HISTORY
When the U.S. Army dropped the 1911A1 after 80 years of service in favor of the Beretta 92, nearly every firearm manufacturer came out with a copy and started customizing this famous pistol.
Related: 1911 Popularity – How Browning’s Iconic Design Has Stayed the Course
So, why is Springfield Armory any different? The answer can be seen in their quality and attention to detail. The Emissary is made from forged stainless steel. It is much stronger than a casting. It will hold up for thousands of rounds without noticeable wear.
MY IMPRESSIONS
This is a hefty full-sized 1911. When I pick it up, it reminds me that it is somewhat heavy but fits my hand as only a 1911 can. The single-stack eight-round magazine allows the grip to remain thin as originally intended.
Feel those VZ grips! Composed of dozens of small textured blocks, the VZ surfaces surround the pistol’s gripping area, giving the sensation of it gently biting into my hand. I feel confident holding the gun due to this feature. It will aid me in accurate shooting.
This new black Emissary is not the first such pistol made by Springfield Armory. Early Emissaries were two-toned, sporting a silver lower receiver. Although attractive, I feel the new black version is superior in overall appearance. Hey, black is beautiful! It is meant to be covert, not flashy. I like that.
Notice the heavy bull barrel is completely black as well. I like carrying a full-sized handgun concealed frequently and do not want it to be flashy. There is no point in drawing undue attention. The black Emissary meets that requirement.
SPECIAL FEATURES
What makes the Emissary unique? In addition to the VZ grips, bull barrel, and forged stainless-steel construction, I notice more that set it apart from a standard 1911. Check out the skeletonized hammer. Reducing the hammer’s weight makes lock time faster, reduces the weight of the gun a bit, and it looks cool to boot.
The trigger is the heart of an accurate firearm, and Springfield Armory knows this well. The solid, flat-faced serrated trigger feels great on my fingertip as I squeeze. Trigger take-up is very minimal leading to the single-stage wall encountered prior to discharge. The square trigger guard is unusual but allows a fat gloved finger to be unimpeded.
I love the Emissary’s sights. The rear sight is U-shaped, and the front is a round dot that fits into the U perfectly. Both are luminescent. They come together quickly, putting me on target without hesitation. This is an important consideration for a carry firearm. Front and rear sights are snag-proof and drift-adjustable for windage. The finely serrated flat-top slide eliminates glare. Notice the special Tri-Top angled cut upper slide and lightening grooves. These reduce weight and give the piece a rakish appearance. That is cool!
The lower receiver accessory rail allows me to add my favorite laser or flashlight to round out a perfect carry gun. The supplied two steel eight-round magazines give me plenty of .45 ACP firepower. The slide to receiver fit and finish are superb. This pistol should be reliable. I cannot wait to take it to Area 51 for a shakedown test!
Related: Two Guys One Gun Podcast, Episode 4 – What's the Best Caliber for a 1911?
SPECIFICATIONS
- Overall Length: 8.4 inches
- Height: 5.25 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds, 8 ounces
- Bull Barrel: 5 inches, stainless-steel target quality, heavy
- Recoil: One-piece full-length guide rod
- Trigger: 5 pounds, 13 ounces; solid body, full face
- Grips: VZ-style front and back straps included
- Material: Forged stainless steel
- Sights: Tritium luminescent U-notch rear, dot front
- Beavertail grip and low-cut ejection port
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MSRP: $1,378
RANGE TEST
What a beautiful spring day in Arizona at Area 51. Many root beer jugs and soda cans are scattered about to demonstrate the hitting power of the mighty .45. I will be firing a mix of Winchester FMJ, Remington Golden Saber JHP, and Speer Gold Dot JHP ammunition. All are loaded with 230-grain bullets to test reliability.
Using Winchester FMJ ammo, the Emissary destroys a couple of water jugs. The slugs pass through, making .45 caliber holes. Shots on my steel targets are centered nicely. I notice while firing that the pistol remains steady and on target. Its weight and long, heavy 5-inch barrel help with this. The U-notch and bead front sight align well and quickly.
The slide locks back solidly, and the first magazine drops out cleanly. This is important to allow me to get back into action quickly. My steel target located at 10 yards has a “flapper” made of heavy steel. The Emissary smacks it several times, moving it with authority. Even a head shot is no problem with the Emissary’s sights.
I am always impressed by the power of a .45 hollow point hitting a 2-liter root beer jug! The bottle vaporizes. The smaller soda cans also evaporate with little remains of the aluminum cans.
Reliability & Accuracy
The Emissary fires effortlessly with minimal kick and is very smooth in operation. This makes it inherently accurate. The VZ grips aid in manipulation of the magazine release and help me change magazines quickly. I love the narrow grip. It fits my hand well, and I do not feel handicapped by the eight-round capacity.
Two targets are set at 50 yards and are a challenge for me and the Emissary. The pistol is capable of that distance. Can I hold steady for a long shot? The white water jug explodes with one shot. The 2-liter root beer jug takes two but explodes violently even at that long distance. That is the mark of an accurate pistol. It helps me shoot well.
Final shots on steel and on the boulder show good accuracy and no tendency to jam in rapid-fire sequences. Both the factory magazine and my Wilson Combat magazines loaded and ejected properly.
One failure to feed a JHP round was encountered and quickly rammed home to fire. I misfed one initial round by not using sufficient force. I do not consider either to be a major issue for the Emissary. Every new gun requires a break-in period. I am pleased with its hitting power, fit and finish of parts, and its beautiful feel in my hand.
PROS & CONS
