A hundred years came and went for the hugely popular 1911 pistol design. For more than a century the John Moses Browning’s pistol has been copied and refined by countless others…and that hasn’t all been bad.
Like many, I wasn’t really interested in such pistols until one of the latter designs caught my eye. Creating a double-stack version that runs 9mm cartridges birthed a whole new generation of pistols, and they are called 2011’s. Well, some are. That’s actually a trademarked name, but like Kleenex, it’s become ubiquitous.
I’ve been on the 2011 wagon for a couple years now and showing no signs of getting off anytime soon. One of those that I’ve gotten time with is mported from the old world by European American Armory and manufactured by Girsan, the Witness2311 CMXX pistol.
At first glance, you might think this pistol was a direct copy of the very popular Staccato XC. I’d suggest you’re right. The Girsan 2311 seems to have nearly every similar feature, but for two. The Witness2311 has a 4.25 barrel length versus the XC’s 5-incher and it also incorporates a firing pin block. That was done to negate the need for the grip safety you’ll see on most 19/2011’s.
Another one of the Witness2311’s most obvious features is the large compensator built into the barrel assembly. By directing some of the blast upwards, the compensator keeps muzzle rise to a minimum while shooting.
Under the comp you’ll find a typical Picatinny accessory rail to mount a weapon light. Behind that is a square trigger guard. The Girsan Witness2311, like many 2011’s, uses a steel frame with a polymer grip, so the flared magwell and grip are bolted on.
A traditional 1911 style trigger and ambidextrous safety round out the frame. The hammer is protected by an extended beavertail, but as I mentioned the beavertail doesn’t hinge as part of the grip safety. It is fixed. The steel slide is cut for RMSc optics, allowing you to mount a variety of different red dot options. Interestingly enough, the WitnessCMXX doesn’t use a two-piece or other locking guide rod like many other 2011 designs. Just a guide rod with a flat recoil spring.
Before heading to the range the first time, I mounted a few accessories to the pistol. I expect they named it 2311 as some sort of indication that it’s the next generation after a 2011. Or perhaps they just wanted the model to stand out on its own.
Anyway, I mounted a Vortex Defender-CCW Micro enclosed solar sight. It fits perfectly on the Girsan, so I added one of my Nightstick weapon lights to complete the package.
Over the course of many months now, I’ve been able to shoot the Girsan Witness2311 extensively, carry it daily, and shoot it often. Because I’m lucky to work in a pro Second Amendment office, I spend a lot of time practicing my draw and presentation while at work. All that is to say that I’ve become pretty comfortable and familiar with this pistol.
Like most 2011-style pistols, this one is smooth and tight-fitting. It has a slightly stiffer spring than some of my other 2011 pistols, but that’s fine and hasn’t made any difference in its function. Also, like other 2011 pistols, the Witness2311 feels great in the hand, with its aggressive grip texture. Its length of pull is just right for my hand and the controls are right where they need to be for perfect operation.
Well, almost. I think I’m going to put an extended slide release on it to avoid having to break my grip to drop the slide.
The trigger and safety both have a clean snap to them, giving a significantly better feel than most striker-fired pistols. And because the trigger pull is straight back instead of hinged on a pin, it feels like there’s less movement of the pistol when pulling the trigger.
Feeding the Girsan Witness2311 is done using Checkmate 2011 magazines, which as far as I can tell come off the exact same production line as the Staccato-branded mags. I’ve also used Mec-Gar 2011 magazines, all of which have worked flawlessly in the CMXX.
Part of the reason these guns run so smoothly is because of those magazines. You can slide your hand across the top of a loaded magazine and get nearly a dozen rounds to neatly file out. Try doing that with a GLOCK magazine. My point is with so little effort needed to feed rounds, the pistol doesn’t need an overwhelming spring to push the slide forward.
I’ve done a lot of shooting with this pistol, both indoors and out. I must say that I’ve become quite a fan of shooting it. Not only does it cycle ammunition flawlessly, it shoots very accurately all while looking dead-sexy at the same time.
It shoots incredibly flat, allowing you to keep a good sight picture even while dumping the magazine. It fits nicely into all of my 2011 holsters which makes it a joy to carry. And it does all of that for an MSRP of only $1149. The street price is just over a thousand dollars. For a double stack 1911, that’s downright affordable.
I have a couple things to gripe about. The first was very apparent from the beginning. The pin that secures the magazine flare was a bit long causing a slight irritating feel on the bottom edge of my hand. A quick adjustment with a Dremel took care of that.
The other issue I’ve had is a touch more concerning. 19/2011 ambidextrous safeties are connected in the middle by a tongue and groove coupling. They’re held together by the open side, snapping over a detent on the opposing shaft. I have found that excessive force on the right side safety lever can cause the groove side of the coupling to open slightly, making it possible for it to come out. That can obviously be corrected by either closing the groove slightly, or replacing the safety itself with a better one.
Other than those two slight issues, I’ve had nothing but a great time with the Girsan Witness2311. I wasn’t already a fan of the 2011 design, but I think this pistol has made me even more so. I have it on good authority that EAA will be releasing a 10mm model to accompany the 9mm and .45ACP models currently available. I may have to get that one too because there’s apparently no cure to this illness.
If you too find yourself looking for an affordable double-stack 1911 pistol that looks great and shoots the same way, give this Witness 2311 a good look. As with any firearm I’d recommend you trying before buying, but I expect you’ll like it much like I have.
This isn’t my first 2011. I have others that are significantly pricier. While none of my 2011’s are going anywhere, I wonder, had I have gotten one of these first, if I would have even bought the more expensive models.
Who am I kidding? I have zero regrets.
Specifications: EAA Girsan Witness2311 CMXX
Caliber 9mm, .45ACP or (soon) 10mm
Capacity. 17+1
Barrel Length. 4.5 inches
Overall Length. 8 inches
Weight 1.6 pounds
Magazine Standard double stack 1911
Action Single
Optic Mount RMSc
Sights Removable 3-Dot Sights, Fiber Optic Front Sight
Safety Auto Firing Pin-Block (no grip safety)
Thumb Safety Ambidextrous
Accessory Rail Picatinny
MSRP $1,149