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I just picked up a SA EMP last week at the Dallas Market Hall show and I'm already having problems with it. I took it out to the range that day and put about 250 rounds through it. There were a couple of FTFeeds, but had some nice groupings out of it. I took it out again today and had about a 10% FTFire rate on about 150 rounds on Winchester white box. I got so fed up with it, I just left. Anyone else having this problem? Any suggestions?

I hate to state the obvious, but has it had a good cleaning and lube? There could be crud in the firing pin channel.

I had some problems with mine at first as well. Be patient, put another 500 rds through it after a thorough cleaning, and if it's still giving you problems call SA. Springfield's customer service is top notch and will take care of you, if it gets to that.

this is a common problem with the 1911 platform. breakin is a must. it takes anywhere from two hundred to seven hundred rounds to fully break the guns in. very frustrating especially if you are accustomed to something like a glock, etc. but the results are very gratifying.
one problem is the magazines. all the springfields i've shot and even my kimber, is the need to buy high quality mags. once i bought wilson mags many of the feed problems dissapeared. one friend bought an operator and was very frustrated until i loaned him a wilson mag and now he is a happy camper!
invest the money and i think you will find a big difference.
ps: i've been coveting the emp for a long time. if yours needs a new home contact me. i can live with foster care.
hang in there. i think you will like the results.

ArmedTeacher wrote:I just picked up a SA EMP last week at the Dallas Market Hall show and I'm already having problems with it. I took it out to the range that day and put about 250 rounds through it. . . . I took it out again today and had about a 10% FTFire rate on about 150 rounds on Winchester white box.

You've already put 400 rounds through it, so it's already broken in - another 500, and odds are you'll still be having problems.

Contact Springfield and let them know you got a clunker, and you expect them to make it right.

For something like this, they should pay for postage both ways.

A GOOD 1911 does NOT need to be "broken in" more than any other gun.

Thanks for the suggestions! It's been through a thorough cleaning after both trips to the range. I'll give a another few hundred rounds and if I'm still having this problem, it's off to SA for some answers and repairs if need be.

saj111 wrote:this is a common problem with the 1911 platform. breakin is a must. it takes anywhere from two hundred to seven hundred rounds to fully break the guns in. very frustrating especially if you are accustomed to something like a glock, etc. but the results are very gratifying.
one problem is the magazines. all the springfields i've shot and even my kimber, is the need to buy high quality mags. once i bought wilson mags many of the feed problems dissapeared. one friend bought an operator and was very frustrated until i loaned him a wilson mag and now he is a happy camper!
invest the money and i think you will find a big difference.
ps: i've been coveting the emp for a long time. if yours needs a new home contact me. i can live with foster care.
hang in there. i think you will like the results.

He cannot invest the money in mags for the EMP from Wilson as there is no such thing available.
They are only made by SA for that gun.
But, if they were available from Wilson, I would have made the same suggestion......

If it needs to go back to Sringfield, it will be fixed. Their customer service is excellent.

Chas.

Try some different ammo, I had problems out of my last batch of Winchester. I've shot alot of good old Wal-Mart white box before with no trouble but this last bunch seemed to be bad news.

Noted some FTF with my new EMP with Win Whites...had some UMC -seemed a bit smaller and went through with no problems what so ever. Man...it's a pretty handgun...really do love it. Think I'll stay with the Remington 9MM and UMCs from now on.... The Federal Hollow points -which seemed a bit larger did have some problem too...the Speers seemed to do the trick for carry ammo....Others??

So I went to the range again on Sunday and had a 12% FTFire rate using the Winchester Whites. I have been trying different ammo in it, UMC and American Eagle. Still had problems, though the rate wasn't as high. As for the magazines, they are brand new and should work fine. They are produced by MecGar specifically for the EMP. Aren't they pretty reputable? Besides, I don't think anyone else makes mags for the EMP yet. I contacted SA today and am waiting for a reply. Will let you know how it goes.

unless the 1911 already had a fluff and buff like most custom shops do for you before it reaches your hand. you're dealing with a lot of metal on metal parts and i think its imperative to have a good breakin session.

i had a lot of problems loading the first round, sling shot or dropping the slide, either way the first round would nose dive; dremmel to the feed ramp fixed that problem right up.

i didnt have any other problems with it after that, but most FTF in small autos are caused by limp wristing if im not mistaken.

and as stated by alan, you're only able to get the EMP mags from springfield or mec gear, which makes the mag for springfield.

ArmedTeacher wrote:So I went to the range again on Sunday and had a 12% FTFire rate using the Winchester Whites. I have been trying different ammo in it, UMC and American Eagle. Still had problems, though the rate wasn't as high. As for the magazines, they are brand new and should work fine. They are produced by MecGar specifically for the EMP. Aren't they pretty reputable? Besides, I don't think anyone else makes mags for the EMP yet. I contacted SA today and am waiting for a reply. Will let you know how it goes.

I have heard of a few people having issues with the Mec-Gar mags, but others use them just fine. I have some el-cheapo's that I bought for my 1911 ($8 each for stainless) and they are a bear to load, but cycle fine in the gun. Do you have the SA mags also? If so, see if it one mag vs. another works better.

Also, as htxred said there are real issues on weak-wristing small autos as the slide needs the inertia to strip a round and go back into battery. A few small items like tight mags, early in break-in, type of ammo, weak wristing, etc that individually would not cause a problem, can all add up to a FTF scenario. Most times it just takes some tinkering and trial and error to find the good combination of things that work.

However, as Charles said, Springfield Armory is TOP NOTCH on their customer service. If it is still not meeting your expectations, send it to them and they will make it right.

the EMP mags are not like other production 9mm 1911 mags. they are a lot more narrow to accomedate the smaller grip of the EMP. mecgar produces em for springfield (springfield just puts the EMP stamp on em)..

htxred wrote:the EMP mags are not like other production 9mm 1911 mags. they are a lot more narrow to accomedate the smaller grip of the EMP. mecgar produces em for springfield (springfield just puts the EMP stamp on em)..

Ah, OK. That 'splains it!!