New Springfield EMP

[jimk66]

Hello Fellows, I've been lwatching and waiting for a new stainless 1911 compact 9mm pistol that had been out long enough to have the bugs worked out and was receiving 99% positive reviews from it's owners. Well----Springfield Armory's new EMP (Enhanced Micro Pistol) appears to have succeeded in their quest to design a real 1911 compact pistol.
When the guys at the gunshop showed ti to me I knew it was mine so I now have a beautiful brand new EMP 9mm compact pistol. It was a little pricy --$1050+tax--, but what the he**** I'm retired and can afford it.
Anyway, I went back to the range immediately and after 100 rounds of Winchester 115 gr, FMJ's I tell you it was a delight. The little pistol performed flawlessly. It was very accurate, recoil was very soft and the trigger was very good. As a matter of fact I believe I'll let my wife try this little beauty as she is a very small woman only 5', 112 lbs and has very hands. She is conscious of the recoils of my other guns except the Walther P22 which she kinda likes to shoot. I've tried the 380's with no luck ----even the Colt gov which has a breech lock recoil system just like the big boys and has in my opinion as soft a recoil as you'll find in a center pistol. THAT IS---UNTIL NOW--- This gun has a very, very soft recoil. I compaired it to my M&P 9c and the EAA Witness Elite Limited 9mm which has an extremely light recoil but is too large and heavy for my wife, but now I'm anxious to have her try the Springfield EMP.
Any other EMP owners out their?
JIM

 

[2bigfeet]

Jim, thanks for the report. I was just reading an article about that gun and had some serious thoughts towards looking at it. Seems like the perfect carry gun. Thanks to your post I'll have to take a closer look at it.

 

[tydephan]

Yup.

I own one and love it.

I carried it for a little while, but was too worried about dinging it up. So it went back in the safe and I went back to carrying my Glock 26 instead.

But the EMP goes to the range every time I do.

The only complaint I have is that the front site is real difficult for me to pick up during bright light. Boarhunter (a member of this site) made an interesting modification to his EMP to remedy his problem with the front site.

Btw...this was one of the first threads I remember seeing about the EMP and probably contains the most information of any I've seen since.

 

[jimk66]

Hey, I love Huntsville and always looked foreward to going there when my job required.
Thanks for the replies and I had searched THE and read that thread on the EMP's in Oct, 06.
I think I'll go to the range again today and do a little more experimenting and focus more on specifics. With my M&P 9c practicing draw, grab and snatch point and shoot techniques is good for home/personal defense.. I know the M&P---after getting the correct grip insert installed and getting comfortabe with the guns unique characteristics It will give me a nice consistant grouping of 3' or less with 5 rd groups at 30' or less. If I can equal that with the EMP I'll be happy and confident with the gun. That is if it proves to be as reliable as the M&P. I plan on carrying it instead of the Sig 232, 380 because believe it or not its lighter than the Sig, but it has the same problem-----it's do damb pretty I don't want to scratch it up What do you guys think?.....Go to the M&P 9c, go to the M&P 40c (which I like a lot and is a great little gun), try the new EMP or continue to carry the Sig P232?
Jim

 

[tydephan]

That is if it proves to be as reliable as the M&P. I plan on carrying it instead of the Sig 232, 380 because believe it or not its lighter than the Sig, but it has the same problem-----it's do damb pretty I don't want to scratch it up What do you guys think?.....Go to the M&P 9c, go to the M&P 40c (which I like a lot and is a great little gun), try the new EMP or continue to carry the Sig P232?

Huntsville has been my home since I was a kid. I absolutely love it!

Sounds like you and I share the same taste in handguns.

I have a Sig P232:


My EMP:


My M&P9c is a real nice gun, but it will have to prove it's reliability to me. It is in the shop right now for a binding mag release.

My personal preference is to carry a gun that I don't mind getting scratched and beat up a bit for daily carry.

Therefore, I carry my Glock 26. I bought the M&P9c to carry it instead of the G26 because of the ergonomics, but when it had issues, I changed back to the G26.

That doesn't mean that I don't carry the EMP or 232 on occasion. When the mood strikes, I'll carry one of them. But for the most part, the polymer pistols still draw daily duty for me.

 

[MontanaBighorn]

I've been lwatching and waiting for a new stainless 1911 compact 9mm pistol that had been out long enough to have the bugs worked out and was receiving 99% positive reviews from it's owners.

some of the earliest reports i read stated the EMP would not cycle +P, which ruled it out as a carry choice for me. is this still the case?

 

[longeyes]

Love the idea but waiting for v2.0 after hearing too many reports of problems. For the price I'd rather have another S&W 1911 PD, regular or Gunsite.

 

[TwinCarry]

tydephan,

Thought I'd let you know, I'm also a fan of this 232 beauty!!! And of course the g26, I guess we have similar taste.

 

[tydephan]

tydephan,

Thought I'd let you know, I'm also a fan of this 232 beauty!!! And of course the g26, I guess we have similar taste.

Very nice Twin.

There is definitely a blued 232 in my future. But I have two other guns in line ahead of it. Love the wood grips on that one. Those seem to be getting pretty scarce!

Who did beadblast/refinish on your G26? That looks sharp. I've been thinking about doing that to one of my Glocks, but just can't bring myself to do it. I've always really liked the look though.

 

[Lonestar49]

Me too, me too.. lol

...

Ya know, I just have to get my digital camera we got for Xmas and learn how it works, then learn how to put pics into this PC, then post pics in here..

Just another road untraveled yet, but I'm getting more and more inspired by these pics..

Just so ya know, my little Bug Sig P232 SL is a beauty, as is, with the Sig black, full wrap around fingered polymer grip and fits my hand like a glove.

And my/our EMP is 10 days away from this post..

I'll see if I can learn this digital camera, load into PC and post pics by that time so I can celebrate with you guys, and share the good news to those who have not seen The_Light..


LS

 

[breit220]

over a 1000 bucks for a little 9mm...are you serious??? i'd buy a sig and a few hundred rounds or a cz and a nice gun safe.

 

[jimk66]

EMP

Hey there, Man there are some pretty pistols here. I've never seen the blue Sig P232 before and it's damb cool.
Here is a picture of the guy's in my stable that enjoy riding in my front pocket and going by-by with me.
I'm still trying to find a pocket holster for the EMP that is acceptable to me, but the search goes on. Some of the fellows say they've found some close fits, but no cigar.
Best and shoot straight,
Jim

 

[Hawkn]

Jimk66,

Got my EMP in July. So far about 350 rounds through it without a single problem. Mostly WWB and a few JHP, just to if any problems would crop up.

Mark me down as another one that loves this little gun. It has become my carry weapon, replacing my XD9SC. If you do find a decent pocket holster, let me know. I have already purchased two holsters, one paddle and one IWB, and am not really fond of either. So far the IWB is the one I use though.

 

[jimk66]

EMP

Hawkn, I'll sure let you know when I find one for that little beauty.
Jim

 

[MontanaBighorn]

again, have they figured out how to make the EMP cycle +P loads yet? this is the only thing stopping me from purchasing one. i just dont trust 9mm @ 1100fps.

 

[tydephan]

Montana,

I'm not sure about the +p. I know in the past I've read that Springfield advises against the use of +p. I've emailed them and I'll post their response when I receive it.

John

 

[brownie0486]

i just dont trust 9mm @ 1100fps.

All my 9's have the 147 Ranger T loads in them at about 975 per second, including the EMP. Deep penetration and expansion is superb at the listed velocities, having been designed to work reliably [ expand ] at those listed velocities.

Brownie

 

[tydephan]

again, have they figured out how to make the EMP cycle +P loads yet? this is the only thing stopping me from purchasing one. i just dont trust 9mm @ 1100fps.

Montana, below is the email I received today from SA customer support.

John, The EMP is capable of firing +P ammo. However, we do not recommend using it for everyday shooting. The +P can be very hard on a pistol and dramatically shorten its service life, especially in the shortened barrel/slide models. The +P can also change the timing of a pistol and can cause numerous malfunctions. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thank you.

Hope that helps.

 

[Lonestar49]

7 days

...

Pick up my NIB EMP 9mm on the 17th.. Do you think I'm a bit excited.. ?

OH YES .., I Can't wait to get her, break her in, confirm her reliability, and hand it to my wife, to replace her Sig P232, which shall become, what it really is, a trophy gun, beautiful 380, but a VERY un-forgiving gun in all areas of owning, ownership, for SD/HD, especially for a little lady.

IS IT 6 DAYS YET?


LS

 

[Lonestar49]

Love it, flawless performance

...

a picture is worth a thousand words..

200 rounds, 100%, and 36 rounds one handed, even going limp wristed, no matter, shot 100%.

This little beauty is a natural point and aim shooter, and IMHO, is nothing short of a tack driver at close, medium and long, 50ft distances for CCW HD/SD.

I couldn't be happier, and I KNOW the little lady is gonna LOVE it.. I DO

Thanks everyone, as your positive reports are well founded and made a believer out of me and of Springfield's 1911 EMP 9mm, 9+1 round capacity, without any failures.

A perfect 100% performance, and a 100% satisfied buyer/owner, and have full trust in this gun for my wife's use and protection when I'm not with her.


LS

 

[jimk66]

Glad your happy with your new EMP. I knew you would be. You'll find the more you shoot it the softer and smoother it gets.
Enjoy,
JimK

 

[Walkalong]

Here is my EMP along with my CDP II

 

[cookekdjr]

What do you guys think?.....Go to the M&P 9c, go to the M&P 40c (which I like a lot and is a great little gun), try the new EMP or continue to carry the Sig P232?
Jim

Jim, if your M&P's are reliable stick with one of them. I would tend to go with the 9mm version as it holds 12 rounds and will stop any threat you'd come across with a good 147gr load.
I carried a p230 and/or p232 for awhile, and loved them both. Wonderfully engineered weapons. Ergonomics were perfect, like a fine glove. But for nearly the same size and convenience I can carry my department-issued Glock 27. Higher capacity and much more powerful; its a no-brainer. So even though the SIG is a dream to hold, shoot, and just marvel at its beauty, I'd rather carry an ugly polymer streetfighter in my pocket.
Just my two cents.
-David

 

[Lonestar49]

EMP 9mm over the P232 380.. no doubts.

Quote: What do you guys think?.....Go to the M&P 9c, go to the M&P 40c (which I like a lot and is a great little gun), try the new EMP or continue to carry the Sig P232?
Jim
------------

Trust me Jim, having had the P232 SL for 5 months, some 1335 rounds thru her with 3 feed jams, and 3 double feed jams, which when a double jam occurs, "start the clock", because you have to push-HARD on the thumb release, then muscle the magazine down just a tad, then cycle the slide, giggle gun, on its side, and clear her, is a pain, and a serious thing to wonder about, knowing that your, my, gun was clean. Which, having the "blow-back" action, means, it gets dirty quick, both on the feed ramp, and within the magazines.

Not so with the EMP 9mm... first and foremost, you have stepped up to a full size 9mm, and unlike the 380, which from all I read, I stopped loading it with any JHP's, just FMJ for deeper penetration, period. Second, with a side magazine release, that mag pops out, and pops straight up and in, FAST, unlike the P232, which you have to pull it out, it doesn't pop out, and you have to angle it at first, to get it in, before it then goes straight up, and in. Time is ticking there..

I don't know about others, but the DA pull is long and hard on the Sig, and the SA pull really calls for perfect grip IMO, because that hammer slams hard, and it carries over easily if not griped 100% right IMO. Otherwise, non-forgiving vs EMP, which from what I have seen and felt thru 200 rounds of flawless performance, and with the Novak night sights, that little beauty is a tack driver, way more accurate than the P232.. a lot more.

Last, you can't beat a SAO, locked and cocked CCW piece IMO, along with the 2 safety's, thumb release and palm safety, giving you the same, consistent, easy, light striking, trigger feel, hammer effect. And the EMP carries 9 rounds in a single stack magazine for a 9 + 1 load of JHP's 124gr vs the P232's seven round mag, and mine would jam on the first or second shot with JHP's with any 7 + 1 load most every other visit to the range, and it was clean.

The EMP has a bigger punch, less recoil, than the P232, both, with a 2-hand grip, or a one-handed grip, I have NO doubts about this.

Plus the wife loves the EMP, and never warmed up to her Sig P232..

One takes work and care, the other takes NO effort.


One offers more bang for the buck, and that is the Springfield 1911 EMP 9mm without a doubt from owning both guns.


LS

 

[Glockafella]

I'll be lookiong for a used one for a year or 2