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Last October I inadvertently got back into 10mm after winning a new Colt Delta Elite. I started to miss my old 10mm Witness that I parted with nearly 20 years ago in favor of a .45 ACP.
Well opportunity raised it's head for a newer model for the same price I parted for the old one. For the money, the all steel Witness line is hard to beat. They are not perfect, and the newer low profile sights tend to cause people to shoot low. This one is no exception, but it isn't too bad at a couple inches at 10 yards. The windage was perfect.
You'll hear about slide cracking on the 10mm Witness with some of the earlier models. There is a chance and when looking at a 10mm you need to look close. However, what I've found is that Tanfoglio uses too light of a recoil spring. Most of the time you find a 15lbs spring, and unfortunately that is the factory spring. With a 15lbs spring, do not count on recovering very much brass. It reality, you should probably have 22-24lbs spring in them. Mine currently has a 22lbs spring and the brass is still thrown farther than I like, 12 to 15 feet from 40+. I think some of the problem lies in US loadings for 10mm which is not much more than a .40 S&W +P. Full 10mm loads are a bit hotter and typically comparable to a full loaded .357 Mag. On another note, you'll find the 15lbs spring the same in their .40's.
My new one was no exception to the recoil spring issue and it was replaced right off. Grouping was very good with S&B and PPU 180gr FMJ. Also their JHP ammo work flawless. I'll probably replace the rear sight. I have a LPA for the Witness, but not for the low profile LPA dovetail. These are the Tanfoglio large frame, but because of the profile of the grip where your thumb and index finger is located, it feels smaller than what it is and all the controls are well within reach for a medium size hand.
I'm not keen on the light rail, but it fits fine in the same M12 flap holster that my PT92 fits in. So it might go camping with me this month for open carry, but I'll have a hard time leaving the 686 at home. Then again, I could take both.
The full size is advertised as a 15 round capacity. It is 14+1. After all these year, I thought they would have corrected that. With a 4.5" barrel. If you compare it to the CZ version, there isn't one other than Dan Wesson and it's a 1911. :icon_ devil:
I think Jeff Cooper would have found this budget version of the Bren 10 to be more than acceptable. So if you were looking for a 10mm and not a 1911, I think you should give this old school DA/SA a good look. It's a little wide in the butt, and not much in the way of a slide to grab, but it brings a smile to my face when I shoot it.
Maloy
