By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Springfield has made a climb from a new maker of 1911 handguns to a well-established company with a wide range of firearms, and at the top of the ladder, you’ll find a pistol dubbed The Emissary.
The Emissary is quite an accomplishment on many levels. This handgun is designed as a personal defense and tactical sidearm, with the makings of an excellent carry gun.
Some of us still deploy a Government Model .45. It isn’t that difficult as the 1911 is pretty thin in cross section. The Emissary as it turns out is slightly thinner than the original 1911. The Emissary retains the good features and advantages of the 1911 and improves on the baseline considerably.
I like to think I am in the loop on new guns but just the same it was three months after the introduction of the pistol before I was able to obtain an example. It was worth the wait and expectation. The Springfield Emissary .45 is well fitted and finished and while it follows the general outline of a 1911 there are significant differences.
I was surprised to find a squared trigger guard. This is an interesting feature that accommodates a number of grip styles well. I don’t usually press the support hand forefinger to the trigger guard but some find this style beneficial. The slide is cut in a style called the tri top with angles that are pleasing and represent difficult machine work usually found on ultra-expensive custom pistols. Its forward cocking serrations are well executed and polished. They offer a good gripping surface without biting into the holster.
The front features an interesting and effective treatment. Blocks rather than diamonds or pyramids are cut into the front strap. This offers a good gripping surface while the blocks do not cut into clothing and coat linings. The pistol features VZ grips. These are among my favorite handgun grips and ride on several of my daily use handguns.
An interesting deviation from the standard 1911 is a bull barrel. This bull barrel is exceptionally well fitted and proved to have a significant effect on accuracy potential. The top of the tri cut slide is cut and grooved between the sights. This is very attractive and gave the machinist a chance to show off- or maybe it was the programmer of the CNC machinery. Either way the result is a very nice look.
The sights are ideal combat sights with a deep U notch in the rear and a tritium front. The rear sight is popular wedge type. It may be stabilized against a heavy belt or boot heel and used to leverage the slide. Racking the side in this manner isn’t that easy. However, if the slide is on lock back and you are executing a one hand load using the rear sight to bring the slide to the rear and release in on a loaded magazine is viable.
The slide lock was very tight at first but after a few dozen rounds loosened considerably. I am pleased there is no target trigger. Those traps have no place on a personal defense or service handgun. The trigger is well designed for control and breaks at a clean 4.75 pounds on the RCBS scale. The grip safety and firing pin block are well fitted. The Springfield Emissary uses a lightweight firing pin and heavy firing pin spring for safety, so there is no needed for a firing pin block.
A light rail located ahead of the trigger guard accepts combat lights and lasers. I tested the pistol with the Inforce Wild 2, a new and powerful light with a 1000 lumens rating. This light is well finished and operates intuitively with a simple paddle lever. Cheaperthandirt.com had seven variations on hand as of Nov. 1. I find the Inforce Wild 2 ideal for my use. For personal defense in the home the Wild 2 is a great option. For concealed carry the affordable but good quality Galco Sto-N-Go is used. With a well designed belt clip and reinforced holster belt this holster does the job and is more comfortable than most.
I fired the Springfield Emissary with a wide range of loads including lead bullet handloads, FMJ loads, and JHP defense loads. Something that is noticeable is that the pistol seems to recoil lighter than most Government Model .45s.
The beavertail grip safety is well designed and Springfield put some thought into the recoil spring. It is a soft shooting .45. The combination of good sights and a good trigger made for good combat accuracy. The pistol is also accurate when firing off a solid braced position.
25-yard group
Load Velocity 5 shot group
Federal 230 grain Hydra Shock 866 fps 2.4 inches
Black Hills 200 grain SWC 870 fps 2.25 inches
Black Hills 230 grain JHP 866 fps 2.5 inches
PMC 230 grain FMJ 845 fps 3.2 inches
Remington UMC 230 grain FMJ 855 fps 2.5 inches
Specifications:
Caliber .45 ACP
Barrel: 5-inch Match
Sights: U-notch rear, tritium front
Grips: VZ Grips Thin-Line G10
Magazines: Two eight round
Weight: 39.5 ounces
OAL: 8.4 inches
Height: 5.25 inches
MSRP: $1,279
