The Girsan Witness2311 CMXX
Girsan manufactures these pistols at its factory in Turkey, and European American Armory imports and distributes them in the U.S. I said we often call them 2011 pistols, but Girsan skipped that and called this a 2311. There are some reasons for that, I suppose, and the CMXX definitely has some progressive features.
As a happy owner of a Staccato XC, I find the Girsan CMXX to be so similarly styled that it’s impossible to ignore – so much so that the boys in the office and I have taken to calling the CMXX “the Turkkato.” I like my Staccato very much, though it would be somewhat unfair to compare the two.
That said, keep in mind that this review is coming from a guy who also shoots a Staccato.
Features
The Girsan CMXX follows the same pattern as many other 2011-style pistols, using a polymer grip mated to a steel frame. The grip has an aggressive texture that makes it stick to your hand. At the base of the frame, you’ll find a magwell flare to aid in guiding magazines into the magwell. Above the grip area, you’ll also find the typical dual safety levers on either side of the grip.
The CMXX stands out from the 2011 crowd by forgoing a grip safety. The traditional 1911 feature that is depressed by the hand when you grip the pistol has been swapped for a firing pin block. Much like striker-fired pistols, the CMXX firing pin is blocked from protrusion unless the trigger is pulled. When disassembled, you can see the same features under the slide as on a Glock.
The slide is a more traditional 2011 design, except for the firing pin block, of course. The extractor is internal and not visible when the slide is locked closed. Up front, a compensator is built into the 4.25-inch barrel, which also features the traditional link to attach to the frame. On the top of the frame are simple three-dot sights, the front one being an orange fiber optic.
The rear sight can be removed via a couple of center-aligned screws. Underneath, you’ll find an optics cut with lugs for the popular RMSc red dot pattern. I’m a sucker for pistols with red dots, so with this pistol, I tried a Vortex Defender CCW and the Enclosed Solar version as well as a Holosun SCS Carry enclosed red dot.
As I removed the rear sight, I found the firing pin block neatly tucked underneath. I carefully removed the sight and replaced it with my red dot. It would be very easy to lose the pin safety spring during this process, so be careful.
Shooting the Witness2311 CMXX
My first shots through the CMXX were at an indoor range, which quickly made me aware of the concussion from the compensator of the pistol. It’s louder than non-comped pistols, but certainly not a problem, and the reduction in muzzle rise is well worth the racket.
I put several magazines through the 2311 and was quite happy with how it ran. After just a box or so of shooting, the pistol seemed significantly smoother and softer. Over the course of several weeks, I took several trips to the range and other places to pump ammo through the CMXX.
I used both the 17-round magazines that came with the Girsan 2311 as well as some 20-round Staccato magazines. All of them functioned flawlessly, and the CMXX churned through ammo. I even took the liberty of removing the flared magwell, just to see how my reloads went. Perhaps if you were going to carry this gun that would be helpful, but I ended up putting it back.
During testing, we only experienced one malfunction: a failure to go into battery. Whether it was the fault of the pistol or some of the remanufactured ammo I was shooting that day, I can’t be sure.
Field Notes
The ejection pattern of the pistol was slightly different than expected. Most of the time, brass would eject more upward than to the side. It would occasionally get scooped forward by the red dot and thrown forward, but it never caused any problems.
This pistol shoots great. It is smoother and flatter-shooting than my striker-fired guns. Of course, it is hard not to compare it to my Staccato, as they are so similar. That would be an unfair comparison as the Staccato costs four times more.
The trigger has smoothed up a bit since it came out of the box, but it still has a slight grittiness to it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still nice, just not as nice as it could be. The gun feels fantastic in my hand, except for the cross-pin that secures the flared magwell. The texture is grippy, and the controls are crisp. The safety detent is a bit stiffer than I anticipated.
I love the texture on the slide, which makes for excellent purchase. The flat-coil recoil spring is stiffer than I expected, and I wouldn’t mind putting a softer spring in it if I could get it to work.
Shooting with the iron sights was fine, but I prefer using a red dot. Using the red dot’s built-in notch as a rear sight paired well with the front sight.
Quality & Value
I’ve handled quite a few 2011 pistols in the last year or so, especially at SHOT Show. Generally, they feel fantastic, as do their 19th-century counterparts. The Witness CMXX feels well built, smooth fitting, and not sloppy. It’s a touch stiffer than other 2011 pistols, but it still has that quality feel. For a pistol at this price point, I feel its quality is more than adequate.
As the field of 2011 options continues to deepen, I see this as an excellent modest option. It’s not the cheapest option, but it is certainly worth the price, in my opinion. Girsan is no stranger to making 1911-style pistols, so I expect this gun will continue performing well into the future.
Pros & Cons
I mentioned the slightly stiff spring, which I suppose is a bit subjective. It still feels significantly better than most striker guns. I also mentioned the little creeps in the trigger that are very small and short, but still noticeable. It’s not a big deal, in my opinion, but I’d be negligent not to mention it.
My biggest complaint is the easiest one to fix. After much shooting, I became irritated with the cross-pin that secures the magwell flare. If you have smaller hands, you might not notice it, but it’s just long enough to irritate my palm. A quick touch with a cut-off wheel and some cold blue to cover up the shine is all it takes to correct.
On the positive side, this gun shoots very well. It is smooth and steady even through recoil, allowing you to maintain your sight picture. It feels excellent in the hand and has some fine-looking lines. It churned through cheap remanufactured and steel case ammo, as well as Blaser and Federal ammunition without a hiccup.
The more I shoot it, the better accuracy I see. After several hundred rounds, it has only gotten smoother.
Final Thoughts
I really like this pistol, so I’m really nitpicking with the negatives I mentioned. If I’d had the CMXX before I bought other 2011 pistols, I might not have continued looking. But this one fit well in its niche of the lineup.
With age and wisdom, as well as some financial dexterity, I have become like my wife with her shoe collection: picking which 2011 pistol I wear each day based on the occasion, and a holster to match. Maybe this one for church versus that one to run to the grocery store.
The Girsan Witness 2311 is a great value, extremely fun to shoot, and compatible with everything I need it to be. It has a touch of class and style that makes it an easy choice for a trip to the range for sport shooting or tucked neatly under your Sunday best.
