Picked up 2 Witness compacts today.

[NordicG3K]

Well I've been pretty happy with my full-size Witness 10mm and so I decided to take the plunge and try out a compact. One is a standard Wonderfinish model, and the other is the new polymer framed version. I haven't even cleaned them yet, but thought I'd post a few pics and first impressions.

The standard compact is pretty beefy with its all-steel construction. My full-size Witness feels very good in my hand, but the compact feels a bit cramped. The polymer compact feels a lot better. Like the G29 it's top heavy due to the steel slide and polymer frame, but even more so. The polymer frame has a healthy undercut under the trigger guard and allows your hand to sit higher. This not only makes it more comfortable, but also makes it a little easier to reach the controls. I also really like the ramped rear sight a lot better than the standard Witness fixed sight.

From the various posts I've read over the years the compacts seem to have a lot more feeding problems compared to the full-size guns. To be honest I don't think this is all that surprising considering the increased slide velocity and shorter recoil stroke. A well polished feed ramp and heavier recoil spring should help, but we'll see. Now I just have to find time to make it to the range!

http://nordicg3k.tripod.com/my_gun_pics/witness_compacts.jpg

http://nordicg3k.tripod.com/my_gun_pics/witness_polycompact.jpg

http://nordicg3k.tripod.com/my_gun_pics/witness_wondercompact.jpg

[ColoradoPacker]

I agree, the compacr steel version's grip is a bit cramped. I liked the polymer compact better (seems very light), but I left the store with a full size in Wonder finish for $100 less. I have plenty of carry guns and wanted a reliable full size 15 round 10mm instead.

[nickE10mm]

That polymer compact w/ the rail looks great. Nice find!

[madmyk]

I have a Witness fullsize 10, and love it! I have been kicking around the idea of getting a compact, so I would be VERY interested to hear your range report. Unfortunately, a test drive is not an option in my neck of the woods, so all the details you can give would be great.
You mentioned the steel compact feels a little cramped... what size hands do you have? I have relatively small hands, but have adapted quite well to the fullsize.
Anyway, congrats on the new ones. Shoot safe and enjoy!
mad

[madmyk]

A quick question....
will the full size mags work in the compact?

[ColoradoPacker]

I am a size 7 surgical glove, medium hand size, & the compact is a little cramped unless it is the polymer.

Full size mags work, and grip spacers are available on polymer models.

[bambihunter]

Originally posted by madmyk
A quick question....
will the full size mags work in the compact?

Yes, they just extend from the bottom of the magazine well.


Nordik, I too have tossed around the idea of getting a few more Witnesses. I normally save guns in that price range for when money is short and I am needing to indulge myself. :supergrin:

[frank4570]

Originally posted by madmyk
I have a Witness fullsize 10, and love it! I have been kicking around the idea of getting a compact, so I would be VERY interested to hear your range report. Unfortunately, a test drive is not an option in my neck of the woods, so all the details you can give would be great.
You mentioned the steel compact feels a little cramped... what size hands do you have? I have relatively small hands, but have adapted quite well to the fullsize.
Anyway, congrats on the new ones. Shoot safe and enjoy!
mad

I have small hands and the compact steel frame fits perfectly.

[NordicG3K]

Originally posted by bambihunter
I normally save guns in that price range for when money is short and I am needing to indulge myself. :supergrin:

I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head! :supergrin: A compact Witness has been on the list for some time, but I always seem to be saving up for something else.

I have medium size hands, but like a thick grip (girth). EAA just puts a bit too much "hook" on the floorplate in my opinion. This isn't an issue with the full-size gun, but on the compacts it doesn't leave much room for your little finger.

I think I might try a Hogue slip-on on the polymer gun to give it some palm swells. The grip is a little too narrow and too flat for my tastes. The polymer compact would be a great alternative for people who want a hi-cap compact, but have hands too small for the Glock. It's too bad that EAA doesn't plan to add the 10mm chambering to their catalog.

[madmyk]

Originally posted by frank4570
I have small hands and the compact steel frame fits perfectly.

How would you say it compares to a G29 size wise?

Originally posted by NordicG3K
....The polymer compact would be a great alternative for people who want a hi-cap compact, but have hands too small for the Glock. It's too bad that EAA doesn't plan to add the 10mm chambering to their catalog.

I have a G29, and like the feel. I am not really interested in the polymer Witness. From your statement, I gather the compact steel is of comparable size to the Glock?

Also wondering, what you mean about EAA not planning to add the 10mm chambering? It is available in 10mm in a few sizes and styles. Have they dropped the 10mm from their line? Have I missed something?

[ColoradoPacker]

Originally posted by madmyk
How would you say it compares to a G29 size wise?



I have a G29, and like the feel. I am not really interested in the polymer Witness. From your statement, I gather the compact steel is of comparable size to the Glock?

Also wondering, what you mean about EAA not planning to add the 10mm chambering? It is available in 10mm in a few sizes and styles. Have they dropped the 10mm from their line? Have I missed something?

I can get all 4 of my fingers on the polymer grip, and about 3.8 fingers on the metal compact, with a G29 my little finger gets pinched between the fat mag baseplate and the grip, but the polymer witness doesn't seem to put my finger right in the center of the gap, rather just to the lower side of the gap. The witness polymer grip doesn't feel as fat as the G29 grip.

The full size grip feels a bit like the G17 2nd gen to me.

I could have spent the extra $100 on the polymer compact, but I didn't need another carry gun, and I wanted the full power of 10mm from a longer barrel. However, that being said, I was also worried about the durability of the polymer frame, and the recoil from the lighter pistol - the pistol feels lighter than a G29, even though it probably isn't.

[NordicG3K]

I'd say the G29 and the standard steel Witness compact are comparable as far as grip size. With its all-steel construction the Witness is much heftier though.

As I understand it the only two polymer framed 10mm guns EAA is cataloging are the full-size frame with the standard slide, and the full-size frame with the compact slide. The compact frame and slide guns will only be available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. Apparently there were 21 compact 10mms made however. I don't know if these were prototypes, a limited run, or what. There was a guy on Gunbroker who had 5 of these, but they sold pretty quick.

[ColoradoPacker]

Are you saying I need to buy the compact polymer I found right away because it's rare?

Dangit :freak:

[NordicG3K]

If you're asking me if I'm saying "buy another 10mm," then my answer will always be YES! :supergrin:

[ColoradoPacker]

Now I remember the other thing I didn't like about the compact polymer witness - I didn't like the grooved/ridged trigger much.

[hangmans joke]

Originally posted by NordicG3K
I'd say the G29 and the standard steel Witness compact are comparable as far as grip size. With its all-steel construction the Witness is much heftier though.

As I understand it the only two polymer framed 10mm guns EAA is cataloging are the full-size frame with the standard slide, and the full-size frame with the compact slide. The compact frame and slide guns will only be available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. Apparently there were 21 compact 10mms made however. I don't know if these were prototypes, a limited run, or what. There was a guy on Gunbroker who had 5 of these, but they sold pretty quick.


yep :supergrin: 21 in the world like that . i bought mine from that same guy. from alabama . he started out with 10. i got 2 for 340 a piece shipped from him .then prices went up . heres pic of mine .

[ColoradoPacker]

Originally posted by hangmans joke
yep :supergrin: 21 in the world like that . i bought mine from that same guy. from alabama . he started out with 10. i got 2 for 340 a piece shipped from him .then prices went up . heres pic of mine .

Where did you guys get the info about "only 21 from"?

[mikeb9550]

I was thinking of buying a compact poly 10mm. Since I cant find one locally, How big is it? Is is comparable to a G23? Wanted a 29 but the grip felt a little thick to me. The one mag thing sucks and they arnt cheap from what I have have found so far.

[ColoradoPacker]

Originally posted by mikeb9550
I was thinking of buying a compact poly 10mm. Since I cant find one locally, How big is it? Is is comparable to a G23? Wanted a 29 but the grip felt a little thick to me. The one mag thing sucks and they arnt cheap from what I have have found so far.

I went back to the gun store to look at the compact polymer witness today. it does seem about G23 size. I handled a G29 today and didn't like it.

The compact polymer 10mm witness I am looking at DOES NOT have the light rail and is on the shelf for $399. I offered $350 and they said no, so I said no. I don't need a CCW 10mm right now. I have four 9mm, a .38 a 10mm and four .22 pistols, and all are conceable carry pistols except for the 10mm and a .22 Bearcat.

I left the store with a Walther G22 bull-pup rifle in .22LR for my daughter's birthday instead. :freak:

[hangmans joke]

Originally posted by ColoradoPacker
I went back to the gun store to look at the compact polymer witness today. it does seem about G23 size. I handled a G29 today and didn't like it.

The compact polymer 10mm witness I am looking at DOES NOT have the light rail and is on the shelf for $399. I offered $350 and they said no, so I said no. I don't need a CCW 10mm right now. I have four 9mm, a .38 a 10mm and four .22 pistols, and all are conceable carry pistols except for the 10mm and a .22 Bearcat.

I left the store with a Walther G22 bull-pup rifle in .22LR for my daughter's birthday instead. :freak:


cool beans .those g22s are cool. she will prolly be thrilled.

[bambihunter]

Someone mosted that they'd like a comparison... Here's two pics showing a Glock 29 to the Witness Compact. They aren't the best quality, but they show relative size at least.
Hope this helps: :)

http://bambihunter.myftp.org/images/10mm/10mm_comparisons/G29-witness_compact1.JPG
http://bambihunter.myftp.org/images/10mm/10mm_comparisons/G29-witness_compact2.JPG

[NordicG3K]

Originally posted by ColoradoPacker
Where did you guys get the info about "only 21 from"?

This was the info the seller was giving out. If you check out the EAA website it only lists the 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP as being available in this configuration. I've contacted EAA asking about info on this, but haven't heard back from them as of yet.

[hangmans joke]

Originally posted by NordicG3K
This was the info the seller was giving out. If you check out the EAA website it only lists the 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP as being available in this configuration. I've contacted EAA asking about info on this, but haven't heard back from them as of yet.


i checked with eaa .on the phone and was told that was correct. in that configuration 21 were made.

[ColoradoPacker]

So, the light rail compact polymer is "rare". My local shop was under the impression that he could just order one, maybe I should ask him to see if that it true.

The non-light rail model I looked at, it is not rare?

[spober]

Originally posted by ColoradoPacker
I went back to the gun store to look at the compact polymer witness today. it does seem about G23 size. I handled a G29 today and didn't like it.

The compact polymer 10mm witness I am looking at DOES NOT have the light rail and is on the shelf for $399. I offered $350 and they said no, so I said no. I don't need a CCW 10mm right now. I have four 9mm, a .38 a 10mm and four .22 pistols, and all are conceable carry pistols except for the 10mm and a .22 Bearcat.

I left the store with a Walther G22 bull-pup rifle in .22LR for my daughter's birthday instead. :freak: id a left with maby a can of em oil!:soap: