What we have this week is an imported gun from Girsan, and it’s built on M1911 principles, except this one is wildly different than John Browning ever envisioned his single-action repeater to be. Known as the EAA Brat, this polymer-frame Witness2311 sports a double-stack magazine and more.
Although John Moses Browning invented the M1911 pistol, we can thank modern makers and enthusiasts for bringing the platform into the 21st century. These modern hybrid designs of the M1911 feature polymer frames and take double-stack mags, while they are received with open arms, they however, are typically reserved for upper-level price points and competition-type use. This is where EAA has disrupted the algorithm and sourced its favored Turkish maker, Girsan, to create a hybrid M1911 pistol to compete within the growing market of hybrid M1911s. Except the Brat’s sub-$1,000 price-point makes it a hard-to-beat option. Watch our video above to see the EAA Brat in use on the range.
The Witness2311 Brat comes to American shores as a uniquely designed 9 mm featuring a metal slide and frame with an attached polymer grip assembly. The Brat is fundamentally a recoil-operated single-action design borrowed from Browning’s M1911. However, this 17-round capacity pistol offers its own unique range and carry experience by affording more rounds on target over its 20th century counterparts thanks to its full-size grip frame. And due to this hybrid grip design and short Officer-length barrel and slide combination, overall weight lands in at less than 30 ozs., which is an incredible feat when compared to steel-frame M1911s chambered for the same cartridge. Let’s dig a bit deeper.
The Brat is equipped with a Cerakote-finished steel slide and comes fitted with three-dot sights like Novak’s style. At the rear there is a section of wide-cut serrations. Looking at the muzzle you’ll see it is crowned for protecting the rifling; however, there is no barrel bushing on this gun, which means takedown procedures are slightly different than with Browning’s original design. You get a left-side mag release button, though, and a removable mag funnel at the base of the grip.
As with any gun that runs flawlessly, range time is a blast, and the Brat kept pace. It offers a unique experience with time-tested mechanics enhanced by modern thinking. The Brat from Girsan and European American Armory is a potent package that fires a common, easy-to-shoot cartridge that’s also affordable.
EAA Corp. Witness2311 Brat Specifications
Importer: European American Armory Corporation
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Frame: aluminum; Cerakote finish
Slide: steel; Cerakote finish
Grip: polymer
Barrel: 3.4"
Magazine:
Sights:
Overall Length: 7"
Height: 5.5"
Width: 1.5"
Weight: 29.4 ozs.
MSRP: $679
