New Springfield EMP!

[Walkalong]

Just checked mine. The extractor is not flush. Sticks out about .020. The pistol has been flawless since returning from Springfield. It always fed everything, and I mean everything. It had other issues which SA fixed at no charge and they reimbursed shipping as well.

 

[loplop]

I'm very interested in this piece... I have carried 3" 1911's for a few years, and love the size. I do have some trouble keeping the muzzle down for followup shots, though, and in smaller pistols I am starting to prefer 9mm for that reason. Additionally I have had problems the 3" 1911's in .45 that I've shot, and for a carry piece I want zero problems, and the newer platforms (or a wheelgun!) have proven better in that regard.

It is reported that Springfield designed this piece around the 9mm, and didn't just adapt a 1911 per se. This made me surmise it would be more reliable... However it seems some folks have had some issues. Hopefully Springfield will work them out, and the 3" 9mm 1911 platform will turn out to be a winner... I think it could be a great carry piece.

I'll keep my eyes on it. Always teething problems when a product is new.

 

[Walkalong]

I do have some trouble keeping the muzzle down for followup shots, though, and in smaller pistols I am starting to prefer 9mm for that reason.

I can machine gun 9 rounds from my EMP with virtually no muzzle rise and keep it on target as well with standard 115 FMJ. The +P 124/5/7 Gr loads are almost as controlable. It is a fine pistol.

I like my CDP II in .45 better though. I can fire it very quickly and stay on target. As quickly as realistically necessary in a defense situation. Th 3" guns don't recoil as badly as some make out. The slide mass is minimal and helps in controlling muzzle rise, at least for me. It is more of a push backwards than recoiling up. The worst is a 5" gun and a lightwieght frame. The heavy slide really torques up and over.

It is reported that Springfield designed this piece around the 9mm, and didn't just adapt a 1911 per se. This made me surmise it would be more reliable...

Mine is 100% reliable since returning from Springfield as stated in a post above.

 

[loplop]

Walkalong: although you may find the 3" 1911's in 45ACP to allow for quick followups, in my hand they are slower than a 9mm or Gov't model 1911. My Colt Defender was accurate as heck, and super fun to shoot... but I'm just not as quick with it. Same for the Kimber I tried.

By no means did I find the recoil objectionable, but I'm just not personally fond of the 3" 1911 in 45 due to the above issue for me, and the takedown (or should I say reassembly) of the bushingless pistols, which leaves something to be desired IMO in light of newer/easier designs.

This is only a statement on MY abilities, and in my hands, I have decided a 3" 1911 in 45 isn't the thing to have.

I'm interested in this little 9, tho. It looks like a nice design.

 

[sb350hp]

There is like 12 or 14 new parts specifically made for the EMP. Wait one year. Held one at LGD and it does indeed feel great but a 1k for a 9mm. NO way. Plus very few if any parts interchangeable with any other.

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They counted on America to be passive. They counted wrong. RR

 

[HBF11]

EMP

After reading all of the positive comments regarding the EMP I had to have it.
Purchased one today and fired 150 rounds. A little dissappointed with the performance, had several miss feeds and 4 or 5 times the slide did not lock back when the mag was empty. On two occassions the empty shell casing did not eject. I am hoping this is just a case of the ammo I was shooting and not a true indication of the performqnce of this gun.

 

[carnaby]

what ammo were you shooting?

 

[Boarhunter]

HBF11,

Do not get too disappointed yet in the feeding performance of the EMP. I too had similar problems the first few boxes of ammo, but they cleared up thereafter as the gun broke in and the parts all seated together. The gun (at least my gun) was as tight as a custom gun when I got it, and it just took a little while for it all to settle out. My patience has been amply rewarded!

Put more ammo down range and see if the problems clear up on their own. And start with hardball so that you can separate gun issues from ammo issues.

Boarhunter

 

[rangemeister]

Boarhunter is correct. I finally got 600 rds through mine and the mags that cleared successfully were very nice indeed. Alas, I am sending mine back to SA. Too many rounds simply will not fully seat into battery. About 1.5 per mag is too much.

I have been carrying a Colt Defender for a couple of years and really liked it. This gun is much more comfortable to shoot and I can string em really tight at personal defense range. Have not tried 15 to 25 yards yet.

 

[Walkalong]

Alas, I am sending mine back to SA. Too many rounds simply will not fully seat into battery. About 1.5 per mag is too much.

Mine went back with an under SAMMI min spec chamber which some rounds would not chamber in. ( .389 or .390 measured at the base rounds would lock up the gun and .390 is under sammi minimum, anything less never failed to chamber.) They opened up the chamber a tad with a reamer and alls well in EMP land. Flawless since returning.

 

[rangemeister]

Got my SMA number from SA last Friday. Went to range Saturday and began a string of rds that included +P+. They choked my firing pin channel. Cleaned, then commenced to shoot an assortment of 147, 124, 115, HP's and FMJ's. NO MALFUNCTONS after 75rds. Again on Sunday AM, 100rds of 124 and 115, one failure to go to battery. All Golden Sabre, fired excellent. Have polished front of chamber and ramp to a high gloss. Used Wilson grease on rails. Oiled everywhere else. May try another 200 or so. Gee, puts me up to about 1,000rds in less than a week?????? :banghead:

 

[Walkalong]

Send it in. They will fix it.

 

[HBF11]

EMP

Fired another 150 rounds of American Eagle 115 Grain ammo,same problems.The gun smith at the range cleaned and did a light polish on the ramp and what a difference. 100 rounds with no problem. Shooting again tomorrow I will keep you posted.

 

[Boarhunter]

Sounds like lots of folks are having fun with this new EMP!

Boarhunter

 

[Walkalong]

These new EMP's are very tight and cleanliness is important here. Mine had issues but feeding was never one of them. I cleaned and lubed it before I ever shot it and every time I brought it home from shooting even if it was only 30 or 40 rounds. Real tight guns actually do need a bit of break in, but having said that, "breaking them in" won't fix real problems.

Mine is awesome, I just am not going to tote it when my .45 CDP II is around and it is small for a range gun. A 5" version would be a great range shooter. The EMP in .40 or .357 Sig would be a real viable carry gun. 9MM lovers don't bash me. I won't tell anyone they should not carry a nine. I just don't feel all warm and fuzzy with one.

 

[Vertical Resolution]

Just picked up an EMP based on the feedback here! Can't wait to get out and do some shooting, this thing feels and looks great. Just hope I don't have the tight chamber or jamming trouble some others mentioned here.

Thanks for all the reviews, very helpful in deciding on this gun… and I feel I got a great deal on it too @ $899.00 new!

 

[carnaby]

Nice work! I got mine for $895+$20 shipping. Pretty good deal. I've yet to shoot it, but it cycles rounds very well, is super tight, and has a great trigger.

 

[the naked prophet]

Don't get me wrong, I like an accurate gun. But having a gun so tight that you must keep it sparkling clean? I love the fact that I don't really have to clean my Glock 19 after every range session (my carry gun, I usually do a quick barrel swab and then wipe down). I'd been looking for a 1911, and specifically looking at the EMP, but after hearing this I think I'll get something a bit more dirt tolerant.

 

[Boarhunter]

the naked prophet,

I understand your position, but suggest that you do not walk away from the EMP too quickly.

I too am a Glock man... or perhaps a former Glock man... with a history of neglecting my firearms, including my carry Glock 19. Like yourself, I went long periods and many rounds through my Glock without much more than an occasional quick lubrication. And I could do that with confidence that the Glock's reliability would remain 100%. I still have that Glock 19 and two other Glocks as well, but they have not been out of my safe in quite some time.

I now carry and shoot 1911 firearms almost exclusively, and my go-to carry gun (and frequent IDPA gun as well) is the EMP.

True, I have to keep the EMP cleaner and lube it a bit more often, but that extra effort is paid back by the superior feel and performance of the EMP. It is well worth it, at least to me.

Before dismissing the EMP outright, put a few rounds through it and see how it feels on your hip. You might find it worth keeping clean.

Boarhunter

 

[Walkalong]

do not walk away from the EMP too quickly.

Big Ditto.

Les Baers have a rep for being so tight people have to break them in a bit, but they also have a rep for being some of the most dependable 1911's around. The EMP is a great little gun. No I would not throw it in the mud and then try to use it, but I would not do that even to a Glock.

 

[Vertical Resolution]

Okay, shot my first 100 rounds through the EMP. Ammo was Winchester 115gr FMJ. Had some of the same troubles other had;

1. Slide doesn't lock open when empty, out of 13 clips only locked open on empty 3 times.
2. Catches empty cases occasionally, after first 50 rounds (4 times).
3. Accuracy was very poor after the first 50 rounds (dirty, I suppose)
4. Cases started to get stuck in the chamber (3 times), not ejecting at all.

Cleaned it all up tonight... we will see how the next 100 goes....

 

[loplop]

Well, either these things are like the Kahr PM9's (tight as heck and need a serious break in, then if you get a good one function flawlessly)... Or there are some bad ones in the bunch.

Personally, I'm checking out. I made a promise to myself never to trust another 3" 1911 again after I had failures with 2 of them... But this one is so alluring to me because of the 9mm cartridge, which I feel is a better choice in a short barrel. But even though I want one when I see/hold it, I'm going to pass. I have no time for unreliable guns.

 

[carnaby]

I dunno, my Kimber Ultra Carry II with a 3" barrel was flawless from round 1. And hyper accurate too.

 

[Walkalong]

My Kimber 3" CDP II has also been flawless fround round one.

I am suprised at the failure to feed storys with the EMP. Mine had issues that SA fixed, but feeding has never been a problem. It has always fed everything and the slide has never failed to lock back.

 

[the naked prophet]

The EMP is a great little gun. No I would not throw it in the mud and then try to use it, but I would not do that even to a Glock.

Neither would I, but it's possible that you and the gun might not have a choice of whether to get thrown in the mud (or some other source of dirt/crud) and then need to use the gun. I know that my Glock will work if that happens. I'm not starting a Glock vs. 1911 thing here, I'm just saying that when I get a 1911 (still looking) it will probably be a bit looser, or at least more tolerant of dirt. Perhaps a Mil-Spec.