10mm Witness
- Thread starter Lightsped
- Start date
The CZ-97B-vs-10mm Witness comparison raises an interesting point.
Actually the 97B is a higher quality gun (IMO, in terms of fit, finish, sights, trigger, lock-up, etc.) than the full-size 10mm Witness even though both share the same "CZ" design characteristics, like the now-defunct Bren Ten did.
Also, having examined and stripped down a 97B, I can tell you it is DEFINITELY over-engineered for the .45acp cartridge. The 97B is a BIG, HEAVY pistol. There is no question in my mind that it's designers may have considered, at least at one time, chambering this gun in other calibers, possibily including the 10mm Auto, else why such a heavy-duty envelop? The CZ-75B is already offered in .40S&W, and that pistol is only slightly beefer than it's 9mm sibiling - definitely not anywhere near the 97B. In fact they could have used the 75B's platform for the .45, if that's all they had had in mind.
Despite it's relative economy-class status, the full-size Witness, by all public accounts, handles the rigors of the 10mm's recoil and power very well, although many who have fired it suggest that it's undersprung (something easily fixed). Thus, there's nothing inherent in the CZ-design that would prevent the 97B from accomodating the 10mm Auto, provided the breech-face, extractor, barrel, etc., were all scaled appropriately to accomodate it.
For now it's the Tanfaglio-made Witness 10mm. But if someday given a choice btw a 10mm CZ 97B and the Witness, I'd pick in the CZ without a second thought.
Actually the 97B is a higher quality gun (IMO, in terms of fit, finish, sights, trigger, lock-up, etc.) than the full-size 10mm Witness even though both share the same "CZ" design characteristics, like the now-defunct Bren Ten did.
Also, having examined and stripped down a 97B, I can tell you it is DEFINITELY over-engineered for the .45acp cartridge. The 97B is a BIG, HEAVY pistol. There is no question in my mind that it's designers may have considered, at least at one time, chambering this gun in other calibers, possibily including the 10mm Auto, else why such a heavy-duty envelop? The CZ-75B is already offered in .40S&W, and that pistol is only slightly beefer than it's 9mm sibiling - definitely not anywhere near the 97B. In fact they could have used the 75B's platform for the .45, if that's all they had had in mind.
Despite it's relative economy-class status, the full-size Witness, by all public accounts, handles the rigors of the 10mm's recoil and power very well, although many who have fired it suggest that it's undersprung (something easily fixed). Thus, there's nothing inherent in the CZ-design that would prevent the 97B from accomodating the 10mm Auto, provided the breech-face, extractor, barrel, etc., were all scaled appropriately to accomodate it.
For now it's the Tanfaglio-made Witness 10mm. But if someday given a choice btw a 10mm CZ 97B and the Witness, I'd pick in the CZ without a second thought.
Normally I would agree with the comments made about EAA vs. CZ. Generally I`ll take a CZ over and EAA anytime. However when I went shopping for a CZ-97 I was very disappointed. The fit and finish weren`t as good as my CZ-75B,the trigger reach was VERY long,the trigger wasn`t all that great and the grip felt big and block. The whole gun just seemed to be too chunky,kinda like a double stack version of a P-90. Then I compared it side by side to a large frame Witness. The finish of the EAA was better,fit was almost as good (slide to frame was a bit looser),the trigger pull was about the same but with a much shorter reach and the grip felt slimmer as well as more comfortable with a real nice beavertail tang. The Witness is also big but not as bulky as the CZ. I ended up with a 10mm Witness instead and I really like it. I installed a Wolff 20# recoil spring ($7) and it was a joy to shoot. I had occasional slide lock back issues ONLY with Corbon`s hottest load,it ends up the slide stop spring was just a bit too weak to hold the stop lever down under recoil. I tweaked it a bit and it`s been 100% ever since. BTW many Glock 20s had this problem with this load only too so it`s not a flaw of the basic CZ design. All this said,if CZ would put the CZ-97 on a diet and tweak it a little I`d gladly buy one in 10mm to keep my Witness company. 
Marcus
MarcusI have a 10mm Witness that I got a couple of months ago. The guy I got it from had it refinished in Metalcol III and had Novak night sights put on it. I've only put a few rounds through but I like it better than my G20. I'd like to have another in the Wonder finish. I've owned 3 of the 45acp Witness before and they were always excellent as well.
I have a 10mm Witness that I got a couple of months ago. The guy I got it from had it refinished in Metalcol III and had Novak night sights put on it. I've only put a few rounds through but I like it better than my G20. I'd like to have another in the Wonder finish. I've owned 3 of the 45acp Witness before and they were always excellent as well.
Peter M. Eick
New member
I have a 10mm witness and a 97b. Yes the cz is nicer finished but my witness has a nicer trigger and is just as accurate. The only difference to me is the truly elegant finish applied to the cz. My witness is nearly flawless and frankly it is a lot of fun to shoot. It is my "truck" gun and is reliable enough to trust my life with.
Get one, you will really like it.
Get one, you will really like it.