Estimated studying time: 13 minutes
The EAA Witness2311 CMXX comes out swinging with flat-shooting manners, a built-in comp, and a value that makes the 2011 crowd loads much less intimidating. It’s not excellent, and the set off began out rougher than marketed, however this compact double-stack undoubtedly has sufficient going for it to make budget-minded shooters concentrate.
SHOT Present Reveal, First Impressions, And Why the CMXX Issues
In January at Shot Present, EAA introduced the Witness2311 CMXX, which is a compact variant of earlier CMX fashions. The weapons have began delivery, and after capturing it, the CMXX proved to be a pleasant bundle and an entry-level value level. It is available in 9, 45, and 10mm calibers, permitting the shooter to get the caliber that works greatest for them. EAA despatched a 9mm for analysis and vary use.
Desk of contents
SHOT Present Reveal, First Impressions, And Why the CMXX MattersWatch the VideoMatch Efficiency: The place the CMXX Began Displaying OffAmmo and Reliability: Manufacturing facility Hundreds Good, Delicate Reloads Not So MuchCompact 2011 Dimension, Full-Dimension Grip, And Some Fascinating TradeoffsSafeties: No Grip Security, Collection 80 Twist, And Higher Entry for Smaller HandsBuildout and Breakdown: Sensible Options, Odd Rail, Straightforward TakedownEAA Witness2311 CMXX SpecificationsFit and End: Higher Than Tough, Not Fairly Fancy, And Trustworthy About ItWhat’s Included: Good Magazines, Helpful Extras, No DramaFinal Verdict: A Finances 2011 That Truly Brings One thing to the RangePros & Cons: The Trustworthy Stuff That Sells the StoryRelated Reads from GunsAmerica Digest
Watch the Video
Match Efficiency: The place the CMXX Began Displaying Off
After I get a brand new gun, I take pleasure in placing a couple of mags of ammo down vary after which handing it off to a different shooter to make use of or shoot it myself in a contest. On this setting, I can consider the firearm in a better stress and usually increased use state of affairs. For the CMXX, some buddies and I shot it initially, however then I put it into the palms of my nephew to run in a 2-gun match. When he was capturing it, the manufacturing facility ammo was excellent, however sadly for him, that is after we found the gun didn’t like my comfortable capturing reloads. As I watched him shoot with manufacturing facility ammo, the gun cycled and tracked properly. The only-port comp is admittedly fairly efficient at mitigating recoil and muzzle rise.
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Ammo and Reliability: Manufacturing facility Hundreds Good, Delicate Reloads Not So A lot
Whereas capturing the CMXX, we used a couple of several types of manufacturing facility and reloaded ammo with varied bullet weights. For different skilled shooters and me, the gun ran completely on all kinds of manufacturing facility ammo, together with 115 and 124-grain goal masses. Accuracy was good to excellent as we ran it by way of some levels and drills. The reloads have been a distinct story, as they didn’t need to run on this gun, and I’m not blaming the gun.
Being considerably softer capturing, or decrease powered, the reloads didn’t need to run the gun 100% of the time. This ammo runs in different 2011s I put it by way of, however not this gun. I attribute this to the effectiveness of the single-port comp that’s constructed into the barrel. The gun shoots flat, and the comp takes sufficient vitality away that my reloads simply didn’t have sufficient pop to make it work, my fault, not the gun’s.
The set off on this gun out of the field was only a tad over 7 kilos, and for a 1911-style gun, that’s not nice; it’s not even good. On the EAA web site, the set off is marketed as a tuned 4.5-pound pull, which is suitable for a manufacturing facility gun. I’ll say that after a spread session, the set off considerably improved and was measured at a 5.1-pound common. I’ll point out the precise set off bow and overtravel a bit later on this article.
Compact 2011 Dimension, Full-Dimension Grip, And Some Fascinating Tradeoffs
As I discussed earlier, that is thought-about a compact 2011, so how is it completely different than a regular dimension 2011? When it comes to different compacts, the CMXX is principally G19X in dimension, a compact slide with a full-size body. A regular 2011 or 1911-sized handgun comes with a five-inch barrel and slide, also referred to as authorities size. The Witness2311 comes with a 4.25-inch or commander-length barrel, sort of. Because the barrel and compensator are machined from strong inventory, the precise rifled portion of the barrel is nearer to three.75 inches. This additionally means the slide is someplace between an Officer and a commander-length slide.
Despite the fact that it’s thought-about a compact mannequin, Girsan made the CMXX with a full-size grip. In comparison with a C2 Staccato grip, which is ¼ inch shorter than any customary 2011 grip. The CMXX ought to swap with most aftermarket 2011 grips if one desired a change. One other distinction to notice between the CMXX and the C2 is the full-length mud cowl on the CMXX with a number of slots for lights and lasers, whereas the C2 is just not full-length and solely has one slot.
Safeties: No Grip Security, Collection 80 Twist, And Higher Entry for Smaller Palms
The safeties on 1911 and 2011 handguns have typically been a supply of a love-hate kind of relationship for a lot of shooters over time. 1911 and 2011 type weapons have a grip security, and if the shooter doesn’t totally grip the pistol accurately, the gun won’t fireplace because the set off bow is mechanically blocked.
A method the EAA Girsan went one other route with the CMXX is the grip security, also referred to as the beavertail. EAA selected to preemptively deactivate this security, which to some could seem harmful. Why did they do that, or slightly, how did EAA do that and preserve the gun protected? Since they deactivated one security, they added one other, within the type of a collection 80 security or firing pin block. If the hammer one way or the other falls or releases with out the set off being pulled, the firing pin is blocked and never allowed to strike the firing pin.
Setting the safeties up this fashion makes it simpler for these with smaller palms to shoot the pistol with out having to deactivate the grip security. One draw back to the collection 80 type security is that it limits how a lot over-travel may be taken out. For those who regulate the overtravel all the way in which out, then the firing pin block won’t be totally deactivated, inflicting mild primer strikes or full ignition failure.
Similar to just about each 2011 presently offered, the CMXX comes with ambidextrous thumb safeties that work precisely like they need to. I did recognize the form and magnificence of the thumb paddles, as they’ve good edge breaks and no sharp corners to dig into the shooter’s palms. Both sides is equally straightforward to activate and deactivate, relying on what hand the pistol is in.
Buildout and Breakdown: Sensible Options, Odd Rail, Straightforward Takedown
As beforehand talked about, the slide is shorter, between officer size and commander size. EAA additionally machined some ports which might be minimize clear by way of the slide, which look good but additionally lighten the slide, which will help with slide weight. Entrance sight is a fiber optic in a Novak dovetail, however the rear sight is definitely a pink dot cowl plate. The sight and plate are machined as one unit that covers up an RMSc-style footprint in order that the shooter can add the pink dot of alternative. Throughout our capturing classes, the plate was used, however it did come free twice, so add some thread locker in case you intend to make use of it with iron sights solely.
The barrel is a ramped barrel with a Wilson/Nowlin type ramp, the identical type many 2011 builders use. The barrel and comp are machined from strong inventory, so altering the comp is just not attainable with out altering the barrel. The recoil system is considerably completely different than what’s present in different 2011 weapons. It incorporates a small reverse plug, a small-diameter information rod, and a flat wire spring. All of these items make the gun a bit lighter, however not by an enormous quantity. I used to be in a position to subject strip the gun with no instruments wanted, which is a plus, as many 2011s require take-down instruments.
The underside half of the gun is similar to most 2011s, with a couple of minor tweaks right here and there. One distinction I already talked about is the Collection 80 type security. The body and grip are two items similar to different 2011s. A metal body nested inside a polymer grip that’s held along with bushings and screws. The polymer grip can simply be stippled by a gunsmith or hobbyist alike, however the grip does have the finger grooves beneath the set off guard already in place, eliminating the necessity for that modification. The pinned beavertail is considerably completely different as properly.
Presumably the largest situation, or perhaps most annoying, is perhaps the accent rail on the mud cowl. It seems like a Picatinny rail, however it isn’t. The slots within the rail are literally milled too slender for Picatinny equipment to suit onto the gun, so concentrate on that. The size of spec picatinny slots are .206 +- .008, and I measured the CMXX slots at .176, which is nearer to a Weaver slot spec. One thing you’ll need to know, as this function is simply listed as an adjunct rail.
EAA Witness2311 CMXX Specs
Match and End: Higher Than Tough, Not Fairly Fancy, And Trustworthy About It
The gun has a great really feel within the hand, and many of the gun has been dehorned with good chamfers and rounded edges. The barrel, slide, and body match are acceptable for a manufacturing gun. As one would count on, there may be some slop between these components, however nothing that may be a deal breaker. The end is a black Cerakote, which has already began to put on off the barrel. The machining is properly completed, and I didn’t discover any machine marks or different points on the gun.
The CMXX does are available in a small plastic case with two magazines and another knick-knacks. As I discussed, the magazines are customary 17-rounders, and I used to be impressed by them. They appear to be of excellent high quality and carried out completely in all of the capturing that we did. They did drop free with no drawback and include witness holes at 5, 10, and 17 rounds. They’re made by Checkmate and are made within the USA.
Remaining Verdict: A Finances 2011 That Truly Brings One thing to the Vary
MSRP on the Girsan Witness2311 CMXX is $1,149, with the road value being about $100 lower than that. As extra producers bounce on the 2011 prepare, the options and costs preserve getting higher. The CMXX appears to fall into a great value for somebody who could need to check the 2011 waters with out going full customized. Shoot it as is, customise it, improve it, add an optic, the CMXX appears to be a great candidate for nonetheless the shooter desires to make use of it.
For extra info, try the EAA web site right here.
Execs & Cons: The Trustworthy Stuff That Sells the Story
Execs: Flat-shooting compensated barrel, dependable with manufacturing facility 115 and 124 grain ammo, full-size grip on a compact higher, straightforward subject strip with no instruments, RMSc optic-ready slide, good magazines, sturdy worth for shooters curious in regards to the 2011 platform.
Cons: Set off began out a lot heavier than marketed, comfortable reloads wouldn’t run reliably, optic plate got here free twice throughout testing, accent rail slots are narrower than the true Picatinny spec, and barrel end was already exhibiting put on.
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Aaron was born right into a 2A pleasant household and firearms have been part of each stage of his life. He began competing at 11 yards outdated and nonetheless competes actively within the motion capturing sports activities with 3 gun being his important ardour. Aaron enjoys engaged on and constructing weapons, instructing himself and studying from others every time attainable.
Aaron has labored in or been part of the firearms trade for over 20 years, together with being the Operations Director for an AR15 producer for 10 years. Aaron can also be energetic in his native capturing neighborhood because the President of his native gun vary. He additionally runs a nationwide stage 3 gun match yearly in addition to month-to-month capturing occasions on the vary.ExperienceGunsmith that builds 2011s, ARs, Rifles and ShotgunsCompetitive Shooter, 3 gun, 2 Gun, USPSA, IDPA, Lengthy RangeBoard member and Vary PresidentFirearms Business for 20 years
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