EAA Witness Gold Team Elite

[Ben Harris]

I have been searching and reading and shopping everything I can during what little down time I have in Iraq. I want to buy a new pistol when I return home. I want to be able to get into competition shooting in Open class, and the EAA Witness Gold Team Elite seems like the route I want to take. I have several problems:

1. Eaacorp.com is one of the worst websites I have ever seen!
   
2. I sent eaacorp@eaacorp.com an email asking questions. It's been 3 weeks with no reply.
   
3. Why does it seem like there are 500 different EAA model names/numbers? Am I missing something? I want the pistol that already has the compensator and the porting with the frame already drilled. Is this not the "Gold Team Elite"?
   
4. Where are all the technical specs on this gun and why would their website not go out of their way to list these things? Instead all they do is list obvious features that I can see just by looking at the picture. What is the "out of the box" trigger pull? What information can they give me about the guide rod? Spring?
   
5. My biggest question - can the "Gold Team Elite" shoot factory ammunition? I want the pistol in 9mm and I don't want to have to shoot 9major.
   

Can someone please help me find what I need to know? This is obviously a very nice piece. I have yet to read a bad review! I just want more information and the EAA website doesn't seem to want to provide it. I don't know where else to turn...

- SPC Harris

1-37FA

FOB Warhorse, Iraq

[shooterbenedetto]

pm sent.

[Ben Harris]

I suppose one reason that I am not finding the answers I am looking for is because I’m simply not asking the right questions.

1. I know absolutely nothing about reloading my own ammunition. I know nothing about it and I have no equipment to do it and I have no desire (at least right now) to begin learning.

2.I like the Gold Team Elite because it comes ported, compensated, and drilled for an optics mount right out of the box. Since you say it comes from the factory with a 3lb. trigger pull, then I would have absolutely no need to send it off to a gunsmith for anything. I could get it and start shooting right away. Unless…

3.If the pistol isn’t going to shoot factory ammunition like Sellier & Bellot or Remington, then it’s not what I want or need.

All I want is a heavy pistol that is vented and compensated because that reduces free recoil. I want a quality product at the cheapest price I can get it because that’s what any smart consumer wants. However, if I have to spend $2,000 on the pistol and then another $2,000 on reloading equipment and then more on accessories like higher capacity magazines, extensions, holsters, etc., then that is simply way too much money to spend just to see if you like IPSC competitions. Why not just get a nice Kimber 1911 and enter production class?

Will the Gold Team Elite perform well using factory ammo or can it even run at all on factory ammo?

Does the ported / compensated barrel and the 44oz gun weight really help with recoil that much?

Will someone who is much more knowledgable than I am please tell me if it sounds like I’m just looking at the wrong thing? I really thought I was looking at a finely tuned 9mm that would cycle quickly and kick like a .22lr. Am I wrong?

[Glk21C]

You need to contact Henning here on the forums. He is in the vendor section. He can answer all your questions I'm sure. Sounds like a phone call would serve you best, so hopefully you can wait till your back in the states.

and thanks for your service to our country.

[RIIID]

If you want spec's on the gun you need to go to the Tanfoglio web-site, Tan. is who makes the gun, EAA is just the US importer for Tan.. Shooting factory 9mm ammo will not work the comp very efficiently, to work the comp a slow burning high gas volume powder is needed. You can buy ammo that will work from specialized manufacturers like Atlanta Arms, if you don't reload.

With the current mags you will have feeding problems in 9mm, 38 super would be the caliber of choice to eliminate this problem. The current V12 guns are having timing problems I would suggest finding an older V8 model Gold Team. A small framed gun in 9mm will be your best bet if you want a 9mm.

The gun will have muzzle rise and recoil greater than a .22 there's no way around it.

[Greg Bell]

If you want to get into 9mm Open and not reload your own ammo there are some options such as Atlanta Arms and Ammo

[R.Elliott]

The large frame Tanfoglios will not run with 9mm. They run very well with round nose .38 super (rimless variants) but I don't know if anyone currently offers factory loads in those calibers that will make factor. Don't bother with anything hollow point or flat point; they will nose-dive every time. If you are going to shoot the gun a fair bit, note that you are probably going to have to replace at least your sear and firing pin with EGW parts, as the factory units tend to be soft and don't stand up to heavy use. Contact Henning for all of your after-market needs. He's got some cool stuff and he's constantly looking towards newer, better products.

Small frame Tanfo's will run fine with 9mm. They use all the exact same lock work components as the large frame guns, so the same issues apply.

RE: V-8 v.s. V-12.

Some of the V-8's have timing issues as well. I know mine did and I am now in the process of replacing the top end. A good `smith who understands how these guns lock up can easily tune it for you though.

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with a compensated gun since you will be shooting 9mm minor anyway. Have a look at the Stock II (h ttp://www.tanfoglio.it/tanfoglio.php?lingua=uk). Large frame gun made for small frame mags. Runs like a top, shoots incredibly soft, doesn't need batteries and unlike a compensated minor gun, it is VERY competitive in its Division.

[38supPat]

If you are just trying IPSC out, seriously consider going Production Division at first. You can get all the gear you need at decent cost, it will run factory ammo and you won't have to tinker with it as much.

If you are set on going Open, you might as well figure on getting and learning to reload..really it's part of the package.

[Canuck223]

I have to agree with Pat. If you can't see yourself reloading, you should seriously consider Production or Standard.

[shooterbenedetto]

Hi Ben,

There's the response..Listen to the guys! see what I mean when I sent you a PM?

RIID is our smith for the Tanfoglio here in the states. Google Canyon Creek Guns

Its true that the new EAA open has timing issue but I think

they have solved the problem on that..I waited over 1year to get

mine and I have 2 units! they both run now. Again OPEN will cost more and other division will cost

less to get started. iIf you are really serious about EAA, Call Henning!! he is one of the PRO shooter

for Tanfoglio guns and he will help you from gear to the gun setup.

SB

Edited October 21, 2009 by shooterbenedetto