Why buy a CZ-97B over a EAA Tanfoglio witness .45?

[airrascal]

I have both a blued CZ-97 and a matt blue Witness .45 Compact.  They both shoot well and hold up to scrutiny when comparing purchase prices and finishes.  The CZ-97 sights are very well crafted and installed.  Both of the pistols have been utterly reliable with zero failures of any kind to date.  

I bought the Compact Witness since CZ doesn't make a compact version of the 97 and the 10-round 97 mags function (with a little peeking out) in the Witness.  It's performance was surprising since I wasn't really expecting much more than average.  I just wanted a compact platform that would work with full-sized magazines.  It gave me better than that with the exception of a not too nice DA trigger though it's getting better.  I think the SA trigger on my example may even be better than my CZ-97's.  Maybe I'm lucky but if most Witnesses are like mine, they're underrated and a good value.  My $.02 worth anyway.

Ditto the Blazer/Escalade comparo though I think maybe Tahoe/Escalade would be more appropriate (since the Blazer shrunk in the wash).

[bullsi1911]

Quote:And for the record, I've switched my argument more towards "what should CZ do to improve their 97B

Stainless steel, a compact version, and a carbine that uses the same magazines at the -97B.  I'd buy all 3.

Just my opinion, though.

[all4gss]

I missed the first part of this thread but thought i'd ad that when you consider you can get a witness .45acp with a .22lr conversion from Davidsons for $100-$160 less than you can get a 97-B, difference in cost becomes apparent.  

However.  The full length dust cover and the tightness of the 97B over the witness may be worth the extra bucks.

To me, the ultimate combo is a 10mm Witness and a 97B
(get to keep that .22lr conversion) :-)

Keith

[all4gss]

opps, forgot to mention that for 85 bucks you can get a .40 s&w barrel for the 10mm witness and you'd essentially have the means to shoot four rounds out of two guns in one case :-)

keith

[Radom]

I'm not sure what prices that some are seeing on the CZ 97B.  A black polycoat version can be had for as little as $470.