So John Moses Browning is a genius and all that. Robert checked out the 1903 Colt and loved it. But for most gun guys, Browning’s greatest contribution to the world of firearms will always be the 1911. It’s full-size elegance and extra safety features hits their ballistic sweet spot. Is .45 ACP always necessary? Of course not. Two point five million Glock owners can’t all be wrong. Luckily, those of us who worship at the altar of the 1911 can buy 9mm versions. Yes, but—
A full-size 5” barrel 1911 or even a 4.5” Commander-size 1911 in 9mm leaves you with a lot of extra iron. Kinda like taking a Chevy Big Block and boring it out to 300 cubic inches. So along comes Springfield Armory who unleashes a 1911 chambered in 9mm (you can get .40 S&W too) with a 3” barrel. And according to the company and the specs, the EMP (Enhanced Micro Pistol) is the smallest ‘real’ 1911 ever produced. With that diminutive footprint, chambering 9mm, I thought I found my ideal carry gun. So I bought it . . .
The fit and finish of the EMP is fantastic, right down to the wood grips that are cut on a milling machine. The slide features one of those new fantastic super-coatings that look like aluminum but wears like steel. The frame has been dipped in Springfield Armory’s black hardcoat anodized finish. You would be hard pressed to find the guys at Nighthawk Customs doing better work on the exterior.
And then comes the swag- the nice blue case has foam that is custom fitted to hold the weapon, a cleaning rod, a match-style plastic holster, another holster for magazines, a tool for field-stripping the gun, and couple of top-shelf Mec-Gar magazines. The nine-shot mags are made in the land of Ferrari, proprietary to the EMP. WHich explains why there aren’t any holes for keeping track of the number of bullets loaded.
The EMP has all the 1911 niceties, of course. There’s your extended ambidextrous safety and lightweight trigger, and a beaver-tail grip safety. You also get the same kind of extra that annoys Smith & Wesson purists: Springfield’s Integrated Locking System (ILS). The backstrap mounted key lock freezes the slide and hammer. Does anyone really use these things?
Trijcon nightsights sit atop the EMP. Nothing wrong with that.
The first round I fired through the EMP felt great. I only put one round in the magazine because of the rare chance that the sear on a new 1911 isn’t working right and there is the potential for the gun to runaway on you (i.e. full auto). Squeeze the trigger and bang. Nice. Until I noticed the brass chimney on the top of that beautifully finished aluminum. Motherfucker. Lets try with a mag. I did a little tap-rack, and the next shot had the same problem. Plus the next seven rounds in the mag. I promptly returned to my retailer with my $1200 purchase . . .
Who sent it off to Springfield Armory for repair. You see, I live in one of those communist states that has the serial number of my gun printed on my pistol license. It would be much more of a headache to go back to Police HQ and the ensuing bureaucracy than to deal with Springfield Armory customer service. After all, I was told they are among the best in the business.
At least they lived up to the hype. The dealer took care of all of the shipping details. Springfield returned a tuned pistol with a polished feed ramp. So free Springfield Custom Shop work done on a production model. Bonus!
The next 50 rounds went really smoothly. The EMP is an amazingly accurate weapon. At 25 yards, a carefully-aimed baby 1911 is as accurate as most full-size semis. Beyond that, obviously, not. The recoil is manageable enough to make the EMP a suitable gun for ending a range session, helping to maintain the skills needed to use it effectively.
And then my friend Gene, an NRA instructor, was about to give me a lesson. No more bang. This time, it was the firing pin. I was relieved that Gene was there to attest to the fact that I did nothing to create the problem. Gene handed me his Browning Hi Power. He’d fired 30,000 rounds through it without a hitch. ”Buy this next time you want something in 9mm.” Yeah, next time . . .
Back onboard FedEx for another trip to the state of Blagojevich and Obama and all that delicious Heller fighting. At this point, I was an irate customer and told SA to get the pistol running right or keep the damn thing. It turned out to be a metal burr on the firing pin. I scoured the web for similar problems with other EMPs. Nope. Just my luck.
After the gun returned to my care for the second time, I got busy. I’ve put 500 rounds through the EMP with no more failures. But still, the idea of using the Springfield EMP for an everyday carry gun (why I bought it) still gives me the willies. Perhaps after another 500 rounds at the range I’ll trust my unfaithful companion.
Or maybe not. Maybe John Moses was right when he designed another gun to use the round of the Glocknoscenti. But the EMP is a beauty. Usually this level of fit and finish is reserved for Hollywood Starlets. But just like a Mary-Kate Olsen battling anorexia nervosa, making a 1911 skinny does not necessarily make it good.
If my pistol has to go to Dr. Drew at the clinic in Illinois one more time for treatment, I’ll just disown her on Gunbroker. After all, she ain’t family. She’s only supposed to protect it.
SPECIFICATIONS
Caliber: 9 X 19mm
Magazines: 3 X 9 round, stainless steel with rubber slam pad
Barrel: 3″ stainless steel match grade, fully-supported ramp, bull
Sights: Fixed low-profile combat rear, dovetail front, Tritium three-dot
Trigger: Long aluminium match grade, five to six pounds
Grips: Thinline Covobolo hardwood
Frame: Forged aluminum alloy, black hardcut anodized
Slide: Forged stainless steel, satin finish
Recoil system: Dual spring, full-length guide rod
Height: 5″
Length: 6.5″
Weight (empty): 26 ounces
Price: $1100 to $1200
RATINGS
Style * * * * *
You just are not getting this level of fit and finish at this price point often. To get better you need the big big bucks.
Ergonomics * * * *
Even comes with an ambidextrious safety selector from the factory. It could be a little diminutive if you have large hands.
Reliability *
But lets add an asterisk to this- mine sucked from the get-go but others have had no problem with the pistol. If you get a good one that always goes bang, this is definitely a four-and-a-half star pistol.
Customize This * *
It comes from the factory with everything that you need. So low stars here is a good thing unless you are a hot-rodder at heart.
OVERALL RATING * * *
Beauty is skin deep. Unless it isn’t. God I hope it isn’t.
I think I'd go with the 1903.
+1 on the browning Hi-Power.
But you bring up an interesting question (of the day?). Once a pistol fails on you (mechanical or otherwise), how many perfect shots does it take for you to trust it again? My range time is limited, plus I mainly supervise the kids while they're shooting, so it might take me several years to put a 1000 rounds through any one pistol. I'm generally lucky to burn through 1 or 2 mags per range session before I turn the gun back over to the young ones.
My answer – I trust my Colt Python, my Ruger Blackhawk, and my Smith .38 snub. The semi-autos, not so much. They've all failed me at least once or twice, and I just haven't shot them enough to get back to the trust issue.
I fully agree as I retired my auto-loaders and went back to revolvers. Its where I started, and very likely where I’ll finish.
Regards,
Saber/SaberOne
DC, S&W & TFL
Nice fill someone in on and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you seeking your information.
I’ve owned my EMP .40 cal for almost a year now. I’ve put several hundred rounds through the barrel with no FTE or stovepipes. As far as looks, fit, finish, design goes.. this handgun is the best I’ve ever owned. At 25 feet I can put 8 rounds in a 4″ circle. Pretty amazing with a 3″ barrel. I very much like carrying the EMP, and trust it as much as you can trust any weapon. As for revolvers, my girlfriend bought a brand new S&W Featherlight .38 special at a gun shop/range. The first 50 rounds fired fine, so she took it home and came back a few weeks later. On this trip, the handgun suffered a catastrophic cylinder jam. The range-master couldn’t free it, and had the shop mail it back to S&W for repair – which they did within 4 weeks.
I have my EMP for a little over a month and have fired 3-400 rounds of all kinds of mixed ammo thru it without a problem. That being said I believe any semiauto pistol can have a problem at any time! One just has to be able to handle the situation. I agree that for the most part revolvers are more reliable and safer to carry but then you are limited by their capacity and their added bulk. When in doubt carry a backup.
I’ve got an EMP, serial no. 8xx and I fell in love with it before I shot it. I’ve run about 500 rounds through it without a hiccup. Mine’s a 9mm but I plan to buy a .40 as soon as I save up the money. Expensive? Yes, and worth every penny. This is one fine gun!
I purchased the EMP this week and had to put some rounds through it ASAP so took it to the range and shot steel with it on Tuesday. I put over 300 rounds through my 40 S & W and was very impressed right out of the box. I am shooting my reloads 5.0 Gr. Unique powder, 185 Gr. Precision RN lead bullets with mixed cases.
I had 3 things happen during my first outing after 200+ rounds I had 2 miss fires (25+ or – rounds apart) each round I bulled the hammer again and let it go on each round and they both fired on the second try, next I had one round that would not chamber even after several attempts, could have been getting dirty at this point or could have missed this round in my G-RX sizing die but this round chambered (hard I might add) in my PX-4 Storm and fired.
I want to say that I am thoroughly impressed with the quality and workmanship of the Springfield Armory 1911 EMP in 40 S & W and will use this pistol for my close in steel shooting it is very quick on the draw with the small holster that came in the box. I would recommend this pistol as a handy concealed carry firearm and will do this myself.
I purchased the EMP with the Micarta grips (compressed fiber) and thought they might have been rough on the hands after a number of rounds but can tell you that they are great and help keep the firearm right were it should be when the weapon is fired (very nice addition).
S. A. says in their manual that you are never to use reloads. Maybe that’s your problem?
I like my Browning Hi-Power as well. I was looking to buy the SA EMP, but this review had me thinking twice. I might try it just to see but for everyday carry, I don’t know. I’m still looking for a good and reliable small carry. Now, I might go back and check the CZ RAMI and as reliable as my bigger CZ 75is, it might be a good pair.
I got 50 rounds through my spiffy new hope-to-carry EMP .40 and the slide stopped running. I couldn’t force it to go, so off we went to see a friendly 1911 guru, Andy. He got it apart and discovered that they didn’t pin the ejector, and it was bent up causing the slide not to go. Then I learned that they DON’T pin them, they use Loctite. These people basically used super glue in a $1200 gun? Reportedly they did this with all the EPM line. Bless Kimber, is all I can say! My Ultra Carry II cost far less and runs good. Maybe it’s the Universe saying I don’t need a .40 but I think I do.
I bought an RIA C1S compact 1911 .45 for a hair over $400 all told about six months ago. It’s a bit heavy (41 oz, loaded with 7 rounds), but if I keep it cleaned and oiled properly, which I do, it NEVER jams, NEVER fails to feed and is very accurate up to 25 yrds. My only beef is the tiny sights. Several of my friends and family have laid out the big $$$ for Colts, Kimbers, Sigs, SA micros and have all had various feed problems even after altering a weak or limp-wrist grip. I may actually try the SA full size 1911; heard good things about it and my seven year old SA XD40 has never jammed in well over 1000 rounds. Never been keen on any 9mm pistol.
My EMP has never failed and never broken. Neither has my Hi-Power. I feel bad for anyone who spends that much on a pistol to see it malfunction like that. I love my EMP it is one of the most accurate pistols I have ever fired, and the most accurate compact / subcompact. I collect 9mm and while I believe that other full size options, including my Glock 34 give me a longer barrel and more velocity, this EMP drives tacks. I dont plan on selling my p239, or my hi-power, butI carry my EMP.
I went to the range today to run a box of SW.40 in my M&P. While signing up to shoot I noticed an EMP9 in the rental case. I decided to give it a try. I ran 50 rounds and it failed to fire once and the slide failed to lock open on an empty magazine three times. Looking at the action, it was obviously fouled and dirty. When I returned it to the counter I told them about it and they checked their records and found it was overdue for cleaning. I will say that the accuracy was excelent. I shot at 20′, 30′, 40′ and 50′. I was suprised how well this small gun shot. The recoil was not nearly as bad as other small frame pistols I have fired. I was much faster bringing the weapon back to target after firing than most other pistols I have fired recently. I plan to give it another try after they clean it. I am now adding this one to a short list for my carry weapon once I get my CCW.
i am buying a .40 emp for myself after shooting my freinds 2, yes 2 9mm emps! i don’t know why you would need 2, but each to their own. his 2 emps had 200 rounds put through them with no problems and both guns had never been shot, new out of the box. they may seem to be high priced but the workmnaship is excellent, so is the accuricy. they may be high priced but they were very nice.
I’ve had my emp40 for a year and a half now. i’ve shot over 1500 rounds out of it and have had only a few stovepipes and failure to feed malfunfunctions. The emp is a little heavy to carry depending on the weather and clothes. However I carry it as often as possible. Have a sig p290 for backup. The EMP is extremely accurate
Once you realize why the gun had a problem, and address it, you should be done fiddeling with it. My Emp in 40 came from a frustrated owner who fired 50 rounds through it. He claimed all kinds of problems, once we had traded my nice perfect running R1 for it. I spent 2 nights, dissasembling and polishing all small parts, Not rails or firing pin rlated thigs, just signs of metal to metal contact, The barrel, feed ramp bottom side of the firing assembly etc. Cue tips and “maas” german polish, “I use it on everything form refinishing brass fixtures on furniture, to removing the entire coating on a kel-tek, down to a nickel looking mirror finish. Anyway a trip to the range and 100 rounds of mixed fmj, and jhp, without the slightest sign of a problem with all mags. These little shrunk down 1911′s are very tight, and when you shring down a 4 or 5 inch gun to a 3 inch gun, you are bound to have some fitting work ahead. Kimber recommends 3-500 rounds before they will even look at the gun. You are basically seating all of the parts and removing high spots, burs etc. i never saw one run perfect other than fullsize high end 45. out of the box.And never saw one that didn’t require some breaking in before it ran right.
Two things that needed attention immediatlly were the guide rod came off in my hand on dissembly, Google it, “very common”, the fix is red locktight on the threads, although springfield sent me a new one free of charge, and the rear sight fell off. Again google, shows tis as a pretty common problem, fixed with removal, cleaning residue and red locktiht on.
You have a small cannon in your hand, all that energy smacking into metal is going to shake things loose. But again, once you address everything the pistol will be better than a new gun, because it’s been hand fitted now.
I traded my CZ75B+ cash for the EMP 9MM. Huge mistake. I put about 600 round through the EMP with approx 25 FTE’s. SAI said it was a bad extractor which they replaced. I continued to have the same issues after the repair. I loved the size of the EMP, but the CZ75 is what I went back too. I put 2000 rounds through my old CZ and about 400 through the new CZ . I have had no failures of anykind with the CZ75B.
I’ve had a lot of nice pistols, for around $300.
But I got tired of malfuntions, so I got an EMP 9mm….for looks, and quality. New out of the box January 2011, went to the range, it went bang once ? Had to rack slide… bang again….then nothing. $1200. for this?? Took it home, cleaned the GREASE out of the gun, then OILED it. Oh, it was 17 degreese outside in Jan.’11. Went back to the range… it worked perfect ever since. I have only one complaint… the wear marks on the frame finish make it look like it’s ten years old! I wonder if SA would do anything about this ?? I think like “cars”…. some are lemonds. Most are good. “CAT”
I just purchased one because of all the good reviews. I also fell in love with it after holding it next to a Glock 26. I have 1911′s, Glocks and Sig Saur handguns. I specifically wanted this one for CCW carry to replace carrying my G19, only due to the size difference. I pray I don’t have the issues you did, and if I do, I hope it’s before I add it to my CCW. Like you, I love on a communist state that sucks for gun owners. Even for us law abiding citizens that use them for work.
Problems keep mounting… Won’t feed 165 grain (40 S&W) Tonight, the long spring (quick recoil spring) bent after chambering a round. Need to call Springfield tomorrow and look at repairs to the ramp and the spring. Alas, $1006 poorly spent is my opinion right now. Will update after calling Springfield.
I met a Springfield Armorer last Thursday. He said that problem was more common with the .40 caliber vs the 9mm. I would polish the ramp and give it a good cleaning. This should fix the problem.
Thanks. I am sending it in for repairs. The folks at Springfield were quite helpful on the phone and want to break the whole thing down to see what would cause such a failure.
Sent it in. Turn-around was about two weeks. Springfield replaced all the springs, sent it into the custom shop for a polish, did an awesome job. I’ve put 200+ rounds through it since without a hitch. Springfield customer service rocks!
I purchased my 9mm EMP early in its production in 2007. I had to send it back to SA after a few hundred rounds to have the barrel ramp adjusted to feed the hollow points that I would use as a BUG. Four and a half years later, i just surpassed 4500 flawless rounds with exceptional accuracy. I’m spoiled.