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Sidearms & Scatterguns 9mm recommendation

Pester

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 20, 2012
646
171
66
Northern CA
I am looking for a 9mm and have been looking at Kimber, SAI EMP and Dan Wesson ECO.

Have used the SIG's, Glocks and have a SW M&P compact but am looking for something different than these.

I have tried the Kimber and Dan Wesson and really liked both. After trying them I was leaning towards the EMP as, on paper, it looks like good and compares well with the Kimber. The ECO is a bit heavier and bigger. However I have not been able to try the EMP.

Recommendations on any of those and any users of the EMP input(accuracy, durability, etc) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks folks
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

Buy a 1911 and sell me your 9c!
laugh.gif
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

Thanks cpt obvious...and whats in it for you? LOL

I dont have any real problems with the M&P except for the trigger. Not my favorite. That plus its what my wife carries now so its not likely going anywhere.

The full size 1911 Kimber I have is also good. I just happened to be at the range and rented the 9mm Kimber and then the guy in the lane next to me had the Dan Wesson ECO that I liked. I got looking at the EMP and was wondering what folks thought of the EMP.
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

Is this a carry gun or just a range gun?

I have no problems with a 9mm 1911 for range purposes, carrying on the other hand...
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

Its for carry purposes.

I have tried a lot of the 9mm out there and they seem to be too small (some of the Kahrs, etc) and dont fit in my hand to be accurate enough all the time or larger framed like my full size.

The Kimber and SAI EMP seemed to fit me the best even though they are a bit larger/heavier than some of the others.

I had heard a few people having problems with the EMP's a few years ago and wondered if that was/is true.
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

stay away from the Kimber, too unreliable as far as I'm concerned.
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

I really wouldnt carry a 1911 in 9mm. Not only is it a waste of the platform, theyre not historically reliable either.


A 1911 can be tuned to run 45acp very well, it will require more maintenance than a plastic gun, but in a good environment I wouldnt say the 1911 is less reliable. A 9mm 1911 on the other hand...is kinda like the wankel engine. Yeah, its been done before, do they work great? Id say not. So why go down that road?
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

I really like the Springfield XD and XDMs.. have one and one on order.. XDM compact is my choice for a carry gun.
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really wouldnt carry a 1911 in 9mm. Not only is it a waste of the platform, theyre not historically reliable either.


A 1911 can be tuned to run 45acp very well, it will require more maintenance than a plastic gun, but in a good environment I wouldnt say the 1911 is less reliable. A 9mm 1911 on the other hand...is kinda like the wankel engine. Yeah, its been done before, do they work great? Id say not. So why go down that road? </div></div>

I'll second this thought, plus award you 100 points for throwing in a rotary engine reference.
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

Thanks for the input and the humor. Got a chuckle out of the Rotary AND Kia reference.

I will look at the Kahrs again and see if I can get my hands on some of the Springfields other than the EMP.

If anyone has experience with the EMP I would like to hear about it.

Thanks again folks....
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

Which is why SA redesigned the EMP around the shorter cartridges
smile.gif


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XxMerlinxX</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really wouldnt carry a 1911 in 9mm. Not only is it a waste of the platform, theyre not historically reliable either.


A 1911 can be tuned to run 45acp very well, it will require more maintenance than a plastic gun, but in a good environment I wouldnt say the 1911 is less reliable. A 9mm 1911 on the other hand...is kinda like the wankel engine. Yeah, its been done before, do they work great? Id say not. So why go down that road? </div></div>

I'll second this thought, plus award you 100 points for throwing in a rotary engine reference. </div></div>
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

Chakup is right in that SA redesigned the EMP from the ground up. The frame is smaller to accommodate the shorter cartridge. I can tell you the EMP 9mm does not like powerball ammo and I confirmed it with SA, BUT, it does like Hornedy Critical Duty, at least mine does.

It is accurate and very easy to shoot. If you have large hands be sure to try one first.
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

thanks Compact and I got back from a local shop that actually had one for me to compare directly with the Dan Wesson and Kimber.

Not having had the chance to shoot it I found the larger Dan Wesson to feel the best and of the Kimber/SAI I like the feel of the SAI. I spoke with the smith in the back room and he pointed out a number of places that Kimber is using plastic. Did have my eyeglasses to really see it closely and not sure it would matter but it gets me to leaning towards the EMP.

Have you had any problems with cycling through a magazine reliably? And thanks for the ammo info! Great to have info from a current user.

Best,
Mark
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And buying a kimber 9mm 1911 is like buying a wankel engine kia. </div></div>

I just spit coffee all over myself..

Thanks
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

So OP, if you don't mind answering: what was wrong with the Polymer Service pistols you've already tried?
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

Pester,

I have not had any cycling issues with my EMP using ammo it likes. Another thing is that SA has a life time warranty and full custom shop. If you have addition work done the warranty stands if done by the SA custom shop. SA will not warranty the parts or work performed by other shops.
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Armed Citizen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Keep the M&Pc and get a trigger job done. Doug does great work.
www.ATEi.com </div></div>

+10000000000000000000 Doug is amazing
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

I bought my 9mm a couple of months ago after a ton of research and range testing . I tried XDM , M&P , SIG, ect i ended up going with what i thought felt the best and i shot 2nd best without training or practice with and that was the H&K P30s 9mm I did my first training class with it last week and doing another tomorrow with it . I Can't believe how much i like it. The runner up was the XDM though i shot a little better with it and liked it but the H&K just felt better to me. I had a Gen 4 glock 17 totally hated it , it had a erratic
ejection issues and when i called glock they told me to try shooting it more to see if it would break in . I sold it that weekend at the gun show .
 
Re: 9mm recommendation

I would never buy a kimber myself. All the ones I have seen have needed major tuning to get them to run properly and reliably..
 
Everybody puts down Kimber, I happen to own some and recently purchased the pro covert II, over 700 rounds down the tube with zero issues last Sunday with cheap blazer ball ammo and Wilson combat mags. Maybe it is hit and miss or I'm just a lucky one. You can't tell me that every gun maker doesn't send out a bad one every now and then. I always hear bad reviews, but there is also good ones that people don't put out there so everyone gets a bad impression on something they have never used and going off another persons pov. Yes I would recommend a Kimber but it still comes down to personal preference and what works for you. Range time is your friend.
 
There are a lot of 9mm's out there and I'm sure I've left some off. For a carry gun I would have a glock 17 or a springfield XDM. If it had to be a 1911 it would be one of the STI offerings.
 
I have an EMP and really like it. The ergonomics are good for me, accuracy is more than satisfactory and has been very reliable for over 500 rounds.
 
HK P30L in 9mm for the full size gun. The HK Eats anything with no issues, runs like a swiss watch. For a carry gun I use my Sig P290, love it. It too eats everything, love that thing for carry.
 
I had an EMP 9mm a couple years ago, it was a good gun, reliable and accurate. I think the initial reliability issues were with the 40's. If you like the 1911 platform and want a 9mm the EMP would be a good one.
 
Ok, I have watched this thread for a while. Finally got out to shoot my emp and colt defender. I had picked up both used from the same gentleman. Emp only had a box through it. It has a shorter trigger and magwell with a 10-8 rear sight. It is honest to god the most accurate 9mm handgun I have ever shot, and maybe of all handguns under 15yds. It blew away the defender hands down. It even shot better than my sig stx. No problems at all. It just went bang every time! It was 22 Deg at the range here in MN. It was cold, but my emp and stx ran flawless. Colt and my FIL's desert eagle 1911c not so much. Stay away from DE 1911, it is a complete POS! He has stuck so much money into it and it still has problems. Now the barrel bushing is all screwed up and wrecked the slide.

I only paid $1450 with shipping and transfer fee for both.
 
TRI Survivor,$1450? For both? Thats a great deal and thanks for the update on the EMP!

HD1911, I like the Glocks, SW, Sigs, etc, etc polymer pistols. Nothing wrong with them and they all seem capable. Perhaps its just being used to the trigger in the 12 yr old Kimber. It seems smooth to me where most all of the others feel sticky, or crunchy. Not sure that makes sense....I guess the other thing I dont really care for is, in the SW M&P 9c you engage the lower part of the trigger and then pull to fire(there is a technical term for this that I cant remember). I hear there are good reasons to have that system in place however it just feels odd. The EMP, much like the old Kimber and the new Nighthawk, the feel good in my hand and seem easier to sight than many of the others. And to be honest(pretty far down the list)....I always liked the looks of a black/stainless/wood grips 1911 and the EMP reminds me of that.

any way....sort of a mute point. Cant seem to find any from the local guys and, with the increase in payroll taxes etc, I am not sure I can afford one very soon.

Thanks for the information as always....
 
They also have emp's with a grey/black g10 grip. Check out gunbroker. They are going for under $1k. I used to be an hk fan,but give me my 1911. I just sold that colt today and picked up a kimber s2 in 9mm for $670 shipped. So when it is all said and done, I'll have an emp and kimber s2 for $1350. Little to no rounds through either.

Picked up an unfired sig stx 20101911 model for $750 shipped. All have been on here or ar15.com.