Springfield's EMP -- more competition, please

[9mm+]

I own an XD40 and have been extremely pleased with it; the quality and reliability of this Springfield model well exceeded my expectations. So, considering how satisfied I was of my most recent purchase -- the Sig P238 -- I was snooping around for another 1911 style pistol in a compact 9mm form. The Springfield EMP immediately came to mind as a contender, that is until I started comparison shopping. $1000? Really? This is essentially the same price when it was released years ago, which seems odd since there are other micro 1911's out there like the Kimber Ultra Carry II.

I get the whole supply/demand stuff, so I can only assume that the market for these models is strong and supply is limited with not enough competitors to drive prices down. Most shooters rave about the EMP's accuracy and feel, so maybe it's worth every penny. After buying the P238 (no regrets there!), I will have to put some more money away before taking this plunge.

 

[JTQ]

$1000 is a reasonable ballpark price for a 1911 pattern pistol.

Additionally, the EMP is its' own unique size. It is sized for the 9MM and .40 S&W rounds and not the .45ACP as are other "officer(ish)" sized pistols.

 

[Quack]

it's nicely built, and for $1000, it isn't that expensive if you consider other 1911's of the same quality.

 

[9mm+]

I agree that the EMP is a beautiful pistol and unique in the market. For the consumer, though, there lies the rub. The .45 1911's are plenty bountiful and the unit prices for "standard" 1911's in .45 ACP are almost half of the EMP's (of course, unique/match models are far, far more than that). I would love to have the EMP today, but the price is a bit too high at present. Maybe when we see other manufacturers jumping into the micro 1911/9mm/40S&W arena will the prices start to fall. I just wished that was sooner rather than later since the EMP looks like a great shooter!

 

[Smaug]

Did you look at the Paras? Slim Hawg?

Single stack, slim 45.

There's also the Carry 9, a light double action slim 9 mm:

Here's another model, not quite as de-horned as the Carry 9, but about the same otherwise:

The only issue I see is that you either get SA and 45 ACP or DA and 9mm. So maybe that's not competition, but something to consider, nevertheless.

 

[9mm+]

Thanks, Smaug. I've always liked Para's. Like you said, it would be good to get SAO *and* 9mm in the same model.

 

[JTQ]

The .45 1911's are plenty bountiful and the unit prices for "standard" 1911's in .45 ACP are almost half of the EMP's

For 1911's from the PI, maybe, but I consider $800 - $1200 the "sweat spot" for production line 1911's. The EMP still falls in that window, in spite of the unique characteristics of the pistol. If that is the kind of pistol you are looking for, I consider that a bargain.

 

[9mm+]

True, 1911 prices run the gamut and most are $700-800+, but there are new models in the $500-600 range, too, from Springfield, Taurus, and Para (among others). Granted, they are no-frills models. I should revise that sentence to read "unit prices for some standard 1911's..."

 

[harmon rabb]

I agree that the EMP is a beautiful pistol and unique in the market. For the consumer, though, there lies the rub. The .45 1911's are plenty bountiful and the unit prices for "standard" 1911's in .45 ACP are almost half of the EMP's (of course, unique/match models are far, far more than that). I would love to have the EMP today, but the price is a bit too high at present. Maybe when we see other manufacturers jumping into the micro 1911/9mm/40S&W arena will the prices start to fall. I just wished that was sooner rather than later since the EMP looks like a great shooter!

You're really going to compare an EMP to something like a RIA or basic GI 1911? That's not fair. Do you expect a corvette to be as cheap as a mustang gt?

 

[Quack]

^^^ +1

sure one can buy a Springfield GI for 1/2 the cost of the EMP, but the difference is going to cost that much to make it a similar build to the EMP.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I should revise that sentence to read "unit prices for some standard 1911's..."

Maybe "unit prices of lower end standard 1911s"

You're comparing 1911s from the lower range of 1911 to the mid-priced EMP. I feel the quality and workmanship of the EMP puts it somewhat above the Springfield TRP and below the Professional...I'll defer to Quack's more extensive experience of relative workmanship in the Springfield line...I consider an EMP at ~$1k a good value

While there are other shortened .45ACP based 1911s, there really isn't a comparable platform to the EMP. I've seen the prices climb from <$900 to >$1200 on the open market, partly that is the economy and partly the demand...until this years SHOT Show, it's only rival was the Kahr K/P9

 

[Quack]

i would put the EMP along the lines of the TRP/Trophy Match, minus the magwell and 20lpi checkering. When my EMP was new, it was as tight are my TRP, both of which were better fit than my Loaded's. Also the RIA and lower priced guns are usually cast frames and made in the Philippines.

 

[9mm+]

While there are other shortened .45ACP based 1911s, there really isn't a comparable platform to the EMP. I've seen the prices climb from <$900 to >$1200 on the open market, partly that is the economy and partly the demand...until this years SHOT Show, it's only rival was the Kahr K/P9

Exactly my point. Some new competitors in this niche would help lower the prices and keep the quality high so the consumers get the best value.

Considering that the EMP really has no competition at this point, $1000 would likely be a reasonable price.

 

[Quack]

there's the STI Escort, Shadow and Off-Duty, which are similar in price to the EMP.

 

[9mm+]

I might have to just suck it up and get an EMP. It's a damn nice looking pistol, even if the price sticks in my craw a bit.

 

[harmon rabb]

I might have to just suck it up and get an EMP. It's a damn nice looking pistol, even if the price sticks in my craw a bit.

It's worth every penny. It's perfectly balanced and a really sweet shooter. Feels quality all around. Honestly, it would be fun even just as a range gun. 9mm matches with the officer's frame perfectly.

You really can't compare it to cheaper 1911's.

 

[9mm+]

It's worth every penny. It's perfectly balanced and a really sweet shooter. Feels quality all around. Honestly, it would be fun even just as a range gun. 9mm matches with the officer's frame perfectly.

You really can't compare it to cheaper 1911's.

I think I'm sold! Now, I just need to get the $$$ together. I'm still recovering from the Sig P238 purchase last week, so maybe in the next few weeks I can snag an EMP.

 

[Walkalong]

I consider an EMP at ~$1k a good value

It's worth every penny. It's perfectly balanced and a really sweet shooter. Feels quality all around.

Yep. You won't regret it.

 

[Capp35]

Most quality 1911s go up in price, not down.

The MSRP on my Kimber Goldmatch is up $200 from when I bought it.