EMP - Having Trouble Letting Go

[Harleytoo]

So after picking up a few new guns lately, most notably a PX4 Storm Compact and a Sig P229 Legion, I was planning on thinning out some of my other guns.

One of these is my Springfield EMP.

It has been a fine little gun that has never given me a lick of issue, digested everything I fed it and shot to POA consistently.

And it is a beauty.

However, having a PX4 Subcompact and a Compact and now the Sig P229 (and soon P227 SAS Carry) I had reasoned that I no longer needed the EMP.

I don't mind the slight extra size or weight of the others and they all provide either more capacity or a bigger round.

However, ever time I go to get rid of it I find myself fondly fondling the little jewel and lamenting "how can I let it go...?"

When I look at it dimensionally between the two guns I carry the most (the PX4 adn the P229), it actually only wins in two categories - Slide width (.915) and weight. If you look at it at its widest point (the ambi levers) it is actually almost as wide as the P229 (1.425 vs 1.433). Which means with a little work I could make it even smaller.

There are actually only two things I don't like about the EMP;

- Takedown - I hate using that little bushing to take down the gun.
- Single Stack - although it does make it a seemingly nicer package it actually loses to the PX4 Compact in both widest point (1.425 lever to lever vs the Storms 1.315 max width - I have steal leavers on it). The grips are even wider on the EMP than on the Storm (1.255 vs 1.178). The Storm is noticeably heavier, but you would expect that.

So, I don't know. Should I let it go or keep it because it is a wonderful little gun? I only (at this time) have one other 1911.

 

[sellersm]

Sell it to a friend who will let you buy it back when you come to your senses!


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[Sergei Mosin]

The gun hobby is about more than practicality.

 

[eldon519]

Unless you need the money, just keep it or thin things out elsewhere. I think if you sell it right now, you will miss it. Maybe a few years from now if it is just collecting dust on the shelf, it won't be so hard to let it go. It can be like an ex-girlfriend, sometimes it takes time to let go. Perhaps the time isn't right just yet unless it's dictated out of necessity.

 

[bikemutt]

I finally sold my EMP 9mm once I realized there was no practical way bobtail it. I really liked that gun except for the point of the butt jabbing the meat of my hand. Ran like a top, accurate to a fault. I keep hoping SA will release a bobtail version.

If it's not in your regular rotation any longer, I'd sell it. It's not like they are hard to come by.

 

[Harleytoo]

Ha! I knew would get good advice here.

No, I don't necessarily need the money. Although, I had kinda mentally justified the purchase of the other guns based on the sale of it and a few more. Ultimately, I can still sell the others and thin a few other things out to make it up mentally.

Course, extra cash is extra cash.

From a realistic standpoint, what I had been doing is standardizing on pretty much all DA/SA guns from a purely carry/combat standpoint. However, that said I will always have one or more 1911's that I use at the range or for other purposes and I know them well enough and use them often enough to not think that thumbing the safety in a combat situation would not be an issue. Still, I am one to train like I fight.

The only time I would probably go to the EMP over one of the other double stack SA/DA's I have would be when I am on my bike or wearing something that makes concealment hard. On the bike, I can only really carry a belly gun. Anywhere else and I risk it jostling loose. The PX4 Storm Subcompact can be carried in this position as well, it is just a bit thicker (if I replace the ambi bat wings on the EMP).

Probably keeping it a bit longer as has been mentioned is my best bet to see if it ends up being just a shelf gun. Then I will feel better letting it go.

It is a beautiful little gun and I think I would like it even more if I swapped to a smaller single side safety.

 

[OcelotZ3]

Love my little EMP even though I have a ton of other carry pistols. If I like something and it doesn't give me trouble, I would keep it.

 

[TomJ]

I had one that I unfortunately had to get rid of because it wouldn't reliably feed hollow points after 4 trips to Springfield. I had other guns that were more practical, such as a LG9S Pro and an XDS 9 4.0, but the EMP just had some class that plastic guns, as much as I love them, will never have. I loved mine and hated getting rid of it. I'd keep it unless you can swap it for something that makes you feel good about making that exchange.

 

[Harleytoo]

So if I were to swap it for something similar, what suggestions would you guys make. Considering that I have my double stack carry covered pretty solidly sticking to single stack 9's or 45's (I prefer 9's but am open to either).

Please no Kimbers, I don't do Kimbers.

Again, just a litmus test here. I think Springfield has the 9mm 1911 ultra carry thing down pretty well. I have considered the Sig 1911 Ultra 9mm, but aside from a manufacturer change they seem pretty similar.

 

[stoky]

Keep the EMP. A reliable Officer's model is a keeper. All it needs is a Government size companion (or a longslide).

 

[Harleytoo]

Oh, it already has a Government companion! Remember the EMP is not a commander size, it is smaller, 3.25 barrel.

 

[stoky]

 

[Harleytoo]

Stoky, those are NICE~!

 

[bannockburn]

Harley too

I would keep it a little longer as you may find your new rotation of guns isn't exactly working out the way you thought they would. If after a period of time you find yourself settled in with your new guns and hardly use or even think about the EMP, then I would say sell it and move on.

 

[Harleytoo]

Good advice Bannok. I have been looking at single side replacement safeties for it as well as getting the magazine base plate conversion done on at least two of my mags.

With just a little work it looks like I could skinny down the side to side and improve the base of the grip with these mods.

I did have my first FTF issue this weekend with it. I realized that the longer/heavier grain rounds that I typically use for carry were hanging up. I need to monkey around with it a bit, but it is a feed ram issue. Not bad, just hanging up on the longer bullet.

 

[stoky]

thanks Harleytoo
I'm into Harleys too

 

[Harleytoo]

Stoky, it would be best if I only had one addiction. Having both a gun and bike addiction means I am constantly broke!

... Well that and having a kid at A&M!

 

[Harleytoo]

So I was able to clear my FTF issue with a little feed ramp polishing. Found a few sharp edges I knocked down while there, she chambers 115 and 147 just fine now.

Sending two of my mags to Log Man for the base treatment.

Gonna order a single side low profile safety tomorrow and see if I can fit it myself.

 

[Harleytoo]

I am thinking about this safety from Wilson Combat;

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Thumb-Safety-Tactical-Lever-Blue/productinfo/6BN/#

 

[Coldfinger]

I parted with 2 1911s in the past. Both were RIA pistols. I never had problems with either of them. I have 3 now, S&W, R1, and a Range Officer. I will never again part with a 1911. Keep it.

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[Harleytoo]

Yea I had an original Range Officer I let go some years back that I still regret.

 

[bannockburn]

Harleytoo

I have also been on the other side of this debate when I had a Colt New Agent with the XS sights on it. Really liked it and it was a nice gun and all but when I got a Kahr CM9 I found myself carrying that around more often than the New Agent. Didn't really need both for the CCW role so I sold the New Agent and have been fine with that decision.