Help Needed: Springfield EMP 9MM vs Colt Defender 9MM

Hey folks! Ok, so I really need advice / help with a decision I need to make. At the moment I have two guns on hold for me. First is a Colt Defender 9mm and second is a Springfield EMP 9MM. The Springfield is EMP is about $300 more than the Defender. Here’s what I would like opinions on … is it worth the extra $300 for …

Night sights: I want night sights on my 1911 and the EMP comes standard with Trijicon inserts. The Defender does not come with night sights and it looks like the cheapest I can get a set for is $121 on Amazon and have them installed for $30 at my local gunsmith (also probably wait a week since they are backed up). So I’m looking at about $150 to get the sights put on the Defender.

Capacity: EMP 9mm holds one more round than the Defender 9mm.
Finish: Not a big deal but I do kind of like the fact the Defender is all silver compared to the EMP (I already have a Springfield Micro Compact .45 that looks like the exact same gun.

Reliability: What do you think on this one? I have read many forum reviews of both and like anything they are all mixed. Any personal experiences?
Trigger and safeties: Defender has a plastic trigger and EMP has an aluminum. Defender has a single safety and the EMP has ambidextrous.

I guess what it all comes down to are the bells and whistles on the EMP worth the price difference? I know that if I get the Defender I’m going to have to shell out at least another $150 for night sights, so that included I am looking at a $150 difference.

Anyone that has any suggestions, advise, or what they would do, I would appreciate all comments. Only looking at these two models of guns and not interested in anything else. Thank you so much everyone. Going to make up my mind in 48 hours so will appreciate seeing what everyone has to say.

Thanks Moxie, i've heard the same but I also am hearing that the 9mm versions of both gun are quite a bit more reliable since it's a lighter recoil spring. Have a friend who has a EMP 9mm and has gone through about 800 rounds without a problem or hiccup. Could be he just lucked out and bought a good one.

Mainly interested in if you all think all the extras you get with the EMP over the Defender are worth the extra $300. I'm still really on the fence.

MICHAEL T said:

I would get the Colt I don't like Springfield EMP My Defender is over 10 years old still running strong

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Michael, is yours a 9mm or 45?

Hey everyone, I want to thank everyone for the opinions and advice and give an update on my decision.

For some strange reason I actually decided to buy both the SA EMP 9mm and the Colt Defender 9mm. They are very similar pistols and each has their own merits so I decided to decide via trial by fire. They are both going to the range tomorrow with 200 rounds each going through them.

Here’s a few initial observations …

The one thing I can say right off is that the SA EMP seems to have a much nicer quality construction. The slide to frame is incredibly tight with no rattle at all and just feels like a high quality gun. The Colt Defender has a quite a bit of rattle in the slide.

- The EMP also seems to have a better / lighter trigger. The Colt Defender seems nice but does have a bit of a gritty trigger.

- I also dislike the fact that the EMP does not accept Officer size grips and your extremely limited on options.

- Both have excellent sights with the EMP having the advantage with Trijicon night sights. Colt is no slouch and I really love the Novak style sights.

- I think the biggest plus for the Colt Defender is the flush fit magazine. Springfield was insane not to offer 1 flush fit 8 round magazine and a 9 round extended. You wouldn’t think it makes a huge difference for inside the waistband carry but it does print more.

- The ambidextrous safety is a nice feature on the EMP, however adds extra width to the pistol. If I end up choosing to keep the EMP I’ll probably have a single sided safety installed.

None of this really matters until tomorrow when I take both out to the range and run them through their paces. I will be using a mix of Winchester White Box and Remington Goldensabers.

I’ll add a range report later on and give you folks a heads up.

Thanks again everyone so much for your input!

Thanks so much everyone for your input. I posted a range report on both pistols with a Glock 19 tossed into the mix. Thankfully, absolutely zero problems with either gun!