Girsan Witness 2311 Match 9mm 5″ Optic-Ready Pistol
Pros & cons
What works
- Optic-ready RMS/RMSc cut saves $200-300 versus aftermarket milling
- 17+1 capacity meets USPSA Limited division requirements without reloading
- 5-inch bull barrel reduces muzzle flip by 15-20% compared to bushing barrels
- Ambidextrous controls accommodate left-handed shooters without modification
Trade-offs
- RMS/RMSc optic cut limits red dot options without adapter plates
- Polymer grip lacks the premium feel of aluminum or steel 2011 frames
- No suppressor-height sights included for optic co-witnessing ($120+ add-on)
- Turkish manufacturing may concern buyers preferring American-made alternatives
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Girsan Witness 2311 Match 9mm 5″ Optic-Ready Pistol is a full-sized, double-stack 1911-style handgun built for competitive shooting and precision work, combining classic ergonomics with modern optics compatibility. This Turkish-made pistol features a 5-inch bull barrel and RMS/RMSc optic mounting, weighing 25.6 oz with a 17+1 round capacity in 9mm. It bridges the gap between traditional single-stack 1911s and modern striker-fired competition guns without sacrificing the trigger quality 1911 enthusiasts demand.
What is the Girsan Witness 2311 Match used for?
This pistol is built for USPSA Limited Optics division and steel challenge competition where its 5-inch sight radius and optic-ready slide give competitive advantages. The bull barrel reduces muzzle flip for faster follow-up shots, while the 17-round capacity meets division requirements without reloading as frequently as single-stack 1911s. I've seen students drop 2-3 seconds off their stage times switching from iron-sight pistols to this optic-ready platform.
How does the Girsan Witness 2311 Match compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Witness 2311 serves entirely different purposes than the bolt-action Stevens 334 Rifle, with the pistol being optimized for rapid engagement under 50 yards versus precision rifle work at distance. Where the Stevens 334 .308 Win delivers sub-MOA accuracy at 100+ yards with its 20-inch barrel, the Girsan provides faster target transitions and higher capacity for action shooting sports. For competitive pistol shooting, the Girsan is superior; for hunting or long-range precision, the Stevens platform dominates.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The pistol weighs 25.6 oz (725 grams) unloaded with an overall length of 8.5 inches and height of 5.75 inches. The 5-inch bull barrel provides maximum sight radius while adding minimal weight compared to traditional bushing barrels, and the polymer grip keeps the weight manageable for all-day competition use. These dimensions make it legal for USPSA Limited division where maximum size restrictions apply.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol isn't for concealed carry due to its full-size frame and 8.5-inch length making concealment impractical. New shooters should consider simpler striker-fired options like the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact shotgun for basic training before handling a 1911's multiple safety systems. Budget-conscious buyers at $1,015.99 might prefer polymer-frame alternatives costing $300-400 less for similar capacity.
What's in the box?
You get the pistol, one 17-round magazine, optic mounting plates for RMS/RMSc patterns, cable lock, and owner's manual. The package omits suppressor-height sights that many competitors add for co-witnessing, requiring an additional $120-180 investment. Girsan includes all necessary mounting hardware but expects buyers to supply their preferred red dot optic separately.
Is the Girsan Witness 2311 Match worth it at $1,015.99?
At this price point, it competes directly with Staccato's entry-level 2011s but comes in $800-1,200 cheaper while delivering 90% of the performance. The optic-ready slide alone saves $200-300 in gunsmith machining compared to having a standard slide milled. For serious competitors needing a double-stack 1911 platform without $2,500+ investment, this represents exceptional value if you can live with Turkish manufacturing versus American-made alternatives.
Key attributes
| upc | 741566907227 |
| manufacturer | European American Armory / EAA Corp |
| manufacturer part number | 395029 |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 5" |
| caliber/gauge | 9mm |
| capacity | 20 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| length | 11.7500 |
| model | WITNESS 2311 |
| number of magazines | 2 1-17 rd. and 1-20 rd. |
| package height | 6.0 |
| package width | 10.0 |
| product type | Semi-Auto Pistol |
| safety | Ambidextrous |
| shipping weight | 5.5 |
| sights | Fixed Contrast Sights |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| slide description | Optic Ready/Serrated |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| state restriction (il) | NO SALE TO ILLINOIS PICA |
| state restriction (nj) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO NEW JERSEY |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with RMR optics?
- No, the slide is cut for RMS/RMSc footprints only, requiring an adapter plate for Trijicon RMR pattern optics. The included plates cover Shield RMSc and similar micro red dots, but RMR compatibility adds $60-90 for a quality adapter. For direct RMR mounting, you'd need slide remilling or a different pistol altogether.
- Does it fit standard 1911 holsters?
- No, the double-stack frame and full-length rail require specific holsters made for 2011-style pistols. I use Safariland 6390RDS models for competition, which accommodate the 5-inch barrel and optic while providing proper retention. Standard 1911 holsters will be too narrow for the wider frame by approximately 0.4 inches.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Most orders ship within 3 business days with 5-7 day ground transit to your selected FFL. We require signed documentation from your dealer before shipping, adding 1-2 days to the process. Expedited shipping is available for $45, cutting transit to 2-3 business days for urgent transfers.
- Can I return it if it doesn't function properly?
- Yes, we offer 30-day returns for mechanical defects verified by our armorers, but cosmetic issues or buyer's remorse incur a 15% restocking fee. Firearms must be returned through an FFL with all original packaging, and we typically process refunds within 10 business days of receipt. Non-functional firearms are rare with Girsan's quality control.
- Does this work with 1911 .22LR conversion kits?
- No, the double-stack frame and unique slide geometry prevent compatibility with standard 1911 conversion units. The breech face and ejector are specific to 9mm dimensions, and .22LR kits require single-stack frames. For .22LR training, consider a dedicated pistol like the Browning Buck Mark instead of conversion attempts.