Current opinions of Springfield EMP 9mm and customization options

[Starslinger]

Hey EMP owners and anyone who has shot the EMP,

All my handguns (I only have two) have manual thumb safeties and I'd like to keep it that way for consistency. I'm looking for a new conceal carry gun and I've been thinking about the Springfield EMP 9mm. Initially I dismissed the EMP as too expensive, but I have a little more money now and I'm taking another look at it. My internet research seems to indicate that this is a reliable, quality gun, though apparently it had some problems when it was first released. What do y'all think of the EMP now in 2018?

Also, will the Truglo sights made for the XD fit the EMP? I'm a big fan of Truglo TFX sights. I might also want to change the thumb safety to something a bit less sharp and go to left-sided safety only. Are these parts available for the EMP? Will any traditional 1911 parts fit the EMP or is everything smaller in the EMP? Thanks for any help!

[Rogue2215]

EPM 3" is a great size for 1911 owners who want to go smaller. It's very accurate with tight tolerances. Lots of known issues with the pistol reported unfortunately. Mine was plagued with every known failure you can think of. Springfield kept saying it" needs to be broken in". With 400 + rounds I called again and they said send it back. They worked it over and I had them pin the ejector. Came back about 80% better but still had an occasional failure to lock back after last round with various ammo. Still really like it but its been in the safe and I have moved on with my CZs. When I have time I will revisit again.
OEM night sights are very good and extremely bright. Not sure if Truglo will fit but I don't think it's needed unless you want fiber.

Also keep in mind that CA EMPs are slightly different. The Ti firing pins do cause light strikes on slightly harder primers. Watch out for that

Just a note that I HATE GUNS that don't function when new. Understand the breaking but my Sigs and CZs have never missed a beat for me. Kimbers, Springfields, Berettas have unfortunately. The EMP was the worst imaginable and considering the cost of the little thing. Also the cost of the rounds just to function check adds up.

Other people reported no issues.

[simonp]

[simonp]

[Starslinger]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Saves me the trouble of dealing with an unreliable and expensive pistol.

[creepyoldgamer]

I had an EMP several years back. I do not recall any issues with it, other than a night sight tritium tube that broke, but was quickly replaced by SA. I enjoyed it, I only sold it to move on to whatever the next great gun I needed at the time was.

[boopiejones]

[BillSmith]

Have owned an EMP for less than a year, though have put 1k+ rounds down the barrel. No issues other than a few failures to eject when shot by my daughter. Limp wrist was the cause.

Have shot a variety of ammo including some bulk quality. Again, no issues.

Maybe I am only a few rounds from an ejector failure, but if/when that happens, I'll send back to Springfield to fix.

It does not 'like' 9 + 1 loading, thus I stick to mag only. Also, prefers slide back when inserting mag. So I comply.

Mod I would choose is clipping the excess on mag to make flush to grip. At that time, drill peek holes.

It is expensive, but it was the most accurate of what I tested in smaller pistols. Tried Glock, S&W MP, PX4 and others. EMP was better 'fit' for me.

[redhemi]

I few years ago I bought a used EMP and had feeding and ejection problems so I changed out all the springs, the MSH and polished almost everything. It is now my double tap machine and I can't remember the last time I had any problems with it. I changed the grips and the MSH with a Smith & alexander magwell and got the MSH spring from Springfield.

[Barbarosa]

In spite of reports of trouble I got the EMP 9. It did have to go back to the Mother Ship to have the ejector drilled and pinned and the chamber polished. I think it was gone less than three weeks and now functions great. It is a tack driver for such a short gun. I liked it so much I bought an EMP 40 and, after the requisite trip to get the ejector fixed it works great.

Guns are a subjective thing so I hesitate to recommend one for you but I wouldn't get rid of either of mine. If you are a patient person and won't get PO'd at having to send your $1000++ gun in for warranty work the EMP is a really nice gun. Warranty repairs are quick and free with SA.

I doubt you'll find a nicer 3" 9mm 1911 for that price. If you don't mind going .45 look at the Kimber Ultra Carry II. It is the entry level of the Ultra series and is nearly the same size as the EMP; in fact holsters are interchangeable. Very similar to the EMP without all the flash and can be had for less than $800. I use the Kimber as my EDC.

[simonp]

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Guns are a subjective thing so I hesitate to recommend one for you but I wouldn't get rid of either of mine. If you are a patient person and won't get PO'd at having to send your $1000++ gun in for warranty work the EMP is a really nice gun. Warranty repairs are quick and free with SA.



.

[Barbarosa]

...but I do expect the gun to come from the factory functional!

I hear you and had similar feelings. One of the folks at Springfield told me they would like to drill and pin the ejectors prior to sales but that would require a change in manufacturing methods which would drop it off the roster and end sales to CA. That kind of made me see things from a different perspective. I give them credit for the excellent customer service when things do need fixing and due to wacky CA laws.

[Drakulya]

I own the EMP and carry it every day. It is an awesome gun. Extremely accurate and hell of a lot of fun to shoot. My gun gave me problems once after carrying the gun for more than 6 months without cleaning. Went to the range and after about 150 rounds it started giving me all kinds of problems. I had a suspicion and had a talk with range master who agreed with my conclusion. The EMP is built really tight and the lint/dust that had already accrued in my gun along with grime form shooting was jamming it. Went home cleaned it, came back and no problems. I now do monthly maintenance just to avoid any problems. I learned from someone that the gun really loves the heavier rounds specially during the break in period which is necessary so I went with the 147g rounds. The gun shoots so smooth I stuck with them. On a side note this gun is one of the very last guns added to the California gun roster. It was released in 2007 just before the Roster was created. Springfield is forbidden from making any changes to the gun from the original version submitted. So while other states get upgraded EMP's we still get the same original version. Springfield however is smart and kind in this regard to keep this particular version in production for us. Should you have any problems send it back and they will make it right as a "repair". It's not just a great gun it's my favorite. My gun has been pretty much flawless except for that one instance I mentioned.

[Starslinger]

More good information. Thanks folks!

[stormvet]

I had the three inch model, wasn’t a fan. Tried to like it, put close to a 1000 rounds through it. It was accurate enough for what it is and was reliable while plinking at an indoor range. But when running it through drills and really working it at my out door range it would have stoppages, ended up selling it.

I shot a buddies four inch model and liked it better, it ran good but I was just plinking with it.