Springfield EMP?

[Bringsfire]

I am considering purchasing a Springfield EMP in 9mm for carry. I am interested in hearing from those with experience shooting this pistol. In particular I want to know how reliable the gun is, and issues in general.

[aatruong]

It's a wonderful gun (I'm partial to the 1911 platform anyway so do keep that in mind). Easy to shoot offhand and points naturally and let's not forget about the ergonomics. However, having said that, I wouldn't consider it as a first choice in ccw; my p2000sk in 9mm or a j-frame often jumps to mind. Besides, depending on your experience, the 1911 type guns may not be the friendliest gun to train with. The beauty is your search for the next ccw will be an awesome road trip full of insights and experience.

[9mmepiphany]

This is my review from a couple of years ago

The only real changes I've done to it so far is to black out the rear nightsight lamps for quicker sight alignment and having a single sided safety installed (the stock ones had sharp rear edges)

It's been back to the factory once for something most folks wouldn't even notice...there was a slight hangup as the locking ribs rose into the slide...that SA cleaned up for me.

It has been very reliable with factory ammo, but did bobble once on some lead reloads. I've carried it as a CCW on occasion and recently shot it in an IDPA match.

SA is the only source of extra magazines (made by Mec-Gar), I picked up 4 extras during their last sale. I also got an extra recoil spring assembly...I think they are good for about 3k rounds.

It isn't my primary CCW, my Kahr CW9 gets to go out more often

[Bringsfire]

I should point out that this is for my wife. I am personally partial to polymer framed-striker fired-no manual saftey type weapons for carry (XDm 3.8 in .45 is my primary) She however seems to gravitate to the 1911 platform. For those of you who are, or have ever been married you know this means, won't even look at anything else.
She is a farily experienced shooter (quite a bit of professional traininig). Given the 1911 platform in a small frame, and in 9mm, this is what I have come up with. Since the purpose of this gun is for CCW, I am primarily concerned with reliability, and durability of the firearm. She can handle the rest.

[Bringsfire]

I should point out that this is for my wife. I am personally partial to polymer framed-striker fired-no manual saftey type weapons for carry (XDm 3.8 in .45 is my primary) She however seems to gravitate to the 1911 platform. For those of you who are, or have ever been married you know this means, won't even look at anything else.
She is a farily experienced shooter (quite a bit of professional traininig). Given the 1911 platform in a small frame, and in 9mm, this is what I have come up with. Since the purpose of this gun is for CCW, I am primarily concerned with reliability, and durability of the firearm. She can handle the rest.

[9mmepiphany]

She's welcome to try mine...we're local...if you'll cover the range fees and the ammo...maybe buy me a Starbucks

[Bringsfire]

Great review 9mm, and thank you for the generous offer! We may well take you up on that!

[9mmepiphany]

PM me when you're ready

[jlbflyboy172]

When I first got mine I couldn't get a whole mag through it without a malfunction. I specifically bought it for concealed carry so obviously this was of great concern. I sent it to the SA custom shop and had them do a defense package on it. Got it back in two weeks and it has run flawlessly ever since. They did a great job on it and it is extremely reliable. I have heard they can be sort of hit or miss. I know it's a bummer to put work into a new gun to get it reliable but I think that is just sort of the nature of the beast with the 1911 paltform. But once you get it dialed in its pretty hard to beat. The EMP is a great little carry gun and it shoots really well. Would recommend it.

[MossbergMan]

Mine has run flawlessly from round one. I had bought it specifically for the "off duty" pistol competition at the NRA Police Nationals, but it so nice to shoot and reliable it's on the CCW and in carry rotation. Hard to find a smaller 9+1 9mm.

[dfletcher]

Mine had issues, punctured primers caused the gun to jam and it was returned to Springfield where the titanium firing pin and firing pin spring were replaced. I'm not alone in having that problem. Since then the gun has worked perfectly and I occasionally carry it in OR. Very nice trigger, well made overall. I replaced the ambi thumb safety with a single sided one from Nighthawk.

[SARC_Mike]

I will be picking mine up in one week. After about 500 rounds I think it will be my daily carry replacing my glock. Or Ill sell it. Who knows. Total impulse buy.

[dfletcher]

That the EMP is made a little smaller around the grip and rear slide area may not seem like much, but when held it is apparent. I have long hands & fingers and pretty much the entire grip and trigger guard area is swallowed up.

[jyo]

I've been fortunate enough to shoot two of these neat little pistols---one quite a lot because I was at the range when a fellow had one---he didn't mind breaking in his new gun with my ammo! That gun ran 100% as did the other one I got to shoot---however, this was after it came back from SA---feeding issues, he said. This pistol ran perfectly during the 40-60 or so rounds I put thru it.
I don't know how comfortable I would be with the wife and 1911 style cocked & locked carry unless she was really good and trained and understood the whole C&L thing. My wife went with the little Kahr CW9 and I am good with that, plus it's a lot lighter than the EMP---maybe 1/2 lb lighter or more. Since my wife mostly shoots the DAO Kahr and is not a "gun person" per say, I try not to confuse her with the various trigger types. I even picked-up a second CW9 for myself---thus if needed, my pistol would operate just like hers.
Having said that, I could see an EMP in my future---as I said, neat little pistol...

[707electrician]

Love mine, haven't had any issues yet.

Some of them have issues feeding certain hollow point ammo and rarely some other issues but SA has a great warranty and will get any issues resolved.

Just make sure you take it to the range and make sure you break it in and check for these issues before you rely on it as a carry gun.