New Springfield EMP!

[Walkalong]

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

True. I just don't worry about it. The odds are so slim I choose not to.

Now, if I was going into battle where I would be subject to rain, mud, etc. etc. I would take an all steel 1911 rattletrap in .45 and never look back.

But, most of us are in clean conditions 99.9% of the time. I would not let the tightness of the EMP bother me.

 

[koja48]

Nice! EMP = Extra Money Project . . . and away I go to the local gun shop/investment firm . . .

 

[rangemeister]

Well, put three hundred 115/124. Absolutely no malfunctions of any type. My gun shoots a little high though. Great groups, just not shooting on target at the 6 oclock position. Got my new mags also. This made it easier to shoot the extra rounds. Keep cleaning the gun and it will stroke for you!

Happy shooting....

 

[Wild Deuce]

After reading all the online and print reviews, my wife and I decided to purchase an EMP (for her). We decided to skip the aggravation (hopefully) that seems to have afflicted a few of the posters to this thread. We ordered direct from the SA Custom Shop. Requested checkering of the frontstrap / under trigger guard as well as a complete reliability package and removal of the ILS. Also requested installation of a short trigger. Now we wait ....

 

[Walkalong]

Wild Duece. That should be awesome. Let us know how it goes.

 

[AWMP]

Wild D. lets see some pics when you get it and let us know how it shoots.

 

[Boarhunter]

Wild Deuce,

If you think she intends to share with you, you are most likely sadly mistaken.... My suggestion is that you go ahead now and order one for yourself.

Boarhunter

 

[tydephan]

Rounds 101 - 200 through the my EMP today. Although the first 100 were flawless, I was much more accurate with the gun today.

I've yet to have the first failure.

Seriously guys, this gun is an absolute delight to shoot. Highly recommended!

 

[Boarhunter]

Guys,

Let me give you an update on the status of my EMP front-sight improvement project.

I turned the gun over to my gunsmith and explained that the nuclear front sight was not readily visible and that I wanted to switch to a fiber optic sight. As it turns out, there are apparently no readily-available aftermarket sights as yet. And given that the factory sights ride very low on the slide and are contoured with the slide, modification of aftermarket sights would be difficult.

So my gunsmith modified the existing front sight by drilling out the hole previously used for the nuclear to accept a fiber optic pipe and then milled away a portion of the sight top to allow light to access the fiber optic pipe. Obviously, there are no "elevation" issues since the original sight remains in place.

The end result is a custom fiber optic sight that works very, very well. Right now, I have a lime green insert, but other colors are easily adaptable (I may ultimately insert a blaze orange before all is said and done).

I like the job and I like the results.

Boarhunter

 

[mrcpu]

Can you post some pics?

 

[Boarhunter]

Sure. I will get some posted today.

Boarhunter

 

[solvability]

 

[Boarhunter]

Well, what do you think about this modification to the EMP? I like it.

Boarhunter

 

[Walkalong]

Very nice!

 

[mrcpu]

I think it was a creative solution to the problem, and it looks great. I may do the same thing to mine when I get it here in a few days.

 

[KONY]

Hmmm ... guess which pistol is gracing the cover of the latest issue of American Rifleman?

 

[DC-Loudsound]

It's just a cool looking gun ...

I want one ... right after the new Wilson CQB Compact ...

 

[Boarhunter]

This was taken from an open letter from Springfield regarding its EMP:


Springfield Wins Gun of the Year ... Again
EMP Named Handgun of the Year by American Rifleman Magazine

March 2007

We are very pleased to announce the Springfield Armory EMP has been awarded the prestigious Golden Bullseye 2007 Hangun of the Year Award by the National Rifle Association's American Rifleman Magazine. This is the fourth such award for Springfield Armory the five years the Golden Bullseye Awards have existed.

"The Golden Bullseye Award, now in its fifth year, as come to symbolize the best efforts made during the past year by companies and individuals pursuing excellence and innovation in the manufacture of firearms, accessories and related equipment. We honor this year's winners for bringing to market products that are remarkable in their utility to the firearm enthusiast and for standing as exemplary representatives of an industry that traces its roots to the very founding of our republic. We are confident that shooters and hunters everywhere will receive this year's winners with great interest and appreciation for a job well done," said Joe H. Graham, Executive Director of NRA Publicatons.

The award will be presented to Springfield Armory during the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, April 12-17, in St. Louis, Missouri.


The birth of a new class of 1911


Previously, when 1911s were chambered for short- action calibers like the 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 GAP, this was done on guns built around the longer 45 ACP cartridge. Spacers were placed in the magazine to align the shorter cartridges. The EMP is the first production 1911 designed specifically for these shorter cartridges.

The world got its first glimpse of the short-action 1911 in 2005 with a prototype Springfield gun called the "Defender." Chambered in 45 GAP, this rare gun received rave reviews from numerous firearms publications. We decided to launch this new class of 1911 in the more popular 9mm caliber in the EMP.


springfield-armory.com

The Springfield Armory Enhanced Micro Pistol (EMP) is the American Rifleman Handgun of the Year.

The EMP is featured in the current issue of American Rifleman Magazine.

Springfield XD 45 ACP, 2006 Handgun of the Year

Springfield SOCOM 16, 2005 Rifle of the Year

Springfield XD, 2003 Handgun of the year


Thank you all again for your support of Springfield Armory.

END

Boarhunter

 

[Fistful Of Steel]

New to the forum, so hi. Picked up an EMP on Thursday and broke it in today. Worked great with factory ammo but at first it didn't want to chamber Hornady 124g TAPs. With the flat nose of the HP, it's like trying to fit a square in a circle. After 100+ rounds, I ran a clip thru fine. I shot up some old reloads---115g FMJ with 5g of Bullseye. I knew some of them weren't properly sized and I did have quite a few jams (slide wouldn't close). I took a case gauge with me and checked the ones that jammed and they wouldn't go all the way in the case gauge either. Fuctioned flawlessly with el cheapo Russian throwaways (Timber Wolf?) in 115FMJ and Winchester Silvertips. Kickass pistol all the way around. I think I'll look into an IWB holster for warm weather/light clothing (recommendations are welcome---I tend to be a minimalist when I can). Wife will be popping primers with it tomorrow. I'll go with all factory stuff---I don't want to ruin her confidence. Also as a precaution, I gave it a good cleaning when I got home. Only improvement I can see would be some checkering on the front strap. It shoots better than I can shoot but I still beat the crap out of my gong and I haven't had a pistol in my hand in 8 years!

 

[Fistful Of Steel]

Tydephan, could you email that poker pic in hi-res? I'm not signed up for IM. Thanks.

 

[tydephan]

Tydephan, could you email that poker pic in hi-res? I'm not signed up for IM. Thanks.

Email with attachments en route!

Welcome to THR.

 

[Walkalong]

I shot up some old reloads---115g FMJ with 5g of Bullseye. I knew some of them weren't properly sized and I did have quite a few jams (slide wouldn't close). I took a case gauge with me and checked the ones that jammed and they wouldn't go all the way in the case gauge either.

Springfield cuts the EMP chambers to minimum SAMMI spec. (Tight chambers) Reloaders may need an undersize reloading die made by Lee and sold by EGW as well as others.

SA reamed my slightly undersized (below minimum SAMMI specs) chamber and I don't need an undersized die, but I also get rid of any overly bulged looking cases, even though my other 9MM guns have bigger chambers.

My EMP always fed everything (before some would stick in the chamber locking it up) and since coming back from SA it has been absolutely flawless.

 

[Wild Deuce]

After reading all the online and print reviews, my wife and I decided to purchase an EMP (for her). We decided to skip the aggravation (hopefully) that seems to have afflicted a few of the posters to this thread. We ordered direct from the SA Custom Shop. Requested checkering of the frontstrap / under trigger guard as well as a complete reliability package and removal of the ILS. Also requested installation of a short trigger. Now we wait ....

Grrrrrr ... just got word today that my EMP will be four months minimum from their Custom Shop and they will be unable to do the short trigger. Oh well, gotta wait in line. It should get here about the same time as the Milt Sparks holster.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have to say the EMP is the first non-Baer 1911 I have taken an interest in buying in a long time. I love my little colt 380 gov, but it is beating itself apart and the EMP makes tons of sense to me. I only need a 9mm for what I am doing and am specifically buying it for carry and camping.

Too bad Springfields web site makes it very hard to get detailed high resolution pictures and detailed information.

I am looking forward to hearing about your guys successes with the EMP before I find one.

 

[Shipwreck]

That is a very nice fiber optic job.

I am not a fan of the Novak night sights that SPringfield uses. Instead of using the ones with the white circle around the tritium, they use the ones with the silver rings around the tritium.

It is very hard to see.

I got to shoot am EMP this weekend. I was surprised at the lack of muzzle rise for that size gun. But, I hate the front sight when trying to use it in a dimly lit indoor range (not quite dark enough to make use of the tritium).

Since they are official Novaks, I thought that it might be possible to send the slide to Novak - and they can match the height with one of thier fiber optic sights. They might be able to modify one that would fit on other Springfield 1911s.

I had a TRP in the past, and I hated these sights. U may have to do what I did - I eventually put white paint over then because I just couldn't take using them at the range anymore, and I didn't wanna pay over $100 more for the trijicon Novaks that should have come on the gun to begin with. Sounds kinda strange - painting over night sights. But I had too. Too several attempts to finally get the paint to look good. But, I eventually got it.