I've always been of the opinion that a 1911 pistol should be chambered in .45 auto.
Then I got my American Rifleman and see this Springfield EMP4 in 9mm.
Now that is one of the best looking pistols I've seen in a while.
Sized for the 9 with 10+1.
If the price comes down I would be interested.

I saw that as well.

I committed blasphemy and bought one! Well..not a EMP but a range officer in 9mm. What a nice shooter. My next 1911 will be commander size and most likely 9mm.

I've shot the regular 9MM EMP, but the 4" barreled one would appeal to me even more. BTW, I think all 1911s should be .45 ACP too, except for 9MM, 38 Super,.357 SIG, 10MM,.22LR and a few others. I'm down to only three 1911 calibers myself now

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

I bought an EMP4 a few weeks ago for my son to shoot in action pistol with me. He's 14 and not very big (5'1", 107lbs), the smaller grip frame and shorter reach to the trigger and controls fit his small hands much better than anything else we could find. The gun is very well appointed and the fit and finish are excellent. It comes in a surprisingly solid case with three mags and the usual plastic gear that Springfield likes to include, plus you get a "Loaded Coupon" so you can place a one time order for extra mags and stuff at a discount. The gun itself has a lot of nice features - alloy frame, checkered MSH, a sort of a golf ball style front strap treatment, fiber optic front sight, ambi safety, aluminum trigger, bull barrel. The price seems high until you think about it in 1911 terms, when compared to other similarly equipped pistols of like quality the price is actually pretty good. And, of course, the other guns don't have the thing that sets the EMP line apart - a grip frame designed around the shorter 9mm cartridge. I got it for $959 +$20 shipping off gunbroker.

The gun has proven to be very accurate and reliable. It has run without any issues for through a couple of matches and several practice sessions now. The difference in the size makes this gun much easier for my son to handle and control and his speed and accuracy improved from the first shot. For someone that needs a smaller 1911, whether for concealment or due to smaller hand size, but wants full size capacity and grip length, this gun is definitely worth looking at.

I use Garrett Industries gear and they make holsters and mag pouches specifically for the EMP4 and their stuff fits perfectly. I got him one of their Silent Thunder Champion holsters and triple mag carriers to go with it.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

^^^^^What a great father!! Sounds like quite a young man too!

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Possum—The other white meat!

I've got an EMP 3". Like it a LOT. I doubt the 4" will ever be available in the Peoples Republic of California, but if it is I will spring for one. I still prefer my .38 Supers, but if you have a lot of 9mm you want to burn there are not many better ways to do it.

I wanted a 1911, but didn't want to start loading for another cartridge, I already load 9mm, so I started looking for a RIA in 9mm. New ones were pretty easy to find, but NIB is never my first option.

Sure enough, a few months ago, this one turns up at my LGS. Rock Island Armory, I got no idea what the model is called, but basically it's a GI.





It came with one 10 round magazine, since it's a range toy, I've never bothered to buy another one. Even with the tiny sights, it's easy to shoot and hit at the ranges I shoot (7-15 yards). I hate to admit it, but I shoot it better than I do most revolvers.

The range where I shoot, sweeps up my brass and dumps it into my range bag, so I can't even complain about loosing brass when shooting it. I usually gain it.

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John 3:16 .

I knew better than to click on this thread.

When I first read about the new Springfield, my first thought was what a fine carry pistol that would make. Pretty, too.

I, too, always thought there was no point in a 1911 in less than .45, but the EMP and Colt's new reasonably-priced Competition model are making me re-think.

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Because of the metric system?

Blasphemy is right!
If you want a mid-bore 1911, then do it right. 38 Super!

I guess I've got fairly large hands because I found the size difference between the EMP4 grip circumference and reach to the trigger and controls compared to a regular size 1911 to be very noticeable. Much more than looking at the numbers on paper would lead you to think. My son, however, who can barely reach the medium length triggers on my 1911s, finds that the EMP4 fits him perfectly. That's another reason I spent the money for this gun, even though it's a niche piece, he's not going to grow out of it for several years, if ever.

You mentioned recoil control, we have found the EMP4 to be a very easy gun to shoot. With the full length grip frame and 4" bull barrel recoil isn't an issue at all. Plus, even though it has an aluminum frame it's still about 32oz empty so it's no featherweight, that's helps, too. Pretty impressive little guns, Springfield has done a great job on them considering they broke new ground with the design.
These are links to Tucker shooting a couple of stages at our last match, you can see how controllable the gun is (keep in mind, he's 5"1', 107lbs) -
https://goo.gl/photos/eMUWwHSMz3GBKnE27
https://goo.gl/photos/HZQYD2SEj6XuLLGF7



Thanks, I hope I live up to the title. I really enjoy the hobby and I like that we can do it together. He is a good kid and he really enjoys shooting and going to matches, he's been going with me for years but it took until last year for him to grow big enough to handle a centerfire pistol safely, until then he helped with pasting targets, setting up and tearing down stages, hauling gear, etc.. He shot a Hi Power all last season but even with thin grips it was too big around for his hand and too long a reach, he had to keep fixing his grip every couple of shots and it was unwieldy on the draw and during mag changes. The EMP4 has eliminated those issues so he's pretty psyched going into this season. I want him to enjoy himself and do well so that he stays interested, if the EMP4 and the gear for it accomplish that then it will be worth the investment.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

LOL....... if you want a 9mm ...... get a Browning HP.....not my idea,....but JMB's ....... and it's 15+1 w/ mec-gar mags!!!!!!!

It always amuses me when folk get torqued about a 1911 that isn't in 45. For many the 1911 shape is ergonomically correct for them, so why not have it in other calibers?

I went the cheap route to get a 1911 style gun in 9mm, the Star Model B and BM. Sure, they don't operate in the same way as a 1911 but they retain the grip size, weight and pointability of that platform. I may yet get an RIA in 9mm if I see one at the right price.

Then there are those who get cross because somebody is shooting 45 ACP from something that isn't a 1911. Well, some want more capacity or just cannot handle the 1911 grip frame effectively. Move on, it's their choice.

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Release the Kraken

Want a high capacity nine AND 1911 platform; look no further.
Blasphemy at it's finest!. I love this gun!
17+1 capacity and 22 TCM barrel for some real fun

In my 1911 days....... read pre-internet......... 9mm 1911 mags were hard to find and get..... now they are just a google away!!!!

LOL last thing I need today is another operating platform for a single stack 9mm.. ....... (edit for Klyde) "but"..........

Looks like WC145..... found the perfect combo for his son and competition.....he was starting from scratch and wasn't invested in another gun/system.......

Why not...I'm always interested in learning........I thought the Browning might be a better choice..... then saw WC145s comment that the HP didn't work for his son....... maybe my post needs a "but" added........done!!!!!!

Also I raised the issue of guns with uncommon hard to get magazines aren't always the best long term choices.... unless you build a stash (6-12 mags IMHO)... and as I noted "WC & Son" are starting from scratch.........

I wanted a 1911 but some years ago couldn't afford a Colt or Springfield. So I got a nice Star B Super.

Always had a good time with it while realizing it wasn't quite a "real" 1911.

Well, things have gotten better over the years and I decided to upgrade to the real thing. Sold off two Stars I got cheap and a S&W SW9VE that I wasn't shooting (it had been replaced by a Sig 320) and now am just waiting for my Colt Government Competition model to get freed up from "pawn shop 30-day wait jail." It's NIB, comes with all the goodies, and got it for $750.

I'm really excited about it and figure when I shoot it, I'll pair it with a Swedish Lahti M-40 just for giggles. (And let me tell you, that Lahti is a complete tack driver. I was amazed the first time I had it out).