European American Armory vs CZ?

[KenP]

What is the difference? They look the same and im in the market for a cz75 P01 and am going to buy the EAA version if its identical to save some cash. Any input? Thanks in advance.

[nimbus]

Both are good guns and brands. I myself will buy a P01 soon because I already have an SP01. The P01 is a NATO certified gun as well.

[nazgulnarsil]

Both are good guns and brands. I myself will buy a P01 soon because I already have an SP01. The P01 is a NATO certified gun as well.

this is marketing speak by CZ. it means they have a part number for ordering through NATO, not that NATO tested the pistols in any way.

[HCz]

EAA/Tanfoglio is a clone of CZ 75. When CZ came out, Tanfoglio copied it, but changed some internal parts.

CZ P-01 is a compact sized pistol. I don't know which EAA you are looking at, but the ones I've seen the most are full sized ones. I have a Baby Eagle which is more or less identical to EAA full size with decocker on the slide, and it is a decent shooter. CZ P-01 is great, but some people are not happy about recoil.(Full sized pistols generally tend to be better with recoil management)

One thing that might be of concern is that EAA's customer service is not as good as CZ USA's. Since some parts are not interchangable, you can't just get a CZ part and install it.

If I were to get one, I'd go for a CZ instead of EAA. Not just P-01, but look at other versions to. Some might be better for you depending on what your purpose is.

[KenP]

I don't care for the thin slide of the regular cz75 which is why I would like to go with the p01. There is a version of the EAA witness identical to the P01, and the ergonomics is what draws me to it.

[DrewTheBrave]

this is marketing speak by CZ. it means they have a part number for ordering through NATO, not that NATO tested the pistols in any way.

Really? A 5 second google search found this press release that details the NATO testing requirements that the P-01 passed with flying colors.

So to answer the OP: I have heard nothing but great things about both EAA and CZ handguns. CZ has been time-tested as a combat weapon, but don't let that sway you away from EAA if that is what you feel comfortable with. You really can't go wrong with either one.

However, EAA's Witness series is not on the CA approved list, so that may affect your decision.

Good luck!

[railroader]

One thing I do not like about the witness pistols is the front sight. Unless you go with the witness match the front sight is machined into the slide and cannot be changed easily. I had a standard witness classic in 9mm and the front sight was way too fat for me. When looking at the front sight through the rear there was hardly any light showing on the sides of the front sight. I wound up opening the rear sight notch with a file. With a cz you can change out the front sight if you want for a size to your liking.

[HPGunner]

If your going to carry it and don't want the extra weight the CZ P-01 aluminium super light weight frame is the way to go. If the EAA Witness compact is anything like my compact IMI Desert Eagle 9mm (aka Jericho 941 or Baby Eagle) it's all steel and much heavier. I use EAA Witness compact magazines in the Baby Eagle and they are identical to the magazine that came with the baby eagle. I had a CZ P-01 and it was a incredible gun. I loved it but had to part with it to fund another project, but I'm pretty sure we will meet again.

[Rallyfan]

Really? A 5 second google search found this press release that details the NATO testing requirements that the P-01 passed with flying colors.

It seems yes, really. What the press release does not seem to state is whether NATO tested the firearm. It's a press release; it's marketing.

[zfields]

Been looking, cant find any verification. I would think to get a NATO stocking number, they would require testing.....but the search continues.


Regardless, there great guns : )

[eaglemike]

I've built several EAA Witness pistols for stock and open classes, none lately. I'd go with the CZ if you can find one you like. My experience with EAA customer service was hit and miss - mostly miss.

I still have several of these (EAA), including a few competition frame versions. They can be decent to very fine shooters, easily a 2" gun at 25 meters. The barrel crown can be pretty bad, shoots much better if properly cleaned up.

[DrewTheBrave]

It seems yes, really. What the press release does not seem to state is whether NATO tested the firearm. It's a press release; it's marketing.

My mistake. The wording of the release made it sound like the testing was done according to NATO requirements.

Now I'm curious to know exactly how NATO selects the firearms that they decide to stamp.

[Woodworker2]

I have a few of each, but the EAA/Tanfoglio has some advantages.

What I like about EAA is the flexibility to change calibers with factory parts, and the availablity of extra parts. With a "large frame" pistol (2004ish and up), it is very easy to have a single frame shoot multiple calibers (.22lr, 9mm, 38 super, 10mm, .40 S&W, .45acp). Adding an ambi safety is no problem. Need a long slide, single compensated slide, or double compensated slide, in multiple calibers; all available from the factory.

On the other hand, other than the .22lr kit, the CZ only shoots the caliber it is manufactured as. If you want an ambi safety, you have to buy a pistol set up that way from the factory (the frames are machined differently). CZ does has several on the California Roster; most of the Tanfoglio have fallen off the list.

[moulton]

Today I had the oportunity to shoot my uncle's Tanfoglio (EZZ Witness) along side my cz-75 SP-01 and a rented Ruger LC9 (I'll talk about that later).

The Tanfoglio was a nice gun, I liked how it was real light weight compared to my cz, the sights left something to be desired, but overall it was a nice gun. My groupings were moderately sized about 2x the size of my fist at 7 yards. I also really liked the slide was super easy to pull back without much force.

The CZ is my pride and joy, she is big and burly and can be used as a club if I ever do run out of ammo . The tritium night sights are awesome and the poly coat finish has really held up nice, you can hardly tell that I've already put 3000 rounds through her so far. My groupings shrunk down to the size of my fist and were right on. The recoil (or lack there of was almost laughable allowing me to make double taps without a second thought .

I am extremely pleased with my CZ-75 SP01 and plan on using it as my CCW gun for the time being until I can get a RAMI or another CZ sub compact or compact.


.....now going on about the LC9 - what a crapshoot.... for me . I'll tell you my likes first: Ridiculously small handgun which is perfect for pocket carry, 9mm Luger when most other handguns of the size are in .380 auto, 7 round magazine. Dislikes.....where to begin? : The grip was way to slim for my liking and the trigger pull was unbelievable, It felt like I was pulling back a good inch before the hammer struck. The slide lever wouldn't budge so I had to pull the slide back to release it forward. The groupings were a little over a foot at 5 yards - yes I said foot. The harsh recoil from the 9mm on the small frame made me forget about even trying double taps. Not my cup of Tea YMMV

[dfletcher]

I have a CZ 97 and a Tanfoglio TA90. I think each is very well made, use to kind of look down on the Tanfoglio line a bit in favor of the CZ until I handled a few. They're a solid gun.

I got more of a charge out of getting the TA 90, I got it "old but new in box" for only $199.00 from CVGS about 2 years back because it's in 41AE. I bought a 9mm barrel for it ($70.00) and now have a two barrel set up for about $275.00. I have about 300 rounds of 41AE so I suppose I have more $$$ in ammo than gun.

One thing to remember about the EAA is that the Tanfoglio is the "small frame" version and the current EAA Witness pistols are "large frame" so some of the interchangeability doesn't work. The smaller frame Tanfoglio will work with 9mm Luger, 41AE, 9X21 and 22 lr. The 45 ACP, 10mm, 38 Super won't work.

I believe you can still get the small frame 40 S & W slide, barrel & spring set up from EAA for about $240.00.

Outside CA you can generally pick up the Tanfoglio for about $300.00, I don't see them very often in CA. I'd buy another one if the price was right.