Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
Lately, I’ve been on a 2011 kick. So what’s better than a 2011 chambered in 9mm? One that is chambered in 10mm. Because of this interest, I have had the chance to use and abuse the Girsan Witness2311 C 10mm, and I get to share my unfiltered experience with you. This gun isn’t cheap, but in the realm of 2011s, it definitely classifies as “budget”. So, my expectations for the Witness2311 C were, admittedly, low. However, all expectations have been surpassed and I’m very happy with this gun for the money. That does not mean the Witness2311C is flawless, but you’ll have to read more to hear the whole story.
Table of contents
Overview of the Witness2311
Girsan Gun Industry was established in 1993 in Giresun, Turkey. Currently, Girsan firearms are made in Turkey, but distributed in the U.S. by EAA. Just keep this in mind when you are looking for a Witness2311, because EAA and Girsan are both associated with this handgun when doing a simple Google search.
The Witness2311 C 10mm caught my attention for a few reasons: it is a 2011 that can be purchased for under $1,000.00, it comes with an optic cut, and the 10mm auto chambering is one I’d trust for grizzly protection in the wilderness of Montana. It comes in many different chamberings, barrel lengths, and sight options, but in 10mm specifically, there is a 4.25″ optic, 5″ optic, and 6″ iron sight models.
These are called Witness2311 C, Witness2311 S, and Witness2311 Hunter 10, respectively. The C and S models are optic cut and are RMS/RMSc compatible, coming with a Far-Dot Solar optic. You won’t see many pictures of this optic on my gun, but more on that later.
The MSRP on the Witness2311 is $1,028.00 regardless of which variation you buy, but they can also be found in-store for just over $900.00 routinely. My 2311C came with one Check-Mate 40/10 15-round magazine, a hard case, brass bore brush, red-dot zeroing tool, and the gun/red dot combo among some owners manuals, and a cable lock.
Specifications
- FINISH: BLUE/BLACK
- CAL: 10MM
- CAP: 15+1
- BBL: 4.25″
- OAL: 8″
- WT: 1.6 lbs
- Accessory rail
- flared magwell
- RMS/RMSc optic cut
- (1) Check-Mate 40/10 15-round magazine
- Limited Lifetime warranty
- MSRP: $1,028.00
Construction and Build Quality
There is nothing flashy or fancy about the Witness2311 C 10mm. I’d say “adequate” may be the perfect descriptor for this section of my review. Though it isn’t fancy, the fit and finish on the parts of the gun are good. There are no machining marks and the black coating on the slide and frame is even and matching. I couldn’t find any information about what this coating is, but I would assume it is black Cerakote.
The slide and internal components are standard 1911 parts. Also, the slide comes milled for RMS/RMSc optics and comes with a cover plate that features a fixed rear iron. This rear and front iron have white dots, making this a three-dot sight system. On another note, I have to praise the mechanical components of this gun because I had no malfunctions or feeding issues in the 500 rounds I’ve already put through this gun. This only gets more impressive knowing that I’ve fed the Witness2311 C round nose bullets, flat nose, hollowpoint, truncated cone, and everything in between with mild range and practice loads to hotter defensive ammunition.
The polymer grip on the Witness2311 C fits well in my medium-sized hands and the texture is aggressive enough that it aids the shooting experience without being overly aggressive. However, the grip isn’t going to give your buddies the impression that you spent $5K on this gun if they’ve never heard of it before. It still lacks an undercut trigger guard and the flare that more expensive guns have. Instead, the Witness2311 has a classic checkered grip look molded in. This grip also features a magwell that makes reloads a bit easier, which I really enjoyed.
Optics and Sight Skeletons
Here’s the skeleton in the closet. The Far-Dot included with the Witness2311 C has developed a well-known reputation: it breaks. My experience was the same as many others where I put about a box of ammunition through the gun and then found the Far-Dot would not turn on. Or it turned off and on under recoil. I removed this dot and installed the rear iron sight that comes with the gun. This rear iron will stay on the gun until I find a replacement red dot that proves tough enough. Because of this, I shot the accuracy test with iron sights, which brought about some unique issues.
Rear Sight Issues
The rear iron sight on Witness2311 C is part of the cover plate that is held on with 2 screws. I put blue LokTite on these screws, but after shooting less than a magazine, I noticed this plate was loose. In the end, I tightened these screws down as tight as I dared in fear of stripping one, but they still came loose after less than a magazine was fired through the gun. Since I was already at the range and my equipment was limited, I resorted to re-torquing the bolts between every 5-round group that I fired during the accuracy test. Do I think this influenced my groups? Absolutely. But I did what I could and the gun still performed respectably in the accuracy department, as you’ll soon see.
In the end, I think the only way I could have resolved this issue may have been to use red LokTite or Devcon (don’t actually use Devcon, this is a joke). A high-quality red dot replacement may have also been a good way to solve my problems. Since I’m leaning toward purchasing this gun, I’ve been looking for a new optic.
Accuracy of the Witness2311
I already explained the issues I was experiencing between the Far-Dot and rear iron sight during the accuracy test in the last section, so if you skipped that section, please go back to read it. At the end of the day, I gave the Witness2311 C 10mm the most fair accuracy test that I could manage while using iron sights. All groups are 5-round groups that were shot at 15 yards. I used ammunition from Blazer, Winchester, Hornady, Underwood, Cor-Bon, PPU, PMC, and Federal, making this one of the most extensive accuracy tests I’ve ever performed with a handgun.
Most of this ammunition came from the manufacturers for this review, but some also came from AmmoToGo, making this type of detailed testing possible. Check out the pictures below to see how each performed in the Witness2311 C 10mm.
Ammo Testing Pictures
Trigger
This will be a short section, but like the Far-Dot, the trigger on the Witness2311 has a reputation that mine also upheld. The pull weight on these guns’ triggers are reported by many to be in the 8-pound range. Mine measured 8.5 lbs when I first got it. After about 500 rounds and at least that much dry-firing, my trigger is currently measuring 7 lbs with my Wheeler Trigger Pull Scale. Though it is heavy, it is crisp and the reset is short.
The weight of the trigger did make shooting precise groups quite difficult. I had to concentrate to not anticipate the trigger breaking. When a heavy trigger and a high-recoiling gun are combined, you get a platform that is fairly difficult to shoot. When I buy this gun I will be taking it to a gunsmith to bring the trigger pull weight down, which is a very straightforward task that can be done well by any competent gunsmith.
Final Thoughts On the Witness2311
Even with the troubles I had between the Far-Dot optic and keeping the iron sight secured to the slide, I have to say that the Girsan Witness2311 C 10mm has proved itself to be extremely reliable. Every time I pull the 7-pound trigger, the gun fires and chambers the next round. I have had no feeding issues with any of the ammunition types I’ve shot through this gun, which is impressive.
Do I think the Witness2311 C is perfect in all other manners? No, I don’t. Do I think that the Witness2311 C is worth the ~$900 you can expect to pay for it? Yes. In today’s market, a double-stack 1911, also referred to as a 2011, is very expensive. Any time you can pick one up for around $1,000.00 you can expect to make some sacrifices when compared to the $2,500.00 + that other brands will cost you. All I expected from the Witness2311 C before the review was for it to be reliable. Some gunsmithing and a small investment of cash for that purpose can make this gun truly shine while still costing you less money than the competition would run you.
Conclusion
I am moving to Montana where grizzly bears and other natural threats are a real danger to someone who is out in the woods. I’m pretty set on purchasing the Witness2311 C 10mm for the purpose of protecting myself in this scenario. 15+1 rounds of 200 grain 10mm auto from an accurate and reliable handgun is hard to pass up. To boot, the Witness2311 C shot some of the ammunition I tested incredibly well, while it also showed that it didn’t like some of the others.
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From the results, I’d say PPU Defensive 180gr or Federal Punch 200gr would be my first choice to protect myself in the backwoods with the Witness2311 C. Now to sum up my review of the Girsan Witness2311 C 10mm in one phrase: Even though it isn’t the biggest flex on your friends, this gun will serve you well and could become a fantastic shooting experience with a small monetary investment toward the trigger and optic, still leaving you with more money in your pocket for ammo than other options would.
Learn more about the Witness2311 C 10mm here.
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I have a Girsan MC 1911 C commander-length 10mm. I only paid $700 for it. It seems like a quality gun. Not super fine finish, but more of a rugged tool. I had a couple failures of the slide to go into battery during the initial break-in period, but since then it had been reliable. I will be carrying it for bear protection here in Alaska. It’s a convenient size, not too heavy, and it’s nice and flat which makes it comfortable to carry in a variety of positions. I’m happy with it.
I have a Girsan 1911 6-inch in 10 mm and it has been flawless in the 450 rounds I have put through it in 3 trips to the range, it just works like it is supposed to.
Good read just cause “guns”. I’ve used Red loctite #277 (different type of “Red” are avail) and it’s held pesky screws on. 44mags. However, it may be a machining flaw/difference btwn screw threads and threaded holes a common result from worn Taps and Dies.
I can appreciate the “get er done” tactic of the retighten screw with 5 shot groups but I think you just wasted a lot of ammo because in reality, nothing about the sights could truly be duplicated set to set. IMHO. With the exception of the first group, results for 15 yard group were pretty poor.
BEFORE I would consider buying demo pistol, I think it would be prudent to send it (and the optic) back for repair with a request the same pistol be returned for further evaluation. Why buy what’s broken and why not check out their Customer Service at the same time.
I hope you have better luck with this pistol in the future.
I’m sorry that I fell for clickbait by way of this article. RIA makes reliable options that are equal if not superior to this.. and I can actually buy a reliable optic and still pay my shipping costs and transfer for less!!!
I’m not merely talking either…
I’ve already bought 3 variations and am a very happy customer.
I have one in FDE. The price was even lower than cited here. I ran some .40S&W ammo through it. It actually functioned pretty well with the shorter ammo. I was just curious. I will henceforth use the proper ammo. It’s a really decent piece for the price. Stay safe.
Thanks for the review. I live in WY and Glock 20 is my standard carry in the wilderness. Purchased anywhere for under $600. Accurate, easy to shoot, never fails. Much better option than this thing.
The exciting thing here is the Turks FINALLY made a gun that’s not a 9mm. They have so many 9’s out in various designs and names you can’t keep track of them all. While this thing doesn’t interest me, I’m just happy they branched out to 10mm. So I’m gonna sit and hope for a 10mm long slide Canik. I’ll be all over that baby when/if we see it. Now your Montana bear gun idea?? No way man…no way. This is basically untested and who knows how it’s going to hold up. No way I’d go to Grizzly country and not stick with time proven solid designs with MUCH better triggers. I have 2 older 5.25 XDM 10’s and 3 glocks. A 20 and 2 40 longslides. Now way I’d give up those guns proven track records for something we really no nothing about. Also will these accept common better trigger kits that would fit other 2011’s? That might be a step to take if you really want this thing. But like I said…I’d stay with Springy or Glock 10’s for big furry angry things.
Ps. I have a Stock Master Defiant (formerly witness) the gun is all stainless, BEAUTIFUL and ridiculously accurate. I’d trust that as well but I can’t bring myself to let it get a scratch. So her pretty ass stays home and gets white glove treatment on nice days outside. Thanks for the article. Let’s all pray for a Canik now.
I agree, if Canik can build a 2011 as good as their other guns and place it under $1k it’ll change the game.
As for the Girsan, there’s no way I’d pay $900+ for a 2011 that has its rear iron sight affixed to its optics plate and won’t stay tight on top of that and immediately has to be turned over to a gunsmith to try and fix the trigger. That’s likely another $500-$1000 just to get the gun to what it should be from the factory.
I’d love to have a 2011 but I’d hold out for a better option. Now if I had FU money I’d definitely do what the author is planning to do just to see what happens.
thank you for the review.