Springfield 1911 EMP Unboxed at the Gun Counter

in 1911, Unboxed at the Gun Counter

Springfield 1911 EMP

The Springfield 1911 EMP (Enhanced Micro Pistol) isn’t your normal compact 1911. Springfield has completely redesigned, and patented, the 1911 EMP with a shorter action and overall smaller dimensions than a standard 1911. The result is a reliable, ergonomic design that’s easy to conceal and a pleasure to shoot.  The 1911 EMP is available in both 9 mm and .40 S&W and your choice of bi-tone stainless and black or just black.

Each EMP 1911 comes in a Springfield polymer hard case with foam packing. It is sturdy enough to fly and travel with. The case contains three nine round (.40 S&W holds eight rounds) 9mm magazines, an owner’s manual, replacement fiber optic inserts and a standard cable lock.

Springfield reduced the traditional 1911 action by 1/8 of an inch and created a smaller grip radius making the EMP easy to control and more dependable in both calibers. The internals are specific for 9mm and .40 S&W ensuring ultimate reliability.

The forged aluminum frame reduces the overall weight to just 27 ounces, making this 1911 EMP ideal for concealed carry. (A Glock 19 weighs 24 ounces for reference). Springfield uses all forged parts which are proven to be stronger and more reliable than MIM (metal injection molding) parts. The stainless-steel slide is topped with orange fiber optic, three-dot tritium sites, and has rear serrations. It also comes with a green replacement fiber optic insert.

Ambidextrous safety controls are easy to manipulate on both sides. The hammer is skeletonized with cocking serrations. The beaver tail grip safety is responsive and light. A checkered mainspring housing gives you better grip and control when firing. The grips are checkered cocobolo wood that dress up the gun nicely.

The trigger has also been skeletonized and has vertical serrations to keep your trigger finger in place when firing. The trigger pull is short and crisp as to be expected with 1911s. Springfield uses a match grade stainless bull barrel that’s fully ramped. Bull barrels help reduce recoil and dissipate heat better. A dual recoil spring also aids in reducing felt recoil. Most 1911s have a traditional single recoil spring.

MSRP on the 9 mm 1911 EMP is $1,104.00, but you can find one on GunsAmerica from your local dealer for less.

Shop on GunsAmerica for a Springfield 1911 EMP

About the author: True Pearce is the Managing Editor at GunsAmerica. He’s a competitive shooter, hunter, instructor & attorney. You can see and follow his adventures on Instagram. @true1911 https://www.instagram.com/true1911/

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  • Adam June 17, 2019, 1:16 pm

    My carry gun is an EMP Lightweight Champion 4″ chambered in .40 SW. I love this gun. I admit I’m not a huge fan of the ambidextrous safety though. I can’t find a 1911 without one anymore…

  • Dusty May 26, 2019, 7:15 pm

    Seems to be a quality option for concealed carry of a 1911. Obviously, well engineered. I agree with the no need for ambi-safety. they tend to gouge my hand a bit with a high grip. Re: the Para… I had one… remarkably unreliable… traded away. Reminded me of two other attempts at 1911’s- 2 Colt Gold Cups, and a Detonics ‘Combat Master'(?)- none of those three would normally run a whole magazine without stoppage. With any sort of ammo, including .45 ACP 230gr. ball. A Randall, Kimber, Springfield, Remington, and even a Citadel have all run just fine

  • Mike Cornett May 23, 2019, 6:23 am

    I loved this pistol AT FIRST Glance….But No!
    Single action…I know that’s the classic was to treat a 1911
    But….Hay…..it’s 2019. Get real
    And not available in 45 ACP.
    Good luck selling this

  • Preston Ross May 23, 2019, 12:59 am

    I hate the .40 S&W, wish they’d consider chambering it in .357 or ..45. Recoil can’t be any more severe than my Glock 33.

  • SK Eagle May 22, 2019, 4:19 pm

    Look to me that there bring back the 3” barrel in 9 and 40 the first Emp was 45acp if you want real cary gun buy a Para LDA carry you don’t have to worry about it being loaded I love mine

  • gary bello May 22, 2019, 2:08 pm

    those wanting this gun in 45acp miss the point – gun designed for 9mm/40sw – these cartridges are shorter than 45acp – so not possible to chamber 45acp in this design.
    in regular 45acp – 9mm/40sw mags have spacer to take up slack of too short cartridges.
    if you want 45acp in 1911 style you must get a “regular” 1911.

  • Duane Hein May 22, 2019, 12:58 pm

    I like the gun, but the safety on the right side needs to be removed. Makes for better concealed carry. .45 ACP would have been more fitting for this weapon.

    • Nolan Raborn May 22, 2019, 2:41 pm

      Ambi safeties have a bad tendency to be brushed off leaving you with a very dangerous gun on your belt.

  • Robert (Drew) Cook May 22, 2019, 12:10 pm

    Cea, that would be .45 caliber ACP, not “45 mm (millimeter).” I agree. If you’re going to make a 1911 semi-auto pistol, you should make it available in .45 caliber ACP — the round the original 1911 was designed for.

  • Joseph hill May 22, 2019, 9:56 am

    I purchased the XDS in 45mm for conceal carry. Some people think 45 is to big or uncomfortable. With the XDS it’s totally opposite. I carry it everyday and everywhere. Very very comfortable inside the waist band and out you can’t go wrong. Would love to try the new 1911 45.

  • kimberproSS May 22, 2019, 9:21 am

    I wonder how many ways there are left to tweak a 1911?

  • Bob Ramirez May 22, 2019, 8:20 am

    Love 1911’s and compact one as you describe got my adrenaline pumped up till you got to 9 mm or 40 mm. To me a real 1911 is 45 mm ! I have plenty of concealable 9mm that pack a good punch and with big hands are still very manageable. I would buy the 1911 commander if I wanted 1911 compact.

    • Cea May 22, 2019, 8:53 am

      Dang!! A 45 mm 1911? That’s a 1.7″ diameter projectile…whoa! I bet it has a bit of recoil LOL.
      45 acp is a bit tinier at 11.4 mm

  • Bayou Boys May 22, 2019, 5:42 am

    Kimber has been doing this gun for a few years except for 40cal,, a little late I would say.

    • RunsWIthScissors September 11, 2019, 2:34 pm

      Actually, this unboxing is 12 years late.

      The Springfield Armory EMP 9mm has been in production since 2007. The Kimber Micro 9 was introduced in 2015 and started production in 2016. It’s Kimber who is late to the game. There’s a lot of folks using the EMP as their EDC.

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