Springfield Armory "EMP" 1911 type 9mm

[AzQkr]

Stats on the Enhanced Micro Pistol [ EMP ]

The slide is shortened, and in doing so, the Springfield design engineers also had to shorten the extractor, the firing pin, and the firing pin spring. Springfield refers to this new shortened and enhanced firing mechanism as a "short-action 1911"

9 rds in the mag, one on the pipe.
3" stainless steel match grade bushingless bull barrel
Fixed low profile Novak no-snag night sights standard
Forged aluminum alloy frame, stainless slide
Dual spring full length guide rod
Ambi thumb safties
Enhancded Grip safety with hammer beavertail
Height: 5 inches
Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 26 ounces

Went to the range before I left for Tenn, 300 rds later here's the report on mine.

Rd 32 failed to feed fully, a tap on the slide sent it into battery.

The rest of the 300 rds of ball ammo worked flawlessly before and after rd 32.

The mags did not lock the slide back on the last rd until 3 loading of each, then they worked as designed locking the slide on the last round.

I shot at 10 yrds for group on the first 50 rds. Two mags inside 2" at 30 feet, most of them inside 1.4 inches. They shot to POA, not high, low or left and right.

Fired the last 100 rapid fire, the gun worked flawlessly as well.

Threw some Win Ranger 147 loads into two mags, they feed, extract and lock the slide back with no problems.

I tore it down before firing the gun, dremel polished the feed ramp to mirror smooth, lubed the hell out of it with gun slick on the rails, end of barrel, locking lugs, etc. Got home and cleaned and relubed it.

It's good to go, and I have no quams about carrying it.

It's a keeper, runs fine and puts em where I want em. Emminently easier to shoot than the Kahr pm9 I have and holds a total of 3 more rounds. Fits in the OWB holster for the g26 acceptably and in the IWB for the 4 inch 1911 Springers or Colts.

Some of the EMP's have tight chambers and FTF's are common with them. Some have mag problems the way they are made sending the round nose diving into the feedramp, others have so tight a fit from slide to frame that that is an issue with others.

Mine could have had all the above or any of these issues individually and I knew that going into this. Thats why it went to the range the next day to wring it out and find out if it was going to go back to SA for something to be "tweeked".

Most of these EMPs are not having any issues, but the above should be fully noted and understood when purchasing one, that it could be problematic. I got a good one, it runs great and will only get better continuing to break in over the next few months.

What I like about it over the G26:

It's thinner, by quite a good bit, so it hides under my T shirts much better. The trigger and controls are something I'm ultimately familiar with in the 1911's so there is no ramp up time to change to this one for me personally.

It holds 1 less than the G26 but I can live with that as it's so easy to conceal. It feels very comfortable in my "average" sized hands. The G26 is comfortable as well, but not quite as much. If we took a scale of 1-10 for both for being comfortable in the hand, the G26 would be a 7-8, and the EMP would be a 10 [ for me ].

Several of the students got to fire it while in Tenn. It ran as well for another couple of hundred rds or so through their hands as well.

Anyone fired one of these, own one, know someone who owns one? Have opinions on this firearm?

Brownie

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Bark'n]

Most excellent range report Brownie... I'm glad you are happy with your new pop gun.

I got my XD9sc on Saturday and must say as my first piece from Springfield, I am impressed!

Congrats on getting your EMP! Again, good report!

[artz]

easier to shoot than the Kahr pm9 I have and holds a total of 3 more rounds.
Brownie

yeah...but what is cost of the EMP vs. cost of the PM9 ?

[AzQkr]

artz;

Cost is a relative term to me. If one shoots with less effort to control recoil than the other one or two handed [ because of size of grip, etc ], carries more ammo onboard without reloading initially, comes with N/S's standard, has a percieved [ if not actual ] better trigger where rapid follow on shots might be necessary [ likely ] and is just precieved and "feels" easier to shoot rapidly [ if it's not actually is easier ] as well as just serves it's intended purpose of SD better because of all the above and perhaps more, without giving up much in extra weight or size-then that weapon gets more duty time on the streets in general.

If one looks around, the PM9 is 600-700 and can be found for 550 normally. The EMP is 1000-1100 and can be found for 900-950 normally. That makes the PM9 about 45% less than the EMP. One has to weigh and balance the perceived advantages of one over the other and decide if they are willing to pay the premium of the EMP and if they are getting better performance overall for the added expense.

In this case, I'm of the opinion it offers the extra value for the price over the PM9. I have both, I've carried both, and I feel more comfortable carrying it for the additional rds onboard if nothing else. More ammo is always better than less IMO, and the EMP can see primary duty where the PM9 would be used as a backup to a primary for general daily carry of either [ at least for me ].

Bark'n, congrats to you on the XD9sc as well and thanks for the comments on the range report as well.

Brownie

[austinguy23]

I *want* to like this gun, but I just can't get past its appearance. Don't take it personally though. I personally feel 90% of all guns look as though they were designed with very little if any thought to aesthetics.

[cockedlocked01]

I like the looks of the new EMP (Not that looks matter if it performs). I find they're different guns for different purposes, though. While the EMP compares to the Glock 26 (In size & capacity), the PM9's over 1" shorter, over 10 oz's lighter, & depending on the mag, holds 2-3 rounds less. It's more of a pocket gun.

The nicest thing about the EMP is its trigger. Of course, that's why I bought a lightweight commander, the triggers on 1911 type guns are usually better than anything else out there.

Nice gun & good write-up.

[maclean3]

Talked to my local gunshop on Monday, they've got two on backorder and can't keep them in stock when they do get them. I believe the retail price at that shop is right at $1050 so yeh, it's expensive. I DO want one, just gotta start saving up for it. I checked out the Kimber Aegis - not for me, thanks anyway.
Jack

[Andy W.]

If they were less $ I'd be wanting one. Thanks for the excellent report!

[lunde]

I absolutely love my EMP. Mine has yet to fail. It has excellent ergonomics, and is accurate. Mine currently wears Larry Davidson G10 grips, which are slim like the factory grips). I plan to eventually have its safety changed to single-sided, because the ambidextrous one does nothing for me, and also to give it a trigger job. Here are some snapshots:

[DirtDawg]

Oh yeah, finally a 9mm 1911 pistol designed for the 9mm cart.

Very nice-thanks for the write up-no thanks for the itching!

[artz]

that is a sweet looking piece.

[eagle5]

lunde, I am always amazed by your pistol collection and pictures. And thank you for supplying some awesome porn. Those Larry Davidson G10 grips really set the EMP on fire!

[Echo_Four]

I want one, and I want it bad. Sadly, I can't justify spending $1000 on a pistol I want, but don't actually need. Maybe when I'm done paying the other half's med school tuition I can get her to pay me back with an EMP!

[Bark'n]

...Maybe when I'm done paying the other half's med school tuition I can get her to pay me back with an EMP!

Now that sounds like a plan Echo! Keep working on it.

[kahrcarrier]

Very nice looking little gun. Like some of the other posters, I wouldn't mind owning one, but I don't have enough free cash to spend on it right now while I have other decent quality 9mm carry weapons.