First Impression of the Springfield Armory EMP - 56K beware pic heavy

[9mmepiphany]

I’ve been looking very hard at the Springfield Armory EMP since its introduction and I just couldn’t resist anymore when i found a new one at a great price from a reputatble dealer in FL. I had to make sure it was on the CA approved roster.

There has been some interest in it lately and i thought I'd post a report and pictures when I finally got it. These are my impressions of the EMP rather than measurements (which you can find elsewhere on the net) or even a range report. I wanted to get some pictures before I took it out to the range and it got dirty. if there is an interest, that will be the subject of another thread.

The EMP has great proportions and the satin black of the frame, sights and hammer, contrasting with the polished slide stop, thumb safety, mag release and Main Spring Housing (MSH) are set off nicely with the bead blasted white trigger, barrel and slide


The EMP is not as small as I imagined. It’s about the same size as my Kahr CW9.

As a matter of fact the CW9 is actually thinner especially with the EMP’s ambidextrous thumb safeties


It comes equipped with a Novak rear sight fitted with Trijicon night sights and a serrated front blade with a front dot


something you usually only see on custom guns is the base of the front sight is blended into the slide


the slide and frame are lightly beveled…even the ejection port has been smoothed

...and the magazine well has been beveled


Nice touches are the steel MSH, beavertail grip safety and the skeletonized hammer


I didn’t care for the drilled trigger, but I liked the subtle undercut of the trigger guard (it’s more felt than seen)

 

[9mmepiphany]

An interesting feature is what appears to be a bushingless bull barrel supported by a full length guide rod

When you retract the slide, you find that the barrel isn’t flared/belled at the front, only the top surface is relieved back to the first locking lug.

While the guide rod is a double spring affair


It looks like the initial recoil impulse is taken by the larger outer spring, while compressing the smaller inner spring in a separate tunnel


The feed ramp is integral with the barrel and the chamber is fully supported


The slide to frame fit is very nice and there is no movement when you push down on the barrel hood


The only fit issues I had were the gap between the frame and the beavertail and the end of the extractor not being flush with the rear of the slide… but then I have to remember that this pistol’s price just pushed into four figures


The EMP comes with three magazines, made for Springfield by Mec- gar

…which were the perfect length for my Ranger 127gr +P+



I liked the South American wood panels with the Springfield logo


…and the minimalistic lettering on the slide


I found it interesting that the EMP came with a checkered MSH (metal), but a smooth front strap…I’ll have to give it some thought before deciding what I might like on it. I’m also thinking about changing out the thumb safeties for a single sided one and the trigger for a solid one (maybe even a flat one). I might even be willing to suffer the lost of one round to get a flush bottomed magazine, as the butt frame has plenty of room for three fingers.

I’m very happy with this gun and look forward to wringing it out at the range. I could see it replacing my Kahr as my regular carry gun

 

[The Tennessean]

Nice writeup and thanks for the great photos!

 

[edSky]

Nice photos. I personally like the stock trigger on my EMP. It's a great little pistol, enjoy it.

 

[Quack]

This is the best write-up i've seen.

now go to the range and enjoy!!!

 

[Quack]

forgot to add, check the extractor tension before you go to the range. it seems to be the cause of feeding problems.

 

[9mmepiphany]

^^^
thanks, i took a look at it when i had it apart and it did seem a little loose...i was checking it with a dummy round...so i thought i'd see how it runs before "bending stuff".

This is the best write-up i've seen.

i'm blushing

i know you're quite a EMP fan, so i figured you've read most of the one's out there. i just thought i'd write something different than, "the trigger pull was..." or "it felt good"...something with stuff someone, who was thinking about getting one, would ask/like to know.

something showing how it was different than other sub-compact 1911s on the market and why i thought it was worth the price they're asking for it

 

[Quack]

well at least it's a little loose than too tight.
when mine was new it would hang up on the extractor every few rounds. don't think i made it through a mag w/o a FTFeed.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I feel like I just bought it....

nice write up.

 

[Walkalong]

Great pics of a great gun.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I feel like I just bought it....

nice write up.

thanks

i was hoping to get out to the range this weekend, but the wife came up with stuff we "have to get done", so i'm gonna try for early next week

 

[Lonestar49]

Couple of Notes: Return spring Replacement and..

I wanted to get some pictures before I took it out to the range and it got dirty. if there is an interest, that will be the subject of another thread

...

Yep, loving the positive report since replacing the long main return spring at 3950 rounds (last 200 of that) started to have FTFC issues that were quickly remedied by a quick palm hit on the slide to FC round and fire away. But since that, and FTR, IF, at aprox 3500 rounds you should replace the return springs.

you can go about 1 of 2 ways: Order only the main (long spring only) as that is what I replaced and it is working now, as of 5700 rounds OR, better (had I known then) order the "complete guide rod and both springs", long and short, assembly from SA, as there is no real, good, way, to detach the front guide stop/ring, (to remove small spring) and secure it back on without a touch of weld..

Either just going with the main long spring, or getting the entire guide rod assembly is way to go.

But, back to how the run dirty; Ref: my EMP 9mm

Gave mine a bit of a test: At the 3950 replacement round count, I totally cleaned the gun. I have only cleaned it completely, since, once, somewhere between 3950 and current round count of 5700 rounds without any issues other than a few FTFC, that were few and far in-between, while only cleaning my EMP 9mm with Flitz Polish (for feed ramp and breach face) and Eezox for what I can clean with mag out, slide on, and outer exterior barrel and exposed guide rod and 3 pull-thrus' right after each range session while the barrel is hot with bore snake (40caliber) and Q-tip oil applications and Vertical oil drips has been it.

She gets total cleaning tonight FTR.. lol

Wouldn't swear to it, but several of the FTFC were slightly uneven crimps on some (I chked) the few others were just slide-tapped in, fired, using all new ammo, either WWB, Federal, or PMC

No failures at all firing Federal Premium Hydra Shok 124gr since 3950 up thru 5700 rounds.

They are very forgiving IMHO


Ls

 

[sidheshooter]

Sounds like you've got everything you need and nothing you don't with that package.

Nice review.

 

[m2steven]

i just got back from the range with my new EMP and i'm again really impressed. This little pistol is worth more than I paid for it! It's accurate and extremely fun to shoot and has now pushed 400 rounds thru it perfectly. It's a complete pleasure to shoot and lovely to behold. I've just taken it down and cleaned it and there is zero wear anywhere that I can see.

The EMP is a great pistol and I can only say that if you've got guns laying around you're not shooting, trade them in! This little 9mm 1911 is a fully realized piece of work.

 

[9mmepiphany]

here's my followup range report on the EMP
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=508469

Lonestar49 - thanks for the heads up

 

[Inspiribomb]

Nice writeup! I agree, the EMP is worth every penny of the NIB price. Amazingly accurate, well built, just an all-around excellent pistol. It is my current favorite in the safe

I ordered a set of custom grips from Esmeralda for mine - checkered with american scroll engraved into them.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

i'm with ya!

 

[jc650]

That is one fantastic looking gun!

 

[kyarcher]

Nice pics 9mm. I think the EMP is one beautiful pistol. I can find nothing I would change on it. Just a real beauty. Can't wait to own one some day!!

 

[Kingofthehill]

threads and with pics like this make me want an EMP!

 

[Quack]

Just saw your review on http://www.dayattherange.com/?page_id=192

sound's like you want to set your EMP like mine :lol:

 

[9mmepiphany]

sound's like you want to set your EMP like mine :lol:

i guess we both have a really well developed sense of style and function

i just found out i'm close to the top of Ned Christiansen's list, now i'm thinking about what he might think up for the EMP ($$$)...i like the hammer/grip safety and rear sight on the .40 EMP he did for SHOT. i think his welder can build up the aluminum frame to fit the grip safety.

 

[Quack]

i guess we both have a really well developed sense of style and function

yep