Springfield EMP 9mm after 500+ rounds fired

Not too long ago, I bought a Springfield EMP 9mm. This is an aluminum frame 1911 in 9mm with a 3'' barrel.

After shooting 100 rounds to check for function, I made a couple of changes.

I removed the factory internal lock (IL) mainspring housing and replaced it with a stainless non-IL MSH by Wilson Combat and installed a 25# officers’ extra power spring in the MSH.

I also replaced the factory ambi thumb safety and fitted the EMP with an Ed Brown stainless single side thumb safety.

Other than a single malfunction (fail to feed with Federal 147 JHP) at the 102nd round, the pistol has worked perfectly. I now have over 500 rounds through it of various ammunition.

I would not use the 147 Federal HP for carry since the single malfunction was experienced with it and it is "catchy" on the ramp when chambering the first round; the other HP rounds especially the 115 Federal 9BP and Remington 115 are not catchy, the Federal Hydra Shok (HST) 124 is also acceptable. The Federal 115 9BP or 124 HST are my carry loads.

The EMP 9mm, using standard pressure ammunition, exhibits a mild recoil allowing for very rapid accurate follow up shots.

I chronographed all of the loads I’ve tried, average for at least 5 shots:
Federal 115 gr. 9BP @ 1,053 fps / 283# KE / PF 121 (160 rounds)
Federal 124 gr. HST @ 994 fps / 272# KE / PF 123 (125 rounds)
Federal 147 gr. 9MS @ 921 fps / 276# KE / PF 135 (~ 150 rounds, catchy)
Winchester 115 gr. FMJ @ 1,073 fps / 294# KE / PF 123 (50 rounds)
Remington 115 gr. JHP @ 1,076 fps / 295# KE / PF 123 (50 rounds, bad flash)
Winchester Ranger T 124 gr. +P @ 1,195 fps / 393# KE / PF 148 (just a few rounds to chrono)




Uploaded with ImageShack.us

CZ57 said:

If it were me I'd carry it with the Ranger Ts.

Click to expand...

Normally I do go with the Ranger Ts most definitely in Glocks; heck, I carry the Ranger T 127 gr. +P+ in Glock.

However, Springfield advises against using +P in their EMP. I wouldn't carry the Ranger T +P in the EMP unless I shot at least 100 rounds of it and that doesn't seem like a good idea in a pistol that's not rated for it. Also, I immediately noticed a difference in recoil (compared to the standard loads) when I shot the Ranger T +P in this pistol, subjectively more than the PF indicates.