gun of the week

By Bob Walsh

The Gun of the Week this time around is one of my two current EDC pistols, the Springfield EMP in 9mm.
 
This is a very small 1911 platform pistol.  Most 1911 pistols in 9mm are in fact .45 pistols that have the magazine shimmed down to properly handle 9mm ammo.  The trouble is this means the pistol grip frame is both longer and wider than necessary.  This pistol is designed for the 9mm cartridge so it is significantly smaller and fits my hand beautifully.  (I can deal OK with a standard size 1911.  My other EDC gun is a small 1911 in .38 super, which is of necessity built on a .45 frame.)
 
This weapon weighs only 27 ounces unloaded.  It has very decent Tritium 3-dot sights.  It is only 5 inches tall and 6.6 inches long.  It is 1.12 inches wide.  It has an ambidextrous thumb safety.
 
These very small 1911 pistols at one time had a problem with running reliably as the geometry of things change when you go below about 4” on the barrel length.  They seem to have gotten that taken care of.  This has a 3 inch tube on it.  A newer version, which is NOT available in CA, has a 4” barrel.    
 
The magazines are specific to this weapon so you can’t pick them up just anywhere.  It holds nine rounds of 9mm in the magazine.  The pistol is also available in .40 caliber.    
 
If you want a small, light 1911 in a reasonably serious caliber with a huge variety of ammunition available, this one is worth looking at.  It is not cheap, the MSRP is around $1250.00 and you do not see them discounted much.  If you have smallish size hands and short fingers, this can easily be the way to go for you.

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