Springfield EMP Question

[SevenMichael]

I'm considering purchasing an EMP, and I've read quite a bit on the problems with feed/jams, especially using hollow point loads. I've also read the info that the problems can easily be fixed with some changes to the mags.

Additionally, I've read that the EMPs out of the box are "dirty" and need to be cleaned and "polished".

My question is, has anyone purchased an EMP manufactured or shipped AFTER these problems surfaced, and AFTER Springfield got so many of them returned for rework ?

If so, are the new manufactured EMPs now fixed, or are there still problems ?

thanks for the input !

 

[FJC]

I purchased one recently, and mine has been FLAWLESS.

I, too, read of all the issues, but it seemed that the initial ones had issues that Springfield quickly fixed. Later ones seemed to be fine right out-of-the-box. Mine is serial number EMP28xx.

I've put a good 400+ rounds through mine, and have yet to have a single failure of any kind. Ammo used has included WWB, American Eagle FMJ, Speer 124gr Gold Dot JHP, and my own reloads using Montana Gold JHP.

 

[Tom Servo]

It seems to like hotter loads. A customer got one that simply wouldn't digest 147gr.

Also, the gun appears to be very intolerant of limp-wristing. With decent loads and a firm grip, I had no problems in three mags. Accuracy was surprisingly good.

 

[Walkalong]

Mine has never failed to feed from round one. Now: it did have an slightly undersized chamber, which was only an issue with handloads right at sammi minimum, not factory ammo. (SA cuts EMP chambers to sammi minimum) It also shot a bit high and had some light fireing pin strikes. I sent it to SA. They replaced the slide, installed a higher front sight, reamed and polished the chamber and it has been absolutely flawless since then. It's a great little 9MM. It was not dirty new and the fit and finish is very good. Very tight.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

It seems to like hotter loads.

Unless they have changed the spring system, this is untrue, at least in regard to +P ammo which Springfield specifically suggests not using.

My EMP has been really good, but I only have 2430 rounds through it. It did NOT like S&B hollowpont ammo, but did fine with Federal Hydrasho 124 gr. ammo.

My only real complaint is that its POA is above the POI, the impact being below the front sight. Out to about 20 yards, you put the front tritium dot on what you wan to hit and it will hit it. The problem is that the front sight then covers up the target.

Also, while it is a small 1911, not everything about it makes it small. With a magazine in the gun, it is actually taller than my Kimber Ultra Elite in .45 acp which uses flush fitting mags.

FYI, chrono' the Hydrashok out of mine at 1040 fps and Blazer 115 gr. ball at 1090 fps.

 

[SevenMichael]

Thanks for the Replies

Nothing beats real experience, so I really appreciate all of the input. Sounds like the issues have been resolved by SA.

"Walkalong" - Did SA cover all the costs (including shipping) for the work they had to do for you ? Also, how responsive were they to your problems and how long did it take to get it fixed ? - thanks for the response !

 

[Walkalong]

"Walkalong" - Did SA cover all the costs (including shipping)

Yes. They reimbursed shipping. No cost to me. I don't remember the turnaround time, but it wasn't long. They were great to deal with. No fuss. Just send it to us and we will fix it. period.

 

[Baneblade]

My wife bought one in April. She had mulled it over for a couple of weeks, mostly because of the price, but decided it was THE gun for her.

We have fired approximately 500 rounds through it and I can report that I am very happy with it. It is extremely accurate for that size of gun, very smooth, and just plain good looking.

We have had trouble with the gun not locking up on an empty magazine so I did some trials with it. After trying to malfunction the gun in every way I can positively say the problem is with the magazines, not the gun. In doing so I severly limp wristed the gun, i.e. holding the gun loosly with two fingers, and had trouble causing a malfuntion. No failure to feed/eject issues.

I am very happy with the gun and would recommend it, despite the price tag. My wife, who carried a Glock 21 as a duty weapon, absolutely loves it.

 

[sturmgewehr]

Mine has been a flawless performer. I have a couple thousand rounds through mine and it's not given my any problems at all.

 

[MNBud]

Slide not going to battery

Well my EMP ran new factory ammo perfectly, but when I tried shooting reloads it has failed to go to battery a number of times. The last time I actually had to have a smith free it up. Most of the time I could grip the slide and tap the hand on the grip and free it up and remove the round.
Can someone tell me what the dimension is on the breech on a later version? Mine is right at .390. All the winchester ammo appears to hold at .389 at the base after it has been fired and those reloads are fine. Lellier & Bellot and GBC appear to fire fine from the factory but swell at the base to .390 and won't fit into the breech after reloading.
My serial #26xx and I think I read on here that someone with one in the range of 2800 had no issues at all. Were the ones that went back in this 2600 range?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Bud

 

[SevenMichael]

I Bought One !!!!

Well, couldn't resist so I bought one.

Picked it up yesterday and put about 100 rounds through it. No Problems or jams. I used Win White Box 115 gr para, and 124 gr Win Hollow Points, both without any problems. By the way, my serial number is 13XX, which was way before the 28xx someone else mentioned.

However, I have one issue and that is wear showing on the sides, near the bottom of the grip safety. It is rubbing off some of the black on the grip safety plastic, on both sides. Also, the portion of the barrel visible through the slide, is showing some scuffs.

Have others experienced this wear ? It is very troubling to see this on such an expensive gun !

But, I've gotta admit this is the best shooting gun I've ever had.... I LOVE the way it shoots !!!

 

[CPshooter]

nice pics sturmgewehr!

i want to see some pics of the EMP side-by-side with other comparable "carry" guns, such as Kahrs, P-3ATs, XD and Glock Sub-compacts, etc. I have yet to carry one of these bad boys, and I don't know if I'd ever get the opportunity before I buy one, and I'm really interested.

Could somebody take pics, particularly from the rear comparing it to a Kahr or XD-SC? I'm really interested to see just how thin/small this thing is at the grip and at the slide when compared to a Kahr or other smaller carry gun.

Lastly, is there any hope of being able to fit some sort of flat base plate on the mags? I want a flush-fitting mag so it makes the profile even smaller for carry. And is +P ammo really gonna hurt this thing? I won't buy it if it won't shoot DoubleTap's 9mm.. thanks in advance!

 

[illspirit]

Spooky. I was just about to ask the same question CPshooter did..

I've been contemplating whether to get an XD-SC for a while, but started thinking something with a single-stack mag might be even better. The EMP might also satisfy my recent craving for something 1911-ish. As such, a rear view of the EMP next to a Glock or XD would be much appreciated.

 

[CPshooter]

That gun is too beautiful. I must have one. I've been eyeing these things and slobbering over all the pics for days now. You people who own them are too selfish! More pics and comparisons pleeeeeeeease?

I'm going to fight this urge to buy one nonetheless, because I turn 21 in January and by then the SHOT show will be going on, and MAYBE just maybe Springfield might have a special edition one or something. I'd like to see an all-black one w/ some grips like the Kimber RCPII has. just sleek and all black w/ a checkered frontstrap and a flush fitting 8rd. mag.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

i would like comparison pics as well. maybe a p3at or 642?

 

[CPshooter]

i would like comparison pics as well. maybe a p3at or 642?

I would say sandwich the EMP right in between a P3at (or better yet, a Kahr PM9, because we all know that the p3at is just a different class of pistol in that it's a true pocket pistol so why bother comparing it), and on the other side put a G26,XDSC, or M&Pc next to it. This would give us a good comparison of how it stacks up against other 9mm "carry" autos in terms of size.

I'm totally thinking I'm going to get myself one for my birthday this January after the SHOT show is over, and if Springfield doesn't have a new custom version of the EMP available, I'm going to do it myself by getting the frontstrap checkered, bobbing the hammer and chopping the beavertail, installing a short trigger w/ a 4lbs trigger job, and definitely re-doing the slide to some black coating. And even if I have to get creative myself, I swear I will find a way to make flush-fitting 8rd mags. Ahh i need to shoot one already!!!

 

[Walkalong]

My serial #26xx and I think I read on here that someone with one in the range of 2800 had no issues at all. Were the ones that went back in this 2600 range?
Thanks in advance for any help.

Mine is #446. It had a chamber slightly under SAMMI minimum specs. SA says they cut the EMP chambers to minimum SAMMI spec. They reamed and polished mine as well as install a new slide and higher front sight. It has been flawless since then.

I swear I will find a way to make flush-fitting 8rd mags.

They need to come out with a flush fit 8 rounder for sure.

 

[mattk]

if it only came with a black slide I would buy one!