I've been reading this forum for a while and decided to register and add my comments.
I purchased 2 NIB Witness Limited 9mm pistols this year (full dust cover, brushed chrome, cone barrel, adj. sights, etc.). The first I bought directly from EAA and had it shipped to my FFl dealer. I bought the second one from a well know EAA dealer. The pistol is called Limited and that name is on the slide. Elite is the name of the series and the pistol bears no markings with the Elite name.
Why two? I absolutley love this gun. One is the old frame size, one is the new frame size. The frame is actually no different in external dimensions. The difference is the size of the magazine and magwell. The older size is smaller and uses standard EAA 16 round mags. The new size is larger and uses the new EAA 18 round mag (the 9mm mags have an added channel to fill the extra space). My guess is that this change was made so that larger caliber pistols can use the same frame. They mags are not interchangable. The quality of this gun is fantastic and I found no problems with the finish, fit, slide rails, etc.
Getting the first gun from EAA was no probelm. That's because I was dealing directly with Marc Galli. The purchase and transfer was without problem. My dealings with them since Marc left has been hit and miss. Trying to find out dates of arrival of parts and accessories has been a little hard. Takes a few more calls than it did before. They do make things happen, it just takes longer.
The magazines are made in Italy by Tanfoglio and I have had no problems with them in any manner. The pistol comes with only one magazine, so get used to buying extras (2 for $50). They do require a special aluminum base pad ($15 ea.) for the magwell of this pistol. This special pad does NOT come with the mags and must be ordered separately directly from EAA. If you get their 2006 catalog, all parts and accessories are listed, or just call and order. The special pad comes with it's own new metal base (that replaces the one on the magazine), new set screw to hold the new pad in place, and a hex wrench that fits the set screw. Of course, you need to know which size magazine (old size or new) you have so you don't order the wrong base pad. Yes, I've done this and EAA has taken care of the returns without problem.
I'll report back once I've had more time to spend at the range. So far, flawless operation, in every manner. I would not hesitate to purchase this pistol.
Kevin