Any gun nuts in here? Need opinions on a gun

[funkeycold]

I was at the local gun show today and saw a gun that just felt really good. Thinking about getting it, but wanted to get some opinions first.

It's a used .40SW EAA Witness. Not sure about the specific model name, but the guy said it had a 4" barrel, an aftermarket flash suppressor thingy (not sure what its called) and a formed grip (maybe aftermarket?).

Here is a picture. I couldn't find any pictures that looked exactly like the one I was looking at, but this is close.



The seller wants $275 out the door. The gun was seized in a drug raid. The magazine doesn't look very good, but the gun itself seems very clean. I'm just curious if this seems like a good price.

[Reckless01]

for a Smith&Wesson yes...if you dont want it ILL buy it

[fengler]

get a sig sauer, we have a ruger p89 and i think its a great gun. couldnt tell u about that specific model, but that sounds like a smoking deal as long as everything is tight and trouble free, looks for dents where it could have been dropped. Does everything move smoothly?

[Reckless01]

went digging a bit they go for around $375-400 new.....heres an auction i found for a new one...

AA Witness 40 S&W Blue Full Size 10 shot NIB Item # 26310403
Please if you are the buyer or seller to see more helpful information.
Bid!

Show description

Current Bid $0.00 No Reserve! Started at $364.50

for $365.50

Quantity 1 # of bids 0 Bid History
Time left 2 Days, 23 Hours +
15 minute rule

a lil more......

Distributor ..........................European
American Armory Corp.
Box 1299
Sharpes, FL 32959
Model ........Witness Standard Full Size
Operation ..................Recoil operated
Caliber ................................. .40 S&W
Barrel length .....................4.5 inches
Overall length ...................8.1 inches
Weight, empty ..................33 ounces
Safety ..........Manual sear-block safety;
self-engaging inertial
firing pin block
Sights ..Three-dot drift-adjustable rear;
semi-Patridge blade front
Sight radius ....................5.25 inches
Rifling ............6 grooves, 1:10 RH twist
Stocks .............Pebbled black polymer
Magazine capacity ..........10 rounds
Finish .....................Blued carbon steel
Price ...........................................$351

[funkeycold]

Originally Posted by fengler

get a sig sauer, we have a ruger p89 and i think its a great gun. couldnt tell u about that specific model, but that sounds like a smoking deal as long as everything is tight and trouble free, looks for dents where it could have been dropped. Does everything move smoothly?

Didn't really notice any sig sauers at the gun show. Maybe I did but don't remember. I was really just looking for something that felt good in my hand first, and then I looked at the brand/caliber/etc.

The gun didn't seem to have any dents or any abrasions but the magazine was pretty dingy and dirty. I couldn't move the slide too much because of all the security cables and stuff attached to it, but the little bit I did move it felt ok. I will definately check more tomorrow.

Also, the seller said that the gun is up to 5 years old. I assume that this shouldn't really make too much of a difference if the gun was kept up well, right? Is there any easy way to find out when it was made?

[R6JUNKIE]

get it ,cant really go wrong unless it wont fire. ( or expolde in your face). the flash supresor thingy. did he say that was what it was or is it ported? if its ported (holes on top) thats a nice feature, it helps keep the gun on target more by keeping it from fliping back for follow up shots.

[funkeycold]

My dad went to the show with me, and I remember him saying that the flash suppressor 'thingy' () DID have holes in the top.

[f2benny]

Those were excellent guns for the money. They are based on the CZ75 model which is one of the best designs ever, and it was made by Tanfoglio in Italy. But that is too much money for it I'd say. Plus I would not buy a gun that's been modified in any way, unless it is by a reknowned pistolsmith.

[Scotteq]

Originally Posted by funkeycold

My dad went to the show with me, and I remember him saying that the flash suppressor 'thingy' () DID have holes in the top.

[chuckles] It's called a compensator, and it's purpose is to direct some of the gasses upwards. That reduces the muzzle's tendency to rise up when the weapon's fired. A good thing to have, in general.


Here's EAA website: http://www.eaacorp.com/

As already stated - EAA sells CZ variants, aimed at the middle market. IMHO, the $275 the seller wants isn't a bad price for a hardly-used example. If indeed it is hardly used, then you're looking at $100 off. 20~25% off off a perfectly servicable and reasonably new firearm isn't a bad deal. If someone has a copy of the annual gun guide, they'll be able to give you a firmer answer, but I think that's a fair price. Not an awesome deal, - a fair deal.

But I agree with f2benny that it's generally not a good idea to purchase a weapon that's been modded without doing a little checking. I'd ask questions about exactly what was done to the weapon. Just about any 'smith will be able to safely and reliably install an aftermarket compensator kit. If the kit's a good make and the weapon is otherwise internally unmolested, then you're golden. After all, going back to stock would be a simple operation. Think of it like an aftermarket pipe or shock on a bike. You can always pull the thing off without any permanent effects.

But if it was a custom thing, and the gunsmith machined the comp into the existing barrel and slide.... Well, that's an entirely different can of worms. Find out who did the work and if he's any good.

The other thing I'd add, which I'm sure you thought of, is that I would never buy a used weapon if I had to depend on it's perfect operation in a Socially Serious Situation.

My $0.02.

Scott

[agent_poseur]

I don't like the looks of that dove tail trigger guard...
.40 ammo is expensive - compared to 9mm..
If you get it try to get a deal on a high cap. magazine instead of 10rd,
probably 15 or so for that gun???...
looks like it has a decocker, those are nice...

[funkeycold]

Unfortunately, it looked like the seller I was at didn't really have anything little freebies to give me. I would assume that the seller would put everything he had onto the table to try and make a sale. But I didn't see anything but guns.

Scotteq - Good information! I remember that the compensator wasn't quite flush to the end of the barrel, which was probably why we noticed it in the first place. I would assume that means it was just attached and not custom fitted to the gun.

Well, I'm back off to the gun show. Thanks for all the information!

[funkeycold]

Well, I bought it!

The final price came out to $252 + tax. I also had a chance to look it over, in and out, along with my brother's gun-knowledgable friend.

The compensator is simply screwed onto the end of the barrel.

We took off the barrel and slide, and my brother's friend pointed out that the edges of the metal still had the 'machining burrs,' meaning that either the gun is brand new, or it has only been fired a few times. All the internals looked very clean.

Also, after a better look at the magazine, it was in good condition, and the seller mentioned something about it being new as he pulled some stickers off of it. I don't know what magazine he was showing us earlier, but the real magazine looked good.

So I think I got a decent deal on the gun. It sucks though because I have to wait the seven mandatory days to get it since I don't have a carry permit.

[cookhj]

i've heard mixed things on the EAA's. some people say that they've never given them any trouble, and others say they're worthless. the others are correct, the witnesses are based on the CZ-75 pistol which is a very accurate and strong pistol. i had one a few years ago and loved the accuracy and reliability of it. if the witness fit you well, i would look at the CZ 40P (here's a pic of one....i'm not endorsing and particular sale, i just wanted to show you what one looked like... http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976478819.htm )

[funkeycold]

Looks good! It might be one to check out if I want to buy another one next year sometime.

[streetshark394]

Very good buy. My wife shoots league with her Witness stock and does pretty well. Sucks about not having a decocker but you'll get used to it. Try to stick to factory magazines if carrying for protection (more reliable feeding).