Thinking of a Springfield EMP

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Johannes_Paulsen

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So I'm thinking of drinking the 1911 Flavor-Aid and buying a Springfield EMP. My other pistols to this date have either been Glocks or my pocket Kahr MK9, so this will be a bit of a departure for me.

Once I get comfortable with it, I will probably think about transitioning this to be my carry pistol, saving the Kahr as a backup piece (and yes, I am willing to put in range/practice time necessary to be comfortable with the EMP.) My question is: what are the things I should be aware of for 1911-style pistols (in terms of things like maintenance, etc.,) that I might not be aware of having only had striker-fired pistols before?

Thanks in advance.
 
Only thing to be aware of, other than where to oil the thing, is that field stripping the EMP is a pain compared to a Glock. It's not hard, but it is hard compared to a Glock.

EMP's are solid. I love mine.
 
Field stripping an EMP is quite easy. No worries.

They are superbly made, accurate pistols that run like a Swiss watch. Get one. :)
 
Thanks. Do these guns like lots of oil (like the Kahr) or does a little go a long way (like the Glock)?

Also: recommendations for a good IWB holster?
 
jkp1187 said:
Thanks. Do these guns like lots of oil (like the Kahr) or does a little go a long way (like the Glock)?

Also: recommendations for a good IWB holster?
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1911's definitely like to be well oiled.

For an IWB holster for the EMP, I highly suggest the galco summer comfort holster. It has just the right cant, holds the gun tight to your body, and has held up very well for me. I'm sure some guys will pop in and recommend some $175 holster that you have to get on a 7 month waiting list to acquire... but I don't quite see the point when an off the shelf holster is this good. Here's a link to it from amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Galco-Comfort...9ZW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316891646&sr=8-1
 
I don't mean to rain on the parade, and I will say SA makes a lot of solid 1911s but if you are looking for Glock reliability out-of-the-box the EMPs of late can be hit or miss. I say this because so many who jump into the 1911 waters hope for great things and sometimes leave disgruntled.

I will say that Springfield has outstanding customer service, shipping is free, the phone gets answered and many problems are fixed with a single return trip.

While smaller and smaller 1911s have come to market they present special challenges to manufacturers in order to compete reliability wise with their larger siblings. SA chose a solid set-up for a short barrel pistol which is good but yes, it will be a bit more hassel to field strip. For long-term reliability it's a good thing but in the mean time make sure it functions properly, keep an eye on internal wear, especially the lugs and post if you have problems before they frustrate you.

Plenty come right from the factory, didn't intend to scare you off. Good luck with your decision.
 
@Skylerbone: I understand what you're saying, and I think already had a sense of that, but appreciate you repeating it here.

I'm not jumping toward a 1911 lightly -- I've been carrying the Kahr for a while, but I decided earlier this year that I'm not completely happy with the trigger. Every gun I HAVE liked the trigger on has either been a Glock or a 1911. Unfortunately, Glock doesn't make a single-stack 9mm (I want single stack for ease concealment/comfort,) so that pretty much left me with the 1911. Yes, I've looked at other pistols, but either they felt terrible in my hand, or didn't like the trigger, or they had a DA/SA action, which I am not interested in.

Things more or less came to a head when I was fortunate enough to take a handgun class with Randy Cain in which I used the Kahr -- the more I fired it, the less I found myself liking that very long Kahr trigger. That's when I decided I needed to make a switch.

@Apocalypse: Good idea, but I want to stay with 9mm for now, just b/c I already have other pistols in that caliber, and makes ammo buying a lot simpler.
 
Finally got a chance to shoot the EMP 9 mm I acquired recently. It is light, accurate and easy to shoot, very concealable. Even the guy whose land we shot on today kept going back to it and said he wouldn't mind if I left it on the table. :) And that was after he shot his Colt Mk IV and Ruget 1911's.
 
Love my EMP 9 and thinking of buying one in .40, although that model is noticeably heavier than the 9. Yes, harder to strip than a Glock but no big problem.

I keep reading that 3"1911s are troublesome but I have the EMP, a Para Carry 9 and a Para Carry 12 and have no issues of reliability in any of them.
 
@Skylerbone: Looks like I drew the unlucky straw. I took my new EMP to the range today, I consistently experienced FTF's regardless of magazine, frequently causing jams. The slide often (but not always) failed to lock back on an empty magazine. Going to call Springfield and ask them to make this right.

When the gun worked, it was great, and was dead-on accurate. Just need to get it working, though, otherwise it won't do me much good at all.
 
Sorry to hear it but I'm sure you'll be all smiles shortly. I'm not a Springfield guy, some have mistaken me for a basher, but I have seen some truly first rate pistols that bore the crossed cannons.

Time to watch a little baseball and forget about it for a week. Remain calm, all is well.
 
I will be jes' peachy as long as they make it right....and don't take too long doing it.

It was ironic. I wanted the EMP because I had grown weary of the Kahr MK9's trigger, but it has always fed pretty much anything I gave it (except for a box of defective WWB ammo that apparently slipped through quality control,) and didn't have any issues at the range yesterday. And until the EMP is sorted out, it'll continue to be my 'go-to' piece because...well, it works! :mad:
 
Glocks: if you want a "single stack" grab a G36. You won't be disappointed for the disappear value these little pocket rockets have, and the weight savigns is insane compared to a 1911.

wet vs. dry: Yup, 1911s are run "wet" compared to the "dry" state of lube for Glocks.

EMP: A buddy works in a Spring. stocking shop and for a reason I cannot remember he would avoid the EMP for any Kimber you put on the table. Sorry I cannot remember the exact reason for his opinion, but he's a reasonable fellow who would not steer you wrong.
 
I had a G36, but frankly wanted to stay with 9mm due to cost of ammo. Besides, the 1911 trigger feels much better....

(And no, I'm not going to reload. I'm lucky I have time to shoot and clean my guns afterward.)
 
Oh I agree, the 1911 triggers are MUCH prefered IMO: STI, Caspian, and a Para are my 1911s I love to shoot, but they are heavy and obtuse to carry compare to any G I pull from the sack. I wish they'd make a single stack G17 or G19, but I'm happy with the G company now as it is.

Sorry, I just read you bought the EMP and had problems. Spring. should make it right with you.
 
jackpinesavages said:
Glocks: if you want a "single stack" grab a G36. You won't be disappointed for the disappear value these little pocket rockets have, and the weight savigns is insane compared to a 1911.

wet vs. dry: Yup, 1911s are run "wet" compared to the "dry" state of lube for Glocks.

EMP: A buddy works in a Spring. stocking shop and for a reason I cannot remember he would avoid the EMP for any Kimber you put on the table. Sorry I cannot remember the exact reason for his opinion, but he's a reasonable fellow who would not steer you wrong.
Click to expand...
Given the difference in customer service between Springfield and Kimber, I don't understand your buddy's thought process there
 
I'm starting to think Kimber, Springfield, S&W and a few others need to have an inspection sticker (remember "Steve" from Marlin?) that can be peeled off and affixed to the warranty card. Maybe they could all finally track down their respective gremlins.

I can remember pulling every Marlin Model 60 from backstock so a guy could buy one inspected by his most trusted employee. Great gimmic, perhaps it could now serve a useful application.
 
I love my 9mm emp. All you have to do is load one magazine and you'll be a convert. they are beautiful, precisely made, EASY to load works of art. The pistol has a 1911 trigger. It's a bit stiffer than many 1911's, but I think it's about perfect. There is a perfect little tug to the trigger right before it breaks clean as a whistle. Reset is excellent as is with most 1911 triggers.

Mine now has at least 1200 rounds through it and it's never has as much as a hiccup. It's very accurate (match grade barrel) but the short sight radius will throw some (including me) off. I've seen videos of many shooters open up a 1 inch hole in the center of a target at 25 yards which is impressive.

It's a great pistol. I've never shot the 40 but those who have that model generally have great things to say.
 
Got my EMP back from Springfield and took it back to the usual range yesterday. Ran about 350 rounds through it and everything seemed okay. Hopefully that will be the end of worries. I'll try to send another 300 or so rounds through it next week, too, to be sure.

On transitioning from the Kahr, I find that I didn't have trouble remembering to turn off the safety on drawing, but I did forget once or twice to turn the safety back on when I was re-holstering.

Overall, I've gone back to being happy with the purchase!
 
Been carrying mainly an EMP9 for while, probably one of the best choices in the 3 inch 1911 world IMHO, even if it ain't a .45 :)

Hopefully JMB will forgive us.
 
A couple things to keep in mind about the EMP40...

it has a steel frame versus the EMP9's alum frame which adds and extra 6oz. Unloaded this thing weighs 33oz.

If you want to carry this thing comfortably, get yourself a quality holster.
 
Polish the feed ramp and chamber w/Q-tip

@Skylerbone: Looks like I drew the unlucky straw. I took my new EMP to the range today, I consistently experienced FTF's regardless of magazine, frequently causing jams. The slide often (but not always) failed to lock back on an empty magazine.

Going to call Springfield and ask them to make this right.

When the gun worked, it was great, and was dead-on accurate. Just need to get it working, though, otherwise it won't do me much good at all.
Click to expand...
...

The early ones, serial numbers 2650 and back had feed ramp/angle problems which, in most cases, needed to be returned to have them re-angled.

You'll find SA's CS excellent and caring and they will make your gun right quickly but -

Ya might try this first -

With my 9mm, it was having FTFC issues with the first 300 rounds so I made a call and talked with a SA gunny who, after I told him my serial number, a bit higher that mentioned above (and told to me by the gunny) that mine should have the fixed angle feed ramp and to try some Flitz gun Polish and lightly polish the feed ramp, up and down, only, motion, and "tight chamber" (which most have) using some Q-tips.

Worked like a charm, along with either generous amounts of clean gun oil for the rails and guides and on-top of the outer barrel or, better IMHO, some good gun grease, Tetra white gun grease, a bit on the thin side but works well in all around temps be them hot or "cold.." stays put, does not migrate and does not evaporate with time or heat and offers great shelf life (gun sitting for times in-between use.

Also, one must change out the outer long return spring, only, every 3000 - 3500 rounds, and with being on my 3rd, mine has gone, just over, 7300 flawless rounds. (re-polish every 1000, or so, rounds)

Also, some, least mine, only likes 124gr JHP's and the few 135gr and 147gr have not fully chambered at times (just a tad to big) for my gun's tight chamber..

And I'm fine with 124gr as it is what I shoot in FMJ or 115gr, which is so close that there is no felt difference between the 2.. a good thing for staying consistent w/accuracy.

Luck,



Ls

Ps.. watch your grip, namely thumb touching/riding the slide lock lever - key

Picture439.jpg

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Been carrying mainly an EMP9 for while, probably one of the best choices in the 3 inch 1911 world IMHO, even if it ain't a .45

Hopefully JMB will forgive us.
Click to expand...

JMB nothing - he was cool with the 9mm. It's Col. Cooper I'm worried about... ;)
 
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