Springfield EMP4: Good Choice in 9mm

By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor

The 1911 is not only a popular and useful handgun it is versatile and adaptable, having set a standard for personal defense, warfare, and competition.

About the only real criticism of the handgun that holds water is based on size and weight. This limits the pistol’s use in personal defense and daily carry. An 8.5 inch 38-ounce handgun is a comfort in battle or on a uniform belt, not so much beneath a blazer. The Commander size and Officers Models handguns were conceptualized to provide shooters a handgun suitable for concealed carry but which maintains the good performance of the 1911 handgun. Most of these handguns are shortened in the slide and frame.

Among the few truly compact handguns offered in the 1911 format is the Springfield Enhanced Micro Pistol. The EMP retains the handling and reliability of the 1911. The EMP is chambered for the 9mm Luger. How important this is to you depends on your faith in the cartridge. I strongly prefer a .45 ACP but accept the 9mm in the role of concealed carry. Springfield re-designed practically every part of the 1911 including the frame, slide, barrel and internals. This isn’t a .45 ACP pistol chambered in 9mm at all but a true downsized pistol proportionate to the 9mm Luger cartridge. The original pistol featured a three-inch barrel. The EMP 4 is a four-inch barrel handgun.

Overall the grip frame is smaller and this makes for greater concealability, not to mention a thinner slide and light weight. The EMP does NOT accept standard 9mm 1911 magazines, which are really just .45 ACP magazines with a block. Springfield has come up with a variation on the original EMP I find ever more capable for personal defense. This is the EMP 4 Lightweight Champion. Springfield has developed a Concealed Carry Contour package for the pistol as well. The pistol features good fit and finish and a tight lockup. The four-inch ramped barrel has plenty of case head support for those of us that like to use +P ammunition or handloads. There is no barrel bushing, the belled barrel locks up tight.

The sights are a Novak type rear sight and fiber optic front. This fiber optic sight is bright in any type of light and offers increased hit probability.

The CCC package results in a pistol that is practically devoid of sharp edges. The EMP CCC is treated to pleasing radiuses and simply feels nice and smooth. The pistol features an ambidextrous safety. The beavertail grip safety properly releases its hold on the trigger about half way into compression. Trigger compression is a smooth 5.75 pounds.

My pistol features an alloy frame finished in an attractive gray. The dark black slide and barrel make an attractive contrast to the frame. An interesting feature is the front strap checkering. Sometimes called golf ball type checkering this feature is usually found on very expensive 1911 handguns. Springfield calls it the Pos Lok. The EMP isn’t cheap but this is a top end feature.

The magazine housing is cut in the bobtail type. This is an aid in concealed carry and feels good in the hand. The grips are nicely checkered and compliment the grip strap treatment.

Firing the pistol is a joy. Recoil is modest, although it is greater than a full size 1911 in 9mm. The pistol clears leather quickly and comes on target fast. The fiber optic front sight makes for rapid sight acquisition.  The trigger is very nice, simply press the trigger to the rear and it breaks clean. Reset is rapid. The pistol takes a little getting used to since it is smaller than a standard 1911.

As an example rapid magazines changes must be learned as the magazines and well are smaller than the 1911 .45, but a beveled magazine well helps in making loading smooth.  Most of the ammunition has been the Black Hills Ammunition 115 grain FMJ. This is a clean burning and accurate loading that offers good economy. Accuracy firing quickly at 5 to 10 yards is excellent with plenty of A hits and a few B hits. I proofed the pistol with good quality defense loads as well. The Black Hills Ammunition EXP or Extra Power load isn’t a +P but is as fast as a standard pressure load may be, clocking 1160 fps the Springfield. I fired a couple of 25 yard groups with a three-inch average for five shots. Clearly the Springfield EMP 4 Concealed Carry Contour pistol is good to go for personal defense.