I built up one of the original 3 inch versions. I shot it for a while, carried it for a while, and just didn’t enjoy the balance of the gun, so I moved to a commander length gun.

 

What holster setup were you using in this pic?

 

The gun is very nice . You have a talent that I am envious of. May I ask what happened to the gun? How did it shoot?

 

Thank you.

I sold it to friends that was lusting after it. It shot ok. It had to make a couple trips back to Springfield though. On its first outing it only went off 50% off the time because the firing pin was drilled too far off center. Then the ejector dragged on the bottom of the slide after they repaired the slide so it would not cycle. When the issues were corrected I was able to get it 100%.

I didn’t like how the short barrel and sight radius pointed but my biggest complaint was carrying it IWB. With the short slide, you do not get as much dun behind or under the belt line so the grip of the gun wants to tip out more because the weight of the bullet in the magazine, and you don’t have as much surface area of holster against your body to stabilize it.

 

Thank you very much for the insight. I need to remember it is not just how well a CC gun shoots. Also it is why I joined this forum.
Now, I wonder if this is true with other 3" 1911's!

 

I owned an original EMP (not the Ronin) in the smaller size you are considering. It was a great shooter for me (I am intermediate, not advanced shooter) but I did have some failures with it originally. I was the second owner and Springfield Armory did take care of me, accepting the gun back twice for repairs. After I got it back the second time, it had been worked over pretty well but I had lost the nerve to carry it.

I believe the Ronin models show a degraded quality compared to the originals. I do not think the Ronins are bad; I just think they probably skimped on some of the fit & finish to cut the price. You could use that savings to have someone like Nighthawk give it some TLC.

FWIW, I used to own a Ruger Officer-Style 1911 in 9mm. I sold it locally. I would buy that gun new again before I would buy another EMP. Unless @azpoolguy somehow reacquires that sweet EMP and puts it for sale in the Classifieds!

The best EMP I ever handled was the 4" original CC model. That one pointed very naturally for me, though I never plunked down the $1,000+ to own it.

Best of luck in your search. This is a great forum to learn in, so keep asking away.

 

I owned an original EMP (not the Ronin) in the smaller size you are considering. It was a great shooter for me (I am intermediate, not advanced shooter) but I did have some failures with it originally. I was the second owner and Springfield Armory did take care of me, accepting the gun back twice for repairs. After I got it back the second time, it had been worked over pretty well but I had lost the nerve to carry it.

I believe the Ronin models show a degraded quality compared to the originals. I do not think the Ronins are bad; I just think they probably skimped on some of the fit & finish to cut the price. You could use that savings to have someone like Nighthawk give it some TLC.

The ronin has degraded quality? That amazes me as I was one of the very great many who had a complete POS EMP, two trips back to SA and it still wouldnt run reliably enough even for a range toy never mind a carry piece. Jardine went through that gun top to bottom and from the cursing I thought he would never work on another gun from me after that one! He got it to run reliably and well though it spends 98% of its time in the safe at this point since I chose 3 other guns to put on my permit.

 

I'm saving my fingers ... this is the copy of a post I did 3 days ago:

I loved the EMP's when they first came out (still do) they are light weight at 25oz and a straight shooter and well designed, I have the EMP 3 in stainless... it's now called the "1911 Ronin EMP3.."

I wanted to send it back when I first got it, it jammed probably 15/20 times - frustrated ... I took it back to the store the very next day ... the owner came out and asked me for the mags it came with.. he gave me three different mags.... I went back to the range that afternoon and never had another issue -- that was 500+ rounds ago and not a peep since --- that was my very first lesson with good/bad "magazines."

The EMP3 still looks new and shoots new and it still goes to the range... the only reason why it's not in rotation is, I'm trying out the new Sig P365 Macro ... it's a little trimmer a little lighter and it shoots 17 rounds instead of 9.

Go with the gun you feel most comfortable with..





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Thank you all for the replys. I would also like the Kimber ultra carry 11 but on the forum and videos it has had problems and is a bit more expensive than the ronin. I have 3 Kimber micros and all have been sent back for work one twice. I know the ultra is a different platform and a 1911 but it is still a Kimber. I will say that Kimbers CS is superb

 

The original EMP3 is my daily carry. Mind you, it's the only gun I've carried. The gun itself is great, with probably 2,000+ trouble free rounds through it. It's very light, which makes it a little snappy, and it is by no means a long range target gun, but up close and fast and it's great. It even functions fine with lots of t-shirt lint and dog hair.

 

Not too long ago, those were $1200 guns here locally in the Houston area.
ARe they still going for that?

I loved the way they looked, but back then $1200 was too much for my first gun. I spent just under $900 for a
Sig Ultra 2-Tone. First gun, and I loved it

 

I have an original 3" EMP (3-digit serial #, IIRC) that now has thousands of rounds thru it. I can't remember, but it may have had some minor teething issues with hollow point ammo but after the break-in, it runs like a top. It's so smooth, it feels like the slide is on roller bearings.
I put a short trigger in it, I had to make one since they weren't available either from SA or after-market at the time. When Harrison Design started making them, I bought one from him.
I feel it's makes for a really nice carry gun with it's short slide and slim profile and 9+1 rounds of 9mm.

Good luck finding one, I'm pretty sure that you'll love it when you do.

 

Does the EMP still require proprietary mags and internals?
Current production 3 inch 1911s that I know of-
Colt Defender
S&W Pro
BUL
Kimber
Fusion

 

Does the EMP still require proprietary mags and internals?
Current production 3 inch 1911s that I know of-
Colt Defender
BUL
Kimber
Fusion

Yes. The only mags it can use are the factory Springfield EMP mags and it does have some proprietary Springfield parts.

 

As much as I love the 1911 and 2011 platform for a carry gun that size I would look at Sig 365 with a Wilson grip.

Small 1911s and the EMP are just too questionable in that size. You never know what you going to get and it may take a lot of work to get the kinks ironed out.

 

I’ve bought one years ago, shot it about 50-100 rounds no issues and put in my safe. For a three inch barrel they shot very well. I think SA had issues in the beginning with the EMPs but resolved the issues in production and did repairs as need in the custom shop.
I think it would be a great CCW but I’m sporting a 1996 G26 I bought new. Hard to teach a old dog new tricks.
I’m going to have to find time to compare it to my Sentinel One of these days.

 

While I don’t have a Ronin 3” , I do have the 4” model and will do have an EMP 4”. The Ronin doesn’t have done if the EMP finer touches but mine so far has been ultra reliable enough for me to carry it. I enjoy it so much I invested in a Chambers ignition set and Hammer along with a Harrison flat trigger. The only proprietary parts I have come across are the mags and trigger. Everything else I have fiddled with is standard Government size.

 

I noticed your EMP number is 91018 ... mine is72761

I wonder how close those numbers are.


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Keep in mind.. the biggest problem with the EMP3 was the Mags...

Everyone I've run into that had an issue had everything adjusted "except" replacing the mags -- once the factory Mags were used -- no problemo....


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Keep in mind.. the biggest problem with the EMP3 was the Mags...

Everyone I've run into that had an issue had everything adjusted "except" replacing the mags -- once the factory Mags were used -- no problemo....


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The EMP 3 magazines are proprietary so what magazines were they replacing them with?

 

OP, one more thing to consider and this is true with any 3" gun, you will have to replace the recoil spring frequently which at least for me is another PITA that would stop me from ever buying another 3" 1911

 

Not quite an original, but it was still over 1 k.

Nothing negative about this gun, I’m quite pleased with it.

If you buy a new one, Springfield will sell you all the mags want dirt cheap.

 

I’ve wondered about carrying an EMP 4 CC. Is it relatively easy to conceal?

 

Yes. I carry this one regularly. It's the most comfortable carry gun I own.

 

Thanks for all the answers. I can order the ronin for under $800. I know this is about the SA but opinions of the Kimber ultra carry 2 in 9mm

 

Not a fan.. not a fan.. not a fan ------- did I mention I'm not a fan..?
Can you say: "notorious"


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I have the 3 " CA roster version. I have had it for several years and it has been flawless for me. I did send it back to have the ejector pinned, but that's just me. Having said that, I know there were a fair number of folks that had teething issues with them.

 

It might be your lucky day. This is a fantastic price. For Sale - Springfeild emp 9mm $950

 

It might be your lucky day. This is a fantastic price. For Sale - Springfeild emp 9mm $950

Especially with that gorgeous holster!

 

I have an older 3” EMP in 40. The gun runs great but has a lot of muzzle flip. It’s not as fast to get back on target for me. I also own a 4” EMP Ronin in 9mm. Same reliability cycling ammo but much less muzzle flip. My 3” hasn’t been touched in months lol

 

I have an older 3” EMP in 40. The gun runs great but has a lot of muzzle flip. It’s not as fast to get back on target for me. I also own a 4” EMP Ronin in 9mm. Same reliability cycling ammo but much less muzzle flip. My 3” hasn’t been touched in months lol View attachment 1124574 View attachment 1124575

I have an older 3” EMP in 40. The gun runs great but has a lot of muzzle flip. It’s not as fast to get back on target for me. I also own a 4” EMP Ronin in 9mm. Same reliability cycling ammo but much less muzzle flip. My 3” hasn’t been touched in months lol View attachment 1124574 View attachment 1124575

I had a SA XDM in 40 cal and traded it for a S&W M&P shield EZ 9mm performance center with small port in the top of the barrel. The 40 was also really snappy for me!

 

responded thanks

 

Not that the EMP isn't a fine pistol, because it is, but I'd be curious to get my hands on one of these and see how it measures up:

1911 Tisas Carry B9BA Stingray

Shop the 1911 Tisas Carry B9BA Stingray 9MM for concealed carry, self-defense, and range use with lightweight aluminum frame and Ed Brown Bobtail®

tisasusa.com

 

Not that the EMP isn't a fine pistol, because it is, but I'd be curious to get my hands on one of these and see how it measures up:

Tisas 1911 Stingray Carry Pistol

At Tisas, we are an internationally recognized firearms manufacturer servicing the civilian, military, and law enforcement communities on five continents. Producing quality classics like the venerable 1911 as well as proprietary designs like our polymer PX9 Series, Tisas imbues old world...

www.tisasusa.com

Yeah, me too-and did you see and read the recent posts about Master Gunworks offering improvement packages to some entry level 1911 gun models, including some Tisas models?

 

That is an incredible price for a complete carry package, with all those extra mags
If you have the funds, jump on it. You'd have instant equity in the gun.

Thats a $1200 package

 

Love my EMP. Went to SACS for a number of thing. Carried in TTGunleather for ten years or so. Just a fantastic carry piece. Thousands of rounds through it and the recoil assembly is still stiff to rack. Sadly I have wrist damage that dosen't agree with 3" guns and 52 year eyes don't care for a short sight radius so it sits in the safe. I prefer red dots and comps/porting for EDC's. I have other interests so I doubt I'll put another grand into it. Would highly recommend an EMP for carry if you prefer smaller 1911's

 

bw210-is that a modified magazine from Log Man? He does nice work converting them to a flush fit.