A Matter of Choice, probably. Which one?

[fatfreddiescat]

Which is the all-around better gun to own:

• a Sig Sauer P226r W/night sights in .40
  or
• a Springfield EMP W/night sights in 9mm?

And, if you would, please state your opinion as to why.

Please....don't answer this question with another question. I know its difficult, and everyone wants ... "the facts, ma'am, just the facts" but use your imagination, and pick the one you think is the better handgun.

After the poll, I'll post the reason for the question.
And, Thanks!

 

[Nasty]

9mm...available around the world.

No other compelling reason.

 

[Alec]

1911 ergos... That's my pick.

 

[DeepSouth]

I'd get the Sig because it's a 40, if everything else was equal I'd get the EMP Because I like 1911's and Springer really stands behind their stuff.

 

[oasis618]

2 very different handguns, especially in size. I vote the Sig simply because it is a full-sized weapon that you could club someone to death with if need be. Plus I don't really understand all of the hype about a $1000 micro sized 1911 in 9mm (see EMP), and I'm a 1911 fan.

 

[Nushif]

EMP ... because the 9mm is available almost everywhere. the .40 is an americanism and on top of that ... I don't like the company Sig ...
Oh yeah, also I own a 1911 in 9mm. Great gun.

 

[Fat Boy]

I voted for the Sig based on brand quality...(my opinion...yours might vary

 

[Gun Nerd]

But...why can't I have both? I've been a good boy.

 

[usmccpl]

I said Sig cuz I have one but either would do the job close to equal.

 

[Rail Driver]

I'd go with the Sig, personally... I really, REALLY like the .40S&W round.

 

[Rexster]

I believe in full-sized 1911 pistols. Yes, I did have to learn the hard, expensive way. The EMP is not a full-sized 1911.

The P226 did well in military trials. What has the EMP done?

Nothing against Springfield Armory, Inc., as my full-sized SA 1911 worked perfectly.

 

[seuss]

EMP, I just love the 1911 style and 9mm is what i shoot the most. .45 is next in line. I owned a couple of .40s but got rid of em. I cant get follow up shots as fast as can with 9mm or .45ACP.

 

[JellyJar]

I prefer 40s&w over 9mmP but I don't like DA/SA autos so I would rather have the fairly light trigger pull of the emp over the long hard DA pull of the 226.

 

[e2cTrainer]

NRA Gun of the year! That was my pick, plus I like the style also!

 

[David E]

You asked two questions:

The Poll question: Which is the better Handgun, based on your opinion

And then in your OP: Which is the all-around better gun to own

These can easily evoke two different answers.

 

[postalnut25]

I don't like either choice. But here is a somewhat objective opinion.

The SIG is full sized, extremely reliable, and can be converted to other calibers.

The EMP is quite small, which causes reliability issues in 1911 style pistols.

Therefore I would go with the SIG.

 

[glockman19]

I prefer a 9mm glock to them both

 

[230therapy]

First, what is the goal? If it's defense and a range gun, the SIG will serve you well. The EMP may need some tweaking (do your research). If it's a range gun only, then either gun is just fine.

I've heard good and bad things about the EMP. My only concern is the proprietary magazine. For me, a single source for magazines is a problem. Others have had good experiences, though. Springfield also has good customer service, so it's a gun you should at least try before making your decision. Check the 1911forum.com/forums and M1911.org. The EMP also looks very, very nice with some good VZ grips.

Check out the EMP picture threads on those forums.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showpost.php?p=2492597&postcount=6

EMP Range Report:

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=257288




SIG P226 is an all around good gun. There are also many different models to choose from. I do recommend their SRT system with short trigger. Their new E2 grip is also very nice too.

Buy a 357 SIG barrel while you're at it, as well as a 22 conversion kit. The 22 is great for cheap practice. Put the 357 slide on there for a bit of full recoil practice. Wipe the frame down, lube the rails, put the 40 slide on, load up and carry away. Clean the other parts later.

Just remember to treat the single action as a reset rather than as a separate trigger. The double action trigger will be long and heavy. Generally, tightening your front hand (think of it as 70%/30% front/trigger hand) will reduce the deviation of the sights caused by the long pull. Use the center of the pad to the joint of your finger. You'll get the hang of it with enough proper dry fire practice. It's not the big deal the target shooters make it out to be.

 

[gwnorth]

I'm not a fan of the sub-commander length 1911's, in any caliber, so I'd vote for the SIG. I have a P226 in 9mm (original 2007 Blackwater edition) and it is one of the best built guns I've ever handled. My pair of 1911s (combat commander and gov't size) are .45's, the way they should be

 

[19-3Ben]

Here's the thing.
For a range gun- Sig.
Wood/hiking- Sig.
HD- Sig.

BUT the EMP can do all of those things also, and it can carry a whole lot more easily.
Sure the SIG has the firepower advantage, but realistically, any fight that can't be won with the EMP, isn't going to be won with the extra firepower of the Sig either.

So go with the EMP and get something that can be easily carried as well.

 

[David E]

The EMP is quite small, which causes reliability issues in 1911 style pistols.

Do you have extensive first hand experience with the EMP that backs up your claim?

If not, then it's like me saying: I've heard that 1974 Pintos blow the transmission, therefore, all sub-compact cars have bad transmissions.....

 

[hemiram]

Even if they were both the same caliber, I would take the Sig over any 1911, especially a little one. I generally avoid 1911's for price alone.

 

[ColeK]

Cat, you are right it is a matter of personal choice.

I do not like either one.

The Sig just doesn’t feel right in my hand. I also like a .45 caliber better than a .40 caliber.

Springfield makes very good firearms and I like most of them but the Springfield EMP, W/night sights in 9mm, is not one of them. It is to dang small. And it will bit you if are not careful with your grip.

God and John Moses decided over 100 years ago that the 1911 needed a full size frame and a 5” barrel.

I didn't vote.

A 4" barreled 1911 might be ok.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Well I voted for the Sig, but that was before I noticed that it was in .40. I consider both to be quality firearms, but very different. For an "All around" gun I would pick 9mm over .40 any day, assuming both are quality weapons. That is because 9mm is less expensive and easier to find outside of the US. Given the same platform it is also easier to shoot acurately.

 

[postalnut25]

"Do you have extensive first hand experience with the EMP that backs up your claim?"

Yes, I do have experience with small 1911s. I found the two examples I had to be very picky about running right. Therefore I stick to Government & Commander sized models.