6 replies to this topic

[PistolWhip]

I just picked up my first EAA / Tanfoglio Witness and had some questions about modifications and some issues with the .22lr upper half. She's just the basic "Steel" model, but being a long time and almost exclusive Glock shooter; I wanted to get my feet wet on the platform before spending a fortune on one of the higher end models.

My first impression, this gun shoots like a dream in the 9mm configuration. When I first picked it up at the shop I thought how heavy it seemed since I'm used to mostly combat style polymer pistols, but the weight felt good and balanced and the grip angle and size felt very natural. The gun quickly ran through 50 rounds of 9mm without a hick-up and had no problem placing all 50 of them into the head of a standard FBI "Q" from 20 yards.

The problem came along when I switched to the .22lr upper half. I had problem after problem with this conversion. It started with double feeds and failure to feeds. The FTF's were usually followed by a stovepipe and or double feed and seemed to be consistent until I burned 3 or 4 rounds out of a full mag. Once I got to that point it seemed to feed and eject fine, but another problem arose. Every shot I took, the slide would fail to go into battery. It would hang up about 1" - 1.5" short of battery and though I could easily push it closed with my thumb to complete the cycle, it didn't seem to get any better as I shot. I tried lubing it thoroughly, but that didn't seem to help.

My first questions obviously have to do with the .22lr issues. Any ideas here? I sent EAA an E-mail in reference to this, but figured I'd get some input from the experts here also.

As for the 9mm configuration, what can I do and where can I get parts for this thing? I'm a "modder" through and through and can't leave anything alone. I would modify my wrist watch if I thought I could, so naturally the first thing I thought of when I got off the range was "what I can do to this thing to make it even better?" I'd like to start with a lighter trigger and maybe converting it to single action only since the DA feature is basically useless without a de-cocker. Any recommendations?

[TEricksen]

Just this month I gave up on a Kadet conversion for competing in speed steel rimfire division, and switched over to a Ruger 22/45. I was never able to keep the Kadet running reliable for more than 5k to 10k rounds. The extractors round on the tip and begin to fail to extract, and after a few hundred thousand rounds the bolt face is worn out. I love the gun, have more hours into it than any other gun I've ever worked on, but I finally gave up on it. With 25,000 or so rounds through the Ruger, I've had zero failures to operate of any kind shooting nothing but Wal-Mart Federal 375rd packs of bulk ammo. I've honestly not had a single failure to fire, failure to extract, nothing. Every single round has worked.

Edited by TEricksen, 04 June 2011 - 02:46 PM.

[PistolWhip]

Funny you mention that because the day I bought the EAA, I also ordered a 22/45 slab side.

I won't be shooting the EAA nearly as much as you have described so I would hope that if I can get it run smooth without failing to go into battery every shot and iron out the FTF's, I should have no problems with round count wear and tear.

I see that yours is running what appears to be a single action trigger. Do you have any information that would help me convert mine from a DA to a SA only? The DA feature is pretty much useless without a decocker, so I figure it would only make sense to take advantage of the more accuracy inducing SA only set up if its not too difficult to convert to.

[TEricksen]

Funny you mention that because the day I bought the EAA, I also ordered a 22/45 slab side.

I won't be shooting the EAA nearly as much as you have described so I would hope that if I can get it run smooth without failing to go into battery every shot and iron out the FTF's, I should have no problems with round count wear and tear.

I see that yours is running what appears to be a single action trigger. Do you have any information that would help me convert mine from a DA to a SA only? The DA feature is pretty much useless without a decocker, so I figure it would only make sense to take advantage of the more accuracy inducing SA only set up if its not too difficult to convert to.

Single Action Trigger

As far as the Kadet conversion extractor goes, you need to purchase a new extractor and hand fit it to the slide being carefull to make sure that you fit it tight. You'll also want to remove 1/16" or so off the front of the extractor(furthest most forward point of the extractor). This will allow the extractor to hold onto the case a bit longer before it kicks loose from the hook.

Edited by TEricksen, 05 June 2011 - 08:06 AM.

[PistolWhip]

Great info, thanks! Is it a difficult job to make the conversion from DA to SA or is everything you need right there in the trigger kit? Sorry if these are pestering questions, I just want to make sure I have it right before I order any parts. Like I said, I'm a long time Glock shooter / armorer so my experience level with smithing has been fairly simple over the last few years with the simplistic function of a Glock.

[TEricksen]

Great info, thanks! Is it a difficult job to make the conversion from DA to SA or is everything you need right there in the trigger kit? Sorry if these are pestering questions, I just want to make sure I have it right before I order any parts. Like I said, I'm a long time Glock shooter / armorer so my experience level with smithing has been fairly simple over the last few years with the simplistic function of a Glock.

I converted mine in 1994 with a Heuning trigger, so I can't completely remember what all it entailed. If my memory is right, all you need is the trigger. I'd e-mail the complany at the link I supplied and make sure.

[PistolWhip]

Will do, thanks again sir!