CZ 97b or EAA witness

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powderific

New member
I've been considering purchasing a 45 pistol, and have narrowed it down to one of these. My local gunshop has a 45 witness, LNIB, for $325. I had been leaning towards the CZ, but the price on the witness is much more doable for me. I've heard that EAA has terrible customer support, and a few lemons, but the gunshop will let me bring back the EAA if i don't like it, so i don't have to worry about it being a lemon so much.

I was just wondering what some of your opinions are on these two pistols, thanks much.
 
I've got an EAA Witness Sport Long Slide, one of their slightly more-expensive .45s (discontinued a few years ago), and several CZs.

The Witness came with a terrible trigger that didn't improve much after a trip to the gunsmith. Only after thousands of dry fires did it really get better. Now its one of the best guns I've got. Great trigger, and very accurate.

I've also got a CZ-85 Combat and have wanted a CZ-97B for quite some time -- but because of the Witness just haven't botered.

Either gun will treat you well, but I would expect the CZ to be more trouble free. ANd, if it does need help from the factory, you'll be very pleased with factory support and service.
 
I just bought a Witness Tactical II in 9mm. Yesterday, I ran about a 150 rnds. of Winchester white through it without a single problem. I checked out a couple of the 45's before I bought mine and they seem to be the same size as the 9mm. I was very impressed with the ergonomics; great grip, trigger indexes my large hand well, and the frame mounted safety is perfect.

Quality control may be an issue. If you get a good one, they're great. The Tactical II comes in .45 ACP. It has the full-length grip with the shorter compact slide. The lines approximate the Colt Commander, but much better ergonomics, at least for me.
Barrel is 3.6". The sight is similar to the Kimber fixed sight. I noticed that the rear sight cut is the same as for the adjustible sight. The Tacticals are also ported through the slide.

I would definitely check out the full-sized Witness. If you have small hands, I think you'll find the Witness a better fit. JohnH
 
My EAA Witness .40S&W compact doesn't work....
EAA will not honor their warranty; it always comes back from them just as broken as it was when sent.

Better to cry now that later, pay the extra dough and get the CZ.
 
Seems to me that the general opinion is that the CZ would be a better choice in the long run. One question though, do CZ 75 grips fit the 97?
 
I'm pretty sure the 75B grips will NOT fit the 97B -- as the 97B is a slightly heftier frame. (The same holds true with the EAA Witness line... the frames of the .45 versions are larger.)
 
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