Personal Defense World
  • News
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • Latest Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
    • SCCY Brand Videos
    • Video Series
      • Everyday Carry
  • More
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Personal Defense World
  • News
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • Latest Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
    • SCCY Brand Videos
    • Video Series
      • Everyday Carry
  • More
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Personal Defense World
No Result
View All Result
 
New Year, New FREE GUN FRIDAY! Enter to WIN the Smith & Wesson and Black Hills package.

Gun Test: Springfield Armory’s 4-Inch EMP Lightweight Champion

David Bahde by David Bahde
November 29, 2017
in Guns, Handguns
0
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion

Built for concealment, the new EMP 4" Lightweight Champion lives up to its name with several ergonomic enhancements like an ambidextrous safety, an extended beavertail that prevents "slide bite" and a skillfully-checkered frame.

3
SHARES
135
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion
Built for concealment, the new EMP 4″ Lightweight Champion lives up to its name with several ergonomic enhancements like an ambidextrous safety, an extended beavertail that prevents “slide bite” and a skillfully-checkered frame.
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp
Some of the new Lightweight Champion’s features include double-diamond-checkered cocobolo grip panels, a high-swept beavertail grip safety, a skeletonized trigger, a fiber-optic front sight, a Novak-style rear sight and a skeletonized hammer.
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield emp

springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, springfield emp lightweight champion
During testing, the new EMP was light on recoil thanks to its 9mm chambering, hand-filling grips and 4-inch barrel.
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol, EMP 4" Lightweight Champion front sight

springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol, EMP 4" Lightweight Champion mag
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol, EMP 4" Lightweight Champion rear sight
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol, EMP 4" Lightweight Champion safety

springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol, EMP 4" Lightweight Champion beauty
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol, EMP 4" Lightweight Champion profile
springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol, EMP 4" Lightweight Champion front sight, handguns, handgun

Springfield Armory’s EMP pistols have become favorites for many concealed carriers. A good friend of mine carries his 9mm EMP constantly. It’s lightweight, accurate and “always works.” I have used the EMP in both 9mm and .40 S&W, but I’m just not a huge fan of 3-inch-barreled pistols for primary carry. Although it’s not uncommon for me to carry a full-sized 1911 or the latest high-capacity polymer pistol, I’ve found 4-inch-barreled pistols are about perfect for me and remain reliable, easy to conceal and lightweight.

Many of my carry pistols are chambered in .45 ACP or even .50 GI, but the 9mm chambering has been catching my eye of late. I appreciate the lower recoil and find that the reliability of modern 9mm ammo is improving. It has been used in 1911s for years, though not with great frequency. Designed for the .45 ACP case length, it requires different magazines, and they can be finicky. Slide speed with light bullets can also be problematic. Since the EMP was designed from the ground up to run the 9mm, it seemed the perfect candidate for a longer barrel, and the Springfield Armory EMP 4″ Lightweight Champion is the end result.

Enhanced Micro

springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp
Some of the new Lightweight Champion’s features include double-diamond-checkered cocobolo grip panels, a high-swept beavertail grip safety, a skeletonized trigger, a fiber-optic front sight, a Novak-style rear sight and a skeletonized hammer.

Recognizing the value of a small 1911 pistol chambered in 9mm, Springfield Armory built the EMP in 2007. The chamber system was shortened and the gun’s remaining dimensions balanced to fit. Standard EMP actions are 0.125 inches shorter than typical 1911s. On the original EMP, an aluminum frame kept the gun light while maintaining a 9+1 capacity. Low-profile, tritium combat sights are used along with a match-grade, bull barrel. The new EMP 4” Lightweight Champion starts there and adds a few improvements with some differences.

The frame remains aluminum and includes frontstrap dimpling. It’s not overly aggressive, but it does ensure a solid hold. The grip length has also been increased, allowing for a new 10-round magazine. These mags are stainless steel with a steel follower and coated in black satin. The grip is cut moderately high and holds an extended grip safety. Slightly rounding the bottom of the checkered mainspring housing also lessens the chance of printing during concealment, while flaring the mag well assists with magazine changes.

RELATED STORY: VIDEO – Springfield Armory’s EMP Lightweight Champion

The gun’s ambidextrous safety is slim to enhance concealed carry. Grooves on the slide stop and magazine release keep things working in adverse conditions. An aluminum trigger offers a crisp reset, limited take-up and no overtravel. All in all, sharp edges are kept to a minimum on this EMP.

A forged stainless steel slide includes rear cocking serrations and a satin finish. It houses a 4-inch, stainless steel, match-grade fully supported and ramped barrel. The full-length guide rod uses a flat spring and reverse plug typical of bull barrels. The EMP features a fiber-optic front sight with a low profile rear with white dots. Its grips are made from cocobolo and include the Springfield Armory logo. The gun shipped in a hard case with three 10-round magazines, a holster, a magazine pouch, some extra fiber-optic rods and a takedown tool for the guide rod.

Gearing Up

springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield emp

Recent training with a .45 ACP pistol brought to my attention a need for a 9mm pistol with a 4-inch barrel. Both my 9mm 1911 pistols are all steel and full size, so something designed for everyday carry was preferred. The EMP uses a 4-inch barrel, making it shorter than a standard Commander (4.25 inches), and its overall length remains shorter than other 4-inch-barreled 1911s by 0.20 inches. It handles and points like any other 1911. It also fits into all my non-railed 1911 holsters without issue.

Most of my testing was completed using my Milt Sparks Nexus IWB holster and Alessi Bodyguard shoulder rig. When my back is doing well, the Nexus is my primary carry holster. It has held a dozen different 1911 pistols over the last couple years. When mated to a good belt, it is as comfortable as IWB carry gets. For travel, or when my back is acting up, the Alessi steps in. Moving the weight to my shoulders is comfortable for me, and a good shoulder rig is excellent when driving. I’ve used this rig for years to carry a number of full-sized 1911 pistols.

RELATED STORY: Springfield’s XD 5-Inch Compact – Reimagined Concealed Carry

Initial testing consisted of just enough range time to ensure proper operation with some Barnes 115-grain TAC-XP ammunition. After 100 rounds, it never missed a beat and was POA/POI at 15 yards, which is about perfect. It carried great in most any 1911 holster I used, though my magazine pouches are a different story. Some of my old and worn leather magazine pouches were pretty loose, though my newer ones worked fine. After moving to Kydex magazine pouches, I found it to be about the same. For duty or strenuous operations, you will want to ensure a tighter fit. There are plenty of purpose-built magazine carriers for the EMP, so you should consider those to be your best choice. Until you round them up, a well-built leather pouch or adjustable Kydex 1911 pouch will work. The added length of the 10-round magazine meant they fit perfectly in the Alessi Bodyguard.

Carried over several days in both rigs, the EMP performed as expected, which is to say very well. It fits snug to the body in the IWB holster and was all but unnoticed in the shoulder rig. At 31 ounces, it is heavier than the standard EMP and about the same as an aluminum-framed 1911 of similar size. It’s about as comfortable to carry as a 1911 gets.

Range Time

springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, springfield emp lightweight champion
During testing, the new EMP was light on recoil thanks to its 9mm chambering, hand-filling grips and 4-inch barrel.

Given my travel schedule, most of it in my truck, I decided to get some vehicle training in. When not on the range or in the office, I am traveling between them. Traveling to media and training events comprises the rest of my time, so much is spent behind the wheel of my truck.

Working from both sides of the vehicle, the EMP was brought to bear on steel and cardboard placed at various points around the truck. Using the Nexus holster, it was pretty easy to get on target while shooting through the window, it just requires you take the time to work out the seatbelt placement. It’s also a good idea to practice with gloves, hats, jackets or anything you may wear given the climate. Take things slow, working out how best to not cover yourself or anyone else in the truck. Make certain you start buckled up and work out how best to get that belt off and on target.

RELATED STORY: Testing Springfield Armory’s Range Officer Compact

The EMP was easy to maneuver and operated without incident shooting around the mirror with the door open. My training positions were less than pristine, but there was no issue when operating the gun with a less than perfect grip. When using both off- and strong-hand grips on the gun, it worked perfectly. I experienced the same reliability during one-handed shooting. The EMP ejected brass confidently, with no strays bouncing off my head.

Using my shoulder rig with the EMP required a bit more thought. Shoulder holsters are comfortable for sure, just not always conducive to the safest gun handling. Especially within the confines of a vehicle you need to be careful not to cover your side, thigh or other body part. On the other hand, they are easy to get to. The EMP fit nicely in the holster and released properly and quickly. Magazine changes are not fast by any means but can be worked out. Make sure you can reach them with your off hand for standard reloads. It’s also a good idea to practice off-hand reloads using your strong hand to access the magazines (if they are on the right side). All testing using the shoulder rig was uneventful, with no malfunctions.

springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol

Accuracy with the EMP 4” was excellent, with my best group at 25 yards measuring just over 1.25 inches using the Barnes 115-grain TAC-XPD. Barnes’ TAC-XPD is soft shooting and proves accurate in most anything I use it in. It’s my go-to round for compacts, while the DoubleTap load that uses the same bullet goes in my larger 9mm pistols. While the EMP Lightweight Champion is a “compact” pistol by description, it is basically a Commander-sized pistol with the same barrel length as many duty guns. When shooting at 10 yards and in, it cut one ever-larger hole. It is easy to control, locks in the hand and is as accurate as any pistol not purposely designed for target work.

RELATED STORY: Springfield’s Mod Squad – Meet The New Subcompact XD Mod.2 Pistols

Springfield Armory’s EMP 4” Lightweight Champion is ready out of the box for concealed carry, off-duty use or even plainclothes operations. Any changes would be personal. My large hands prefer normal grips, which is an easy change. Fiber-optic sights are popular, just not my preferred setup, but the EMP uses Novak sight cuts, so swapping them out is easy. I ordered a Trijicon HD front and Heinie rear for this pistol just in case it sticks around.

Final Shots

springfield, springfield armory, springfield armory EMP 4" Lightweight Champion, EMP lightweight champion, springfield armory emp, emp lightweight champion pistol, EMP 4" Lightweight Champion profile

My test pistol never missed a beat. There were no malfunctions, and since it may stay with me, it was run pretty hard. Several hundred rounds of rapid-fire drills using all types of ammunition did not cause an issue. It’s accurate and lightweight with a nicely checkered frontstrap. The trigger is crisp and predictable, and having 10+ rounds of 9mm is a nice bonus. This gun really is about perfect for concealed carry if you’re using a 1911-style pistol. If you are in the market for a 4- or 4.25-inch-barreled 1911 in 9mm, make sure you give the EMP Lightweight Champion a very close look.

For more, visit http://www.springfield-armory.com or call 800-680-6866.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

Related Posts

The Beretta 80X Cheetah.

The Beretta 80X Cheetah: Rounds Downrange Before SHOT Show 2023

The FightLite SCR Bandito Pistol.

Shot at SHOT Show: The FightLite SCR Bandito Pistol in 5.56 or 300BLK

Two New Concealed Carry Pistols from Rock Island Armory.

Two New Rock Island Armory Concealed Carry Pistols at SHOT Show

The Tisas Bantam Carry 1911.

Tisas Bantam Carry 1911: A Feature-Rich Pistol with Custom Performance

Load More

PERSONAL DEFENSE WORLD VIDEOS

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Study Proves the Good Guy with a Gun Theory.

Good Guy with a Gun: Study of CCW Holders Stopping Mass Shootings

Following the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, gun control advocates have taken the anti-gun narrative to a fever pitch. They insist...

Read more

TRENDING

Remington 11008 Knife, remington, remington 11008

Remington’s New 700 Series 11008 Knife Is Designed For Hunters

...

Taurus 605 TORO and 856 TORO Revolvers.

Taurus Releases New Optics Ready 605 TORO and 856 TORO Revolvers

...

pocket pistol, pocket pistols, concealed carry handguns, concealed carry handgun, concealed carry pistol, concealed carry pistols

Best Pocket Pistols for Personal Defense [2022]

...

concealed carry, concealed carry handguns

Top 13 Compact 1911 Handguns for Concealed Carry

...

PICK A CATEGORY

CONCEALED CARRY SPOTLIGHT

gun drawing tips techniques

Tips & Tricks for a Fast Gun Draw

You have the right gun. Your cutting-edge holster is made with some lightweight, futuristic material. Your belt is even specially made to carry your...

CONCEALED CARRY SHOWCASE

The FightLite SCR Bandito Pistol.

Shot at SHOT Show: The FightLite SCR Bandito Pistol in 5.56 or 300BLK

Are Switchblades Illegal?

Are Switchblades Legal to Carry in the United States?

Two New Concealed Carry Pistols from Rock Island Armory.

Two New Rock Island Armory Concealed Carry Pistols at SHOT Show

The GPO Spectra Reflex Sight.

GPO Debuts Spectra Reflex Sight at SHOT Show – Its First Reflex Optic

The Tisas Bantam Carry 1911.

Tisas Bantam Carry 1911: A Feature-Rich Pistol with Custom Performance

The Taurus TX22 Compact .22 LR.

Seen at SHOT Show: Taurus Ups the .22 LR Ante with the TX22 Compact

How to Choose a Gun for Self-Defense

How to Choose a Gun for Self-Defense

gun drawing tips techniques

Tips & Tricks for a Fast Gun Draw

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Getting a Jump on SHOT Show 2023.

7 Personal Defense Related Products to Start SHOT Show 2023 Early

SHOT Show 2023 is almost here and the anticipation is killing us. Of course, the staff of Personal Defense World...

site logo
Gun News, Gun Reviews, and Self Defense Tips

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.