The Witness Steel is a CZ 75 clone made by Tanfoglio in Italy and imported by European American Armory. That CZ 75 lineage is the interesting part. The steel frame weighs 33 oz and the DA/SA trigger gives you a long double-action first pull followed by a shorter single-action for subsequent shots. In a category dominated by 1911s and polymer strikers, the Witness is the only 10mm with a traditional DA/SA action and a frame-mounted safety that can be carried cocked-and-locked or hammer-down.

Capacity is where the Witness separates from the 1911s. The double-stack magazine holds 14 rounds, which is 6 more than every 10mm 1911 in this group. The Glock G20 Gen5 MOS holds 15 rounds but weighs 4.6 oz less and uses a polymer frame. The EAA's steel frame absorbs more felt recoil, and the Wonder Finish (a proprietary chrome-like coating) provides decent corrosion protection. The chrome-lined barrel is another durability feature uncommon at this tier.

The Witness is not a polished gun. Owners report the stock synthetic grips are slippery, the single included magazine is stingy, and the fixed front sight limits precision work. But 14 rounds of 10mm in a steel-framed DA/SA pistol is a combination nobody else offers. For shooters who grew up on CZ 75s or Berettas and want that manual-of-arms in 10mm, the Witness is the only game.