by: hAkron on March 06 2013 06:54:11 AM MST

Title: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: hAkron on March 06 2013 06:54:11 AM MST
Its a fairly recent looking Wonder Finish, but the guy who's selling it cracked the slide and replaced it (apparently) with a new slide and barrel (with adjustable LPA rear sight).  I'm getting a decent price -- about $140 under the best out the door new price I can find around here with the box and 2 mags. hopefully this thing checks out, and the previous owner has worked out any of the bugs.  I'll post some pictures after I get it. 
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: sqlbullet on March 06 2013 07:27:17 AM MST
Sounds like a good deal, especially if the slide has already been replaced.  Looking forward to pictures.
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: hAkron on March 06 2013 11:33:02 AM MST
It's still the 'rounded' slide, and I'm not sure if it required any fitting...the guy claimed it was a new slide and barrel...so when the old slide cracked, he probably bought a conversion kit.  He was honest about the slide needing to be replaced from too many full house 10mm loads, so I mean either way it's not going to break the bank.  I'm a big CZ and CZ clone fan. I've been looking for a Witness to play around with for a while.
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: Intercooler on March 06 2013 02:19:25 PM MST
I thought you had a 1006?
Title: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: hAkron on March 06 2013 03:12:09 PM MST
I do, I'm adding another 10mm to the lineup.
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: Intercooler on March 06 2013 03:57:27 PM MST
10 crazy  :P

I'm selling off some ammo on Broker. If all goes well I may add another  :o :o
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: gandog56 on March 06 2013 04:42:39 PM MST
And here I was about to worry if those were the guns that had all the cracked slides. I guess Witness fixed the problem. I know I would never buy a used one if the slide was never replaced.

But the buyer knew it was, should be good to go.

Still haven't been to the range yet to fire my new Fusion Firearms 10mm!    >:(
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: hAkron on March 06 2013 05:40:44 PM MST
So the buyer wasn't the original owner, but the gun was passed to him by his dad, so when the slide cracked, he ordered a caliber conversion kit, and this gun also has a 2nd spring around the first spring, and there were one of those Wilson Combat shock buffs on the guide rod, but you couldn't lock the action with that installed so I removed that.  I don't think anybody did any fitting of the slide to the frame, but I hope EAA (or at least Tanfoglio) fits the barrel to the slide.  Everything seemed good with the action.  No drag or anything.  Barrel lockup seemed about how you would expect.   I'm not planning on shooting this gun until I get it properly spung though, so what power springs does everybody recommend for a 10mm Witness Compact?

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8lpMP9Xd1kg/UTfe-NNWwEI/AAAAAAAADZ8/mE4A49NcHug/s1024/IMAGE_65495DC2-6576-46D4-8230-F871AABF27C2.JPG)
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: Intercooler on March 06 2013 05:56:29 PM MST
Sad part is I don't think their is one. I have wondered if you can use a G29 spring/set in it? That's about the closest in length I have seen.

Supposedly people with them run the stock spring. If Henning offers the Cone guide-rod you should get it. Their is also a formula out there for buying a spring and cutting coils. You would have to mic it all out... etc...
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: hAkron on March 06 2013 06:05:44 PM MST
Can't I just buy a 20 or 22lbs wolff spring?
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: Intercooler on March 06 2013 06:31:37 PM MST
Last I heard they didn't carry a compact size spring. The original was a dual to boot.
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: hAkron on March 06 2013 07:11:58 PM MST
I just put an 18lbs recoil spring from a CZ 75D PCR (which is a compact model).  I don't think I would want anything heavier.  It was difficult to operate the slide.  Perhaps the CZ compact springs are longer than the Witness compact springs though.  I'm going to get the calibration pack and go from there:

http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=19#844
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: hAkron on March 06 2013 07:19:13 PM MST
Quote from: Intercooler on March 06 2013 03:57:27 PM MST
10 crazy  :P

I'm selling off some ammo on Broker. If all goes well I may add another  :o :o

What are you going to get?  If this Witness works out, I might buy one of the Polymer compact Witnesses...they are crazy cheap.
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: Intercooler on March 06 2013 07:42:31 PM MST
   A Limited. I always wanted one even though I have two EAA's and four total  :o
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: hAkron on March 06 2013 08:54:39 PM MST
Quote from: Intercooler on March 06 2013 07:42:31 PM MST
   A Limited. I always wanted one even though I have two EAA's and four total  :o

You can never have too much of a good thing!!
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: pacapcop on March 07 2013 03:02:50 AM MST
I have the Compact with squared off slide.You an shoot it,but really stick to medium loads.I shoot it with the stock dual recoil spring with no hicups.Believe me,it kicks enough.Wolff Springs does not have stronger ones for Compact.No big boy stuff,you will be pushing it.Love mine after cracked slide issue was resolved.They(EAA)put old style slide on,better barrel and traditional fixed sights,which i prefere better.They really need to go back to original sights,rubber grips and stick with heavy slide,which they seem to be doing with slide at least.I shoot 10 out of the 12 rd mag with no issues.Range Ammo is Armscor,carry is Federal Hy Power for city carry.Will do the job.G20 cold weather carry with UW's.Good Luck

FYI,Your brass will fly to next county.Id say at least 25 ft. ;)
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: REDLINE on March 08 2013 09:24:37 AM MST
What is the barrel length on the Witness Compact platforms?
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: pacapcop on March 08 2013 10:37:57 AM MST
3.6 inch.
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: REDLINE on March 08 2013 10:40:43 AM MST
Thanks pacapcop.  I was curious how it compared to the 3.78" barrel length on my G29.  Now I know. ;D
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: gandog56 on March 11 2013 08:47:30 PM MDT
My Fusion Firearms 10mm long slide has a 6" barrel......Nyah Nyah!   ;D
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: REDLINE on March 12 2013 01:38:09 PM MDT
LOL ;D

Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: sqlbullet on March 12 2013 02:03:25 PM MDT
Quote from: gandog56 on March 11 2013 08:47:30 PM MDT
My Fusion Firearms 10mm long slide has a 6" barrel......Nyah Nyah!   ;D

Compared to a S&W 629 7.5"  that is VERY compact.
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: pacapcop on March 14 2013 08:20:43 AM MDT
It's by far one of the best pistols i held in hand in terms of ergonomics\form fitting in hand.Most people who shoot my 10's like the compact.
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: gandog56 on March 14 2013 01:31:14 PM MDT
Quote from: sqlbullet on March 12 2013 02:03:25 PM MDT
Quote from: gandog56 on March 11 2013 08:47:30 PM MDT
My Fusion Firearms 10mm long slide has a 6" barrel......Nyah Nyah!   ;D

Compared to a S&W 629 7.5"  that is VERY compact.

Yeah, but I don't have to bother with Moon clips!
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: pacapcop on March 14 2013 10:28:05 PM MDT
Just the term"Moon Clip" wtf. :-*
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: sqlbullet on March 15 2013 08:09:15 AM MDT
Quote from: gandog56 on March 14 2013 01:31:14 PM MDT
Quote from: sqlbullet on March 12 2013 02:03:25 PM MDT
Quote from: gandog56 on March 11 2013 08:47:30 PM MDT
My Fusion Firearms 10mm long slide has a 6" barrel......Nyah Nyah!   ;D

Compared to a S&W 629 7.5"  that is VERY compact.

Yeah, but I don't have to bother with Moon clips!

I have never heard of using a 44 magnum with moon clips.  Speed loaders yes, but moon clips? :P
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: gandog56 on March 15 2013 01:02:28 PM MDT
Now I'm confused...weren't we talking about 10mm's?  :-\
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: Steve4102 on March 16 2013 06:51:27 AM MDT
  Keep an eye on that slide.  I have a Witness in 40 that cracked 3 round top slides in less than 2 boxes of ammo before I begged EAA to replace it with an older square to slide.

  I like My EAA Elite Match in 10mm, but I would never trust a 10mm with the new and un-improved round top slide.  I personally do not think it will last long.

One cracked slide.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/steve4102/crack1.jpg)

New Square top slide.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/steve4102/squareslide.jpg)
Title: Re: Buying a used Witness Compact today
Post by: pacapcop on March 16 2013 07:56:17 AM MDT
Very nice.Fixed sights and all.I have the black slide.Would like to see them return to their basics.