Springfield Armory EMP4 Champion Range Report

[beretta_maven]

Just picked up the new SA EMP4 Lightweight Champion 9mm a couple of weeks ago and today I spent a couple of hours at the Maryland Small Arms range with the EMP4 and five of my other guns, so I would like to give a little range report.

First of all, I'm not new to the EMP world and have previously owned an EMP 9 and currently have an EMP 40. While I did enjoy the EMP 9, I didn't like it well enough to replace my STI Escort so I traded it away. But when I heard of the new EMP4 from a member on this forum, I decided I wanted to get one. The EMP4 is basically a Commander-sized version of the EMP line, but with some enhancements (fiber optic front sight, golf ball front strap checkering, one extra round, etc.). Beyond that, the EMP 4 is beautiful, it is tight (no rattles whatsoever), and it feels incredibly well-balanced.

I took it to the range without any cleaning (I typically do this with new guns, just to see how they work when dirty) and put about 150 rounds through it. The EMP4 was flawless, with zero FTE/FTF or any other issues. Better than that, this gun is the most well balanced firearm I've ever fired, with virtually zero recoil and deadly accurate. I took the entire left/middle of my target out at 7 yards, leaving a single big hole, and I am not a great shot. I simply fell in love with this gun, it was an absolute joy to shoot! It has now become the gun that I will never trade nor sell, no matter what happens. If anyone gets the opportunity to pick one of these up, you will not regret it. The only issue I am having is there seems to be no magazines available for it yet, other than the 3 that come with the gun. That is a bummer, but I will wait patiently for the mags to appear for sale.

The other guns that I had with me today were:

1. Sig p938 9mm- I did ok, but not great. Mine has the Crimson Trace grips and the laser was initially a little annoying to me and there doesn't seem to be a switch to turn it off, like on my Kimber Solo.
2. Walther P99AS Compact 9mm- shot it very well, loved it, especially with the full size mags.
3. Sig Ultra 1911 .45 - did pretty good considering it is an Officers-sized 1911 and it was my first time shooting it (gun is not new, I purchased it used).
4. Kimber Super Carry Pro .45 - did very well - this gun is brand-new and was right out of the box - again, no issues at all. It had just a little more recoil than my friend's Colt Gold Cup, but I expected that since it is a Commander-sized 1911.
5. Taurus PT111 G2 Pro 9mm - again, this was a brand-new gun, straight out of the box with no cleaning. It ran very well, and I shot it decently, but I have to get used to the large amount of take-up in the trigger.

Hope to spend more time at the range!

 

[fidelity]

Gun pics? Please.

Size comparisons might be interesting if not too much trouble.

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[beretta_maven]

Here are the photos of the guns.

 

[fidelity]

Thanks! Cool guns. The side-by-sides were useful. That EMP4 is really sweet, and proportionally not much bigger than the P99AS Compact (which will be wider of course). Checked out a couple of EMP4 videos after your positive range report. I'm thinking about a 1911 formatted 9 mm, and this Springfield wasn't on my radar before. 10 rounds in the magwell is pretty nice.

I was waiting for this Colt to be released (9 round capacity, slightly heavier, but 5-inch barrel) ...

http://www.gundigest.com/guns/competitive-colt-colt-competition-1911-review

Zoo mentioned it in another thread, and the price seems like it will be pretty appealing. But now, I think the EMP4 will be on the short list to compare.

 

[beretta_maven]

I can't tell you enough how impressed I was with the EMP4. I fired off 10 rounds and turned to one of my friends and mouthed "I LOVE THIS GUN!".

Another gun that I own that you might be interested in is the Kimber Tactical Pro II in 9mm, though it is also a Commander-sized 1911. It is also high on my list of favorite guns to shoot.

 

[fidelity]

Ahhhh, don't make this difficult.

I'm leaning toward Colt but the proportions of the EMP4 are appealing. Now I'll also do a bit of research on the Kimber when it comes time to buy! Although it will take negative reviews to dissuade me from the Colt, I'm sure it might want some stablemates in the future.

 

[beretta_maven]

My very first gun was a Colt Govt Model Series 70 .45. Bought it new in 1974, but I was only 18 and had to convince my mother to pick it up for me (that did not go over well, let me tell you!). One of the friends I was shooting with on Friday had his new Colt Gold Cup and he let me fire it - it was very smooth and I got a new craving! He also has an old Colt 1991A1 (5") from the early '90s that he no longer needs so he agreed to sell it to me this evening - it already has some enhancements and a super-nice trigger, and I've decided to send it off to Robar Guns and have the NP3 finish put on it. I recently bought a Beretta 96G Centurion with the NP3 finish and it is simply beautiful, and the slide feels like it is sliding on ball bearings when you rack it.

Anyway, I checked out the link to the new Colt and it does indeed look promising. Can't go wrong no matter which gun you choose!

 

[Jimbob2.0]

That's nice

 

[Ksichels]

Is the Springfield EMP4 approved?

I don't see the EMP4 on the MSP handgun roster. Is it approved in Maryland yet?

 

[beretta_maven]

I don't see the EMP4 on the MSP handgun roster. Is it approved in Maryland yet?

I was able to purchase it in Maryland several months ago...it is still and EMP, which is on the roster.

 

[fidelity]

I was able to purchase it in Maryland several months ago...it is still and EMP, which is on the roster.

Trying to exhibit some self-control and this thread was bumped.

Still enjoying the EMP4?

I did put it on the "list" although I read that it was non inter compatible with Colt 9mm mags, if I remember correctly.

Since this conversation from a half year ago, I did end up getting the Colt Competition 1911 (9 mm) and, sort of in this category, a Sig P226 Legion in Single-Action Only (9 mm). Very satisfied with both.

 

[sundaz]

I was told by a local gun shop that the original EMP is on the roster but that does not cover the new EMP4. The new EMP4 was approved at the October meeting but is not on the roster yet. I would like to transfer an EMP4 but can't find a local shop that will do it. Anybody know a shop that interprets it as being included in the EMP listing currently on the register?

 

[beretta_maven]

Trying to exhibit some self-control and this thread was bumped.

Still enjoying the EMP4?

I did put it on the "list" although I read that it was non inter compatible with Colt 9mm mags, if I remember correctly.

Since this conversation from a half year ago, I did end up getting the Colt Competition 1911 (9 mm) and, sort of in this category, a Sig P226 Legion in Single-Action Only (9 mm). Very satisfied with both.

Yes...I still absolutely love that EMP4! Your Legion in nice looking, but may be a little large for my hands. Glad you like your Colt!

 

[fidelity]

Yes...I still absolutely love that EMP4! Your Legion in nice looking, but may be a little large for my hands. Glad you like your Colt!

If you can handle a P229, you can handle a P226. The grip might look large, and even though I have medium hands, it works well for me (and in fact I prefer it over my Walther PPQ grip which is now feeling too slim for me). They also jammed the slide release way back in the P226 single-action only, and while I've complained about it being right against the safety, maybe they did it for people with smaller hands.

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[beretta_maven]

If you can handle a P229, you can handle a P226. The grip might look large, and even though I have medium hands, it works well for me (and in fact I prefer it over my Walther PPQ grip which is now feeling too slim for me). They also jammed the slide release way back in the P226 single-action only, and while I've complained about it being right against the safety, maybe they did it for people with smaller hands.

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Hmmm...I may need to take a more serious look at the Legion. Thank you for the info!